Ten problems related to ignition have been reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat based on all problems reported for the 2003 Passat.
The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated the vehicle was previously included in a recall that called for the ignition coil to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. While driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Due to the fact the vehicle was previously repaired per the recall, the manufacturer was not able to assist. The NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The approximate failure mileage was 144,604.
Bought a 2003 vw Passat 1. 8t in may 2005. Since then, I have taken the car to the dealership for repair 4 times now. The car will all of the sudden start running very rough and the check engine light came on. The first time, they replaced a "defective" spark plug. Within a few days of getting it back, it happened again. They decided to replace all the spark plugs that time. It happened a third time and they did not tell me what they had done to the car, but kept the car for a week. It is currently in the shop again (now for a week again) because it began to run rough, developed a slow oil leak, and does not always start on the first attempt. I have not yet heard from the dealership what is causing the problems. I asked them to check everything on the car. I have also lodged a complaint with vw of America.
Engine starts to stall and misfires in traffic. Dealer refused to change recalled coils on 8-15-03 . Contacted vw help line and they indicated that their records show that dealer replaced the recalled coils even though he didn't. It appears the dealer filed a false warranty service claim with vw according to the information they received. Dealer still refused to change coils on 9-25-03.
Failure to provide replacement coils after manufacturer' s recall.
Very expesive unreliable car with nothing but excuses from the dealer-manufacturer filled with lies, constant trouble with car and Volkswagen cannot fix properly plus refuses to replace a defective car twice over! they told me when I purchased this car that all the 2003 had fixed coil problems. They failed around 7000 miles. Also have replace the dash, reprogrammed computer,ruined a pillar upholstery,put in wrong oil, replace d a sprk plug thinking that would fix the missfire, still runs bad. Every time I have to go to the dealer its a 260 mile round trip! I got out of a 99 Passat that theysold me (unkowingly)wrecked and then coldnt fix so I traded up to this 2003 with lots of trouble. Nightmare vw for sure.
Whild driving at any speed vehicle will shut off. Ts.
Possible failure of h type coil packs on 1. 8 t vw engines.
Faulty ingintion coils, two out of four have been replace on 2003 vw Passat 1. 8l t the reamining two are bound to fail, but vw will not cover the cost of replacing them. This is very concerning, given the fact that this car was bought in Dec 2002 and only has 2000 miles, and when the problem occurs the car loses power and must be towed to a dealership. Note losing power on the highway, in the middle of the coldest winter in new england is not a pleasent thought!!.
Failure to correct misfire and stalling problem after 3 visits to vw dealer. Engine continues to misfire and vw won't try to replace any obvious parts related to the cause. Told to return the car for repair for the 4th time when problem occurs again. Car has been to 2 vw dealers in 2 weeks and problem continues.
Dealer say vw is aware of problem, but not proactively replacing all 4 coil packs. A major inconvenience and possible safety problem! I have heard of many other people with multiple failures. Some resulting in engine stalls at very dangerous moments. Dt.