Volkswagen / Passat / 2003
2003 Volkswagen Passat problems
Owners have filed 823 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA. Fuel system, gasoline accounts for 17.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 16.2%.
Complaints823
Crashes18
Fires102
Injuries60
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Fuel system, gasoline 17.7% · 146
Engine and engine cooling 16.2% · 133
Seats 11.9% · 98
Electrical system 11.5% · 95
Exterior lighting 5.3% · 44
Power train 4.3% · 35
Service brakes, hydraulic 3.8% · 31
Structure 3.6% · 30
Severity
Of those complaints, 18 describe a crash, 102 describe a fire and 60 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Volkswagen Passat in this data, 2003 ranks 3rd by complaint volume — 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 5 in the last three years against 15 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 57,707 miles.
In owners' own words
: The contact stated, recall # 06v017000; fuel pump (vw #m7) was received in the 2nd week of march 2006. When the service dealer was contacted for an appointment, the contact was informed the fuel pump was back ordered and the contact would be notified when the part was available. In may 2006 the part was still on back order. When the manufacturer was notified, the contact was referred back to dealer. Fuel system, gasoline
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. Fuel system, gasoline · reported at 87,000 miles
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. Fuel system, gasoline · reported at 97,656 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…