2003 Volkswagen Passat: engine overheating

Filed Dec 21, 2023 · Engine · 72,000 miles · RI

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, coolant leaked onto the front passenger’s side floorboard. The contact stated that the coolant leak was underneath the glove compartment area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to have the vehicle taken to the Volkswagen dealer. The contact visited the dealer and discussed the reoccurring failure and was informed that the heater coil was designed incorrectly, and the failure was due to the design of the heater coil. The contact was informed that the heater coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

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 Sep 28, 2015 · Engine · 120,000 miles · CA

My floorboards are soaked with coolant had noticed I had leak but had no idea that it was leaking into inside cabinet, heater core went out and every time I added fluid it would be gone wasnt sure where itwas going I could smell antifreeze smell for sometime but thought if it were overheating dash would give some warning!..again now that I know it was unhealthy to be breathing the toxic smell.my daughter still putting up with smell hard to get rid of it even after shampooing {sorry after shopvac sucked atleast 2gallons of coolant from my floor boards...this really makes me angry that I didnt know I was forced to breath in these toxic fumes for several months and continues,

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 Oct 5, 2011 · Electrical, Seats · 85,000 miles · MA · fire

Heated seat coils overheated and burnt seat on driver side. 1 year after recall was done by [xxx] vw brockton ma, they told me the heaters in the seat are no longer under warranty and told me to call vw USA with my problem, information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Jan 27, 2009 · Airbags, Electrical · 2,300 miles · CA · 2 injuries

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.

Filed Aug 18, 2008 · Engine · 18,000 miles · TX

The heater core tubing in the car disintegrated at about 18,000 miles. This resulted in the check engine light appearing, coolant leaking into other parts of the engine department,and the fumes from the coolant in the passenger compartment. At this time the vehicle was under warranty, so I took it to the volkswagen dealership. They replaced the purge valve (about an hours work) and returned the car to me. I took the car back two more times for the same problem before the warranty ran out and the dealership performed the same service. The coolant leak became significantly worse (I began adding coolant every 3-4 days) at around 82,000 miles and the fumes from the coolant in the passenger compartment became very strong. I took the car to another repair shop and the mechanic discovered that the tubing from the heater core had completely disintegrated and the heater core needed to be replaced altogether. I have seasonal asthma associated with allergies and inhaling the fumes from the coolant has made the condition worse. I am currently having the vehicle repaired at a cost of approximately $1200.

Filed Jul 7, 2008 · Engine · 44,000 miles · AZ

My oil pressure light came on. I was driving on a mountain, and there was no where to pull over, so I had to keep driving. The engine locked up and the car lost power. I was able to steer it off onto a shoulder. I have also been burned my the heated seat when the wiring overheats, and it has both shocked and burned my skin.

Filed Jan 9, 2007 · Engine · MA · fire

Owner was driving the volkswagen and smelled a weird odor, so he pulled over to the side of the road. He opened the hood and looked toward the back of the engine and observed smoke and smelled something burning. He stated he observed fire from the bottom part of a wire harness. A subsequent examination revealed the spark plugs showed a slightly rich fuel/air mixture in the cylinders, resulting in possible overheated exhaust components. Cause of fire undetermined.

Filed Jan 5, 2007 · Engine · MA · fire

Vehicle started feeling sluggish, repair facility changed spark plugs, an ignition coil, and a hall sensor. Facility admitted they could not repair vehicle so it was driven to a dealer for diagnosis. While being driven to the dealer, the vehicle started smoking. Continued driving, arrived at dealer, and there was a fire under hood. Exhaust system overheated, burning materials on the right front floorboard.

Filed Jan 5, 2007 · Engine · MA · fire

Owner was driving when someone on the side of the road pointed and indicated there was something coming out of her vehicle that looked like fog. Smoke was then noticed and her husband got out of the vehicle, looked underneath, and saw fire. He began throwing snow on the vehicle. Fd extinguished fire. Subsequent examination revealed the exhaust system overheated and ignited the fire due to an engine management problem - spark plugs showed overly rich fuel/air mixture.

Filed Dec 26, 2006 · Seats · 56,175 miles · AZ · fire · 1 injury

Was using the heated drivers seat as I was driving down the highway in cold weather. The seat began to overheat, caught on fire, burned a hole in my pants, and burned through the padding and seat fabric in my 2003 vw passat. I quickly turned off the seat and pulled off the highway as soon as possible, and put out the smoldering seat. The seat, padding, heating elements, and my pants are completely ruined.