2003 Volkswagen Passat: airbag warning light

Filed Apr 19, 2014 · Airbags, Seats · 125,000 miles · VA

On sept 20 2013 my wife showed me a spring that came from under the drivers seat . Ironically the next day the airbag light came on and wont go off . About a month later a 2nd spring appeared in the floorboard .car will not pass inspection . Vw really needs to address this .

Filed Mar 10, 2011 · Transmission · NC

Power train lack of power when pressing the accelerator may have caused an accident, pulling out in traffic. This was due to water leak in pollen filter box (cracked) which affected the shift lock solenoid, affecting the transmission control module. 2003 volkswagen passat mileage of 121,000 miles. Normally garaged and maintained according to schedule. After rain, found an inch of water in rear passenger floor. Transmission non-functional, air bag warning light and other warning lights on. Dealer said the pollen filter seal was no good and that water leaked in and destroyed the transmission control unit which is located in the floor behind the passenger seat. I have read many accounts on the internet from many angry owners of similar problems where leaks from this seal have caused catastrophic repairs. The service manager at the vw dealer told me that checking the pollen filter seal is not part of any regular maintenance and that in order to check it, you'd need to disassemble quite a few things in the engine compartment. When I asked him how an owner could possibly know if the seal needed replacement and he replied "you found out how". I am clearly not alone in having experienced a failure from a part that is not in any way maintainable (the pollen filter seal) and that has caused major damage to the car. I feel this is a consumer issue and that this is a design defect in the passat that vw should compensate owners for. There is no way for an owner to be able to avoid this situation -- it is not a matter of maintenance. It got to do with the passat leaking water and the location of an extremely expensive component in the rear passenger floor, the area where any water that leaks migrates to. If this failure had occurred during driving, I might. I have been told to replace transmission spent another 2000$ and its not even this the problem!!!!

Filed Feb 2, 2009 · Airbags · 83,500 miles · NH

Following routine maintenance of my vehicle, (tune-up, including replacement of spark plugs and ignition harnesses) my repair shop mechanic reported that the airbag warning light came on and stayed on. He said he was unable to turn it off. I then took the vehicle to a factory-authorized vw dealer and was told the problem was caused by low voltage to the airbag unit, that the battery tested low at 12.04 volts and they could not reset the code without replacing the battery. I approved new battery purchase, but dealer was unable to make warning light go out, despite recoding the controller . Dealer claimed further testing revealed airbag unit controller had failed and would require replacement at parts cost of $798.00. I declined to pay that amount. In reply to my question, service rep said he was unable to confirm that airbag(s) would deploy in case of an accident. Since they I have driven vehicle for about one month, and each time I start vehicle a warning sounds, the "airbag failure" notice comes up on the dashboard and the airbag warning signal stays on constantly. I telephoned vw customer service to complain and was told there was no recall on this problem and that since vehicle was nearly 6 years old and out of warranty I would need to assume cost of repair/unit replacement. I said I thought this was a safety failure with vehicle becoming out of compliance with federal safety requirements through no fault or malpractice of the owner (myself) and that vw should assume cost of repairs. Customer service rep said they would look into it and reply. So far no response. Vehicle continues to display airbag warning light.

Filed Nov 29, 2007 · Airbags, Body · 42,000 miles · WV

I have a 2003 vw passat. I've had two leaks into the front right floorboard in the past six months from either a sunroof drain line or a air conditioner. The leaks have produced so much water that it has gone to right back floorboard. The plastic on the interior is worn off. The ashtray fell apart. They can't seem to get the alignment right so I keep going through tires and the tires I do have sound uneven when I rotate them, making me think there's a problem. Hove replaced the headlights three times in 1 and 1/2 years. There's a defect investigation into fires in the engine and a recall on oil sludge. This car is an accident waiting to happen and it's very poorly engineered. One thing after another. Vw has on a bunch of recalls already on this model, to many for me to feel safe with. I'm abandoning the car today, trading it in for something else. Will never buy a vw again. No car should have this many issues. And the issues continue to roll in. Now the airbag light just came on...another thing to have to worry about!!!

Filed Mar 9, 2006 · Body · 28,000 miles · HI

Failure of electrical system due to interior water leaks into the footwell area from blocked plenum drain. As stated in the june 18,2004 vw technical service bulletin vehicle has 28,000miles . It is a lease. First electrical problems began at approx 20,000 miles when air bag light and check engine light came on and remained on. Service department kept car for 3 weeks and repaired. Second problem key lock system failed. Unable to start the vehicle needed to re-do codes and replace keys, also changed steering wheel. Third problem, dampness on floor of drivers side, front and back., trunk opened while driving, interior lights remained on unless turned off manually, door locks opened and closed randomly while driving, alarm system went off randomly, sound system went on and stayed on after car was vacant. Car needed to be jump started in order to use. Car towed to dealership and was denied warranty coverage due to normal weather conditions causing problems. Vw of america refused to cooperate stating that they do no cover defective parts if it rained on the vehicle. At this time, car has been at dealership for 3 weeks while parts are ordered to repair at my cost. So far bill is rising above $4,000. Request to terminate lease was denied. 90 days early termination was offered by vw leasing but payments must continue to be made after car is returned.

Filed Jul 25, 2005 · Airbags, Electrical · 47,000 miles · NJ

I purchase a new 2003 volkswagen passat from burlington volkswagen 2 years ago and have taken it back to the dealership at least 7 times since then for a myriad of problems, from airbag lights coming on to check enginge light to the latest of the car shutting off in the middle of the road.