2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE HEATED SEAT WAS ACTIVATED AND WITHIN TWO MINUTES, THE SEAT WAS UNBEARABLY HOT AND BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE CONTACT'S PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 117,000.

TWO IGNITION COILS FAILED WHICH CAUSED LACK OF SPARK TO THE PLUGS IN THE ENGINE. SUBSEQUENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND UNBURNED FUEL ENTERED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. A HEAT-RELATED FIRE NEARLY ENSUED. HAD TO REPAIR COILS AND PLUGS. NEARLY CAUSED FAILURE OF CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND OXYGEN SENSORS. *TR

AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS. I OPEN THE HOOD AN A LINE BEHIND THE ENGINE BAY WAS SQUIRTING OUT GASOLINE DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT SURFACE OF THE ENGINE. I CHECK ONLINE AND I SEE THAT THERE WAS APREVIOUS RECALL THE R5 RECALL BUT MANY OWNERS WERE BEING TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT IT'S NO LONGER COVERED OR THAT THERE VIN WASN'T COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS THE SAME YEAR ON THE RECALL. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ASWELL AND THEY MENTIONED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAD BEEN SERVICED ALREADY. IT LEAKS WHEN IT'S ON OR NOT. *TR

RECENTLY HAD THE VEHICLE MAINTENANCE DONE, BROUGHT THE CAR HOME AND FOUND THAT WHEN IT COOLED AND ALL FLUIDS SETTLED OVERNIGHT, THE FUEL PUMP WAS HAVING TROUBLE- RESULTING IN CAR NOT STARTING. AFTER ONE HOUR OF TURNING THE KEY OVER-AND-OVER, THEN GIVING IT GAS, IT EVENTUALLY STARTED. EXCITED, I TOOK THE CAR OUT FOR A TEST DRIVE, IT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A FOR WAY INTERSECTION. THANKFULLY I LIVE IN A VERY SMALL TOWN, IF THAT HAD HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY THERE WOULD BE POTENTIAL FOR AN ACCIDENT. CONSIDERING I BOUGHT THIS CAR A COUPLE YEARS AGO, I DON'T FEEL I'M AT FAULT FOR NOT TAKING ADVANTAGE OF THE DEALERSHIPS RECALL AND IT'S IN MY BEST INTEREST TO INVESTIGATE FURTHER TO SEE IF I'M ELIGIBLE FOR THE FREE REPLACEMENT BY THE DEALER. I WOULD APPRECIATE SOMEONE GETTING BACK TO ME VIA E-MAIL OR TEXT MESSAGE(CANNOT MAKE OR RECEIVE PHONE CALLS) TOP LET ME KNOW AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THANK YOU, VERY MUCH [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

WE WERE JUST LEAVING OUR FRIENDS HOUSE IT WAS APPROX. 6AM IN MORNING LITTLE COLD OUT SO I TURNED ON THE SEAT WARMERS WHICH IS ALWAYS NICE TOUCH TO WARM YOU UP ON THOSE COLD MORNINGS, ANYHOW ABOUT 4-5MINUTES AFTER SEAT WARMERS WERE TURNED ON PASSENGER SIDE WHERE I WAS SITTING GOT RATHER WARM AND THEN HOT AND THEN ACTUALLY START SMOKING AND FLAMES CAME OUT THERE WAS FIRE RIGHT UNDER MY BOTTOM. I FREAKED OUT JUMPED OUT OF SEAT ..I WAS YELLING FIRE FIRE FIRE YOU COULD SMELL PLASTIC BURNING AS IT WAS SMOKING AND BURNING.MY BOYFRIEND POURED WATER ON AND SMOTHERED OUT THE FIRE WITH HIS JACKET I'M A BIT LEARY OF THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T FEEL ITS SAFE. I HAD MY BOYFRIEND UNPLUG HARNESS UNDER SEAT AND NOW MY AIR BAG WARNING DEFAULT LIGHT AND BELL STAY ON. I AM SHOCKED TO SEE SEVERAL OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THAT VW PEOPLE HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THIS. I FEEL THIS CAR IS A DEATH TRAP.VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE GASOLINE FUMES EMITTING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR OVER A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

CAR WAS CONSTANTLY GETTING THE PASSENGER SIDE (FRONT AND BACK) FLOODED W WATER DURING A RAIN STORM. HAD TO GET NEW BATTERY CLEANED OUT SUNROOF DRAINAGE. IT DIDN'T MATTER. WHENEVER IT RAINED THE BATTERY WOULD BE DEAD BECAUSE THE CONTROL MODULE WHICH IS THERE IS ALL MESSED UP SENDING MIXED MESSAGES. FINELY JUST DIED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. NOT WORTH PUTTING MONEY INTO THE CAR. I PURCHASED THIS CAR LESS THEN A YEAR AGO AND HAD THIS PROBLEM AFTER THE FIRST RAIN AND WENT DOWN FROM THEIR. IM SO DISAPPOINTED HOPING BUYING A USED VW I WAS GOING TO BE SATISFIED BUT HAD NOTHING TROUBLE FROM DAY ONE. *TR

SINCE AFTER THE DAY ONE OF THE PURCHASE MY CAR STARTED SHAKING, VIBRATING. I HAD TO HAVE COILS REPLACED. THE CAR STARTED RUNNING FOR 2 WEEKS THEN WHEN I WAS IN THE TRAFFIC IT STARTED SHAKING THEN STALLED. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER IN THE PARKING LOT. I HAD WIRING HARNESS AND COILS REPLACED AGAIN THIS TIME. THE CAR HAD STARTUP ISSUES AND THEN MECHANIC REPLACED CAMSHAFT SENSOR. AFTER 3 WEEKS SAME PROBLEM!!!! I WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD HAD TO BE TOWED. CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND COILS BUT AFTER 2 MONTHS OH MY GOODNESS SAME PROBLEM NOW THEY THINK ECU IS FRIED COILS ARE BAD MAYBE FUEL PUMP NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT AND I CANT SPEND ANY MORE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A CAR IM STILL FINANCING. VERY DISAPPOINTED! I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL ON THE ROAD AND IM SCARED TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE STALLS ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP! FEEL VERY UNSAFE! *TR

I TOOK MY CAR TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT WHY MY BRAKE LIGHT WAS ON AND WHY MY BRAKES WOULD FLUTTER AT TIMES WHEN USING THEM. I GOT ESTIMATE THAT MY BRAKE RESERVOIR WAS BAD AND THE SENSOR THAT IT WOULD BE OKAY TO DRIVE TILL I GOT FIXED IN A WEEK. I FAXED MY WARRANTY PAPERS TO DEALERSHIP TO FIND OUT TO SEE WHAT WAS COVERED..ON SATURDAY 5 DAYS LATER WHEN I WAS DRIVING 35 MILES AN HOUR TRIED TO STOP AND BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR HAD NOTHING TO STOP ME BUT THE CAR IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS ISSUED A TICKET HAD MY CAR TOWED AND I. AM HAVING HEADACHES AND NECK PAIN WHICH I'M GETTING TREATED..I DON'T FEEL AS IF THAT CAR WAS SAFE TO NE DRIVING.. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 60 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED OFF ROAD INTO A NEARBY PARKING LOT, AND WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200,000.

ON FRIDAY, JANUARY 10, 2014 I WAS ON MY WAY HOME ON BRADDOCK ROAD. IT WAS A RAINY DARK NIGHT AND SO THE TRAFFIC WAS MOVING AT LESS THAN THE SPEED LIMIT. AS I CAME ROUND THE BEND JUST PAST T.J. HIGH SCHOOL, I WENT OVER A DEEP POTHOLE THAT CAUSED DAMAGE TO MY CAR. MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO RATTLE AND SHAKE AND I KNEW MY CAR WAS DAMAGED. I MANAGED TO GET HOME AND MY HUSBAND DECIDED WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. THE MECHANIC AT VOLKS WERKS DISCOVERED THAT THE LEFT FRONT RIM WAS DAMAGED AND THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT WAS OFF. AFTER ALL THE WORKS WAS DONE TO GET MY CAR IN WORKING CONDITION IT COST US $997. THE POTHOLE WAS RECENTLY FILLED BECAUSE IT WAS A ROAD HAZARD. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW VA DOT CAN HELP US WITH THIS LARGE BILL. I AM WILLING TO PROVIDE YOU WITH THE NECESSARY DOCUMENTATION OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION IF REQUESTED. THANK YOU. *TR

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR REPORTED 1/4 TANK THAN ABRUPTLY SPURTING AND REPORTED AN EMPTY TANK, CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO NO FUEL IN TANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *JS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTER COULD INDEPENDENTLY SHIFT FROM PARK TO DRIVE WITHOUT THE CONTACT DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR INSPECTION BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 103,000. ..UPDATED 12-26-13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED PROPERTY DAMAGED RESULTED, DUE TO THE BRAKE FAILURE. UPDATED 12/30/13

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY. IT WAS HIGHLY DANGEROUS AND MY CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. I GO TO THE DEALER AND FIND OUT THAT THERE WAS A FUEL PUMP FOR CERTAIN 2003 VW PASSATS BUT MY VIN NUMBER FOR MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THE CATEGORY FOR THE RECALL AND THEREFORE VW HAD REFUSED TO REIMBURSE ME FOR FIXING THE FUEL PUMP. MY DEALER HAD TOLD ME THAT THEIR WERE SIMILAR CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS FOR ALL VW 2003 BUT UNFORTUNATELY MY CAR DIDN'T FALL UNDER THE RIGHT VIN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A BURNING ODOR WAS COMING FROM THE ENGINE. THE CONTACT ALSO INDICATED THAT A FLUID LEAK WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

ON SEPT 20 2013 MY WIFE SHOWED ME A SPRING THAT CAME FROM UNDER THE DRIVERS SEAT . IRONICALLY THE NEXT DAY THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND WONT GO OFF . ABOUT A MONTH LATER A 2ND SPRING APPEARED IN THE FLOORBOARD .CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION . VW REALLY NEEDS TO ADDRESS THIS . *TR

THE FRONT FLOOR GETS VERY HOT WHEN THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION EVEN WHEN THE AIRCONDITION IS RUNNING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 ACURA MDX. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION ON THE VEHICLE SHUTTERED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THE SHUTTERED STOPPED WHEN HE TOOK HIS FOOT OFF OF THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL, BUT IT STARTED TO SHUTTER AGAIN WHEN IT WAS ENGAGED. THE SHUTTERING SEEMED TO OCCUR BETWEEN THIRD AND FORTH GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000. *TR

ABS MODULE FAILURE, ABS LIGHT ON BRAKE LIGHT BLINKING AND THEN ASR LIGHT ON, HAPPENS RANDOMLY, NO SPECIFIC REASON, DRY WEATHER, HUMID, DAY OR NIGHT. STILL COMES ON RANDOMLY, NO SPEEDING, PROBLEM GOES AWAY WHEN CAR IS TURNED OFF. *TR

HOT STEAM(COOLANT) CAME OUT OF VENTS CAUSING POOR VISIBILITY AND MY DAUGHTER ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT DUE TO THE STEAM FOGGED THE WINDSHIELD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A LEAK FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE LEAK WAS NOTICED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. CAR AT TIMES START SHAKING - NOT CONSISTENTLY THOUGH. TOOK IT TO SHOP: FOUND OUT IGNITION COILS MISFIRES. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN A 2 YEAR TIME SPAN. THE MOST RECENT 2 BEING A MONTH APART. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT BURNED ALMOST ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS. DID RESEARCH AND THIS WEBSITE DESCRIBES MY SITUATION PERFECTLY: HTTP://WWW.VWPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/IGNITION-COIL/. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ENGINE PRESSURE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWELVE TIMES WITHIN THE SAME DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED DUE TO EXCESSIVE OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT IT TOOK MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS FOR THE VEHICLE TO BECOME OPERABLE EVEN WHEN THE STARTER WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE ALSO EXPERIENCED AN INTERIOR WATER LEAK AND THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR LATCH WOULD NOT PROPERLY LATCH. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF ENGINE POWER AND THE CHECK ENGINE, BRAKE, AND VARIOUS OTHER WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED AS A SOFTWARE FAILURE, AND THE IGNITION COIL SPRINGS WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE IGNITION COIL SPRINGS WERE REPLACE HOWEVER THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MECHANIC RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 83,000.

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AROUND 47-50 MPH ALL OF A SUDDEN I HEARD A STRONG HIT,AS IF SOMEONE HIT ME FROM THE REAR... THEN MY DASHBOARD STARTED FLASHING AND ALL THE TRANSMISSION GEARS GOT LOCKED UP, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AND TURN IT OFF, FUNNY THING IS THIS HAPPENS DURING SUMMER ONLY WHEN IT'S HOT OUTSIDE OTHERWISE, I DON'T SEE IT... THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS. *TR

ON OR ABOUT FEB. 1, 2013, I STARTED MY MANUAL-TRANSMISSION 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLS (V6) AND SHIFTED INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. AS SOON AS I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE BRAKE, THE CAR LURCHED BACKWARD EVEN THOUGH I WAS NOT DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. I QUICKLY SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL, ENGAGED THE PARKING BRAKE AND TURNED OFF THE IGNITION. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE CAR, IT WOULD NOT START AND DID NOT START UNTIL ABOUT AN HOUR LATER. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT THE ACCELERATOR COULD HAVE BECOME LODGED UNDER THE FLOORMAT, BUT THAT WAS NOT THE CASE; NOR WAS IT THE CASE IN AT LEAST FOUR OTHER SIMILAR INCIDENTS. TWO OF THESE INCIDENTS TOOK PLACE AS I WAS DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA. FORTUNATELY, THERE WERE NO PEDESTRIANS OR OTHER CARS AROUND ME AND I HAD THE PRESENCE OF MIND TO RECOGNIZE THE ISSUE, SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND PARK THE CAR. HOWEVER, I FEAR WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF THIS INCIDENT RECURRED WHEN I WAS AT AN INTERSECTION, RAILROAD CROSSING OR CROSSWALK. DESPITE REPEATED ATTEMPTS, MY MECHANIC HAS BEEN UNABLE TO REPLICATE THE INCIDENT OR IDENTIFY THE CAUSE. *TR

WHILE DRIVING THE ON THE CAPITOL BELTWAY (495 INNER LOOP) I STARTED TO SMELL A BURNING SMELL. MOMENTS LATER WITHIN ABOUT 30 SECONDS THE ENGINE BURST INTO FLAMES. I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE SAFELY AND EXITED THE CAR. NEEDLESS TO SAY THE VEHICLE IS TOTALED. I WOULD DESCRIBE THE INCIDENT AS A SPONTANEOUS ENGINE FIRE. THERE WAS NO WARNING. THANK YOU. *TR

WHEN I TURN MY HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE PAST LEVEL 1, THERE IS ONE SPOT ON THE SEAT THAT GETS PAINFULLY HOT. I USUALLY TURN THE HEAT OFF AT THAT POINT. TODAY I WAS SO COLD THAT I DIDN'T WANT TO TURN THE SEAT OFF, SO I PUT MY HAND BETWEEN THE SEAT AND MY LEG. WHEN I TOOK MY HAND OUT, IT SMELLED LIKE SMOKE. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN, AND THEY DON'T HAVE ANY RECALL ON THESE SEATS. I THOUGHT THEY MIGHT MAKE A CONCESSION SINCE IT IS A POSSIBLE SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING FOR ME. *TR

THE TURN SIGNAL WOULD CONTINUE TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE EVEN AFTER THE SIGNAL HAD BEEN SHUT OFF. THIS CONTINUED TO HAPPEN FOR SEVERAL MINUTES AND THEN SMOKE BEGAN TO RISE FROM BEHIND MY STEERING WHEEL WHERE THE TURN SIGNAL ENTERS THE WHEEL CONSOLE. I BEGAN TO PULL OVER AT THE NEXT SAFE AREA AND BEFORE I COULD I NOTICED SMALL FLAMES COMING FROM THE SAME AREA WHERE THE TURN SIGNAL ENTERS THE WHEEL CONSOLE. WHEN I TURNED OFF THE CAR THE SMOKE/FIRE SLOWLY SUBSIDED. I ENDED UP REMOVING THE TURN SIGNAL FUSE IN ORDER TO DRIVE TO A REPAIR SHOP. AFTER SOME RESEARCH THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH NO RECALLS ISSUED YET. *TR

FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS CRACKED AND LEAKING ON 2003 VW PASSAT 4MOTION/AWD (UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 08V156000). CONTACTED MULTIPLE DEALERS AND VW DIRECTLY AND DEALERSHIP/VW WILL NOT REPLACE FUEL TANK UNDER RECALL. BOTH STATED THIS RECALL WAS COMPLETED IN 2009 HOWEVER WORK COMPLETED WAS ONLY ONE PART OF THE RECALL THAT INCLUDED ADDING ADDITIONAL HEAT SHIELDS. VW CUSTOMER CARE STATED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. CUSTOMER OBJECTED STATING THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. *TR *JS

THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FOLLOWED BY THE BRAKE LIGHT AND SOMETIMES THE ANTI-SKID INDICATOR. THIS IS A COMMON AND EXPENSIVE PROBLEM FOR VOLKSWAGENS FOR MANY YEARS: HTTP://TECH.BENTLEYPUBLISHERS.COM/THREAD.JSPA?THREADID=2447&START=40&TSTART=0 VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE HELD TO ACCOUNT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING 45MILES ON THE ROAD WHEN MY 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T STARTED TO SHAKE LIKE CRAZY. THEN THE ENGINE STARTED TO FEEL LIKE IT WAS GOING OUT..SMOKE CAME FROM MY HOOD. MY CAR STOPPED AND THE DRIVER BEHIND ME SWERVED OUT THE WAY BUT CLIPPED ME ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF MY VEHICLE. NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR OR MY OWN. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE SMELL OF FUEL ENTERED THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED A FUEL LEAK ON THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN I.D. NUMBER 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP). THE DEALER INSPECTED THE FUEL LINES AND DID NOT FIND ANY ABRASIONS HOWEVER 20,000 MILES LATER, THE FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER REGARDING THE RECALL AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT HONOR THE RECALL BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

FUEL SUPPLY LINE BEGAN LEAKING AT MOUNTING POINT ON FIREWALL ABOVE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BREAK/CRACK IN LINE WAS SIGNIFICANT AND POSED A HIGH PROBABILITY OF FIRE, AS ANY FUEL LEAK, BUT SUBSTANTIALLY MORE SO DUE TO THE LOCATION ABOVE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 26E5/R5 CONCERNING UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE RECALL, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $ 1343.00 TO REPLACE. RECALL # 08V156000 *JB THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN IF THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL, SHE WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/13/12

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A NOISE IN WHICH IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,008.

STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN CAR (2003 VW PASSAT 4MOTION) AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED UP. TOOK CAR TO REPAIRMAN WHO DIAGNOSED A CRACK IN THE FUEL TANK. TOOK CAR TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR BECAUSE WE BELIEVE THE REPAIR SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER A RECALL ON CRACKED FUEL TANKS (NEAR THE VALVES), BUT VW HAS STATED THAT THIS CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND POURING INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT FOUND WATER AND COOLANT LEAKING FROM THE DASHBOARD AND ONTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO OVERHEATING. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE HOWEVER, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO HER LEGS DUE TO THE HOT LEAKING COOLANT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE ENGINE BLEW AND THE INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER WAS DAMAGED. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHAT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,256.

FUEL POURING OUT OF THE REAR OF THE CAR. FIRE COULD HAPPEN. *TR

COILS FAILING RANDOMLY AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE POWER ON HIGHWAY. POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO BE CAUSED TO OTHER AREAS OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS. IE OXYGEN SENSOR ETC. *TR

ABS CONTROL MODULE ON MY 2003 VW PASSAT FAILED. THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON FAILURE THAT DISABLES THE ABS. *TR

HEATER STOPPED WORKING AND BLEW COLD AIR. BROUGHT CAR INTO VW DEALER BE SERVICED. HEATING SYSTEM WAS FLUSHED WITH CLEANER. A COUPLE OF DAYS AFTER "REPAIR," CAR WAS DRIVEN WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER ON AND A 1 1/4" HOLE BURNT THROUGH SEAT EXPOSING BURNT HEATING ELEMENT AND BURNT FOAM. HEATER STOPPED WORKING A COUPLE OF WEEKS AFTER ABOVE "REPAIR." RETURNED TO DEALER TO REDO REPAIR AND REQUESTED THE SEAT HEATER AND SEAT UPHOLSTERY LEATHER REPLACED. TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $1000.00 AND THAT IT WOULD BE THE OWNER'S RESPONSIBILITY. CLEARLY THE SEAT HEATERS ON THIS CAR MODEL ARE DEFECTIVE GIVEN ALL THE COMPLAINTS AND PRIOR RECALLS. VW REPLACED THE DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WITH A RECALL...WHICH LEADS TO THE OBVIOUS QUESTION: "WHY WEREN'T THE PASSENGER SIDE SEAT RECALLED AS WELL?" WAS THIS A CALCULATION ON THE PART OF VW CORPORATE....THAT THE COST OF REPLACING THE DRIVER SEATS THROUGH A RECALL WAS LESS THAT THE LIABILITY DUE TO BURNS/ACCIDENTS/LOSS OF LIFE...BUT THE COST OF REPLACING THE PASSENGER SEATS THROUGH A RECALL WAS CALCULATED TO BE MORE THAN THE LIABILITY THERE? THIS DOES NOT SMELL GOOD. CLASS ACTION SUIT SEEMS APPROPRIATE. *KB

OWNER DROVE THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2.8 V6 ENGINE) HOME AND PARKED IT. HE CAME BACK OUT TO THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER AND FOUND THE VEHICLE SMOKING. SMALL FIRE AT RIGHT FRONT FLOOR PAN/MINOR MELTING OF DASH PLASTICS CAUSED BY HEAT FROM RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST PIPE/CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HEAT SHIELD MELTED, RUBBER BODY PLUG IGNITED AND CONSUMED, CARPET JUST ABOVE BODY PLUG WAS CHARRED. CAR JUST HAD RIGHT SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PIPE REPLACED. *TR

HEATED SEAT COILS OVERHEATED AND BURNT SEAT ON DRIVER SIDE. 1 YEAR AFTER RECALL WAS DONE BY [XXX] VW BROCKTON MA, THEY TOLD ME THE HEATERS IN THE SEAT ARE NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND TOLD ME TO CALL VW USA WITH MY PROBLEM, INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

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

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.

ENGINE FAILURE. *TT

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.