2003 Volkswagen Passat: won't start

Filed May 6, 2019 · Seats · 56,000 miles · PA · fire

05/01/2019 car had a dead battery---charge over night still would not start---had the car towed to auto shop--upon arrival with key on approx. 15 min drive--smoke started billowing---disconnected battery---drivers side seat warmer completely melted--mechanic says unit pulling 30 amps--there was a previous recall--not sure if totally corrected--donot want to replace immediately--please advise

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 Apr 3, 2013 · Acceleration, Fuel system · 112,000 miles · TN

On or about feb. 1, 2013, I started my manual-transmission 2003 volkswagen passat gls (v6) and shifted into reverse to back out of my driveway. As soon as I took my foot off the brake, the car lurched backward even though I was not depressing the accelerator pedal. I quickly shifted into neutral, engaged the parking brake and turned off the ignition. When I tried to restart the car, it would not start and did not start until about an hour later. My first thought was that the accelerator could have become lodged under the floormat, but that was not the case; nor was it the case in at least four other similar incidents. Two of these incidents took place as I was driving at a low speed in a residential area. Fortunately, there were no pedestrians or other cars around me and I had the presence of mind to recognize the issue, shift into neutral and park the car. However, I fear what could happen if this incident recurred when I was at an intersection, railroad crossing or crosswalk. Despite repeated attempts, my mechanic has been unable to replicate the incident or identify the cause.

Filed May 8, 2012 · Engine · 113,008 miles · TN

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.

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 Aug 8, 2008 · Fuel system · 105,000 miles · KY

I have had the 2003 passat glx for less than 2 weeks, I have only put 307 miles on it. Today while on the interstate, the car quit pulling. It was not getting any gas. Then it died completely and would not start. It turns over but won't start. Was on the side of the interstate for nearly an hour waiting for a tow truck. Was told that it is the fuel pump.

Filed Jul 9, 2008 · Fuel system · 77,000 miles · OH

Car stalled several times and eventually would not start. Had it towed to nearest auto repair shop, cost $45. After diagnostic testing they stated there was nothing wrong with it and it started right up, costing another $110 for this information. A few days later car stalled and would not start. Towed once again to vw dealership, cost $155. They discovered it was the fuel pump and replaced it free of charge and also check all other recalls. We received the recall letter the day after the no start. I am asking to be reimbursed for both tows and the diagnostic testing as all cost incurred were due to this recall.

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 Jun 3, 2007 · Fuel system · 85,000 miles · FL

Vehicle stalled at very busy intersection and would not start. Had to be pushed to the side of road through traffic and towed to dealership. Fuel pump was found to have failed and needed to be replaced at a total cost of over $900.00 with cost of rental vehicle.

Filed Aug 2, 2006 · Fuel system · 27,913 miles · NH

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle would not start due to a defective fuel pump. The vehicle was towed to the service dealer who determined the fuel pump was the cause of the problem. The fuel pump was replaced due to recall # m7 (the federal safety agency # 06v017000). The pump was replaced three times by the service dealer who determined the first two to be defective and the third pump failure due to ethanol mixture in the fuel. The manufacturer suggested several gas stations to be used that had been tested for ethanol content.

Filed Mar 8, 2006 · Fuel system · 54,000 miles · PA

The 2003 volkswagen passat suddenly would not start. With only 54000 miles it completely failed to start on account of a sudden and complete failure of the fuel pump.

Filed Dec 7, 2005 · Fuel system · 38,500 miles · IL

Without warning, my 2003 passat stalled in the middle of a very busy intersection and would not start again. Thankfully the police were quick to arrive and helped direct traffic so that I could be pushed off the road. The car was towed and the vw dealer diagnosed the problem as a prematurely failed fuel pump. They replaced the fuel pump free of charge, but they are denying that there is a problem or defect across the board. I have read many reports of other vw passat owners having similar problems. This could be a dangerous failure depending on when the pump stops working (there are no warning signs), and I think vw should address this.