Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 5 MPH, the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed that the engine exhibited sludge. The vehicle was repaired but the failure persisted. The mechanic recommended that the engine be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,000.
2003 Volkswagen Passat engine complaints
Page 2 of 6: complaints 11 to 40 of 153, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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
Misfire on 2 cylinders due to faulty ignition coil packs
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. While driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle failed to restart. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the timing belt needed to be replaced. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.
Engine lights come on. Car at times start shaking - not consistently though. Took it to shop: found out ignition coils misfires. This has occurred 4 times in a 2 year time span. The most recent 2 being a month apart. The most recent incident burned almost all of the spark plugs. Did research and this website describes my situation perfectly: http://www.vwproblems.com/trends/ignition-coil/.
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.
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.
Vehicle oil pressure light alerted driver of low oil pressure. Driver brought vehicle to r&j auto on 1309-1365 barnum avenue in bridgeport, ct; driver purchased car from this business less than a year ago; driver was told that nothing was wrong with the car. A week later the same issue arose while on the highway. Driver was not speeding due to getting off of the ramp. Car began making a ticking noise. Driver brought car back to r&j a week later the car was deemed unfit to drive due to sludge, the oil pump being damaged and the engine malfunctioning. Dealer/mechanic informed me that the car was dangerous to drive and would not be worth fixing. I was forced to junk the car and leave the car with the business. I am afraid they will resell the car without completing the proper maintenance and repair to another innocent customer. This car is not fit to drive.
Two ignition coils failed which caused lack of spark to the plugs in the engine. Subsequent loss of engine power and unburned fuel entered the catalytic converter. A heat-related fire nearly ensued. Had to repair coils and plugs. Nearly caused failure of catalytic converter and oxygen sensors.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that a burning odor was coming from the engine. The contact also indicated that a fluid leak was coming from under the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 140,000.
Since after the day one of the purchase my car started shaking, vibrating. I had to have coils replaced. The car started running for 2 weeks then when I was in the traffic it started shaking then stalled. I was able to pull over in the parking lot. I had wiring harness and coils replaced again this time. The car had startup issues and then mechanic replaced camshaft sensor. After 3 weeks same problem!!!! I was on the side of the road had to be towed. Changed spark plugs and coils but after 2 months oh my goodness same problem now they think ecu is fried coils are bad maybe fuel pump no one is able to figure out and I cant spend any more thousands of dollars on a car im still financing. Very disappointed! I don't feel safe at all on the road and im scared to cause an accident because of the stalls on the road. Please help! Feel very unsafe!
Hot steam(coolant) came out of vents causing poor visibility and my daughter almost got into an accident due to the steam fogged the windshield.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 MPH, the engine pressure warning indicator illuminated continuously. The failure recurred twelve times within the same day. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated that the engine would need to be replaced due to excessive oil sludge. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
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.
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.
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.
Fuel supply line began leaking at mounting point on firewall above catalytic converter. Break/crack in line was significant and posed a high probability of fire, as any fuel leak, but substantially more so due to the location above the catalytic converter.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle would not start. The contact also stated that the vehicle emitted a noise in which it sounded like it was low on fuel. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified and stated that the vehicle was not under recall. The manufacturer also stated that they were not responsible for repairs. The failure and current mileages were 113,008.
At a stoplight car began to shake and sputter, I made it home with the car shaking the entire time. Had to replace coils. Have broken down twice and had to have car towed since then and replace coils. Not too mention the other several times coils were replaced without the car actually breaking down. Due to the coils constantly going bad caused the catalytic converter to go bad, which had to be replaced may 2011 along with the coils and o2 sensor. But two months later the engine light was on again, once again due to the coils. They were replaced, and engine light on again. They told me it would void the warranty on the converter due to the issue with the coil packs! The car now smells like it is burning when only driving for 20-30 mins. Had to get a emissions waiver from the dot for 2 years due to the problem since it wouldn't pass inspection. There is obviously a problem with more than just the coil packs themselves. They have been replaced a dozen time, yet there is still a problem. It seems to me that the whole housing unit for the coils need to be replaced along with the wires, too prevent fire and other problems with the cars.
Owner drove the 2003 volkswagen passat (2.8 v6 engine) home and parked it. He came back out to the driveway approximately 2 hours later and found the vehicle smoking. Small fire at right front floor pan/minor melting of dash plastics caused by heat from right side exhaust pipe/catalytic converter. Heat shield melted, rubber body plug ignited and consumed, carpet just above body plug was charred. Car just had right side catalytic converter and pipe replaced.
I have a 2003 volkswagen passat with 77,650 miles with problems with the oilpump and engine problems that is unknown. The automobile will stall not start it hasn't been driven in over 6 months due to the rattling noise in the engine and I believe slugged is build up in the engine but since then I have replaced two oilpumps in the vehicle and the sensors. Engine oil pressure failure and defective coils on each cylinder.
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!!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated the timing belt could not be adjusted. The check engine light illuminated because of the timing chain failure which also caused damage to the ignition coil. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated the timing chain was designed to be a lifetime timing system and could not be adjusted. The contact was unable to register the vehicle because the check engine light was on. The contact spoke to the manufacturer who stated the only thing that can be done is to replace all four cam gear adjusters, control solenoid housing, adjuster bolts and timing chains, the valve cover gasket and seals, torque converter bolts, exhaust gaskets, intake manifold gaskets, injector seals, chain cover, chain tensioners, rear main seal and the throttle body gaskets. The failure mileage was 98,000 and the current mileage was 105,000.
I own a 2003 vw passatt 1.8l turbo. I purchased this car brand new, and have used fully synthetic oil for the entire life of the vehicle. From reading several forums on the issue I am going to report, I do not have a gold plated record of all oil changes and maintenance. I have changed my oil every 3000-5000 miles. Two months ago, I was driving my car when the stop engine oil pressure light came on. I immediately pulled over and had the car towed to my mechanic, who is a master mechanic. The cause of the problem was the oil intake tube in the oil pan....it was completely clogged up and no oil was getting through it. I paid for parts and labor for him to make the repairs and it cost me $2500 dollars. I would like to be reimbursed for my cost, and find out what vw has done to cover owners for these repairs? Thank you very much.
Engine failure.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact was driving approximately 55 MPH when the oil warning light illuminated. The contact moved off the roadway and shut the vehicle off. The vehicle was restarted and driven a short distance before the failure recurred. The vehicle was later taken to the dealer for the failure and she was advised to call back and schedule an appointment. She stated that the dealer advised her that there was a warranty repair dealing with the oil sludge. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage was 125,600.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat w8. The contact was driving approximately 35 MPH when the vehicle began to shake uncontrollably causing difficulty in the steering. Suddenly, the check engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The engine stalled while attempting to drive onto the emergency lane. Within ten minutes, the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drive to an independent mechanic who informed him that the failure was related to the cam shaft and torque. The technician could not guarantee that the failure would not recur after the vehicle was repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 78,000. The VIN was unavailable. Updated 06/29/11*lj updated 1/13/2012 *ln
I purchased a used 2003 vw passat 1.8t wagon in 2006. It worked perfectly until the warranty ran out at 75,000 miles and a number of issues occurred that I found out are know issues with this vehicle and issue. First the engine coils started failing and needed to be replaced. I ended up replacing four of them and then vw issued a recall but only covered a fraction of what it cost to replace. Then the stop turn engine oil pressure light started coming on and I found out that the 1.8t engine has a known design flaw that leaves this engine susceptible to creating oil sludge even with routine maintenance. Vw issued a warranty extension for this engine and issue because they know it is a design flaw but will not fix the issue unless you show them a complete record of all oil changes. I maintained this car routinely but do not have all records millions of owners of this vehicle are now stuck with a dilemma of spending a lot of money to fix something that vw knew about and should have fixed. Vw needs to be held accountable and made to repair this issue for vehicle owners regardless of a complete maintenance record, because it is clear that this is an issue even with complete maintenance.
Heater core plugs thus resulting in inoperable heating of the interior of the car. Also causing a leak thus spewing steam and fluid into the interior of the car. With the windscreen receiving the steam and impairing the vision of the driver which may lead to an accident.
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.
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