Have had nothing but problems with this lemon. * 500 miles cruise control fails, has to be replaced. * 16,000 miles ignition coil fails, replaced coil and mass air flow sensor. * 28,000 miles fan in dash diagnosed as faulty and needing to be replaced. Parts ordered, never installed. * 40,000 miles oil pump and oil hoses are replaced due to oil pressure failures. Car broke down on road. * 44,159 miles oil pressure switch replaced due to oil pressure failures. * 46,000 miles fuel pump failure, replaced under warranty. Car broke down on road. Volkswagen has a problem with these cars and "oil sludge". Vw refuses to fix my car under warranty. Last word was "we reserve the right to refuse any warrany claim, regardless of documentation of oil changes." I've talked to several dealerships and it's a #1 problem with these cars comming in for ruined engines and oil sludge. Vw is refusing to pay for fixing the problems in most cases. I've got all documentation, original paperwork when purchased, etc.
2003 Volkswagen Passat engine complaints
Page 6 of 6: complaints 131 to 153 of 153, newest first, as owners wrote them.
I have a 2003 volkswagon passot 1.8 turbo and I have had it at the volkswagon dealership 3 times in the past 6 months and it is still there.the light in the car saying stop oil pressure low kept coming on so we had it towed to the dealership now for the second time.and they were the last ones to change the oil. They are refusing to fix the car under warranty. They say I need a new engine because of oil sludge on the engine.I have provided them with all the reciepts stating the car was properly maintained. And they are still refusing to cover it under warranty. They told me there is no other recourse. I don't feel I should have to put out the expense for something that seems to be a problem with this make and model. Please help.
I have a 2003 volkswagen passat. In the two years I have owned this car I have had it towed to the dealership 5-6 times due to transmission problems. When putting the car in park it kept moving forward. I had to put on the emergency brake to stop the car. Luckily, I was in a parking lot, and was going very slow. Again, I had a problem with my car not too long after. My car display read stop engine, and the car was overheating. Vehicle was towed to the dealership and water pump had to be replaced. Another problem involved the brake lights staying on, draining the battery, twice had to have a vehicle towed to the dealership. Yesterday, oil light came on, and the display again read stop engine. I had the car towed again. Dealership said that unless I have a complete record of my oil change receipts they will not cover it. I have read literally hundreds of complaints with the same problem. What is going on!!! I am fighting with the dealership, and volkswagen corporation to have this problem resolved under warranty. This should be a recall item! Help!!!
On april 14, 2005 I was going to work when a warning light came on that said stop. I called commonwealth motors and was told by larry riggins to check the oil level to see if needed to add oil, so I did. That did not resolve problem. I called back the dealer, who gave me the tow number for volkswagen, and said that he would set up an appointment that day. After waiting for two hours we were towed in only to find that they would not even look at car till next day. Next day, larry called and said that they needed to pull engine and look at oil pan which could add up to a lot of money. When questioned due to the car's warranty, larry informed me that only if I had all of the maintenance records, including oil changes, volkswagen would not honor the 5 year power train warranty, under 50,000 miles. Car has been there for 3 days with no resolution. After researching I found a site called vwlemon.com and discovered that known to volkswagen ,but unbeknownst to me, volkswagen passats with 1.8 turbo engine had a design flaw that caused engine to become clogged with sludge which could completely seize the engine. I was fortunately not on the freeway when this occurred so that I could safely pull over. Certainly it was a safety issue and a manufactured design flaw that volkswagen of america will not pay for.
The oil light came on. Consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, who wanted $11,000.00 to replace an engine for oil sludge.*ak consumer stated that vw has clearly admitted to the sludge problem. Article attach from volkswagen to work with dealers to improve guidelines for sludge repairs. *bf
2003 vw passat 1.8t wagon has failed due to sludge. I do not have all of the service records for the car and warranty coverage is denied to the tune of $10,217.00. I've done some research on this problem, and feel that the defect is with the engine, not with my treatment of the vehicle. The car was running fine with no noise when the "oil pressure! Stop!" light came on, and ran fine when I drove it to the dealership, only now they tell me the engine is 'locked up' and wil have to be replaced along with the oil pump, the turbo unit, etc etc. Since the car was on the interstate when the light popped on, and presumably could have 'locked up' at 70 MPH, this is, indeed, a safety issue.
2003 volkswagen passat 1.8l turbo 30000 miles, "oil pressure" indicator lighted, immediately stopped vehicle. After towing to dealership, was informed that the engine was "full of sludge" and that warranty would not cover unless I had proof of *every single oilchange* with vw synthetic oil. Oil changes have been regular in the vehicle, however I lack proof of every single one. Again, odometer only 30000 miles. Research leads me to believe this is a common problem with vw/audi 1.8l engines between 1998 and 2004.
I own a 2003 passat gls with about 40,000 miles on it. A few days ago, the oil pressure light came on advising that I stop driving the car. As I was just pulling into parking lot of my work, I parked the car and had it towed. The first thing the mechanic from vw told me was my warranty would not be honored without proof of all my service records from vw. I do have the oil changed regularly but not always at 4,999 miles. I have moved and have had the oil changed at different places and have had trouble getting all my records. After several conversations in which I was t old mulitple things about what caused the light to come on, I received a call saying that my engine was scorched and needed to be replaced at the cost of $11,000. I could not produce all oil changes done to the car in the almost two years I woned it and vw would not honor my warranty even though I paid for extended coverage. The mechanic at vw said it is rare that anyone can produce all records and this is a common problem due to lack of precise maintenance. I have not had an new engine put in the car as the car isn't even worth the cost of the engine. I am looking into the possibility of rebulit engine.
I am currently having an issue with a 2003 vw passat. After 27,000 miles, the engine and possible the turbo has gone, and the dealer is saying that the repairs will cost 9,000 dollars. Volks wagen has had an oil sludge problem with this year of passats that typically results in this problem, even after suggested maintenance. Volkswagen issued a notice to their customers of this problem about 3 months ago, and also recommended that their drivers change the oil to a synthetic oil. I have been changing my oil at the recommended 5,000 mile increments, although using a non-synthetic brand of oil. I am now having a very hard time coming up with my oil change receipts. I can prove that I changed the oil 3 times although I need to prove I changed it 5 times for the warranty to kick in. Even after changing the oil at the required increments my engine is gone due to a known problem that vw is not taking responsibility for. I am extremely frustrated and angry at the service that I am currently receiving and would like to take action on this matter ? As I am currently sitting with a 9,000 bill for a problem that vw has admitted to, although will not take responsibility for.
Engine sludge in 2003 vw passat. Engine is shot. Vw customer service agent told me he personally gets 3 to 5 calls a day on this issue. Vw won't pay unless you produce every service receipt. Vw dealers via vw directive now only use synthetic oil for oil changes on the 1.8 liter passat engine. Its a passat not a ferrari. This is clearly an indication of a design flaw.
The vehicle 1.8l engine sized while driving 60 MPH. Vehicle was tow to the dealer. Dealer informed the consumer that the cause of the problem was engine sludge build up.
Consumer stated vehicle had a sludge build up which was causing the vehicle to stall. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and said that the manufacturer was aware of the problem. However, blamed consumer for this defect.
The vehicle's engine oil pressure warning light illuminated occasionally. *nm
Problems with engine shut down on 2003 volkswagen passat. *mr there was a problem with the odometer reading. The ecp light would constantly come on, the engine would go out intermittently, and there was rough idling. *sc
In follow up to reading an article about "oil sludge" problems in vw's. I have recently had my engine replaced on a 2003 vw 1.8 liter turbocharged passat. The engine seized due to oil sludge problems. The engine was replaced approximately 2 months ago. The vehicle had 36,000 miles and was properly maintained.
While driving at low speeds, the vehicle stalled. The dealership informed the consumer that the problem pertained to the engine cylinder. *ak the vehicle stalled at the stop sign 3-4 times. The ignition coil was replaced but the vehicle stalled the next day. The vehicle was towed and the ec module/fuel pump relay was replaced. *sc
2003 passat with 1.8t engine. Driving in heavy rain on nieghborhood streets, came to standing water (approx 2 inches deep), witnessed other passenger cars passing through water and proceeded at approx 2-3 MPH, car stalls and will not start, car towed to dealer where purchased, told a rod was thrown through the engine block due to water (approx 3 gal.) in the engine block, was told water gained entry via air intake vents at the bottom (fender level) of the engine, was told to file claim with insurance company. Presently waiting for appraiser's report. Vehicle should be able to handle the driving conditions mentioned. Appears to be a design flaw in that the air cooling intake is in such a position as to allow the intake of water into the engine block.
On november 21, 2002, my 2001 vw jetta gls 1.8 turbo lost the oil drain plug on the highway. I stopped the car as soon as possible but the engine and turbo were damged severely and had to be replaced. Total cost $6,500. I was not reimbursed. I replaced the jetta with a 2003 vw passat w8. On november 23, 2003 the oil was changed by the dealer and the dealer contends that the oil drain plug was tightened to factory specifications (20 nm), however the car had an oil leak coming from the drain plug. The dealer replaced the plug free of charge. Here is what is common to both situations: both drain plugs were tightened to at least the factory specification (I changed the oil and always used a torque wrench on the jetta) and both had drain plugs pull away from the pan. I do not know what the root cause was but I have a hypothesis on two important variables: (1) both pans are made of aluminum, which changes shape easily with temperature change, (2) the drain plug is manufactured in such a way that the washer (seal ring) cannot be removed and replaced. If the seal were warped or damaged in some way (perhaps overtorquing or dropping the plug) it might not seal properly. Would like for someone to contact me as volkswagen has been less than helpful (especially with the jetta).
Check engine light came on after only 300+ miles.
Engine continues to misfire, loses power and starts to stall while driving . Four attempts to correct the problem have failed. Problem presents a significant safety issue for driver and passengers.
Our car has been into the dealer 6 times in nine months. 5 times for the same, serious problem. The car stalls with no warning and for apparently no reason. The dealer was able to duplicate the problem once, but unable to fix it and unable to duplicate the problem the next 4 times. I don't know what causes the car to stall other than it seems to happen on hot days when the air condition is on and often in traffic. When the car stalls neither the brakes nor the steering will work until it can be restarted. Vw cannot fix the car and will not replace it or refund my money. Their response, "sue us."
2003 passat v6 engines upper end of the engine drains of oil allowing knocking for 1-2 seconds before the oil circulates. (metal on metal noise).
Defective coils on each cylinder
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