2003 Volkswagen Passat: engine failure

Filed Jun 7, 2018 · Engine · 124,675 miles · LA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. While pulling out of the driveway, the contact stated that coolant was leaking from the vehicle. The low coolant warning indicator illuminated and an abnormal beeping sound was heard while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and it was diagnosed that the coolant leak was due to an engine failure that was not repairable. The dealer was not contacted for diagnostic testing or repairs. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 124,675. The VIN was not available.

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 Jun 20, 2011 · Engine · 123,000 miles · VA

Engine failure.

Filed Dec 7, 2010 · Engine · 82,000 miles · WA

The vw 1.8t engine has know sludge issues that lead to engine failure. When the engine fails the driver looses all power functions associated with the vehicle. This includes steering and brakes. This is exactly what happened to me and I was lucky enough to be in the left hand lane and was able to pull over and park. Had this happened when I was on an interstate it could have been a completely different outcome.

Filed Feb 24, 2010 · Engine · 91,631 miles · NC

I purchased a 2003 volkswagen passat from flow motors of greensboro, nc. The vehicle was certified by volkswagen with a two year 24,000 warrant. The engine blew when is was 260 miles over or outside the warranty. The cause of the engine blowing was due to oil pressure and the lack of oil pressure in the engine. My wife and three year old were driving back from washington, d.c. To greensboro and broke down in lynchburg, v.a. The service manager at terry's volkswagen in lynchburg towed the vehicle in to their shop and looked at the engine. They reported that a cam bolt snapped in the engine which caused the oil pressure to cease and in return caused the engine to blow. They told me that a cam bolt should never snap and this was a product failure. Flow motors retrieved the vehicle and denied any responsibility for the product failure and recommended I put a new engine in the vehicle at the cost of 6,500. I replaced the engine and a couple of months later had to replace a cooling flange at 300.00 and after that a vacuum hose at 300.00. Before replacing the vacuum hose there was a leak in my back floorboard and had the vehicle in at flow motors on two occasion but they could not locate the leak but still charged me 50.00 to look for the leak. I've had to cut the carpet out of the back floorboard because of mold. Volkswagen broke my hood support bar and also refused to cover the expenses to pay for that. When the vehicle's engine blew my wife called me immediately to tell me the engine light was on. I told her to pull over immediately and she did. When she came to a stop the engine cut off and would not start back up. The engine had just over 91,000 and can't accept having to replace the engine when all the maintenance was kept up. Terry volkswagen says the cam bolt snapped and stated that should never happen on a vehicle with only 91,000. I have complained to volkswagen, the bbb, and currently am speaking with an attorney.

Filed Apr 15, 2009 · Engine · 98,000 miles · CA

9/2002 purchased 2003 volkswagen passat 1.8 turbo. 2005- 48,000 engine failed due to sludge. Towed to commonwealth motors santa ana, ca after 2 mos installed new oil pump, we each paid half even though it is a known design flaw with oil pump. 2007 same thing happened( but I was away and car towed to local garage) mechanic stated that no warranty would cover problem. Estimated 95. Final $2,569 to replace oil pump and turbo picked up car in march 2008, in dec 2008 engine failed again towed to mesa west who suggested dealer should be called. Dealer accepted responsibility on phone since they had done original repair, 4 months later car needs new engine is still at dealer. Oil pump cannot process properly. Vw aware of chronic problem but won't stand by product unless all receipts from oil changes are available. Car need $6000.00 of work and dealer doing nothing to assist regardless of promises made.

Filed Jul 24, 2008 · Engine · 95,000 miles · FL

I have owned 3 vws and have always made sure to stay up to date on scheduled maintenance. Recent knocking noise in engine lead us to take the car in for a repair at which time we were informed that we had a major sludge problem and it would cost me $6900 to replace the engine.

Filed Aug 29, 2007 · Electrical, Fuel system · 88,131 miles · CA

Vehicle would not start on aug. 26. Starter cranked but engine failed to turn over and start. Dealer diagnosed as fuel pump failure. Vehicle has approximately 88,000 miles. We were informed manufacturer vw has recalled fuel pumps for this make and model year (2003) but not this particular VIN. We also understand vw originally limited recall to an even smaller batch of vins. We believe the fuel pump defect is more extensive than vw is willing to acknowledge. The repair is currently not under warranty and will cost our family approximately $655 to repair, plus towing and car rental costs. We are lucky the failure occurred during a cold start and not on the road, where we could have been stranded in a desert, a storm, or the middle of an intersection with oncoming traffic. This is a major safety concern. After dealer claimed to have fixed problem on aug. 29,2007, we took the vehicle home and it again failed to start, or even crank. Dealer has towed it back and is reviewing. *tr updated 01-15-08. *kb the consumer stated the second failure was diagnosed as a failed battery. Updated

Filed Aug 8, 2007 · Engine · 55,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passas. While driving 65 MPH the check engine light illuminated then the engine failed. The dealer repaired the vehicle and stated that it was drivable. Approximately an hour later the check engine light began to illuminate intermittently. The dealer stated that there could be a faulty engine sensor. The next day, the check engine light illuminated and remained on and the engine eventually failed. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was 55,000 and the current mileage was 58,000.

Filed Aug 6, 2007 · Fuel system · 90,000 miles · GA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. On march 05, 2005 at 32,000 miles, the engine failed and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer found a faulty engine speed sensor and fuel pump. The parts were repaired under warranty. In february of 2007, while driving 55 MPH, the engine failed again without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer and they discovered a faulty fuel pump. The fuel pump was replaced at 90,000 miles, but the vehicle was no longer under warranty. Currently, the engine light is still illuminated. The contact was informed that recall number 06v017000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump) does not apply to the VIN. The current mileage was 100,000 and failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed May 31, 2007 · Engine · 57,500 miles · NY

I financed a 03 passat gls 1.8t in jan of 05 a year later it stopped running. When I took it to the dealer it was oil sludge. The engine has a warranty for sludge for unlimited mileage for 8yrs. The car needed a new engine due to the sludge. Vw refused to replace the engine stating that I did not have enough proof of maintenance done to the vehicle. Which statement is false. The vehicle had all maintenance done in the time that corresponded, I had proof of them which I submitted. Therefore I have spent 4 months making payments towards a vehicle that can not be used. Now I had no choice but to replace the engine myself since vw refused to solve the situation.

Filed Nov 29, 2006 · Engine · 68,000 miles · AZ

I was driving my passat with 1.8 t engine and the engine failed. Volkswagen "advocates" were completely unhelpful this occurred in summer of 2005. Volkswagen aware of problem and left consumer to pay for 9000 dollar repair. In the last year my car has been in at least eight times for check engine light. Company aware of problem and unwilling to help.