Tank Assembly problems of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that he noticed a fuel odor and when he inspected, he saw that the fuel tank was leaking. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the cotnact was informed that the plastic gas nozzle cracked and put pressure on the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for recall 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery) but the dealer would not replace the fuel tank because the fuel like was too long. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 107,235.

Vehicle is 2003 vw Passat 4 motion. A fuel leak was detected in the tank area. Automobile was brought to an independent repair shop where it was determined that there was a crack on the rollover valve. A recall was issued on this car for this problem (recall #(08v156000, NHTSA investigaiton #pe08008) and the necessary repairs were purportedly done by the authorized vw repair shop.

Driving on I-87 upstate NY around albany in the fast lane about 80 miles an hour the car completely lost power. We pulled over quickly to the grassy area between the highways. We heard a sound but it might have been from the road when we pulled off or a backfire? the car was completely dead. We called 911 and a sheriff arrived soon and told us how difficult it would be to get back on the highway with traffic going 90-95 miles an hour. We had to get into the fast lane. We drove a little on the grassy area to see if the car would work. With great difficult and tremendous fear we managed to get onto the highway. We were then able to drive to nyc without problems in the slower lanes. No lights or sounds came on to warn us of the loss of power. This happened about 6 weeks ago as we were approaching the williamsburg bridge in manhattan but going at a much slower speed. We pulled over and had to restart the car. We have had the recalls from vw but not a recent one that may have come out in may. It seems like it could be a fuel tank issue. I will be taking it back to vw in brooklyn in two weeks to have them look at it. They have told me that since I did come in and get all the recalls that it could not be that. I am afraid of this car and only have about 27,000 miles after 5 years. It is a 2003 Passat turbo wagon. It was a hot day on June 8th and when we turned on the car the temp out side light said 101 degrees.

Tl-the contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that after he received a voluntary recall in regards to the emissions system and having the repairs done, he started to notice the check engine light illuminate for approxiately 2 1/2 years. The vehicle was then inspected by a independent mechanic and they advised him that the valve on the gas tank had failed. The vehicle has not been reapired. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance since there was a 1 year warranty on the voluntary recall. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. Tb.

When filling up the car with gasoline there is a severe fuel odor. Took car to dealer and they said the "fuel tank ventilation valve" was leaking. This also happened two years ago and they replaced the fuel tank under warranty. The dealer refused to fix the problem unless I paid for it. I have noticed that they are issuing a recall for this exact problem but when I called Volkswagen they said my VIN number is not included. Very disappointed in the car overall and would not recommend one to anyone.

1. No event lead up to the failure 2. Fuel leak; strong gas fumes within car. Leak & fumes more prominent with warmer weather. 3. Vw dealership found gas leaking from (3) locations including nipple & plastic seams where clips are attached. Gas tank was replaced.

After replacing the fuel pump (under recall) on my 2003 vw Passat in October, 2007, I began to notice a periodic gas leak from around the gas tank. In December, 2007, I had a local mechanic investigate and he could find nothing wrong. My tank leaked again last week.

After filling up my 2003 Volkswagen Passat 4-motion, v6 with fuel, I noticed a strong fuel odor. After inspecting under the car, I found a fuel leak on the gas tank. I took it to our local repair shop that specializes in Volkswagens since I am 140 miles from the nearest dealer to be checked out. They discovered that one of the 90 degree connectors for the vapor line on top of the tank had cracked. The whole tank has to be replaced as you can't just replace the connector. The tank is plastic and the connector has a steel sleeve in it to make it more rigid. On inspection of the old tank, it was discovered that three (3) sleeves on the 3 vent connectors had worked there way out of the connectors so they just sit there and flex until they fail. This type of bad design cvould have resulted in an explosion and serious injury to myself or my family. On contacting vw consumer line they were concerned but not enough to admit a problem or help pay for the replacement as my mileage was too high. Mileage should not have anything to do with those vent connectors failing. I know this is not a unique occurrence since another vw Passat came in two days later to the same repair shop with exactly the same problem.

My 2003 Passat with 46,000 miles and regular 5,000 miles service visits recently had two major problems. The alternator went bad and was producing nearly twice the voltage. There were no service bulletins or recalls on this item and was fixed at a significant cost to me. Next was the fuel tank. I first experienced an odor which turned out to be a leak in the gas tank. I am working with an excellent Volkswagen service business which is not a dealership. Vw America will only take the word of a licensed dealer. The defective tank is currently being replaced at a very significant cost to me. There are no service bulletins or recalls on my VIN. I understand that a local dealership has had to replace a few of these. This is a very nice car developing a bad reputation. I have safety concerns with this car and wonder what will happen next.