Volkswagen Passat Complaints (2003)

637 consumer complaints on file.

#10204897September 25, 2007
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY, POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
2003 VW PASSAT WITH A SUDDEN DOWNSHIFT IN THE TRANSMISSION. CUSTOMER STATES THE PROBLEM OCCURRED THROUGH A LEAK IN THE SUNROOF. DEALER ALSO STATED HE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS, BECAUSE IT WOULDN'T BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *KB THE DEALER STATED THAT A CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAIN HAD CAUSED WATER TO OVERFLOW DOWN THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDSHIELD. A PILLAR CAUSING CORROSION IN THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE HARNESS WHICH WAS LOCATED AT THE PASSENGER SIDE FOOTWELL. THE DEALER STATED THE LEAK WAS CONSIDERED AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE AND THAT'S WHY IT WASN'T COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER APPROVED THE REPAIRS, HOWEVER AS HE WAS PULLING OUT OF THE DEALERS LOT, THE SAME PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE CONSUMER AND INFORMED HIM, THIS TIME THE PROBLEM WAS A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THAT THE REPAIR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM MAY HAVE BEEN WITH THE TCM THE ENTIRE TIME.*JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203898September 23, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY
AFTER FILLING UP MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4-MOTION, V6 WITH FUEL, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. AFTER INSPECTING UNDER THE CAR, I FOUND A FUEL LEAK ON THE GAS TANK. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VOLKSWAGENS SINCE I AM 140 MILES FROM THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. THEY DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE 90 DEGREE CONNECTORS FOR THE VAPOR LINE ON TOP OF THE TANK HAD CRACKED. THE WHOLE TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED AS YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE CONNECTOR. THE TANK IS PLASTIC AND THE CONNECTOR HAS A STEEL SLEEVE IN IT TO MAKE IT MORE RIGID. ON INSPECTION OF THE OLD TANK, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THREE (3) SLEEVES ON THE 3 VENT CONNECTORS HAD WORKED THERE WAY OUT OF THE CONNECTORS SO THEY JUST SIT THERE AND FLEX UNTIL THEY FAIL. THIS TYPE OF BAD DESIGN CVOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION AND SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. ON CONTACTING VW CONSUMER LINE THEY WERE CONCERNED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ADMIT A PROBLEM OR HELP PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AS MY MILEAGE WAS TOO HIGH. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THOSE VENT CONNECTORS FAILING. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE OCCURRENCE SINCE ANOTHER VW PASSAT CAME IN TWO DAYS LATER TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203603September 20, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
WHILE BACKING UP OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY THE CAR LURCHED INTO REVERSE AND THEN WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF 1ST GEAR CAUSING DRASTICALLY SLOW SPEEDS WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. ANY SPEED ABOVE 15 MPH WOULD REDLINE THE TAC AND THE ENGINE. THE VW DEALERSHIP DETERMINED IT WAS A BAD COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE THAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203445September 19, 2007
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
NORMAL OPERATION OF AUTOMOBILE, DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER PLACED ON SETTING LEVEL 2. FIRE BEGAN WITHIN THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT AND BURNT A QUARTER SIZE HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC OF THE SEAT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
1
Deaths:
0
#10203326September 18, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2003 VOLKSWAGON PASSET CAUGHT FIRE WENT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE INSTRUMENT-PANEL AREA AND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARS NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10203250September 17, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE
THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED CAUSING FUEL TO SPLIT FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10202106September 6, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON AUGUST 25, 2007, I WAS DRIVING MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX WITH WIFE AND DAUGHTER ON THE MIDDLE LANE ON HWY 101. THE CAR WAS STALLED SUDDENLY AND NO SIGN OF ANYTHING WRONG. I FELT NO POWER ON THE PEDAL. I TURNED ON THE EMERGENCY LIGHT AND SLOWLY PULLED IT OVER TO THE RIGHT LANE. THE HWY TRAFFIC WAS PASSING WITH LIFE THREATENING NOISE. I STOPPED THE CAR AT THE RIGHT LANE AND BLOCK THE TRAFFIC. FINALLY A POLICE CAR PASSED BY AND CALLED FOR HELP. SEVERAL POLICE CARS CAME AND BLOCKED THE WHOLE TRAFFIC ON HWY101 AND ONE OF THEM PUSHED MY OFF THE NEXT EXIT. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN SHOP AND FOUND THE FUEL PUMP WAS GONE. I CALLED THE VOLKSWAGEN USA AND WAS TOLD THERE WAS A RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP BUT MY VIN WAS NOT IN THE RANGE. THIS WAS A LIFE THREADING EVENT I WOULD REMEMBER IT WAS BY VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS A ROYAL CUSTOMER FOR VOLKSWAGEN AND AFTER THIS EVENT I COULD NOT BELIEVE I WOULD BE ONE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201235August 30, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
AS I DROVE HOME FROM WORK, THE VEHICLE'S TEMPERATURE GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOT INTO THE RED AND WARNINGS FLASHED ON THE DASH TO STOP THE CAR IMMEDIATELY. I PULLED OVER AT THE FIRST HIGHWAY EXIT AND PARKED AT A VOLKSWAGEN REPAIR SHOP. THE MECHANICS DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A BROKEN WATER PUMP IMPELLAR, ESSENTIALLY A SMALL FAN-LIKE DEVICE THAT KEEPS COOLANT MOVING THROUGH THE ENGINE. THE MECHANICS EXPLAINED THAT THIS MODEL VW USED A PLASTIC IMPELLAR INSTEAD OF THE METAL ONES COMMONLY USED IN MOST CARS. APPARENTLY, VW HAS RECOGNIZED THAT THIS PLASTIC PART IS FAILURE PRONE, AND NOW MAKES ALUMINUM REPLACEMENT IMPELLARS. BUT THE MECHANICS SAID I WASN'T ENTITLED TO ANY RECALL OR WARRANTY. THE REPAIR COST ME $879, PLUS THE COSTS OF RENTING A REPLACEMENT CAR. UPDATED 12-12-07. *KB UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201130August 29, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON AUG. 26. STARTER CRANKED BUT ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER AND START. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES. WE WERE INFORMED MANUFACTURER VW HAS RECALLED FUEL PUMPS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR (2003) BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR VIN. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND VW ORIGINALLY LIMITED RECALL TO AN EVEN SMALLER BATCH OF VINS. WE BELIEVE THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT IS MORE EXTENSIVE THAN VW IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE REPAIR IS CURRENTLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST OUR FAMILY APPROXIMATELY $655 TO REPAIR, PLUS TOWING AND CAR RENTAL COSTS. WE ARE LUCKY THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A COLD START AND NOT ON THE ROAD, WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A DESERT, A STORM, OR THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED PROBLEM ON AUG. 29,2007, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT AGAIN FAILED TO START, OR EVEN CRANK. DEALER HAS TOWED IT BACK AND IS REVIEWING. *TR UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BATTERY. UPDATED *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201032August 28, 2007
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
I HAVE AN '03 VW PASSAT . ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO I NOTICED IT HAD STARTED HESITATING WHEN TRYING TO BACK UPHILL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY PUT TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT. IT WAS OK FOR A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME AND IT STARTED AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK. THEY SCANNED IT AND SAID THERE WERE NO LEAKS BUT THEY PUT IN MORE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THAT LASTED 1 1/2 WEEKS. THEY ARE NOW ORDERING A WHOLE NEW TRANSMISSION BECAUSE THE SLIPPING DID IT WHEN THE SERVICE PEOPLE DROVE IT. THEY HAD NOT TEST DRIVEN IT THE PREVIOUS TIMES UNTIL AFTER THEY PUT IN FLUID. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200885August 27, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE NOISE AND THEN STALLED. THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A MECHANIC. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 62,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200350August 21, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER NOTICED A FAILED EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 3RD RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM THE COMPANY FIXED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DISPUTE IT. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200275August 14, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THERE IS A FIRE REPORT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TAPE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN INVESTIGATOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
Yes
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199607August 14, 2007
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
BATTERY GOING DEAD WITHOUT TIME OR REASON; DOORS WOULD LOCK AUTOMATICALLY WITH NO ONE AROUND; TRUNK WOULD UNLOCK AND WOULD NOT SHUT WITHOUT KEY INTERVENTION; LIGHT ON DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK WOULD FLASH INCESSANTLY WITH NO ONE NEAR. CAR WENT OVER FOUR YEARS WITH NO INCIDENT AND SUDDENLY STARTED ACTING "STRANGE." NO CHANGES OR WORK DONE ON ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SINCE NEW WHEN THE BATTERY HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE. DEALER HAS BEEN VERY COOPERATIVE BUT UNSUCCESSFUL IN FINDING SOURCE, KEEPING CAR AS LONG AS THREE WEEKS (WITH A "LOANER") AND NOT CHARGING EXCEPT FOR A SMALL FIRST TIME INSPECTION. SIX RETURNS TO DEALERSHIP WITH SOME RELIEF; ONLY THE BATTERY GOES DEAD WITH IRREGULARITY. WE HAVE A 2000 PASSAT THAT SITS NEARBY AND HAS NEVER EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. NUMBER OF FAILURES IS ONE, BUT ALL RELATED . . SIX TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP AND RELIEF ON ALL BUT THE BATTERY GOING DEAD. WE ARE 80 AND FEAR THAT WE WILL BE CAUGHT OUT AND HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. ALL DATES ARE APPROX. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10199017August 9, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198894August 8, 2007
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAS. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE ENGINE FAILED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT IT WAS DRIVABLE. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE INTERMITTENTLY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE COULD BE A FAULTY ENGINE SENSOR. THE NEXT DAY, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND REMAINED ON AND THE ENGINE EVENTUALLY FAILED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198597August 6, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
2003 PASSAT FAULTY FUEL PUMP. CAR EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. DESPITE VW ISSUING A RECALL TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN 2003 PASSATS, THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR (REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP - PARTS AND LABOR). *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198608August 6, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ON MARCH 05, 2005 AT 32,000 MILES, THE ENGINE FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS WERE REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. IN FEBRUARY OF 2007, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY DISCOVERED A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AT 90,000 MILES, BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. CURRENTLY, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT RECALL NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP) DOES NOT APPLY TO THE VIN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198640August 6, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME FAILURE AS NOTED IN RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE CONTACT PAID TO HAVE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED AND FEELS THAT HIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 90,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 81,000. UPDATED 02/08/08. *LJ
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10198287August 2, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
WHILE DRIVING 2003 VW PASSAT THE ENGINE STALLED OUT (NO FUEL) CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT BY PASSING VEHICLES. DRIFTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER 100 MILE TOW TO VINCENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN ROCHESTER, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. CAR DID RUN TWO DAYS. THE SAME STALL-OUT OCCURRED THREE DAYS LATER. ANOTHER TOW TO A DEALER (SCHMITTS GARAGE) TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT STRONGLY SUSPECT FUEL PUMP OR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FUEL OR FUEL LINE SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS RECALLS ON SOME 2003 PASSAT FUEL SYSTEM ITEMS INCLUDING FUEL PUMPS (POTENTIAL TO CAUSE CRASH WHEN FAIL) . WAS TOLD MY PASSAT WAS NOT PART OF THE OTHER 2003 PASSAT FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM RECALL. HOWEVER, ARE MORE FUEL PUMP UNITS BAD THAT VW DOESN'T REALIZE WHICH COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS, HEAD ON COLLISIONS DURING PASSING. FILED THIS WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE. TWO WEEKS PRIOR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. VW DEALER REPLACED DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH WHICH INITIALLY WASN'T ON THE RECALL LIST BUT WAS RECENTLY ADDED. TWO NEAR MAJOR ACCIDENTS IN TWO WEEKS DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURES. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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