This car only has 65000 original one owner miles and has experienced all & more of the current recalls with same model yr, vw local dealerships (2) refuse to acknowledge the problems (one even tried to double charge me for bosch ABS part last year before the recall to fix) and numerous emails to vw have gone unanswered. Most recent issues in last 1.5yrs have been fuel pump went out and I paid to replace (dealer scammed us by throwing out dead brand new aaa stamped and warranted battery, they sd we needed new one and old one already picked up from dealer to expose of, charged $200 for that as well. I paid for the ABS light repair which I have paid and diagnosed numerous times for last 10yrs to fix and finally just paid the over $1000. To get it fixed for safety reasons. 9 months ago rear brake lights would come on randomly when parked and locked killing the battery. I would drive it to charge it up but since it is a car we don't drive often or far, it continued to do the same for a few weeks until it dawned on me that the seat warmer on those cars could leave an open current, turned that off, good for a few weeks, then found out same for the trunk light, unplugged and capped that and it is far better, but something still. After reading online vw passat forums and recalls I know 2 dealerships sd they performed the brake light sensor recall, but was it truly done and causing the issue...answer is no, vw dealers 2x after checking and billing vw for the repair falsified doing the recall. I know because I checked it and the part is original from 2002 stamped on it and I replaced it and have it along with most all other receipts from 2003 to today. Feb 11, 2019 I opened a case and supposed formal investigation with vw corporate customer care (very nice people), lied like the rest of the company and never heard a word... +++18 vw and audis personally, since 1991...done!
2003 Volkswagen Passat: ABS light or ABS activating
17 of the 628 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat describe ABS light or ABS activating.
- owner complaints
- 17
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 87,452
- recalls
- 0
ABS light or ABS activating by model year
What owners say
Problems with the ABS control unit fails after few years. This could lead to an accident since the car cannot stop in the time & distance originally specified when car was purchased. Also, the smog stations are not able to read the obd2 connector due to this issue, which forces you to buy a new module for almost $600.00. The most important in this issue is the safety in stopping and not having your brakes lock, which also causes the car to skid in sudden stops and cause an accident. There is a blinking warning light that comes on the dashboard that points to the dashboard.
Abs light and brake light on volkswagen states faulty control module.
My dash showed 2 lights a red break light and yellow ABS it keeps beeping . It started randomly one morning when I turned my car on its been doing it for 6 months now
Abs module failure, ABS light on brake light blinking and then asr light on, happens randomly, no specific reason, dry weather, humid, day or night. Still comes on randomly, no speeding, problem goes away when car is turned off.
Abs control module on my 2003 vw passat failed. This appears to be a common failure that disables the ABS.
The ABS light comes on on the instrument panel followed by the brake light and sometimes the anti-skid indicator. This is a common and expensive problem for volkswagens for many years: http://tech.bentleypublishers.com/thread.jspa?threadid=2447&start=40&tstart=0 volkswagen should be held to account.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact was traveling 30 MPH when the ABS warning light and brake light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 5,000 and the current mileage 56,000.
At around 85,000 miles ABS/traction control lights turned on and parking brake light started flashing. I took it to the dealership and was told that the ABS module faulted and needed to be replaced.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the ABS warning light illuminated when the brakes were applied and the front of the vehicle vibrated violently. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the ABS module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the vibrating continued. There was also a loud dinging noise followed by the warning light when the brakes were applied. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 87,452. Updated 04/15/11*lj updated 12/19/2011
Abs control module for a 2003 vw passat.
Brake failure light appears even after multiple brake repairs. Driver?s side rear upper brake light replaced for 29th time in less than 2 yrs. Multiple coolant leaks still present even after repair and water pump replacement. Radio/amplifier not functioning even after replacement (radio was only used twice in vehicle?s lifetime). Diagnostics show airbag malfunction. Regulator pin on rear passenger side window keeps breaking (3rd replacement since 2003). Engine cover below car keeps falling off due to rusted bolts. Homelink system keeps malfunctioning. Fuses keep blowing out. Dashboard panel lights out (odometer, fuel gauge, etc.). Ccm module keeps breaking down. Car needs to be jumpstarted when not in use for over 48 hrs. Climate control (A/C and heater) works only sporadically. All repairs performed by vw dealership, yet same issues keep reappearing just a few weeks after repairs. Repairs performed in past 2 years: ecu unit replaced, brake light switch replaced 3 times, A/C compressor unit replaced, ABS module replaced, alternator replaced, brakes replaced 3 times.
Service bulletins that may apply
- If mechanical damage is found to the turbocharger (e.g. damaged compression wheel, loose or broken shaft),...
- Summary to be provided on a future date.
- Volkswagen: 2001-2005 models: service air plenum area to improve drainage and install improved pollen...
- Anti-lock brake system (ABS) control module warranty repair process
- Diagnostic trouble codes 00778 and 01044 stored in brake electronics diagnostic trouble code memory
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Questions about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat abs
Is ABS light or ABS activating a common problem on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
17 of 628 owner complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat (3%) mention ABS light or ABS activating. The model year with the most reports is 1999.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
There are 0 recalls and 5 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
Fuel pump 99Fire or smoke 71Stalling 60Check engine light 48Loss of power 26Engine failure 19Overheating 18Water leak 17Fuel leak 16Won't start 15Headlights 14Misfire 12Fuel smell 10Hesitation 9Jerking 9Adaptive cruise 8Airbag light 6Ball joint 6Battery drain 6Brake failure 6Door locks 5
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