Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)

637 consumer complaints on file.

#10249905November 26, 2008
AIR BAGS
I HAVE AN AIR BAG FAILURE WHICH WILL PROHIBIT ME FROM PASSING THE STATE SAFETY INSPECTION. THE AIR BAG REPAIR IS OVER $1000. IS THERE A WAIVER OR A PROCESS TO DISPUTE THIS? ARE THERE RESOURCES TO HELP CONSUMERS IN THESE TYPE OF CASES? *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249807November 25, 2008
POWER TRAIN
EVERY TIME IT RAINS, I HAVE AN ACCUMULATION OF WATER UNDER BOTH THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE CARPETS. THE CAR SMELLS OF MOLD AND MILDEW. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH MANY YEARS OF VW'S AND THE DEALERS KNOW ABOUT IT. MY RESEARCH INDICATES DESIGN PROBLEMS WITH POLLEN FILTER. MAJOR PROBLEM IS THAT THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE IS LOCATED IN THE SAME VICINITY AS THE PUDDLED WATER. I HAVE HAD TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS FOR A WHILE ALTHOUGH HAVE NOT HAD TO REPLACE TCM YET. CHECK THE WEB FOR HOW MANY PEOPLE COMPLAIN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I UNDERSTAND THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE 2002 MODEL YEAR. 2003 IS NO DIFFERENT. FIRST NOTICED PROBLEM AFTER WARRANTY RAN OUT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10249199November 19, 2008
POWER TRAIN
I OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH A 1.8T ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 70,000 MILES AND I JUST FOUND OUT IT HAS ENGINE SLUDGE. I BOUGHT THE CAR USED AROUND MAY 2004 WITH AROUND 34,000 MILES AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM THE DEALER I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM (NOT VW DEALER) ABOUT SLUDGE PROBLEMS AND NEVER RECEIVED ANY INFORMATION FROM VW OF AMERICA ABOUT ALTERED OIL CHANGE SCHEDULE AND USING FULLY SYNTHETIC MOTOR OIL. BEING UNAWARE OF THE PROBLEMS THESE ENGINES WERE HAVING I FOLLOWED THE OWNERS MANUAL RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES OF 5,000. I WAS NOT AWARE OF SAVING RECEIPTS OF CHANGES AND PERFORMED SEVERAL MYSELF. MY DISPLAY SHOWED A STOP ENGINE LOW OIL PRESS MESSAGE SO I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO MY INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO PERFORMED SOME TESTS AND TOLD ME I HAD ENGINE SLUDGE. AS OF NOW I HAVE NO RECOURSE WITH VW OF AMERICA AS FAR AS FIXING AN ENGINE THEY KNOW IS FLAWED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10248350November 10, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER
ANALOG GAS GAUGE AND DIGITAL FEEDS FROM GAS TANK INACCURATE MOST OF TIME - SOMETIMES HALF A TANK OFF. TOOK MULTIPLE TIMES AND 5 WEEKS FOR DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR (GAVE UP ONCE - THEN TOOK TO ANOTHER DEALERSHIP). GAUGE ALSO SEEMS TO HAVE STICKING POINTS. SOMETIMES MOVES WHILE BEING WATCHED. *TR
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247653November 4, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENTS WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL HORSE POWER AND PRETTY MUCH SPUTTERED THEN DIED; I WAS LEFT EXPOSED TO TRAFFIC ON A BUSY ROAD. THEN, I WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY IGNITION COILS FAILED AND THAT IN TURN RUINED MY OXYGEN SENSOR AND CATALYTIC CONVERTER. ALL THESE HAD TO BE REPLACED BY VW AT MY COST. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME WHEN I WAS BEING TOWED THERE HE ALREADY KNEW WHAT IT WAS BECAUSE THEY GO OUT ALL THE TIME. DOING FURTHER RESEARCH IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10247501November 3, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2003 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT WAGON W8 (4MOTION/ALL-WHEEL DRIVE) FUEL TANK LEAK AT/OR NEAR ROLLOVER VALVE AT FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK HAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OR ABRASIONS AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD IS ORIGINAL UNDAMAGED CONDITION, VEHICLE HAS NO DAMAGE OR CRASH HISTORY. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH W-8 4.0 L W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS 62,215 MILES. AFTER REFILL OF FUEL ,STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND/OR VAPOR. INSPECTION FOUND FUEL TANK LEAKING FROM ROLLOVER VALVE AND FROM FUEL PUMP COVER IN TOP OF TANK. IMMEDIATE ACTION WAS TAKEN AND VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242804September 18, 2008
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE EXAMINING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEADLIGHT LENS WERE COVERED WITH A FOGGY MATERIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEADLIGHTS NEEDED TO BE SERVICED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 50,332. UPDATED 10/16/08. *LJ UPDATED 10/20/08. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242855September 18, 2008
SUSPENSION:FRONT
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR. THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED THAT THE CV BOOT ON THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER WHEELS WERE CRACKED. THE TECHNICIAN STRONGLY ADVISED THAT THE FAILURES BE REPAIRED TO AVOID FURTHER DAMAGES WITHIN THE SUSPENSION SYSTEM. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $700. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 32,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10241143September 6, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
GOT INTO MY 2003 VW PASSAT AND SMELLED FUEL. GOT OUT CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND NONE WERE VISIBLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER CHECKING. WHEN REPAIR SHOP STARTED VEHICLE, FUEL SPRAYED ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS. A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE WAS DETERMINED. THE AREA OF THE FUEL LINE ADJACENT TO THE FIRE WALL HAD RUBBED A HOLE. FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238665August 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONCE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT ITSELF IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ADVISED NOT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238727August 18, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM, EQUIPMENT
THE HEATER CORE TUBING IN THE CAR DISINTEGRATED AT ABOUT 18,000 MILES. THIS RESULTED IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARING, COOLANT LEAKING INTO OTHER PARTS OF THE ENGINE DEPARTMENT,AND THE FUMES FROM THE COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. AT THIS TIME THE VEHICLE WAS UNDER WARRANTY, SO I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THEY REPLACED THE PURGE VALVE (ABOUT AN HOURS WORK) AND RETURNED THE CAR TO ME. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TWO MORE TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM BEFORE THE WARRANTY RAN OUT AND THE DEALERSHIP PERFORMED THE SAME SERVICE. THE COOLANT LEAK BECAME SIGNIFICANTLY WORSE (I BEGAN ADDING COOLANT EVERY 3-4 DAYS) AT AROUND 82,000 MILES AND THE FUMES FROM THE COOLANT IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BECAME VERY STRONG. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE TUBING FROM THE HEATER CORE HAD COMPLETELY DISINTEGRATED AND THE HEATER CORE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ALTOGETHER. I HAVE SEASONAL ASTHMA ASSOCIATED WITH ALLERGIES AND INHALING THE FUMES FROM THE COOLANT HAS MADE THE CONDITION WORSE. I AM CURRENTLY HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT A COST OF APPROXIMATELY $1200. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10238359August 15, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,980.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237802August 12, 2008
EQUIPMENT
SUN ROOF DRAIN DISCONECTS AND WATER FILLS PASSENGER COMPARTMENT CAUSING COMPUTER MALFUNCTION , AIR BAGS TO MALFUNCTION AND FIRE HAZZARD. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME 1ST TIME IN 2006
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237757August 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 55 ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT OF MY VENTS I STOP AND OPEN THE HOOD AND NOTICE MY CAR HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE LEFT BOTTOM SIDE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237418August 8, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
I HAVE HAD THE 2003 PASSAT GLX FOR LESS THAN 2 WEEKS, I HAVE ONLY PUT 307 MILES ON IT. TODAY WHILE ON THE INTERSTATE, THE CAR QUIT PULLING. IT WAS NOT GETTING ANY GAS. THEN IT DIED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT START. IT TURNS OVER BUT WON'T START. WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE INTERSTATE FOR NEARLY AN HOUR WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK. WAS TOLD THAT IT IS THE FUEL PUMP. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237171August 6, 2008
SEATS
THE CAR SEAT HEATER (DRIVER'S SIDE) BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC, LEAVING 1 INCH HOLE IN THE SEAT. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THIS HAPPENED WITH NORMAL USE OF THE HEATER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236914August 4, 2008
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
1. DRIVING CAR TRANSMISSION SHIFTED ERRATICALLY WHEN PULLING OUT OF HOUSE. ALSO HIT ANOTHER CAR AS TRANSMISSION SHIFTED WITHOUT DOING ANYTHING. 2. ALWAYS WHEN RAINS. 3. SUNROOF DRAIN/AIR PLENUM AREA DEALER SAID WAS BLOCKED AND WATER WENT DOWN B PILLAR. SHORTED OUT TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IN PASSENGER FOOT WELL. WATER PASSED OVER JUNCTION CONNECTIONS IN B PILLAR ALSO SHORTED OUT AIRBAG SENSOR AND OTHER ELECTRICAL. VW NOW ISSUES SERVICE ACTION 66C8/P9 TO COVER THIS WHICH WAS NOT LISTED AS MAINTENANCE. DEALER SAID HE WAS NOT DOING THIS. VERY POOR DESIGN. IF DRAINS FOR SUN ROOF AND PLENUM CLOG THEN WATER GOES INSIDE AND SHORTS CRITICAL ELECTRONICS. TRANSMISSION COMPUTER IN PASSENGER FOOTWHEEL WHICH FILLED WITH WATER COSTS $2000 AND COULD OF BEEN MY LIFE. IN GENERAL THIS CAR HAS HAD MANY RECALLS AND IS UNSAFE. I HAVE HAD IT FOR 5 YEARS AND ONLY 38K MILES AND EVERY RECALL HAS SURFACE AS PROBLEM IN THIS CAR FROM SEAT HEATERS STAYING ON, BRAKE LIGHTS SHORTING, HEAD LEAKING, FRONT SUSPENSION ASSEMBLY VIBRATING LOOSE ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10237128August 1, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THIS OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. *KB THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ENGINE KNOCK, BEFORE THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THE DEALER STATED THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE PICK UP TUBE IN THE OIL PAN BLOCKED BY OIL SLUDGE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10236151July 28, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE, STRUCTURE:BODY, EQUIPMENT
THIS CAR WAS NEVER INSPECTED FOR RECALLS, OR SAFETY ISSUES. THE MOMENT THE CAR WAS HANDED TO US THE BATTERY DIED. THE DEALERSHIP QUICKLY CHANGE THE BATTERY. THE CAR WAS HESITATING ON ACCELERATION EVER SINCE. IT WAS ON JULY 27 2008 THAT FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE AND IT HAS COAST US 270 DOLLARS TO FIX IT SO FAR. WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THIS CAR THAT WERE NEVER LOOK AT OR FIXED BY PRECISION TOYOTA OF TUCSON . ONE OF THESE RECALLS CAN CAUSE FIRE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10235635July 24, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE OWNED 3 VWS AND HAVE ALWAYS MADE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE ON SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. RECENT KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE LEAD US TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR A REPAIR AT WHICH TIME WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE HAD A MAJOR SLUDGE PROBLEM AND IT WOULD COST ME $6900 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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