2003 Volkswagen Passat complaints

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL # M7 (NHTSA # 06V017000). THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FIRST TWO TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE THIRD PUMP FAILURE DUE TO ETHANOL MIXTURE IN THE FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED SEVERAL GAS STATIONS TO BE USED THAT HAD BEEN TESTED FOR ETHANOL CONTENT.

OVER FOUR MONTHS AGO, I RECEIVED VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL M7 (APPLICABLE TO 2003 VW PASSAT'S) REGARDING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP THAT MAY CAUSE A CAR TO "STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND . . . PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH." I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A DEALER TO GET THE PART REPLACED. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SINCE. AFTER MONTHS ON A WAITING LIST I AM NOW LEAVING THE WASHINGTON DC AREA, AND AM TOLD THAT THERE IS A SIMILAR WAIT LIST (BACKED UP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS) WHERE I'M MOVING TO. VOLKSWAGEN'S DELAY AND REFUSAL TO CURE THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. I STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE. *JB

NHTSA RECALL 06V017000 FOR A VW PASSAT. I HAVE BEEN WAITING NEARLY 3 MONTHS SINCE MY APPOINTMENT FOR THE "PART TO ARRIVE." I HAVE CALLED A WRITTEN VW ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP, ALL I GET IS - "IT'S ON ORDER." *NM

1. HEAVY RAIN STORMS 2. WATER ENTERED THE CAR VIA EITHER THE POLLEN FILTER OR BACKED UP FROM THE BATTERY WELL. THIS WATER CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) TO FAIL. 3. I PAID FOR THE POLLEN FILTER TO BE REPLACED, THE TCM TO BE REPLACED, THE COWL DRAIN HOLES TO BE CLEARED, AND THE WATER TO BE REMOVED. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RAIN WATER LEAKED INTO THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE CONCERNS EXPRESSED OF CABLES UNDER THE DASH BECOMING WET, THEREFORE CREATING AN ELECTRICAL HAZARD. THE RAIN WATER USUALLY ACCUMULATED IN THE DOORS, AND WHEN THE DOORS WAS OPENED THE WATER TRAVELED TO THE DASH BOARD.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM; FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

2003 VW PASSAT 4-DOOR WITH 1.8T MOTOR. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHICH CAUSES A VEHICLE TO DIE WITHOUT WARNING ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY TO NOT BE A DEFECT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART, BUT IT JUST SO HAPPENS MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH UP. JUST BECAUSE THE VIN # DOES NOT MATCH UP, DOES NOT MEAN THERE STILL IS NOT A DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I COULD RESEARCH THIS FURTHER, SO THAT I DON'T GET STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN. *JB

ON JUNE 6TH 2006 MY 2003 VW PASSAT CAR CAUGHT FIRE. MY CERTIFIED VW MECHANIC STATED THE CARS AFTER RUN WATER PUMP OVER HEATED, MELTING WIRING AND THE FIRE RESULTED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY APPEARS TO BE DENING THE CLAIM. *NM

STARTED CAR AND ASRS LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. SOON THE MIL LIT UP, FOLLOWED BY THE AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHT FLICKERING AND A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT CHECK CAR THE NEXT MORNING B/C FULLY BOOKED SO HAD ALTERNATE MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT. MECHANIC REALIZED IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY RUNNING LOW (BATTERY CHARGE CHECKED). THE NEXT MORNING ALTERNATOR CHECKED (ALTERNATOR REPLACE AND TESTED AND SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED). THE MECHANIC FINDS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT SAME MORNING WHICH WAS NOT THERE DAY BEFORE. HE STATES CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AT SLIGHT INCLINE OVERNIGHT WITH FRONT OF CAR HIGHER THAN TRUNK. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED TOWING CAR TO DEALERSHIP. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. *NM

WATER ISSUE - LEAKING DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS - LEAKING SUNROOF. *NM

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN MY 2003 VW PASSAT LOST POWER AND STOPPED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, VW REFUSES TO COVER THE COST. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

WATER LEAK - PASSAT 2003. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITION AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED UNTIL IT COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 09/12/06. *JB

ON THIS DATE I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE. AS A CAR PULLED ON TO THE DRIVING LANE IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE ENTRANCE RAMP, I ACCELERATED AND PULLED LEFT INTO THE PASSING LANE. SUDDENLY I HAD NO POWER, AND MANAGED TO COAST ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE, THROUGH TRAFFIC, TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER WHERE I COULD GET OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS FEW MINUTES WHICH FORTUNATELY DID NOT RESULT IN ANY COLLISION. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $589.80. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS 63, 661 MILES. *NM

2003 PASSAT BROKE DOWN BECAUSE OF A BROKEN FUEL PUMP. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. *KB THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE FAILED PART BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 50000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR REPAIR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RAIN WATER POOLS INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS STEADILY THROUGH THE SUNROOF WHILE IT IS CLOSED. THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT BECOMES WET AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF SHOCK FROM WIRING UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO SUGGESTED CHECKING THE DRAIN TUBE PERIODICALLY TO ENSURE IT WAS NOT CLOGGED. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, THE TUBE APPEARED TO BE OPEN FREELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS A SEAT WARMER. ONE MORNING, IT BEGAN TO BURN ON MY LEG; I NOTICED THE LEATHER IN ONE CORNER WAS MELTING. ONE OF THE WIRES FOR THE SEAT HEATER WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND PRESSING AGAINST THE SEAT. I NOTIFIED MY LOCAL DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA. THEY WERE UNWILLING TO FIX THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY, EVEN THOUGH IT WAS ONLY THREE YEARS OLD. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS NOT ONLY A DEFECT, BUT ALSO A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

THIS IS A 2003 PASSAT V6. I HAVE 115,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY A CERTIFIED VW TECHNICIAN SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS MY SECOND PASSAT, THE FIRST WAS A 2001.5 "NEW PASSAT". I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR AND LITTLE TO KNOW PROBLEMS WITH MY CURRENT 2003. HOWEVER, AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, IT ALWAYS SOUNDED AS THOUGH A FAN MOTOR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY RUN FOR WELL OVER 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS. ON THE DATE OF INCIDENT, I HAD DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK, PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. THANKFULLY, THE LAWN WAS LONG, SO I IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT TO CUT THE LAWN AFTER CHANGING MY CLOTHES. JUST IN THAT TIME, MAYBE 5-10 MINUTES THE MOST, I CAME OUT AND NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INTO THE ENGINE BAY TO SEE FLAMES ON THE LOWER BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. IT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE IF YOU WERE LOOKING INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND TOWARD THE FRONT. IT SMELLED OF BURNING PLASTIC AND METAL. THERE WAS ACTUALLY FLAMES, WHICH I PULLED OUT MYSELF WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND A LAWN HOSE. I DID GET A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT AND CONTINUED TO SEARCH ONLINE FOR OTHER ISSUES OF THE SAME SORT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IN SOME EVENTS, THEY EVEN MENTION THE ONGOING FAN SOUND. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BE LOOKED INTO. I WAS LUCKY, THANKS TO A LONG LAWN, BUT I COULD HAVE LOST MY CAR, AND MY HOME, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PARKED I

VW PASSAT 2003 62,000 MILES WITH OIL PRESSURE "STOP DRIVING" LIGHT AT 70 MPH. CAR STOPPED AND TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS WAS AN ENGINE SLUDGE ISSUE WHICH WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. STILL AWAITING ENGINE ANALYSIS. WAS TOLD ENGINE COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SEIZED IF I DID NOT STOP DRIVING. *JB

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MONTESI VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT. THEY CHARGED ME $85 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. AND THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT THE SOFTWARE WHICH CONTROLS THIS LIGHT MUST BE UPDATED AND THAT COSTS ABOUT $235. I TOLD THEM THAT IT IS NOT MY FAULT THAT THE EXISTING SOFTWARE ON THE CAR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, AND YOU MUST INSTALL THE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. BUT THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT IT. I THINK THIS NOT RIGHT, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE IF THE ORIGINAL SOFTWARE THAT THEY INSTALLED IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *NM

I RECENTLY HAD MY 40K MILE SERVICE DONE AND WAS PREPARING TO GO ON VACATION. THE CAR MADE IT THERE WITHOUT INCIDENT HOWEVER THE SECOND DAY INTO OUT VACATION THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE PRND432 ALL STAYED LIT. IT HAD BEEN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FOR SEVERAL DAYS HOWEVER THERE WAS EASILY TWO INCHES OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STOPPED AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE SHOP WAITING REPAIR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE IS SOMETHING FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, A NHTSA RECALL, #06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL 2006. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE PARTS FINALLY ARRIVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/03/06. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH 2006; THE VEHICLE IS NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SINCE RECEIVING THE LETTER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

TIMING BELT BROKE AT ONLY 66,000 MILES AND 3 YEARS OF VEHICLE USE. MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDS REPLACEMENT AT APPROX. 100,000 MILES. FAILURE TO ADVISE PURCHASERS OF PREMATURE CATASTROPHIC TIMING BELT FAILURE IS INEXCUSABLE. IT POSES A GRAVE RISK OF HARM TO DRIVERS. OUR TIMING BELT BLEW ON A BUSY STREET IN MIAMI. WE WERE VERY FORTUNATE THAT WE WERE NOT INJURED. THERE HAVE BEEN CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS INVOLVING THE EXACT SAME ENGINE-- USED IN AUDI CARS-- THAT WERE SETTLED BY PROVIDING A WARRANTY EXTENSION FOR THESE FAILURES. A SIMILAR WARRANTY EXTENSION SHOULD BE OFFERED TO VW OWNERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAVE THE SAME ENGINE (1.8L TURBO, 4-CYLINDER). A CLASS ACTION AGAINST VW SHOULD NOT BE NECESSARY (THOUGH IT MAY BE FORTHCOMING)-- THEY SHOULD ACCEPT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT AND THEREBY POTENTIALLY SAVE LIVES. WHAT IF YOUR SON OR DAUGHTER WERE HURT IN A TIMING BELT-RELATED CRASH? SHAME ON VW.*JB

AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER, DATED MARCH 2006, STATING A RECALL WAS NEEDED FOR MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO GET THE ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME CAR AND LEARNED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RECALL AFTER HER CAR CUT OFF ON HER WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS CALLED ROUGHLY A DAY BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY WOULD NEED TO MOVE MY APPOINTMENT BACK 2 WEEKS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK WITH CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RENTAL CAR AVAILABLE UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR BUT I COULD CALL VOLKSWAGEN AND SPEAK WITH THEM ABOUT IT. I GUESS THEY DIDN'T FEEL MY SAFETY WAS AN ISSUE, THEREFORE THEY DID NOT GIVE ME A RENTAL, BUT THEY DID OFFER TO CALL AROUND AND SEE IF I COULD BE SEEN SOONER. THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS ON BACK ORDER FOR THE SAME PART. I KEPT MY APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY AT 8AM, TOOK OFF WORK, DROVE CLEAR ACROSS TOWN, CHECKED IN WITH THEM, THEY TOOK MY KEY, AND I HEADED TO THE CUSTOMER WAITING AREA. I WAS CALLED BACK DOWN TO THE DESK 5 MINUTES LATER FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND WOULD HAVE TO CALL ME WHEN IT CAME IN. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT NO ONE CALLED TO INFORM ME OF THIS INSTEAD OF HAVING ME DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP! I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT MORE CONCERNED REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUS

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE OIL PUMP. THE OIL PUMP, PIPES, RESONATOR, OIL AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED.

USE OF DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER CREATED BURNING SENSATION IN THE REGION OF MY LEFT HIP AND SCENT OF SINGED/BURNING MATERIAL AROSE FROM THE SEAT. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF, HOWEVER A BURNING SMELL PERSISTED FOR 3-5 MINUTES. I HAVE USE THIS FEATURE IN THE SAME VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR 2.5 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE. *JB

WE OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. TWICE THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF HWY. 29 IN NAPA. THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME IT WENT OUT, YESTERDAY, THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WE WERE CHARGED $441 TO HAVE IT FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN DENIES THAT OUR MODEL HAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP EVEN THOUGH OTHER PASSAT MODELS ARE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE SECOND FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN LAST JANUARY, ABOUT 16 MONTHS AGO. NOW ANOTHER FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN YESTERDAY, APRIL 27, 2006. BOTH TIMES THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY 29 IN NAPA. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE COULD CAUSE IT TO STALL. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE DELIVERY FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ON APRIL 14, 2006 THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP PER VOLKSWAGEN SAFETY RECALL M7, BUT THE WORK WAS CANCELED DUE TO NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO INQUIRE FROM THE LOCAL DEALER WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A DEFINITIVE ANSWER. THE CONTACT CONTACTED A DEALER 60 MILES AWAY AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE THERE. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIPS BY CONTACT UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT WORK WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS UNHAPPY BY VOLKSWAGEN UNCARING ATTITUDE AND LACK OF ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS. *AK

RECALLED FUEL PUMP IS NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER SAYS PUMP IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB

FUEL PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND ACCELERATION CAPABILITY WAS INSTANTLY LOST. THIS OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF AN EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY WITH LARGE TRUCKS ON EITHER SIDE. THROUGH SHEER LUCK, I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER WITHOUT BEING HIT BY THE FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *NM

I PURCHASED A NEW 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM SMITH VOLKSWAGEN OF WILMINGTON, DE. FROM THE BEGINNING THE CAR WOULD INTERMITTENTLY EXPERIENCE TOTAL ENGINE SHUTDOWN AT MID-RPM WHILE UNDER FULL ACCELERATION. THIS MADE ANY KIND OF MERGING INTO TRAFFIC MANEUVER A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR REPAIR BUT WITH NO SUCCESS. THIS CAUSED US FOR THE ENTIRE TIME WE OWNED THE VEHICLE TO COMPLETELY MODIFY THE WAY WE DROVE - NEVER KNOWING WHEN THE ENGINE WOULD DIE OUT. NOW AFTER STRUGGLING WITH THIS FOR 3 YEARS I RECEIVE RECALL NOTICE "SAFETY RECALL M7", ONE MONTH AFTER WE TRADED IN THE VOLKSWAGEN ON ANOTHER CAR. THIS NOTICE DESCRIBES OUR PROBLEM BUT UNDERPLAYS THE HAVOC THE PROBLEM CAN ACTUALLY CAUSE WHEN IT OCCURS TO YOUR CAR. THESE VEHICLES ARE A DANGER TO THEIR DRIVERS AND TO ALL THE CARS AROUND THEM ON THE ROAD. THEY SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM THE HIGHWAY UNTIL THEY ARE FIXED NOW THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS FINALLY ADMITTED SOMETHING IS WRONG 3 YEARS LATER. *NM

CAR HAD TROUBLE STARTING, ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS, LURCHING WHILE DRIVING AND ULTIMATELY TRANSMISSION AND AIR BAG FAILURE. *NM

DUE TO A SUNROOF DRAIN CLOG, OUR 2003 PASSAT WAGON PASSENGER FLOORBOARD QUICKLY FILLED WITH WATER IN WHAT I WOULD DESCRIBE AS MAJOR FLOODING. AS AN IMMEDIATE AND DIRECT RESULT WITH NO OPPORTUNITY TO REACT AND RESPOND OUR CAR BEGAN TO HAVE TROUBLE STARTING. AFTER GETTING IT STARTED AND BEING UNAWARE OF THE SITUATION WE WERE DEALING WITH, AN ATTEMPT WAS MADE TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER TO SEE WHAT WAS WRONG. DURING THAT RIDE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WENT HAYWIRE, THE CAR BEGAN TO LURCH AND ULTIMATELY SHUT DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. I WAS FORCED TO CALL VW FOR A TOW AND WAS RESPONDED TO PROMPTLY. THE DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT EXAMINED THE CAR AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE WERE BOTH SUBMERGED AS THEY BOTH REST UNDERNEATH THE CARPET IN THE FLOORBOARD. BOTH ITEMS WERE DEEMED TO BE NONFUNCTIONING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. ALONG WITH THE LABOR TO CLEAN CARPETS AND REPLACE THESE PARTS THE TOTAL BILL WAS AROUND 2300 DOLLARS. HERE IS MY COMPLAINT: THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY ACCORDING TO THE DEALER, HOWEVER; THERE IS NO LITERATURE IN THE OWNERS MANUAL OR BUYERS GUIDE THAT SUGGESTS THE IMPORTANCE OF KEEPING THESE DRAINS UNCLOGGED. I MEAN IF MAJOR FLOODING IN THE FLOORBOARD OF A VEHICLE, A PLACE WHERE THE VITAL COMPUTER MODULES ARE KEPT, IS GOING TO CREATE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE THEN IT SHOULD BE NOTATED AND/OR MADE CLEAR TO THE BUYER AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND WORTHY OF WARRANTING A RECALL. IF YOU NEED

2003 PASSAT CARBON BUILT UP ON THE INJECTORS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. *TS ***NAR*** AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTED REPAIRS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. TWO MONTHS LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BROKEN DOWN TO SEE IF THE PROBLEM WAS RELATED TO THE OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. THE ENGINE FAILED IN AUGUST 2005 WITH ONE YEAR/12000 MILE WARRANTY. A MONTH AFTER REPLACEMENT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP FAILED TO CORRECTLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM AND THE ENGINE WAS CHECKED IN MARCH 2006. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE BROKEN DOWN IN ORDER TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM AND SINCE THE MILEAGE EXCEEDED THE WARRANTY IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CONTACT CONTACT THE DEALER, WHO INDICATED THE SAME THING AND REFERRED THE CONTACT BACK TO THE DEALER. THE CONTACT WAS TOSSED BACK AND FORTH WITH NO ONE TAKING RESPONSIBILITY OR ACTION. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VEHICLES, AND THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS RANKED AMONG THE WORSE CAR COMPANIES FOR RESOLVING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS. THEREFORE, THE CONTACT SOUGHT NHTSA ASSISTANCE. *AK

FUEL PUMP FAILED IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL YET AND WILL NOT BE COVERED THE ALL OCCURRED ON 3/27/03. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 20MPH, THE SEAT WARMER STARTED SMOKING ALTHOUGH, NO FLAMES WERE VISIBLE. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THE IGNITION WAS TURNED OFF. THE CONTACT NOTICED A HOLE IN THE SEAT FROM WHERE THE SMOKE WAS COMING FROM. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE PROPER REPAIRS WERE MADE.

PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 8/4/03 8/8/05 - ENGINE OIL LIGHT CAME ON, VEHICLE DIAGNOSED W/ "ENGINE OIL SLUDGE" BY DEALERSHIP, WARRANTY ITEM. 8/11/05- SPOKE W/ DEALERSHIP TO CONFIRM SLUDGE ISSUE AND PRESENTED OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS,(VEHICLE PURCHASED W/ 19637 MILES) , DEALER DECLINED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY AND RECOMMENDED A ENGINE FLUSH & OIL CHANGE 8/12/05 - RETRIEVED VEHICLE AND HAD ENGINE FLUSHED & OIL CHANGED 8/13/05 - VEHICLE CUT OFF & REMAINS INOPERABLE 8/21/05 - VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO RECEIVE DIAGNOSES 8/26/05 - VEHICLE DIAGNOSED W/ NO OIL PRESSURE OR COMPRESSION. CAUSE - (BAD OIL PUMP) TIMING BELT JUMPED R&R VALVE COVER AND LOCKED UP CAM #1 CYLINDER. NO SLUDGE WAS FOUND IN ENGINE, VALVE COVER, OIL PAN OR ENGINE BLOCK. ENGINE WAS FREE OF SLUDGE AND WOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FAIL (DOCUMENTED BY AUTO REPAIRMAN) 8/26/05 - TOWED VEHICLE TO ANOTHER (ENGINE REPAIR SPECIALIST) REPAIR SHOP. 9/22/05 - DIAGNOSES RESULT "NO" ENGINE OIL SLUDGE FOUND. (ENGINE WAS TOTALLY DISASSEMBLED AND EXAMINED IN EVERY DETAIL) SLUDGE WOULD BE EXPECTED IF POOR MAINTENANCE WAS THE ISSUE. A SIMPLE OIL FLUSH WOULD NOT HAVE REMOVED ENGINE OIL SLUDGE (DOCUMENTED BY SERVICE CENTER) 9/23/05 - CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER CARE TO REPORT MY FINDINGS. NO RESOLUTION OBTAINED TO DATE. I WAS TOLD TO OBTAIN ANOTHER ENGINE ANALYSIS. 9/26/05 - CONTACTED VW AGAIN TO INFORM THEM THAT ANOTHER ANALYSIS IS IMPOSSIBLE BECAUSE THE ENGINE IS DISASSEMBLED. 10/7/05 - TOWED THE VEHICLE BACK TO MY HOME. VEHICLE PRESENTLY GARAGED AND I

2003 VW PASSAT, BUILT 11/2002, FUEL PUMP FAILED 12/2004, AT 52695K MILES. NOW THERE IS A FUEL PUMP RECALL FOR 2003 VW PASSAT BUILT BETWEEN 09/01/2002-03/31/2003 WITH A RANGE OF VIN NUMBERS, THAT MINE APPEARS TO FALL IN, AND I AM BEING TOLD MY CAR SHOWS NO PENDING RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN. *NM

THIS IS A 2003 VW PASSAT WITH 27,000 MILES. IT IS KEPT OUTSIDE IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA. THERE HAVE BEEN RAINS HERE RECENTLY, EXPECTED THIS TIME OF YEAR. THE REAR FOOTWELL WAS FOUND TO HAVE WATER IN IT RECENTLY. NEITHER THE SUNROOF NOR WINDOWS HAD BEEN LEFT OPEN. ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY VW DEALERS ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE, THE BOTTOM OF THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBE WAS CLOGGED, BACKING WATER UP. THE RESULTING DAMAGE INCLUDED CARPET, DAMPENED TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT, WIRING HARNESS AND A SAFETY RELAY AMOUNTING TO OVER $3,000 TO REPAIR. THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE DAMAGED PARTS AND UNCLOGGING THE DRAIN TUBE. THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WILL FIX THE PROBLEM PERMANENTLY. THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HAD AN INTERNAL SHORT

FAILURE OF ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DUE TO INTERIOR WATER LEAKS INTO THE FOOTWELL AREA FROM BLOCKED PLENUM DRAIN. AS STATED IN THE JUNE 18,2004 VW TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN VEHICLE HAS 28,000MILES . IT IS A LEASE. FIRST ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS BEGAN AT APPROX 20,000 MILES WHEN AIR BAG LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. SERVICE DEPARTMENT KEPT CAR FOR 3 WEEKS AND REPAIRED. SECOND PROBLEM KEY LOCK SYSTEM FAILED. UNABLE TO START THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO RE-DO CODES AND REPLACE KEYS, ALSO CHANGED STEERING WHEEL. THIRD PROBLEM, DAMPNESS ON FLOOR OF DRIVERS SIDE, FRONT AND BACK., TRUNK OPENED WHILE DRIVING, INTERIOR LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNLESS TURNED OFF MANUALLY, DOOR LOCKS OPENED AND CLOSED RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING, ALARM SYSTEM WENT OFF RANDOMLY, SOUND SYSTEM WENT ON AND STAYED ON AFTER CAR WAS VACANT. CAR NEEDED TO BE JUMP STARTED IN ORDER TO USE. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS DENIED WARRANTY COVERAGE DUE TO NORMAL WEATHER CONDITIONS CAUSING PROBLEMS. VW OF AMERICA REFUSED TO COOPERATE STATING THAT THEY DO NO COVER DEFECTIVE PARTS IF IT RAINED ON THE VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME, CAR HAS BEEN AT DEALERSHIP FOR 3 WEEKS WHILE PARTS ARE ORDERED TO REPAIR AT MY COST. SO FAR BILL IS RISING ABOVE $4,000. REQUEST TO TERMINATE LEASE WAS DENIED. 90 DAYS EARLY TERMINATION WAS OFFERED BY VW LEASING BUT PAYMENTS MUST CONTINUE TO BE MADE AFTER CAR IS RETURNED. *NM

THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. WITH ONLY 54000 MILES IT COMPLETELY FAILED TO START ON ACCOUNT OF A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. *NM

DESIGN DEFECT RESULTS IN FAILURE OF COMPUTER DUE TO WATER FLOODING. COMPUTER FAILURE RESULTS IN DISABLING OF VEHICLE AND EXPENSIVE REPAIRS. THIS CONDITION CAUSED BY PARKING THE CAR WHERE LEAVES OCCASIONALLY FALL ONTO IT. REASON: WINDSHIELD DRAINS INTO COMPARTMENT CONTAINING THE BATTERY, WHICH HAS A DRAIN HOLE LOCATED UNDER THE BATTERY, REQUIRING REMOVAL OF BATTERY TO PROPERLY CLEAN. DRAIN GETS CLOGGED DUE TO LEAVES, RESULTING IN BATTERY COMPARTMENT FILLING WITH WATER. WHEN THIS HAPPENS, WATER ENTERS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT FOOT WELL. I TOOK MY CAR TO VW DEALER WITH THIS CONDITION AND THEY TOLD ME THE COMPUTER COULD GET FLOODED/RUINED AND THIS WOULD NOT BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY DUE TO "EXTERNAL INFLUENCE". THEY AGREED TO CLEAN THE DRAIN FREE OF CHARGE, BUT WERE UNABLE AND UNWILLING TO PROVIDE ME WITH A SERVICE ADVISORY THAT THE DRAIN MUST BE CLEARED TO PREVENT COMPUTER DAMAGE. I CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THE PROBLEM OVER THE PHONE BUT REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY WRITTEN STATEMENT OF THE EXISTENCE OF THE PROBLEM AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A WRITTEN, PERMANENT REMEDY FOR THIS PROBLEM, OR TO MODIFY THE CAR SO THIS WOULD NOT HAPPEN. *JB

HEATED SEAT IN CAR MALFUNCTIONED AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. NO INJURY OCCURRED, BUT IF LEFT UNATTENDED THIS COULD BE A FIRE OR SAFETY HAZARD. *NM

MY SIDE WINDOW BLEW OUT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH ON MOSTLY RURAL STRETCH OF HIGHWAY 94, DRIVING EASTBOUND NEAR WAUKESHA, WI. I WAS IN THE LEFTMOST LANE WITH NO VEHICLES WITHIN 50 YARDS TO THE FRONT OR BACK OF MY CAR. I DON'T BELIEVE ANYTHING STRUCK THE WINDOW AND I DIDN'T SEE ANY CRACKS IN THE GLASS BEFORE I GOT ON THE HIGHWAY. IT WAS ABOUT 30 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE HAD OUR HEATER ON FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES INSIDE THE CAR. I DRIVE A 2003 VW PASSAT. NO ACCIDENT OR INJURIES TO MYSELF OR MY PASSENGER RESULTED FROM THE WINDOW EXPLOSION. I DIDN'T REPORT ANYTHING TO THE POLICE OR SHERIFF BECAUSE I HAVE NO REASON TO BELIEVE THE WINDOW WAS DELIBERATELY SMASHED BY A PERSON WITH A WEAPON OR THROWN OBJECT. THE WINDOW WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN EXPENSE. I HAVE TWO PHOTOS OF THE WNDOW TAKEN BEFORE THE REMAINING SHATTERED GLASS WAS REMOVED. HOW COMMON IS THIS FOR SIDE WINDOWS? COULD IT BE A DEFECT IN THE GLASS? A SPONTANEOUS FAILURE OF THE GLASS? COULD A PROJECTILE THAT I DIDN'T SEE OR HEAR STRIKE THE SIDE GLASS WITH ENOUGH FORCE TO SHATTER THE WINDOW? *NM

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE JUST DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE GAS PUMP. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO CRUISE THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY CONSIDERING I HAD CARS IN FRONT OF ME, BEHIND ME, AND ON THE SIDE OF ME, ALL MOVING AT SPEEDS 50-60 MPH. IN OVER 27 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM OCCURRING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, OR FUNNY SOUNDS BY THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. *AK

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I65 FROM BIRMINGHAM, AL TO HUNTSVILLE, AL MID MORNING ON THE 27 JANUARY 2006. NEARING THE END OF JOURNEY TO THE HUNTSVILLE TURNED OFF ON I65 AND VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT 2003 LOST COMPLETE POWER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE CAR, AND WAS FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR TO A STOP AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. UPON CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN HUNTSVILLE, AL. DURING INITIAL INVESTIGATION LED THEM TO BELIEVE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF $200. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY SAID MY FUEL PUMP WAS DEAD AND NEEDED REPLACING, THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AS NO PETROL COULD BE PUMPED INTO THE ENGINE. I DID NOT KNOW WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BATTERY AS I HAD POWER IN THE CAR. CURRENTLY, CAR WILL NOT BE FIXED UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY AT A COST OF $600 TO ME. I READ ONLINE AT PASSATWORLD.COM FORUM THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. THEY EXPECT THIS PROBLEM TO BE DOCUMENTED A LOT MORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS OUR 2003 YEAR VW PASSAT COME OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SUSPECTED YEAR WITH THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP. I DO NOT SEE HOW THIS FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL UPON ANY DOING OF MY OWN AS I HAVE ALWAYS RUN THE CAR WITH A FULL TANK AND ON 93 OCTANE. VW NEED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS PART AS THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, CAUSING A CAR TO L