general problems of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat - part 1

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, coolant leaked onto the front passenger’s side floorboard. The contact stated that the coolant leak was underneath the glove compartment area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to have the vehicle taken to the Volkswagen dealer. The contact visited the dealer and discussed the reoccurring failure and was informed that the heater coil was designed incorrectly, and the failure was due to the design of the heater coil. The contact was informed that the heater coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicles speed suddenly begin to reduce and smoke was present coming from the engine compartment. After stopping and exiting the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames and the vehicle was towed away. During the incident the vehicle was destroyed. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the incident but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Tl the contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle would not hold fuel and the tank had to constantly be refilled. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ellis motorcars inc (2235 e south blvd, montgomery, al 36116, (334) 280-1021) where it was diagnosed that the coolant system and the timing chain needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Ignition coils keep failing. Just replaced in February again in may and will have to again here any day.

Driving, less than 45. Intermittent stop engine low oil pressure light. No other indications. Oil level is at specifications. Suspect long known problem of sludge in the oil pickup tube. . Vehicle has not been repaired.

I was driving the car to work 2 miles from my houses oil warning come on return to my house to get a second car park the car and left 5 minute later get a phone call my car is on fire thanks god I went back home call vw they said no recalls but national safety investigation I lost my car because don't have full cover insurance.

Misfire on 2 cylinders due to faulty ignition coil packs.

The car ran out of gas so I went to the gas station to purchase gas to put into the car. I put the gas into the car. Tried to start the car but would not start. I let it sit for a few minutes then I tried to start the car again. This time the car started but I heard a loud bang. Flames started shooting out of the hood. Before I knew it the whole front of the car was engulfed in flames. I called the fire department to extinguish the car.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

I own a 2003 vw Passatt 1. 8l turbo. I purchased this car brand new, and have used fully synthetic oil for the entire life of the vehicle. From reading several forums on the issue I am going to report, I do not have a gold plated record of all oil changes and maintenance. I have changed my oil every 3000-5000 miles. Two months ago, I was driving my car when the stop engine oil pressure light came on. I immediately pulled over and had the car towed to my mechanic, who is a master mechanic. The cause of the problem was the oil intake tube in the oil pan. . . . It was completely clogged up and no oil was getting through it. I paid for parts and labor for him to make the repairs and it cost me $2500 dollars. I would like to be reimbursed for my cost, and find out what vw has done to cover owners for these repairs? thank you very much.

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact was driving approximately 55 mph when the oil warning light illuminated. The contact moved off the roadway and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted and driven a short distance before the failure recurred. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer for the failure and she was advised to call back and schedule an appointment. She stated that the dealer advised her that there was a warranty repair dealing with the oil sludge. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 125,600.

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact was driving approximately 65 mph when the accelerator pedal became stuck in the depressed position. The vehicle was pulled over and shut off. Upon restarting, the vehicle operated as normal. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where they were unable to diagnose the failure and the vehicle was not repaired. The failure recurred intermittently. In addition, when driving approximately 65 mph the oil pressure light began illuminating on the dashboard. The vehicle was pulled over and towed to an independent mechanic where it was repaired. The failure persisted so the vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the head gasket would need to be replaced. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The failure mileage was 96,000 and the current mileage was 105,000.

Driving at 65mph and oil pressure light comes on -takes us 15 minutes to find a safe spot to pull over- get car to dealer -'sludge " in the engine- regularly serviced car for 7 years.

My 2003 Passat has 104,000 miles and is currently being fixed due to oil sludge in my engine. 2 years ago my mechanic warned me of this issue; however, a faithful Volkswagen owner I decided to keep my car and faithfully change my oil every 3,000 miles while the owner's manual say every 5,000 miles. Friday, January 15, 2010 I found myself stranded off the highway, on a trip, due to oil sludge. I am firm believer in taking care of your car and feel as though this is a Volkswagen issue. It seems as though there are several issues with this and Volkswagen and would like for an action to be considered.

Had my ignition coils in my vw 2003 Passat go out. Went to auto repair had repairs done at 340. 00. 2 months later got letter of recall for exact problem, letter said to send in receipts for reimbursement. Sent forms, followed up with call and got check this week. . . For 78. 00. Called # on form and they said they refund what the us average cost would be and in this case that was it. I went back to the dealer to ask them and they said they would have done the repairs for 320. 00 and that I was being ripped off. After talking with the recall agency and being put on hold 4 times they said that was it and all I would receive.

I purchased an 03 vw Passat from a vw dealer as a certified pre-owned vehicle back in 2/07. Within the first week of purchase I had brake problems. The next couple years were followed by valve cover leaks, engine leaks, auto window problems, battery problems, recall issues, water intrusion issues, ignition coil recall and the list goes on. After a water intrusion just days after the replacement of faulty ignition coils I contacted the manufacture notifying them of the problems. The manufacture had held their foot to the ground that my car is out of warranty (that I was told at time of sale I did not have) and so they are able to do nothing about any of the problems with this vehicle. However as it stands I have nearly $3000 in repairs needed to this vehicle. Not to mention the water leak/damage from what I understand may actually mean my vehicle is considered a total loss at this point. I have expressed to the manufacture that I am concerned for the safety of myself but my small children as well ever time we are in this vehicle. Among the several things that are potential to occur while I am driving I also worry about the potential for mold exposure from the water damage. Due to cost I am unable to get any of this corrected and can not afford to go thru my insurance only to be told that it is a manufacture issue and so I am stuck. I feel that at this point I am driving around in a safety hazard and don't know what to do. Every time I receive a replay from anyone I just end up back at the same place. . . . Contact the bbb, etc. I am getting no where and don't know what to do therefore am looking into any and all resources so any information would be useful. Thank you for your time.

2003 vw Passat spontaneously combusted in the garage of our home. There are no events of concern leading up to the fire. The car had been parked in the garage since 5:00 pm on January 9, 2010 and the fire was discovered at about 3:00 am on January 10, 2010. A noise from the car alerted us and upon looking in the garage there were flames coming from the engine under the car. The fire totaled the car and caused over $100,000. Damages to the structure of our home. The cost to replace and repair contents is not yet known.

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?!.

I have had my 2003 vw Passat for 7 months now and have already had it in the shop 3 times. Right after I bought it used from a vw dealership the turbo went out. I had to pay for that. I then drove the car about 150 miles for a tournament and when almost there a light came on saying to stop and turn off the engine. Took it to vw dealership and it was covered by vw. It had something to do with sludge from oil. Got it back and 3 days later a light came on. It was the mil light. I took it in to the vw dealership. Still waiting to hear what the problem is this time. I have now had my oil changed 3 times in 5 thousand miles due to repairs. It has been one thing after another with this car so far.

We were driving up to the base of the palm springs tram on a cool day at a relatively slow rate of speed and parked at the valley station. The temperature gauge was apparently operating normally during the entire drive. A few minutes after parking, we noticed smoke coming from under the hood of the car, and upon opening the hood discovered the fire. Since tram security was there with a fire extinguisher, the fire was extinguished relatively quickly. The insulation was burned and the car was not able to be driven any further. It was towed to indio, CA.

I have a vw Passat 1. 8 liter turbo engine that has sludge in it causing my oil pressure to be low which threw my timing off. Luckily stopped driving the car before it lock up.

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.

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.

Driver was on daily commute to work, stopped at an intersection. A loud bang was heard by the driver and when the driver exited the car to see what had happened, a bystander immediately yelled toward the driver to warn them that the car was on fire. Driver was able to make it out of car safely, with minor injuries incurred as a result of trying to put out the fire. The fire itself was limited to the engine compartment, however as a result the entire engine and engine compartment were destroyed and the car was considered a total loss by insurance. Since the defective component(s) and surrounding area involved in the defect were completely destroyed, there was no parts to repair or replace.

Owner was driving Volkswagen when it started to hesitate and the engine caught on fire. Fire burned most severely in center rear and right side of the compartment.

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.

I financed a 03 Passat GLS 1. 8t in Jan of 05 a year later it stopped running. When I took it to the dealer it was oil sludge. The engine has a warranty for sludge for unlimited mileage for 8yrs. The car needed a new engine due to the sludge. Vw refused to replace the engine stating that I did not have enough proof of maintenance done to the vehicle. Which statement is false. The vehicle had all maintenance done in the time that corresponded, I had proof of them which I submitted. Therefore I have spent 4 months making payments towards a vehicle that can not be used. Now I had no choice but to replace the engine myself since vw refused to solve the situation.

I have a 2003 volkswagon passot 1. 8 turbo and I have had it at the volkswagon dealership 3 times in the past 6 months and it is still there. The light in the car saying stop oil pressure low kept coming on so we had it towed to the dealership now for the second time. And they were the last ones to change the oil. They are refusing to fix the car under warranty. They say I need a new engine because of oil sludge on the engine. I have provided them with all the reciepts stating the car was properly maintained. And they are still refusing to cover it under warranty. They told me there is no other recourse. I don't feel I should have to put out the expense for something that seems to be a problem with this make and model. Please help.

The vehicle 1. 8l engine sized while driving 60 mph. Vehicle was tow to the dealer. Dealer informed the consumer that the cause of the problem was engine sludge build up.