Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)

637 consumer complaints on file.

#10297406December 29, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
VW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ON MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON. (OPEN CAMPAIGN: 26E5/R5). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO ADDRESS THE RECALL BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR COULD NOT BE SERVICED WITHOUT POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BOTH JOINTS WERE SAID TO HAVE SMALL FRACTURES IN THE METAL AND BRAIDED STEEL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE EXHAUST LINE TO BE DROPPED VIA THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS AND THAT THEY COULD BE BROKEN IN THE PROCESS. IF DAMAGE TO THE JOINTS OCCURRED, THE CHARGE FOR THE PARTS (EXCLUDING LABOR) WOULD BE $1500 AND THAT THE FULL BILL FOR PARTS/LABOR WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE COST, I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE HEAT SHIELDS REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR CONTINUED USE OF THE VEHICLE WITHOUT ADDRESSING THE RECALL. I WOULD LIKE VOLKSWAGEN TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FULL COST OF REPLACING THE HEAT SHIELD UP TO AND INCLUDING THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS, SHOULD THAT BE NECESSARY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295714December 14, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
HEATER CORE HAS FAILED (PLUGGED UP) AT JUST OVER 90,000 MILES. OVER $1200 TO REPLACE; MAY BURST HOT FLUID THROUGH VENTS INTO PASSENGER COMPARTMENT IF NOT REPLACED SOON. CURRENTLY THE SMELL IN THE CAR WHEN RUNNING IS VERY STRONG OF RADIATOR FLUID. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295514December 13, 2009
SEATS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER IN MY 2003 VW PASSAT IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. I NOTICED WHAT LOOKED LIKE A CIGARETTE BURN ON THE LEFT SEAT BOLSTER (I DO NOT SMOKE). THE FOLLOWING DAY, I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING IN THE CABIN. WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE CAR, THERE WAS A SECOND BURN HOLE ABOUT A HALF INCH FROM THE FIRST HOLE. I HAVE STOPPED USING THE HEATER, BUT IT IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10295319December 11, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SIDE ROAD. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL/SLUDGE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,167. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293415November 24, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
2003 VW PASSAT HEATER CORE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND VW AMERICA REFUSED TO DO IT AT NO COST. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10293321November 23, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
MY 2003 VW PASSAT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH COILS AND VALVE COVERS. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE! LUCKILY THE FIRE WENT OUT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED! IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? ARE THERE ANY RECALLS OUT THERE?! *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10289967October 27, 2009
POWER TRAIN:DRIVELINE
CAR HAD SLUDGE IN 2007 DEALER CLEANED ENGINE AND SAID IT WAS FIXED. IN FEB 2009 THE SLUDGE CAME BACK AGAIN AND THE DEALER FIXED THE SLUDGE AGAIN. ON OCTOBER 2009 THE CAR OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN THIS TIME THEY SAID IT WAS NOT SLUDGE BUT THE CAM SHAFT ADJUSTERS WHICH THEY SAID WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. MY RESEARCH SHOWS THAT CAM SHAFT ADJUSTERS ARE DAMAGED AND BREAK UP DUE TO LOW OIL PRESSURE WHICH IS A DIRECT RELATION TO SLUDGE IN YOUR ENGINE WHICH I HAD TWICE. DEALER NOW CLAIMS I DID NOT MAINTAIN MY CAR AND THIS IS WHY THEY ARE NOT COVERING IT UNDER WARRANTY. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10286560October 6, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $2,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10285807September 30, 2009
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, AND A TECHNICIAN REPLACED THE IGNITION COIL AT AN EXPENSE OF $403.00. THE FAILURE RESURFACED ONE YEAR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. AN AUTHORIZED TECHNICIAN CONCLUDED THAT THE IGNITION COIL FAILED AND CAUSED THE WIRING HARNESS, AND THE ENGINES COMPUTER TO BURN. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT AN EXPENSE OF $887.97. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 10/21/09. *LJ UPDATED 12/07/09. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED IN ADDITION TO THE OTHER PROBLEM, THE FAILED STALLED ON THE HIGHWAY AND THE THE LIGHTS ON THE DASHBOARD ILLUMINATED. UPDATED 12/08/09
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10283274September 8, 2009
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
OUR 2003 PASSAT WAGON (4 CYL 1.8 ENGINE) HAD A FIRE IN THE ENGINE LAST WEEK. AFTER DRIVING ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND PARKING, MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THEN SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW A FIRE IN THE ENGINE. HE WAS IN A PARKING SPACE AND DROVE IT A BLOCK TO A SERVICE STATION, WHERE THE MECHANIC PUT OUT THE FIRE WITH WATER. THE FIRE HAD STARTED IN THE IGNITION COILS (WHICH HAD BEEN REPLACED IN 4/2003, BEFORE THE RECALL) AND WOULD HAVE REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT/REBUILDING OF THE ENGINE HARNESS. OUR INSURANCE COMPANY DECLARED THE CAR A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10281306August 21, 2009
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL FUNCTION AT 72 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO DECREASE SPEED, THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT DISENGAGE. SHE APPLIED PRESSURE TO THE BRAKES AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT WAS FORCED TO DRIVE INTO A MEDIAN; HOWEVER, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHICH CAUSED THE DRIVER TO CRASH INTO TWO METAL POLES CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES OF POWDER BURN FROM THE AIR BAG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INSURANCE ADJUSTER WHO DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE IS STILL UNDER INVESTIGATION. THE CONTACT IS IN THE PROCESS OF NOTIFYING THE MANUFACTURER. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 54,800.
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10279372August 4, 2009
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED WITH THE HEATED SEAT FEATURE ACTIVATED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE HEATER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND THROUGH HIS CLOTHING. HIS LEG WAS BURNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE HEATED SEAT MOTOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 102,500.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10277301July 18, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
SUNROOF DRAINS/OR OTHER SOURCE ALLOWS WATER TO LEAK INTO CAR SATURATING THE INTERIOR CARPET UNDER LEFT DRIVERS SEAT AND FLOORBOARD AREA. CONVENIENCE MODULE WAS REPLACED ONCE UNDER WARRANTY IN 2006, BUT WATER LEAK HAS RETURNED. THIS IS A GARAGED VEHICLE AND THIS WATER LEAK OCCURS IF CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE AT WORK (NO TREES OF LEAF DEBRIS) WITH ROOF CLOSED. DEALER WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS REPAIRED ORIGINALLY IN 2007 AND SAID THE DRAIN HOSE WAS COLLAPSING ON ITSELF. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10275432July 1, 2009
VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE:BODY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
POLLEN FILTER AND/ OR SUNROOF DRAINS BECOME BLOCKED AND WATER LEAKS BEHIND BATTERY AND INTO CABIN OF CAR. THE WATER THEN POOLS UNDER AND BEHIND THE DRIVERS SEAT WHERE THE CONVENIENCE MODULE IS STORED. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT CAUSED MY CAR TO BE UNABLE TO START BECAUSE IT IS AFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS OF THE CAR. IN ADDITION, THE POOLING UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT IS TROUBLING SINCE IT IS A HUB FOR INTERIOR ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT. THE CONVENIENCE MODULE IN MY CAR NOW HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10274217June 18, 2009
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER AND WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VW HAS A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE (NHTSA 06V01700 AND 07V375000) IS NOT IN THE VIN RANGE COVERED. I FEEL MY FUEL PUMP SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN THE RECALL AS IT IS A DEFECTIVE UNIT AND NOT SAFE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269289May 18, 2009
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1. FRONTAL COLLISION IMPACTING WITH SIDE OF PICK UP TRUCK MAKING ILL-TIMED LEFT TURN IN FRONT OF ME 2. DRIVER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER SIDE (WHERE NO ONE OR NOTHING WAS SEATED) DID DEPLOY. *TR 3. MY VEHICLE WAS DECLARED A TOTAL LOSS
Crash:
Yes
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10268497May 12, 2009
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND FOR A LITTLE WHILE NOW IT HAS BEEN SAYING THIS: STOP,OIL PRESSURE,STOP MOTOR,SERVICE MANUAL. THIS IS NOW HAPPENED 3 TIMES. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER(WHICH IS NOT WHERE I PURCHASED MY CAR) AND THEY CHANGED THE OIL FILTER WHICH COST ME $160. MY CAR WORKED FOR ABOUT 2 MONTHS AND IT HAPPENED AGAIN,AND THE DEALER THEN SAID IT WAS THE OIL PUMP AND WANTED $965 TO FIX IT. I,HOWEVER TOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE GOT THE PROBLEM FIXED FOR $720. IT HAS JUST RECENTLY HAPPENED AGAIN. I WENT TO CHANGE THE OIL AND TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS ACCIDENTALLY DRAINED. THE DEALER FIXED THE PROBLEM AND NOW SAYS THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION,THE CAR IS DRIVABLE BUT NOW FOR LONG. THIS THE SECOND TIME SOMETHING HAS GONE WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10268434May 11, 2009
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR SUDDENLY FLEW OPEN. THE CONTACT INJURED HIS LEG WHILE ATTEMPTING TO CLOSE THE DOOR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE DOOR LATCH WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 146,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10267555May 2, 2009
STRUCTURE:BODY
I HAVE A 2003 VW PASSAT THAT HAS LEAKED WATER FROM THE SUNROOF DRAIN TUBES AND POLLEN FILTER. THE WATER POOLED INTO THE FLOOR PANS UNDER THE CARPET ALL OVER THE CAR AND THREATENS ALL OF THE ELECTRONIC COMPONENTS STORED ON THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE. VW DEALER WANTS OVER $1000 TO FIX THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THERE IS NOTHING STATED ANYWHERE IN THE OWNER MANUAL REGARDING DRAIN TUBE MAINTENANCE OR POLLEN FILTER LEAKS. THESE DRAINS ARE NEITHER EASILY ACCESSIBLE OR VISIBLE (ESPECIALLY THE REAR DRAIN CHANNELS). THESE PROBLEMS ARE CLEARLY ENGINEERING FLAWS AND THERE ARE TONS OF DOCUMENTED CASES ALL OVER THE INTERNET OF THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRING. VW DOES NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CHARGING HUGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY FOR PARTS AND LABOR TO CLEAN UP ALL OF THE WATER DAMAGE AND FRIED ELECTRONICS. THIS REALLY NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO AND CONSIDERED FOR ACTION. IN ADDITION TO WATER DAMAGE, MOLD AND MILDEW POSE SIGNIFICANT HEALTH RISKS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10265645April 16, 2009
SEATS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE WAS ACTIVATED. A HIGH VOLTAGE OF HEAT PENETRATED THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE SEAT AND SMOKE SUDDENLY APPEARED. THE DRIVER DEACTIVATED THE HEATED SEAT CONTROL MODULE. HE BURNED HIS FINGER ON THE SEAT. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE MALFUNCTION. THE MANUFACTURER'S CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN M2 WAS REFERENCED. THE FREE REMEDY CONSISTED OF INSTALLING A REPAIR KIT FOR THE HEATED SEAT. THE REMEDY WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE IN 2005; HOWEVER, IT WAS INSUFFICIENT AND DID NOT PREVENT FUTURE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0

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