2003 Volkswagen Passat: water leaks into the cabin

Filed Mar 7, 2018 · Electrical, Locks · 190,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that it took multiple attempts for the vehicle to become operable even when the starter was engaged. The vehicle also experienced an interior water leak and the driver side door latch would not properly latch. In addition, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of engine power and the check engine, brake, and various other warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a software failure, and the ignition coil springs were defective and needed to be replaced. The ignition coil springs were replace however the failure recurred. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

Filed Apr 23, 2015 · Body, Engine · 135,800 miles · OR

I have had my 2003 vw passat a year now I have just noticed in the past week that it had a leak I thought it was from the window or sun roof I went to vacuum the car out on a nice day and seen that it still had very wet carpet and then noticed the carpet was a green color like it was coolant I then had my bf check it and it is. I run a daycare and use this car daily with my children we have been breathing in this coolant for weeks now and that probably explains my daughter saying she gets headaches when we drive the car. I have done some research and see it is a very common and recalled thing with the heater core and I had no idea I hope us breathing this in hasn't done any damage I have a one year old who has been in it this whole time as well.im very unpleased with this car.

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 May 13, 2010 · Body, Electrical · CA

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.

Filed Mar 11, 2010 · Brakes · CA

I purchased a certified used vehicle from volkswagen in 2/07'. Within the first month I began having problems with this vehicle. The laundry list, starting with the brakes, includes a leak in the trunk, entire brake replacement within the first year, several recalls, battery replacement, cracked valve cover, problems with engine coolant temp sensor, faulty ignition coils causing serious safety hazards as a result of the vehicle 'shaking' while on & potential to stall at any given time, a recent massive water leak inside interior of vehicle causing interior water damage as well as a build up of mildew and possibly mold as well as now causing the windows to fog up constantly due to moisture under floor mats, problems with left blinker, trouble starting, several current engine leaks to the extent of a few thousand dollars, automatic window problems, worn cv boots currently making a clicking noise; this being the major things that have occurred to date. In good faith, after a very scary ride this last january, I contacted vw of america in an attempt to notify them of the situation and was informed that they were not going to accept any responsibility for their product because I was out of a warranty that I was originally told (during time of sale) I did not have anyway. In addition, however, it was stated to me later by their representative that none of the items would have been covered anyway. I am a single mom in no financial position to hire an attorney or even pay for the cost this vehicle has incurred and while this is my only means of transportation I have no other option then to continue driving it. With that said however I strongly feel that given the current condition of this vehicle and the potential of anyone of these items to fail this vehicle is a safety hazard and given that I purchased this vehicle only 3 years ago this is an excessive amount of problems for it to have. I strongly feel at this time that vw sold me a lemon.

Filed Jul 18, 2009 · Body · 25,000 miles · SC

Sunroof drains/or other source allows water to leak into car saturating the interior carpet under left drivers seat and floorboard area. Convenience module was replaced once under warranty in 2006, but water leak has returned. This is a garaged vehicle and this water leak occurs if car is parked outside at work (no trees of leaf debris) with roof closed. Dealer was aware of problem when the car was repaired originally in 2007 and said the drain hose was collapsing on itself.

Filed Jul 1, 2009 · Body, Electrical · 42,000 miles · NY

Pollen filter and/ or sunroof drains become blocked and water leaks behind battery and into cabin of car. The water then pools under and behind the drivers seat where the convenience module is stored. I am concerned because it caused my car to be unable to start because it is affecting the electrical components of the car. In addition, the pooling under the drivers seat is troubling since it is a hub for interior electrical equipment. The convenience module in my car now has to be replaced.

Filed May 2, 2009 · Body · 39,000 miles · MD

I have a 2003 vw passat that has leaked water from the sunroof drain tubes and pollen filter. The water pooled into the floor pans under the carpet all over the car and threatens all of the electronic components stored on the floor of the vehicle. Vw dealer wants over $1000 to fix this issue even though there is nothing stated anywhere in the owner manual regarding drain tube maintenance or pollen filter leaks. These drains are neither easily accessible or visible (especially the rear drain channels). These problems are clearly engineering flaws and there are tons of documented cases all over the internet of the same problem occurring. Vw does not acknowledge this problem and the dealership is charging huge amounts of money for parts and labor to clean up all of the water damage and fried electronics. This really needs to be looked into and considered for action. In addition to water damage, mold and mildew pose significant health risks.

Filed Jul 10, 2008 · Body · 80,000 miles · WI

Water leaked in to the passenger compartment of the vw passat. The transmission electronic controls are located under the floor mat of the passenger side of the auto. The water shorted out the electronics for the transmission disabling the vehicle. A vw dealer repaired the passat by replacing the electronics at a cost of $2250.00 to us. They also modified the air intake to prevent future damage. This was the second time we had the auto in for cabin water. The service rep. Told me there is a problem with the cabin air intake and this was replaced under a recall on the 2000, 2001 and 2002 years of the passat. He tried vw for warranty but they declined.

Filed Jul 19, 2007 · NJ

A water leak in either the sunroof drainage tubes or pollen filter caused 2" of water to fill the passenger front/rear of my 2003 vw passat. There is currently a terrible smell of mold/milder in the vehicle. Upon researching this problem on the internet, it was found that numerous vw owners have the same problem.

Filed Nov 21, 2006 · Body · VA

1) our 2003 volkswagen passat 1.8t is leaking water into the passenger side of the cab. 2) this appears to be a common problem in the passat as well as other volkswagens and has the potential to cause electrical malfunctions. 3) repair will require modification of drain systems around the vehicle to prevent intrusion of water into sensitive spaces.

Filed Oct 12, 2006 · Body · FL

My passat had two previous instances of water leakage in the floor of the back seat, where the computer is housed. This resulted in a short-circuit in the cars computer in the fall of 2005, causing the car to slow in traffic and ultimately stop when I reached dealership. Maroone volkswagen of delray beach addressed these two instances under warranty by focusing on the pollen filter and pollen filter caging. On the third occasion, I again took it to maroone volkswagen on september 6, 2006 since this seemed to be another recurrence of the same problem. Dealer would not fix under warranty. Service advisor said cowl had a hairline fracture, which was allowing water under my hood and into the car. However, cowl was intact on previous visits for same problem. Contacted vw of america who accepted dealers diagnosis. This is especially troubling given there is a wealth of information online posted by passat owners experiencing the same leakage problem that I describe above, and it is not due to cowl. Please refer to autobahn.com.