Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)

637 consumer complaints on file.

#10424540September 9, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, SUSPENSION
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 77,650 MILES WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE OILPUMP AND ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT IS UNKNOWN. THE AUTOMOBILE WILL STALL NOT START IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 6 MONTHS DUE TO THE RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND I BELIEVE SLUGGED IS BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED TWO OILPUMPS IN THE VEHICLE AND THE SENSORS. ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE AND DEFECTIVE COILS ON EACH CYLINDER. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10420091August 18, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT HAS HAD RECURRING PROBLEMS WITH IGNITION COILS OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS (HAVE ALREADY HAD TWO REPLACED AT PERSONAL EXPENSE, AS THEY WERE NOT UNDER RECALL/WARRANTY) MOST RECENT ISSUE WITH SUCH HAS OCCURRED THE PAST TWO WEEKS, BEGINNING WITH THE APPEARANCE OF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALONG WITH PERIODS OF MY VEHICLE RUNNING VERY ROUGH (A "RUMBLING" TYPE SENSATION, PARTICULARLY WHEN IDLING/WHILE STOPPED) THIS SOON ESCALATED INTO A TOTAL LOSS OF POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE OTHER DAY, WHICH NECESSITATED IN ME HAVING TO ABRUPTLY PULL ONTO THE SHOULDER, SMOKE CAME OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD FOR A MINUTE OR TWO. TOOK MY PASSAT TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THE NEXT DAY, WHERE THEY READ THE ERROR CODE(S) FOR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT---TURNS OUT THERE ARE 10 IN ALL, 1 FOR EACH CYLINDER IN MY ENGINE (I HAVE A V6), 3 FOR EACH IGNITION COIL, AND 1 GENERAL ENGINE CODE. THIS WILL BE THE THIRD TIME I HAVE DEALT WITH THIS ISSUE IN A VERY SHORT TIME FRAME. I WILL BE CALLING THE DEALERSHIP FIRST THING IN THE MORNING BUT I DO NOT BELIEVE THERE IS ANY RECALL/WARRANTY OUT FOR THIS ISSUE STILL. I AM VERY UPSET AND DISPLEASED WITH VW AND THEIR LACK OF RELIABILITY/CREDIBILITY REGARDING THIS ISSUE. IT SEEMS THAT IT IS QUITE WIDESPREAD FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCHED AND READ AND I HOPE THAT SOMETHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT IT SOON, I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP PAYING FOR THIS AND CERTAINLY CANNOT AFFORD FOR THE SAFETY HAZARDS OF IT TO GET ANY WORSE, IM AFRAID AN ENGINE FIRE WILL BE NEXT!! *KB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10418850August 9, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
COILS FOR CYLINDERS 2-4 INEXPLICABLY FAILED AS WELL AS THE PLUGS AND NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR MISFIRE CODE. ENGINE PURGE VALVE ALSO NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10416868August 3, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING BELT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION COIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DESIGNED TO BE A LIFETIME TIMING SYSTEM AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR CAM GEAR ADJUSTERS, CONTROL SOLENOID HOUSING, ADJUSTER BOLTS AND TIMING CHAINS, THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND SEALS, TORQUE CONVERTER BOLTS, EXHAUST GASKETS, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, INJECTOR SEALS, CHAIN COVER, CHAIN TENSIONERS, REAR MAIN SEAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY GASKETS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10413244July 17, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I OWN A 2003 VW PASSATT 1.8L TURBO. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, AND HAVE USED FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. FROM READING SEVERAL FORUMS ON THE ISSUE I AM GOING TO REPORT, I DO NOT HAVE A GOLD PLATED RECORD OF ALL OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I HAVE CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. TWO MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO IS A MASTER MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE OIL INTAKE TUBE IN THE OIL PAN....IT WAS COMPLETELY CLOGGED UP AND NO OIL WAS GETTING THROUGH IT. I PAID FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR HIM TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND IT COST ME $2500 DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY COST, AND FIND OUT WHAT VW HAS DONE TO COVER OWNERS FOR THESE REPAIRS? THANK YOU VERY MUCH. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10410691July 6, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10407543June 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ENGINE FAILURE. *TT
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10406066June 13, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN HE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE SAME FAILURE ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPIGN ID NUMBERS: 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP), 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), AND 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10404567June 6, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HE RECEIVED A VOLUNTARY RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE, HE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS A ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/13/12 *CN
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403666May 28, 2011
VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES
REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS PULLED OFF WINDSHIELD BY A 2 YR OLD, MIRROR SEPARATED AT THE BALL-AND-SOCKET HINGE WITH THE BASE REMAINING GLUED TO THE WINDSHIELD. NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE MIRROR. PUSHING MIRROR BACK TOGETHER SHATTERED THE WINDSHIELD IN THE AREA OF THE MIRROR. IT IS POSSIBLE THAT PULLING THE MIRROR APART HAD ALREADY DAMAGED THE WINDSHIELD (NOT CHECKED BEFORE TRYING TO PUT THE MIRROR BACK TOGETHER). I WOULD HAVE EXPECTED THE MIRROR TO UNGLUE FROM THE WINDSHIELD OR BREAK BEFORE THE WINDSHIELD BROKE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10403530May 26, 2011
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
METAL FUEL LINE IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DRIPPED GASOLINE ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BELOW, DESPITE A PATCH THAT A VW MECHANIC HAD INSTALLED EARLIER. FIRST SMELLED GAS IN MARCH AND TOOK IT TO A VW REPAIR SHOP. PATCH WITH CLAMPS WAS ADDED. SMELLED GAS AGAIN IN MAY AND DISCOVERED THE FUEL LEAK. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THE LEAK WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE RESULT OF A CRACKED FUEL LINE, WHICH HE SAID IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OLDER PASSATS.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10396931April 20, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND SHE WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY REPAIR DEALING WITH THE OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,600.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10395878April 14, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2003 VOLKSWAGAN PASSAT WAGON HAS ROOF/CHASSIS DRAINS THAT ARE BACKING UP INSIDE THE VEHICLE CAUSING THE VEHICLE ELECTRONICS TO SHORT OUT AND FAIL. MY REAR DOOR WILL NOT OPEN. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10392649March 23, 2011
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W8. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN THE STEERING. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CAM SHAFT AND TORQUE. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/11*LJ UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390289March 15, 2011
STEERING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO A FENCE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIANS WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ UPDATED 06/20/11*JB
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390083March 14, 2011
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WITH THE HEATED SEAT ENGAGED, THE CONTACT FELT A BURNING SENSATION COMING THROUGH THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THERE WAS A BURNED HOLE THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER SEAT AS WELL AS A BURN TO HIS PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO HAVE THE FAILURE DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 54,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10389796March 10, 2011
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
POWER TRAIN LACK OF POWER WHEN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR MAY HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT, PULLING OUT IN TRAFFIC. THIS WAS DUE TO WATER LEAK IN POLLEN FILTER BOX (CRACKED) WHICH AFFECTED THE SHIFT LOCK SOLENOID, AFFECTING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE. 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT MILEAGE OF 121,000 MILES. NORMALLY GARAGED AND MAINTAINED ACCORDING TO SCHEDULE. AFTER RAIN, FOUND AN INCH OF WATER IN REAR PASSENGER FLOOR. TRANSMISSION NON-FUNCTIONAL, AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT AND OTHER WARNING LIGHTS ON. DEALER SAID THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL WAS NO GOOD AND THAT WATER LEAKED IN AND DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT WHICH IS LOCATED IN THE FLOOR BEHIND THE PASSENGER SEAT. I HAVE READ MANY ACCOUNTS ON THE INTERNET FROM MANY ANGRY OWNERS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS WHERE LEAKS FROM THIS SEAL HAVE CAUSED CATASTROPHIC REPAIRS. THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALER TOLD ME THAT CHECKING THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL IS NOT PART OF ANY REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND THAT IN ORDER TO CHECK IT, YOU'D NEED TO DISASSEMBLE QUITE A FEW THINGS IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN I ASKED HIM HOW AN OWNER COULD POSSIBLY KNOW IF THE SEAL NEEDED REPLACEMENT AND HE REPLIED "YOU FOUND OUT HOW". I AM CLEARLY NOT ALONE IN HAVING EXPERIENCED A FAILURE FROM A PART THAT IS NOT IN ANY WAY MAINTAINABLE (THE POLLEN FILTER SEAL) AND THAT HAS CAUSED MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I FEEL THIS IS A CONSUMER ISSUE AND THAT THIS IS A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE PASSAT THAT VW SHOULD COMPENSATE OWNERS FOR. THERE IS NO WAY FOR AN OWNER TO BE ABLE TO AVOID THIS SITUATION -- IT IS NOT A MATTER OF MAINTENANCE. IT GOT TO DO WITH THE PASSAT LEAKING WATER AND THE LOCATION OF AN EXTREMELY EXPENSIVE COMPONENT IN THE REAR PASSENGER FLOOR, THE AREA WHERE ANY WATER THAT LEAKS MIGRATES TO. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING DRIVING, I MIGHT. I HAVE BEEN TOLD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION SPENT ANOTHER 2000$ AND ITS NOT EVEN THIS THE PROBLEM!!!! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10388617March 5, 2011
UNKNOWN OR OTHER, POWER TRAIN
DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW WITH ALL PASSATS 1998 AND UP THEY ARE PRONE TO HAVING MAJOR FAILURE OF TCM TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AS IN CASES OF HEAVY RAIN WATER WILL LEAK INTO PASSENGER FLOOR AREA AND FILL THE TCM WITH WATER HENCE LOCKING TRANSMISSION INTO PARK AND NO LONGER ALLOWING VEHICLE TO BE SHIFTED...
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10383978February 22, 2011
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE FRONT END OF HER VEHICLE AND THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SHE ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE SEATBELTS DID NOT RETRACT ON IMPACT. AS A RESULT, HER HEAD HIT THE STEERING WHEEL, CAUSING A CONCUSSION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 86,000. UPDATED 4/11/2011 *CN THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED THE SEAT BELTS DID NOT LOCK IN TO PLACE. UPDATED 04/22/11
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10377188January 19, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER MADE SIX ATTEMPTS TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO CONTACTED THE LOCAL DEALER BUT OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,252 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 89,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

← Back to Volkswagen Passat