2003 Volkswagen Passat: fire, smoke or burning smell

Filed Sep 20, 2021 · Engine · 150,000 miles · CO · fire

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle's speed suddenly begin to reduce and smoke was present coming from the engine compartment. After stopping and exiting the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department was called to the scene and extinguished the flames and the vehicle was towed away. During the incident, the vehicle was destroyed. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the incident but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 150,000.

Filed Nov 30, 2020 · Seats · 121,365 miles · MO · fire · 1 injury

My son was driving (in motion) on hwy 17 in miller county mo with seat heater on saturday nov. 28, 2020. Seat caught on fire. I had noticed when I had seat heater on previously it became so hot as to burn legs. This is a serious problem. It could have burned my car completely. Very dangerous.

Filed Sep 28, 2015 · Airbags, Seats · 116,000 miles · CA · fire

We were just leaving our friends house it was approx. 6am in morning little cold out so I turned on the seat warmers which is always nice touch to warm you up on those cold mornings, anyhow about 4-5minutes after seat warmers were turned on passenger side where I was sitting got rather warm and then hot and then actually start smoking and flames came out there was fire right under my bottom. I freaked out jumped out of seat ..I was yelling fire fire fire you could smell plastic burning as it was smoking and burning.my boyfriend poured water on and smothered out the fire with his jacket I'm a bit leary of the car because I don't feel its safe. I had my boyfriend unplug harness under seat and now my air bag warning default light and bell stay on. I am shocked to see several other complaints regarding this issue and that vw people haven't addressed this. I feel this car is a death trap.very unhappy with this vehicle.

Filed Sep 15, 2015 · Fuel system · 153,000 miles · MS

Every time I crank my car it smells like gas. I was driving down the road and smoke came out from under the hood when I stopped and lifted the hood it had a strong gas smell.

Filed Jul 16, 2015 · Engine · 111,352 miles · OH · fire

I was driving the car to work 2 miles from my houses oil warning come on return to my house to get a second car park the car and left 5 minute later get a phone call my car is on fire thanks god I went back home call vw they said no recalls but national safety investigation I lost my car because don't have full cover insurance

Filed Mar 3, 2015 · Engine · 140,000 miles · WI · fire

The car ran out of gas so I went to the gas station to purchase gas to put into the car. I put the gas into the car. Tried to start the car but would not start. I let it sit for a few minutes then I tried to start the car again. This time the car started but I heard a loud bang. Flames started shooting out of the hood. Before I knew it the whole front of the car was engulfed in flames. I called the fire department to extinguish the car.

Filed Dec 6, 2012 · Engine · 137,000 miles · MD · fire

While driving the on the capitol beltway (495 inner loop) I started to smell a burning smell. Moments later within about 30 seconds the engine burst into flames. I was able to stop the vehicle safely and exited the car. Needless to say the vehicle is totaled. I would describe the incident as a spontaneous engine fire. There was no warning. Thank you.

Filed Nov 24, 2012 · Electrical · MN · fire

The turn signal would continue to make a clicking noise even after the signal had been shut off. This continued to happen for several minutes and then smoke began to rise from behind my steering wheel where the turn signal enters the wheel console. I began to pull over at the next safe area and before I could I noticed small flames coming from the same area where the turn signal enters the wheel console. When I turned off the car the smoke/fire slowly subsided. I ended up removing the turn signal fuse in order to drive to a repair shop. After some research this seems to be a common issue with no recalls issued yet.

Filed Oct 2, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 174,256 miles · CA · fire · 1 injury

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. While driving approximately 20 MPH, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood and pouring inside the vehicle. The contact found water and coolant leaking from the dashboard and onto the driver's side of the vehicle. The vehicle was also overheating. After exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames coming from under the hood. The contact was able to extinguish the fire however, the contact sustained burns to her legs due to the hot leaking coolant. The vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The technician stated that the engine blew and the instrument panel cluster was damaged. The contact was unaware of what caused the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 174,256.

Filed Aug 30, 2012 · Driver assistance, Engine · CA · crash · fire

I was driving 45miles on the road when my 2003 vw passat 1.8t started to shake like crazy. Then the engine started to feel like it was going out..smoke came from my hood. My car stopped and the driver behind me swerved out the way but clipped me on the right side of my vehicle. No damage to the car or my own.

Filed Aug 18, 2011 · Engine · 78,000 miles · NY

2003 volkswagen passat has had recurring problems with ignition coils over the past two years (have already had two replaced at personal expense, as they were not under recall/warranty) most recent issue with such has occurred the past two weeks, beginning with the appearance of the check engine light along with periods of my vehicle running very rough (a "rumbling" type sensation, particularly when idling/while stopped) this soon escalated into a total loss of power while driving on the freeway the other day, which necessitated in me having to abruptly pull onto the shoulder, smoke came out from under the hood for a minute or two. Took my passat to a local repair shop the next day, where they read the error code(s) for my check engine light---turns out there are 10 in all, 1 for each cylinder in my engine (I have a v6), 3 for each ignition coil, and 1 general engine code. This will be the third time I have dealt with this issue in a very short time frame. I will be calling the dealership first thing in the morning but I do not believe there is any recall/warranty out for this issue still. I am very upset and displeased with vw and their lack of reliability/credibility regarding this issue. It seems that it is quite widespread from what I have researched and read and I hope that something will be done about it soon, I cannot afford to keep paying for this and certainly cannot afford for the safety hazards of it to get any worse, im afraid an engine fire will be next!!

Filed Jan 2, 2011 · Electrical · 84,000 miles · IL · fire

Vw 2003 passat awd 2.8 l v6 gasoline engine...wife called me said car was miss firing badly and then smoke was reported coming from underneath car. She pulled over and saw flames coming from underneath the car. Turned car off and fire luckily went out...I changed coil and problem was fixed for about three months. Now car is miss firing again and running rough....I hate that I've fixed this same coil three times now and it is acting up again...