Oil Pump problems of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat

Vehicle oil pressure light alerted driver of low oil pressure. Driver brought vehicle to r&j auto on 1309-1365 barnum avenue in bridgeport, CT; driver purchased car from this business less than a year ago; driver was told that nothing was wrong with the car. A week later the same issue arose while on the highway. Driver was not speeding due to getting off of the ramp. Car began making a ticking noise. Driver brought car back to r&j a week later the car was deemed unfit to drive due to sludge, the oil pump being damaged and the engine malfunctioning. Dealer/mechanic informed me that the car was dangerous to drive and would not be worth fixing. I was forced to junk the car and leave the car with the business. I am afraid they will resell the car without completing the proper maintenance and repair to another innocent customer. This car is not fit to drive.

9/2002 purchased 2003 Volkswagen Passat 1. 8 turbo. 2005- 48,000 engine failed due to sludge. Towed to commonwealth motors santa ana, CA after 2 mos installed new oil pump, we each paid half even though it is a known design flaw with oil pump. 2007 same thing happened( but I was away and car towed to local garage) mechanic stated that no warranty would cover problem. Estimated 95. Final $2,569 to replace oil pump and turbo picked up car in March 2008, in Dec 2008 engine failed again towed to mesa west who suggested dealer should be called. Dealer accepted responsibility on phone since they had done original repair, 4 months later car needs new engine is still at dealer. Oil pump cannot process properly. Vw aware of chronic problem but won't stand by product unless all receipts from oil changes are available. Car need $6000. 00 of work and dealer doing nothing to assist regardless of promises made.

Oil sludge causes oil pump to fail damaging the engine.

At 40k miles the low oil pressure indicator light came on, at dealership the technician "could not duplicate concern. " at 42k miles the car stopped working while on the freeway. Once towed to the dealership, the tech tried to identify the problem. Again, in the invoice was noted that he removed the oil cap and noted "a lot of burned oil on under-side of cap and on oil deflector tray. " yet, that was not pursued as the technician notes on the following line that "checked further and found no fuel delivery. " oil change was also done on the car w/ a new oil filter and car was returned. At 50k miles low oil pressure indicator light again came on. Stated in invoice that "did not perform diagnostic. " technician notes in invoice, based on a visual inspection through oil cap yet, there appears to be oil sludge build up. No diagnostics were ran and no mention of oil sludge being a known problem with the 1. 8l turbo engine in the 2003 Passat. At 52k miles, the low oil pressure indicator light yet again came on, this time car was taken to independent shop. They ran diagnostics on oil pump, based on low pressure results, pump was replaced. 16k miles later, low oil pressure indicator light came on, oil pump identified as problem and replaced under part warranty at no cost. Another 16k miles later, this oil pump also failed. Garage removed valve cover revealing extensive amounts of burnt oil carbon deposits that as per their mechanics are only possible from a petroleum based oil. I seeked a second opinion on the engine and second garage confirmed that damage seen was only possible from the use of a petroleum based oil. Volkswagen changed their engine oil specifications in August of 2004. When I received my car in November of 2002 and all oil changes performed on the car by the vw dealership until August of 2004 were done so with petroleum based oil. The cause of the problem was created from November 2002-August 2004, although I was not aware of it until 1/5/2007.

: the contact stated while driving 65 mph on the highway, an oil pressure warning light illuminated. The contact pulled over to the side of the road. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who determined the oil pump needed to be replaced, and failed due to maintenance negligence. The manufacturer was alerted.

: 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.

Have had nothing but problems with this lemon. * 500 miles cruise control fails, has to be replaced. * 16,000 miles ignition coil fails, replaced coil and mass air flow sensor. * 28,000 miles fan in dash diagnosed as faulty and needing to be replaced. Parts ordered, never installed. * 40,000 miles oil pump and oil hoses are replaced due to oil pressure failures. Car broke down on road. * 44,159 miles oil pressure switch replaced due to oil pressure failures. * 46,000 miles fuel pump failure, replaced under warranty. Car broke down on road. Volkswagen has a problem with these cars and "oil sludge". Vw refuses to fix my car under warranty. Last word was "we reserve the right to refuse any warrany claim, regardless of documentation of oil changes. " I've talked to several dealerships and it's a #1 problem with these cars comming in for ruined engines and oil sludge. Vw is refusing to pay for fixing the problems in most cases. I've got all documentation, original paperwork when purchased, etc.

2003 vw Passat 1. 8t wagon has failed due to sludge. I do not have all of the service records for the car and warranty coverage is denied to the tune of $10,217. 00. I've done some research on this problem, and feel that the defect is with the engine, not with my treatment of the vehicle. The car was running fine with no noise when the "oil pressure! stop!" light came on, and ran fine when I drove it to the dealership, only now they tell me the engine is 'locked up' and wil have to be replaced along with the oil pump, the turbo unit, etc etc. Since the car was on the interstate when the light popped on, and presumably could have 'locked up' at 70 mph, this is, indeed, a safety issue.