2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING OUR 2003 AWD PASSAT WAGON WITH MYSELF AND TWO CHILDREN IN THE CAR, THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. AT THE TIME IT CAUGHT FIRE, THE HEATED SEAT WAS ON SETTING 3 FOR NO MORE THAN 5 MINUTES. LUCKILY, MY HUSBAND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD, EXIT THE VEHICLE, AND TURN OFF THE HEATED SEAT BEFORE HE WAS BURNED AND/OR A LARGE FIRE ERUPTED. *NM

VEHICLE STARTED FEELING SLUGGISH, REPAIR FACILITY CHANGED SPARK PLUGS, AN IGNITION COIL, AND A HALL SENSOR. FACILITY ADMITTED THEY COULD NOT REPAIR VEHICLE SO IT WAS DRIVEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. WHILE BEING DRIVEN TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING. CONTINUED DRIVING, ARRIVED AT DEALER, AND THERE WAS A FIRE UNDER HOOD. EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATED, BURNING MATERIALS ON THE RIGHT FRONT FLOORBOARD. *NM

I TURNED ON THE DRIVER'S HEATED SEATS WHEN I FELT THEM HOTTER THAN USUAL, SECONDS LATER I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND THEN I SAW SMOKE COMING UP FROM THE LEFT SIDE BY MY SEAT. I JUMPED OUT OF THE CAR AND FOUND FLAMES VISIBLE COMING FROM INSIDE THE SEAT. I PUT THE FIRE OUT. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ARE SUPPOSED TO FIX IT. *NM

ON OCTOBER 2ND, I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 85 IN DURHAM, NORTH CAROLINA WHEN I HEARD A FAINT POP AND THEN FELT MY CAR TRANSFER WEIGHT FROM THE LEFT TO THE RIGHT. AS I LOOKED IN MY REVIEW I SAW A TIRE WITHOUT A RIM ROLLING BEHIND ME. I MERGED TO THE LEFT SHOULDER AND STOPPED UNDER AN UNDERPASS. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION I DISCOVERED MY LEFT REAR TIRE TREAD BELT HAD BLOWN AWAY FROM BOTH THE INNER AND OUTER SIDE WALLS. THE TREAD BELT WAS STILL COMPLETELY INTACT, MAKING IT LOOK AS IF IT WERE A DONUT. THE INNER AND OUTER SIDE WALLS HAD REMAINED INTACT TO THE RIM. SOME MINOR DAMAGE TO THE WHEEL WELL OF THE VEHICLE HAD OCCURRED. SEEING AS THESE TIRES WERE PURCHASED IN DECEMBER OF 2005, AND HAD LESS THAN 40,000 AND THEY'RE RATED FOR 80,000 MILES, I BELIEVE THESE TIRES ARE DEFECTIVE AND DANGEROUS. THE TIRE BRAND IS GOODYEAR TRIPLE TREAD ASSURANCE. CURRENTLY THE CAR'S REAR TIRE HAS BEEN REPLACED WITH A FULL SIZE SPARE TIRE AND WILL BE BROUGHT BACK TO THE TIRE DEALER TOMORROW TO DEAL WITH THIS ISSUE. *JB

MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WENT OUT AND I DIDN'T KNOW I DIDN'T HAVE BRAKES UNTIL SOMEONE AT A LIGHT TOLD ME. WHO KNOWS HOW LONG I'VE DROVE AROUND LIKE THAT. AND IT SEEMS VERY ODD THAT SO MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM TOO. I OWN TWO VW'S (2003 PASSAT & 2004 GOLF), BOTH HAVE HAD THIS SWITCH FAILURE. THE 2004 WAS REPLACED/FIXED UNDER WARRANTY; THE 2003 WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY & COSTS WERE EXORBITANT. THE SERVICE DEPT AND SERVICE MANAGERS BOTH ADMITTED THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM AND OFTENTIMES THEIR MECHANICS WILL BREAK THE NEW SWITCH WHILE INSTALLING IT. I BROKE TWO SWITCHES MYSELF ATTEMPTING A SIMPLE INSTALL. WHAT WAS DONE TO CORRECT THE FAILURE WAS THAT THE SWITCH WAS REPLACED & YES I HAVE BOTH THE ORIGINAL BROKEN PART, PLUS ANOTHER NEWER REVISION OF THE SWITCH THAT I PERSONALLY BROKE, PLUS THE NOW WORKING SWITCH INSTALLED IN BOTH VW'S. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANGING NOISE WHILE PULLING INTO A GARAGE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND DID NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WAS CONSULTED, AND DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH. A SERVICE DEALER WAS CONSULTED BY THE PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V017000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE HESITATED INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED . THE DEALERSHIP AND MANUFACTURER DETERMINED THIS WAS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED.

MY PASSAT HAD TWO PREVIOUS INSTANCES OF WATER LEAKAGE IN THE FLOOR OF THE BACK SEAT, WHERE THE COMPUTER IS HOUSED. THIS RESULTED IN A SHORT-CIRCUIT IN THE CARS COMPUTER IN THE FALL OF 2005, CAUSING THE CAR TO SLOW IN TRAFFIC AND ULTIMATELY STOP WHEN I REACHED DEALERSHIP. MAROONE VOLKSWAGEN OF DELRAY BEACH ADDRESSED THESE TWO INSTANCES UNDER WARRANTY BY FOCUSING ON THE POLLEN FILTER AND POLLEN FILTER CAGING. ON THE THIRD OCCASION, I AGAIN TOOK IT TO MAROONE VOLKSWAGEN ON SEPTEMBER 6, 2006 SINCE THIS SEEMED TO BE ANOTHER RECURRENCE OF THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER WOULD NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. SERVICE ADVISOR SAID COWL HAD A HAIRLINE FRACTURE, WHICH WAS ALLOWING WATER UNDER MY HOOD AND INTO THE CAR. HOWEVER, COWL WAS INTACT ON PREVIOUS VISITS FOR SAME PROBLEM. CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA WHO ACCEPTED DEALERS DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS ESPECIALLY TROUBLING GIVEN THERE IS A WEALTH OF INFORMATION ONLINE POSTED BY PASSAT OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME LEAKAGE PROBLEM THAT I DESCRIBE ABOVE, AND IT IS NOT DUE TO COWL. PLEASE REFER TO AUTOBAHN.COM. *JB

MY 2003 PASSAT HAS APPROX. 34,000 MILES. THE BRAKE ROTORS HAD TO BE REPLACED TWICE -- ONCE AT SOMEWHAT OVER 12K MILES AGO, AND THE OTHER VERY RECENTLY. THE MOST RECENT TIME, WE WERE TOLD NOT TO DRIVE THE CAR ANY FURTHER (BY THE DEALER) BECAUSE IT WAS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. THE FIRST TIME, VW PAID FOR THE REPAIR, THIS TIME THEY WOULD NOT. I BELIEVE THERE IS A SAFETY PROBLEM, ONE WHICH I AM AFRAID WILL HAPPEN AGAIN. PLEASE NOTE...I DO NOT HAVE THE EXACT DATE IN THE FIELD BELOW. *NM

VEHICLE BATTERY GOES DEAD IF CAR SITS FOR MORE THAN 3 DAYS WITHOUT BEING STARTED. ALTERNATOR WIRING HARNESS HAS BEEN REPLACED ONCE. BATTERY HAS BEEN REPLACE 5 TIMES IN 6 MONTHS. DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT IS DRAINING THE BATTERY AND INSISTS THAT "NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE CAR AND THAT IT IS PERFECTLY NORMAL (EXCEPT FOR A DEAD BATTERY) FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. "JUST START THE CAR EVERY 1-2 DAYS" IS THEIR REMEDY. I HAVE NEVER HEARD OF ANYTHING SO LAME IN MY LIFE!! *JB

THE BRAKE LIGHT STAYS ON EVEN AFTER I SHUT OFF THE CAR, GET OUT, AND LOCK THE DOOR. THERE HAS BEEN A JETTA RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT WHEN I CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TO ASK ABOUT THE ISSUE IN REGARD TO PASSATS, I WAS ASKED FOR MY VIN, THEN TOLD THAT THERE WAS "NO CAMPAIGN" (I.E. NO RECALL) FOR MY CAR AT THIS TIME. FURTHER, I WAS TOLD THAT THEY DID NOT KNOW OF THIS BEING AN ISSUE FOR PASSATS. YET I JUST RAN A GOOGLE SEARCH ON THE PROBLEM AND SAW BULLETIN BOARD POSTINGS FROM OTHER PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM. IF IT'S DANGEROUS FOR JETTAS, IT'S ALSO DANGEROUS FOR PASSATS. VW DID THIS BEFORE WITH ANOTHER SAFETY RECALL--SAME KIND OF CORPORATE IRRESPONSIBILITY, WAITING UNTIL THE NHTSA GOT INVOLVED. THIS IS UNCONSCIONABLE! AGAIN, IF THE SITUATION IS DANGEROUS FOR JETTA OWNERS, THEN IT'S DANGEROUS FOR PASSAT OWNERS WHO ARE CLEARLY HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM!!

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

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED IN MARCH 2006. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICES WAS RECEIVED; HOWEVER THE CONTACT INQUIRED SIX TIMES AS TO WHEN THE PART WOULD BE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT OFFER AN ESTIMATE. THE NHTSA RECALL WAS # 06V017000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON GLX HAD A BRAKE LIGHT PROBLEM IDENTICAL TO THAT FOUND ON THE NEW (FEB 07) VW RECALL FOR SEVERAL OTHER MODELS. HOWEVER, THE PASSAT WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. THE BRAKE LIGHTS WOULD REMAIN ON AT RANDOM TIMES AND WITHOUT WARNING, OVER SEVERAL MONTHS. NHTSA AND VW SHOULD STRONGLY CONSIDER RECALLING THE PASSAT ALONG WITH THE OTHER VW MODELS BECAUSE THE PASSAT HAS THE SAME SAFETY CONCERNS. I TRADED MY CAR IN BUT OFFER THIS INFO TO HELP OTHER VW OWNERS. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. 08/29/06 VEHICLE WAS IN LEFT LANE OF 4 LANE INTERSTATE WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. DRIVER HAD TO MOVE ACROSS ALL THE LANES TO SAFETY. *TT

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE MALFUNCTION LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THEN THE ENGINE POWER FAILED, REQUIRING THE VEHICLE TO COAST TO A STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE MALFUNCTION WAS IDENTIFIED AS 2 FAULTY IGNITION COILS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. UPDATED 11/21/2006 - THE IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED THREE TIMES IN FOUR YEARS. *NM

FUEL PUMP FALIIURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT CAR STALLED ON I-95 IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FAMILY WAS STRANDED ON I-95 AT 1:00AM

LAST SUMMER THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VIN #[XXX]. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VW AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. DURING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP ON THE CAR. WHEN I LOOKED DEEPER INTO THE RECALL I FOUND THAT MY CAR IS BARELY OUT OF THE VIN # RECALL RANGE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH OTHER PEOPLE BEING BARELY OUT OF RECALL RANGE. I THINK THAT THE VIN # RECALL RANGE IS OBVIOUSLY SHORT OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE.. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. VWOA WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP IN THIS MATTER AND I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT...*NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OR ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO MALFUNCTION AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,006 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

AT 44,400 MILES AND JUST 4,000 MILES AFTER FUEL PUMP REPLACED THE NEW FUEL PUMP FAILED ON MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGH TRAFFIC SUBURBAN WASHINGTON DC STREETS. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT TIME FOR ME TO SIGNAL THE CARS BEHIND ME. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AT ABOUT 20,00 MILES AS WELL AS CONTROL ARMS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF SERVICE IN ONLY 3 YEARS AND 44,000 MILES! *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD, RESTARTED, AND WAS DRIVEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM; FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

1. HEAVY RAIN STORMS 2. WATER ENTERED THE CAR VIA EITHER THE POLLEN FILTER OR BACKED UP FROM THE BATTERY WELL. THIS WATER CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) TO FAIL. 3. I PAID FOR THE POLLEN FILTER TO BE REPLACED, THE TCM TO BE REPLACED, THE COWL DRAIN HOLES TO BE CLEARED, AND THE WATER TO BE REMOVED. *JB

2003 VW PASSAT 4-DOOR WITH 1.8T MOTOR. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHICH CAUSES A VEHICLE TO DIE WITHOUT WARNING ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY TO NOT BE A DEFECT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART, BUT IT JUST SO HAPPENS MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH UP. JUST BECAUSE THE VIN # DOES NOT MATCH UP, DOES NOT MEAN THERE STILL IS NOT A DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I COULD RESEARCH THIS FURTHER, SO THAT I DON'T GET STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN. *JB

WATER ISSUE - LEAKING DUE TO DESIGN FLAWS - LEAKING SUNROOF. *NM

STARTED CAR AND ASRS LIGHT CAME ON AND REMAINED ON. SOON THE MIL LIT UP, FOLLOWED BY THE AIR BAG SYSTEM LIGHT FLICKERING AND A CLICKING SOUND COMING FROM THE CAR. DEALERSHIP COULD NOT CHECK CAR THE NEXT MORNING B/C FULLY BOOKED SO HAD ALTERNATE MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT. MECHANIC REALIZED IT WAS NOT THE BATTERY RUNNING LOW (BATTERY CHARGE CHECKED). THE NEXT MORNING ALTERNATOR CHECKED (ALTERNATOR REPLACE AND TESTED AND SAME PROBLEM CONTINUED). THE MECHANIC FINDS A PUDDLE OF WATER ON THE FLOOR OF THE PASSENGER SIDE THAT SAME MORNING WHICH WAS NOT THERE DAY BEFORE. HE STATES CAR HAD BEEN PARKED AT SLIGHT INCLINE OVERNIGHT WITH FRONT OF CAR HIGHER THAN TRUNK. MECHANIC RECOMMENDED TOWING CAR TO DEALERSHIP. CURRENTLY AT DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND FIGURE OUT PROBLEM. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN MY 2003 VW PASSAT LOST POWER AND STOPPED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, VW REFUSES TO COVER THE COST. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL # M7 (NHTSA # 06V017000). THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FIRST TWO TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE THIRD PUMP FAILURE DUE TO ETHANOL MIXTURE IN THE FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED SEVERAL GAS STATIONS TO BE USED THAT HAD BEEN TESTED FOR ETHANOL CONTENT.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITION AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED UNTIL IT COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 09/12/06. *JB

WATER LEAK - PASSAT 2003. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED RAIN WATER POOLS INTO THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE WHEN IT RAINS STEADILY THROUGH THE SUNROOF WHILE IT IS CLOSED. THE FLOOR OF THE VEHICLE UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER SEAT BECOMES WET AND THERE IS A POSSIBILITY OF SHOCK FROM WIRING UNDER THE SEAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO SUGGESTED CHECKING THE DRAIN TUBE PERIODICALLY TO ENSURE IT WAS NOT CLOGGED. AT THE TIME THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER, THE TUBE APPEARED TO BE OPEN FREELY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED OF THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS EVERY TIME IT RAINS.

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

THIS IS A 2003 PASSAT V6. I HAVE 115,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THE CAR HAS BEEN MAINTAINED BY A CERTIFIED VW TECHNICIAN SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE. THIS IS MY SECOND PASSAT, THE FIRST WAS A 2001.5 "NEW PASSAT". I HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH THAT CAR AND LITTLE TO KNOW PROBLEMS WITH MY CURRENT 2003. HOWEVER, AFTER TURNING THE CAR OFF, IT ALWAYS SOUNDED AS THOUGH A FAN MOTOR WOULD CONTINUOUSLY RUN FOR WELL OVER 15 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OFF. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR APPROX. 6 MONTHS. ON THE DATE OF INCIDENT, I HAD DRIVEN HOME FROM WORK, PULLED INTO MY DRIVEWAY, AND WENT INTO THE HOUSE. THANKFULLY, THE LAWN WAS LONG, SO I IMMEDIATELY WENT OUT TO CUT THE LAWN AFTER CHANGING MY CLOTHES. JUST IN THAT TIME, MAYBE 5-10 MINUTES THE MOST, I CAME OUT AND NOTICED THERE WAS SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I POPPED THE HOOD AND LOOKED INTO THE ENGINE BAY TO SEE FLAMES ON THE LOWER BOTTOM OF THE ENGINE. IT WAS ON THE LEFT SIDE IF YOU WERE LOOKING INTO THE ENGINE BAY AND TOWARD THE FRONT. IT SMELLED OF BURNING PLASTIC AND METAL. THERE WAS ACTUALLY FLAMES, WHICH I PULLED OUT MYSELF WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND A LAWN HOSE. I DID GET A POLICE REPORT OF THE INCIDENT AND CONTINUED TO SEARCH ONLINE FOR OTHER ISSUES OF THE SAME SORT. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM, AND IN SOME EVENTS, THEY EVEN MENTION THE ONGOING FAN SOUND. I FEEL THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BE LOOKED INTO. I WAS LUCKY, THANKS TO A LONG LAWN, BUT I COULD HAVE LOST MY CAR, AND MY HOME, BECAUSE THE CAR WAS PARKED IN FRONT OF THE HOUSE BY LESS THEN TWO FEET. ANY CONSIDERATION TAKEN IN THIS MATTER IS GREATLY APPRECIATED. IT IS UNCLEAR AS TO HOW THIS IS GOING TO BE RESOLVED, WHETHER WITH MY INSURANCE COMPANY, OR WHETHER OR NOT THIS IS GOING TO BE A HUGE FINANCIAL LOSS, BECAUSE THERE IS STILL A LIEN ON THE AUTOMOBILE. THANKS, THEODORE HARDGROVE. *NM

ON JUNE 6TH 2006 MY 2003 VW PASSAT CAR CAUGHT FIRE. MY CERTIFIED VW MECHANIC STATED THE CARS AFTER RUN WATER PUMP OVER HEATED, MELTING WIRING AND THE FIRE RESULTED. MY INSURANCE COMPANY APPEARS TO BE DENING THE CLAIM. *NM

VW PASSAT 2003 62,000 MILES WITH OIL PRESSURE "STOP DRIVING" LIGHT AT 70 MPH. CAR STOPPED AND TOWED TO DEALER. TOLD BY DEALER THAT THIS WAS AN ENGINE SLUDGE ISSUE WHICH WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. STILL AWAITING ENGINE ANALYSIS. WAS TOLD ENGINE COULD HAVE POTENTIALLY SEIZED IF I DID NOT STOP DRIVING. *JB

I RECENTLY HAD MY 40K MILE SERVICE DONE AND WAS PREPARING TO GO ON VACATION. THE CAR MADE IT THERE WITHOUT INCIDENT HOWEVER THE SECOND DAY INTO OUT VACATION THE ASR LIGHT CAME ON AND THEN THE PRND432 ALL STAYED LIT. IT HAD BEEN BEAUTIFUL WEATHER FOR SEVERAL DAYS HOWEVER THERE WAS EASILY TWO INCHES OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE VEHICLES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND IT STOPPED AUTOMATICALLY SHIFTING. THE VEHICLE IS AT THE SHOP WAITING REPAIR. *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL IS DEPRESSED, IT FEELS AS THOUGH THERE IS SOMETHING FALLING OFF OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM.

TWICE, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHTS REMAINED ON UNCONTROLLABLY - INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, THEN PERMANENTLY. THIS FAILURE WAS TROUBLE-SHOT AND REPAIRED BY THE DEALER BOTH TIMES. IN EACH CASE, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAD FAILED. FROM STUDYING THE SWITCH PART NUMBERS, IT APPEARS THE SUFFIX HAS ALSO TWICE CHANGED TO A LATER VERSION - ALTHOUGH I DON'T BELIEVE THEY WERE INSTALLED IN THAT ORDER IN MY CAR (SEE PN'S BELOW). I BELIEVE I HAVE THE LATEST VERSION CURRENTLY INSTALLED. THIS IS AN UNACCEPTABLE FAILURE MODE, AS IT NOT ONLY IS A SAFETY ISSUE (DRIVING AROUND WITH BRAKE LIGHTS CONTINUOUSLY ON, BUT IF LEFT ON FOR PROLONGED PERIOD, THE REAR BRAKE LIGHT BULB SOCKETS GET EXTREMELY HOT AND IN MY OPINION HAVE A GOOD CHANCE TO MELT THE PLASTIC SOCKET/REFLECTORS AND POSSIBLY CATCH FIRE. MORE IMPORTANTLY, THE ABS AND CRUISE CONTROL BECOME INOP, THE THROTTLE BODY ALIGNMENT IS DISTURBED CAUSING THE CAR TO BEHAVE TERRIBLY ON ACCELERATION AND MANY CEL-TYPE LIGHT ILLUMINATE ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. FAILURES OCCURRED: 1ST TIME: @ 34540MI, 4/7/2005. 2ND TIME: @ 49,746MI, 5/24/2006. ORIG S/W PN 3B094551A (FROM FACTORY). 2ND S/W/1ST REPLACEMENT PN 3B0945511_ (ASSUME BASIC PN), 3RD S/W/2ND REPLACEMENT PN 3B0945511B). I HAVE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY 1984 VW SCIROCCO - I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND HAD DRIVEN IT OVER 174K MILES! A FAILED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THIS PASSAT HAS MUCH GREATER IMPACT (LIGHTS, ABS, THROTTLE, CRUISE CONTROL) WHEN IT FAILS THAN IT WOULD ON THE SCIROCCO (JUST LIGHTS), AND IT WAS THE PASSAT BRAKE LIGHT S/W THAT FAILED TWICE - DUE TO POOR DESIGN/RELIABILITY. AMAZING AND UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH 2006; THE VEHICLE IS NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SINCE RECEIVING THE LETTER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER, DATED MARCH 2006, STATING A RECALL WAS NEEDED FOR MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO GET THE ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME CAR AND LEARNED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RECALL AFTER HER CAR CUT OFF ON HER WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS CALLED ROUGHLY A DAY BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY WOULD NEED TO MOVE MY APPOINTMENT BACK 2 WEEKS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK WITH CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RENTAL CAR AVAILABLE UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR BUT I COULD CALL VOLKSWAGEN AND SPEAK WITH THEM ABOUT IT. I GUESS THEY DIDN'T FEEL MY SAFETY WAS AN ISSUE, THEREFORE THEY DID NOT GIVE ME A RENTAL, BUT THEY DID OFFER TO CALL AROUND AND SEE IF I COULD BE SEEN SOONER. THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS ON BACK ORDER FOR THE SAME PART. I KEPT MY APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY AT 8AM, TOOK OFF WORK, DROVE CLEAR ACROSS TOWN, CHECKED IN WITH THEM, THEY TOOK MY KEY, AND I HEADED TO THE CUSTOMER WAITING AREA. I WAS CALLED BACK DOWN TO THE DESK 5 MINUTES LATER FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND WOULD HAVE TO CALL ME WHEN IT CAME IN. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT NO ONE CALLED TO INFORM ME OF THIS INSTEAD OF HAVING ME DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP! I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT MORE CONCERNED REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PLAN AHEAD. MAKES ME NEVER WANT TO BUY A VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN! *JB

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT AND ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO MONTESI VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN HAMDEN, CONNECTICUT. THEY CHARGED ME $85 TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE. AND THEN THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE ENGINE, BUT THE SOFTWARE WHICH CONTROLS THIS LIGHT MUST BE UPDATED AND THAT COSTS ABOUT $235. I TOLD THEM THAT IT IS NOT MY FAULT THAT THE EXISTING SOFTWARE ON THE CAR IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, AND YOU MUST INSTALL THE SOFTWARE FREE OF CHARGE. BUT THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT IT. I THINK THIS NOT RIGHT, AND THEY ARE RESPONSIBLE IF THE ORIGINAL SOFTWARE THAT THEY INSTALLED IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *NM

USE OF DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER CREATED BURNING SENSATION IN THE REGION OF MY LEFT HIP AND SCENT OF SINGED/BURNING MATERIAL AROSE FROM THE SEAT. THE SEAT HEATER WAS IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF, HOWEVER A BURNING SMELL PERSISTED FOR 3-5 MINUTES. I HAVE USE THIS FEATURE IN THE SAME VEHICLE WITHOUT INCIDENT FOR 2.5 YEARS PRIOR TO THIS OCCURRENCE. *JB

NHTSA RECALL 06V017000 FOR A VW PASSAT. I HAVE BEEN WAITING NEARLY 3 MONTHS SINCE MY APPOINTMENT FOR THE "PART TO ARRIVE." I HAVE CALLED A WRITTEN VW ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP, ALL I GET IS - "IT'S ON ORDER." *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE HESITATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. UPON INSPECTION, THE DEALER DETERMINED THERE WAS SLUDGE BUILD UP IN THE OIL PUMP. THE OIL PUMP, PIPES, RESONATOR, OIL AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE COULD CAUSE IT TO STALL. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE DELIVERY FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ON APRIL 14, 2006 THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP PER VOLKSWAGEN SAFETY RECALL M7, BUT THE WORK WAS CANCELED DUE TO NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO INQUIRE FROM THE LOCAL DEALER WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A DEFINITIVE ANSWER. THE CONTACT CONTACTED A DEALER 60 MILES AWAY AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE THERE. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIPS BY CONTACT UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT WORK WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS UNHAPPY BY VOLKSWAGEN UNCARING ATTITUDE AND LACK OF ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS. *AK

WE OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. TWICE THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF HWY. 29 IN NAPA. THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME IT WENT OUT, YESTERDAY, THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WE WERE CHARGED $441 TO HAVE IT FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN DENIES THAT OUR MODEL HAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP EVEN THOUGH OTHER PASSAT MODELS ARE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE SECOND FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN LAST JANUARY, ABOUT 16 MONTHS AGO. NOW ANOTHER FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN YESTERDAY, APRIL 27, 2006. BOTH TIMES THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY 29 IN NAPA. *JB

RECALLED FUEL PUMP IS NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER SAYS PUMP IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB

I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 2003, 1.8 LITER TURBO. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HESITATION ON TAKE OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE CAR HESITATES REALLY BAD. THE IS MY WIFE'F CAR AND I AM AFRAID THE SOMEDAY IT MAY STALL OUT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, CAUSING A CRASH. I HAVE CONTACTED A VOLKSWAGEN DEARLER AND HE ADVISED THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE VIN NUMBERS OF THE RECALL, VOLKSWAGON ALREADY HAS IN PLACE. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD OUT OIL PRESSURE PUMP REPLACED AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COPLAINTS OF THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP FAILING. *TR

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, A NHTSA RECALL, #06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL 2006. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE PARTS FINALLY ARRIVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/03/06. *JB