2003 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems

Filed Nov 26, 2025 · Fuel system · 133,000 miles · VA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the parts needed for the repair could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 07V375000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was included but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2025 · Fuel system · CA

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 06V017000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

Filed Dec 28, 2022 · Fuel system, Suspension · PA

Vehicle has major fuel pump issue, currently at 132,000 and noticing loss of power, car shaking, and occasional stall. A code reader is unable able to detect the issue which is a major concern. I have contacted the volkswagen Manufacturer and I consistently keep getting ignored after bringing up the recall that was put out for the fuel pump. While driving on the highway my rear and front suspension failed and dropped suddenly while moving slowly during traffic. I whave only been able to repair the front shocks and struts so far, but the rear are needed as well. I would like to state that all the parts are original manufacturer parts.

Filed May 13, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · 180,000 miles · CA

I purchased a used 2003 vw passat from a private dealer drove the car five months and the timing belt came off while I was driving. I almost got into an accident but avoided it. This particular vehicle and ones like it was recalled in 3/7/2014 for engine and engine cooling engine problems that causes the timing belt to come off while driving. Recall: 14e007000 because of the timing belt failure. I contacted a vw dealership and they said the recall didn't apply to my car. I find that insulting consider ing what I just experienced.

Filed Apr 7, 2021 · Fuel system · TX

Recall 26e5 volkswagen not completed

Filed Jan 7, 2020 · Fuel system · 140,000 miles · VA

Fuel tank leaking when full on drivers side directly under rear passenger seat. Which happens to be where my children sit. It leaks until it's a little over half full then stops.

Filed Nov 19, 2019 · Airbags, Brakes · 57,665 miles · CA

This car only has 65000 original one owner miles and has experienced all & more of the current recalls with same model yr, vw local dealerships (2) refuse to acknowledge the problems (one even tried to double charge me for bosch ABS part last year before the recall to fix) and numerous emails to vw have gone unanswered. Most recent issues in last 1.5yrs have been fuel pump went out and I paid to replace (dealer scammed us by throwing out dead brand new aaa stamped and warranted battery, they sd we needed new one and old one already picked up from dealer to expose of, charged $200 for that as well. I paid for the ABS light repair which I have paid and diagnosed numerous times for last 10yrs to fix and finally just paid the over $1000. To get it fixed for safety reasons. 9 months ago rear brake lights would come on randomly when parked and locked killing the battery. I would drive it to charge it up but since it is a car we don't drive often or far, it continued to do the same for a few weeks until it dawned on me that the seat warmer on those cars could leave an open current, turned that off, good for a few weeks, then found out same for the trunk light, unplugged and capped that and it is far better, but something still. After reading online vw passat forums and recalls I know 2 dealerships sd they performed the brake light sensor recall, but was it truly done and causing the issue...answer is no, vw dealers 2x after checking and billing vw for the repair falsified doing the recall. I know because I checked it and the part is original from 2002 stamped on it and I replaced it and have it along with most all other receipts from 2003 to today. Feb 11, 2019 I opened a case and supposed formal investigation with vw corporate customer care (very nice people), lied like the rest of the company and never heard a word... +++18 vw and audis personally, since 1991...done!

Filed Aug 9, 2019 · Fuel system · 124,084 miles · CA

I noticed a stain under my car while it was parked in the street. I figured out that vw had a recall on the fuel tank vent which required replacing the whole fuel tank. The tank runs about $922 and it takes up to 11 hours labor time. I started a chat with a vwoa rep to look into this issue. She said there are no current recalls or campaigns on my vehicle at this time. She also stated that my car's 26e5/r5 recall, it covers all 1999-2005 passat and passat wagon (5th gen) equipped with gas engines. Install underbody heat shield(s): inspect/replace fuel line, fuel tank: update software, if necessary, had been performed on 03/12/09 but has no service record to tell me what was done. It may not have actually been replaced. She also said vwoa will not fix nor help me fix it. I feel that if a recall for as huge safety issue that this is, should not fail in the same manor as the original part did. That tells me they just replaced it with the same problem part in hopes that the car wouldn't be in use by the time it fails again. I am including a few pics for evidence. The example tank pic has been outlined where the fuel leak is on my car. Thank you, [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed Feb 4, 2019 · Engine, Fuel system · 78,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle would not hold fuel and the tank had to constantly be refilled. Also, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to ellis motorcars inc (2235 e south blvd, montgomery, al 36116, (334) 280-1021) where it was diagnosed that the coolant system and the timing chain needed to be repaired. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and did not assist. The failure mileage was 78,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2017 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 93,000 miles · NC

While driving the car power cuts off and stops in traffic. Have to restart. It is dangerous that the car just stops in traffic. The battery continues to drain even after totally recharging the battery. After a complete battery recharge and starting the car every day, the battery still drains again after about a week. This started happening in june 2016 and I have only driven the car about 30 total miles because afraid it is going to shut down while driving in traffic. Recently, I received a recall for this problem for my 2016 volkswagen cc but I am not having the problem with the cc. I am having the described recall problem with my 2003 passat but did not receive a recall notification for it. I am the original owner and my passat needs this repair.