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).
2003 Volkswagen Passat: fuel leak
16 of the 628 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat describe fuel leak.
- owner complaints
- 16
- of this car's complaints
- 3%
- typical mileage
- 95,200
- recalls
- 4
Fuel leak by model year
What owners say
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. While the vehicle was parked, the contact noticed a fuel leak from the top of the tank. The vehicle was towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the top of the fuel tank was old and a new tank was needed. The contact also noticed puddles of fuel were present approximately eight times since september. The leak worsened two weeks ago. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 139,000.
Fuel tank is leaking near driver side rear wheel. Advised by dealer vw of north scottsdale that there is a fuel leak on top of the tank at the fuel tank ventilation valve and that the tank must be removed to ascertain source of the leak. Dealer advises tank was replaced in 2010 under a recall campaign. It appears that this current leak is associated with recall #28417 and the federal safety agency pe8008 and 08v156000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking fuel from the fuel tank. The contact took the contact to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the fuel tank failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in a recall. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000. Updated 05/11/16*lj
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact smelled fuel when the vehicle was started. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel line was fractured and leaked fuel onto a portion of the engine. The contact stated that the technician was unable to determine the cause of the fracture. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the recall "expired". The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 191,000.
My daughter drove this vehicle into my garage and reported to me that she smelled a strong odor of gas. I looked and noticed gas dripping onto the floor. I got down and inspected the area where it was coming from and noted that it was flowing from the top (out of sight) of the tank. Backed the car out onto the drive and placed a towel under the area. Called the dealership and scheduled an appointment. Betten imports (volkswagen dealership) of grand rapids mi, inspected it and I was informed it had a crack in the plastic tank the length of a dime. The dealership recommended the tank be replaced at a estimated cost of $2,700. Due to the extensive cost I did not elect to have this done at this time. Only seems to be an issue when tank is filled to max capacity.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. While refueling the vehicle, it started to leak fuel from underneath the fuel tank. The vehicle was driven to the contact's residence. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer or an independent mechanic for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 82,500. ...updated 06-12-15 *bf the consumer stated vw customer service was advocating to get a new fuel tank installed for him at no cost. Updated 06/23/15
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the smell of fuel entered the vehicle. The contact noticed a fuel leak on the catalytic converter. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer for repairs under the federal safety agency campaign I.d. Number 02v026000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap). The dealer inspected the fuel lines and did not find any abrasions however 20,000 miles later, the fuel lines were leaking. The contact called the manufacturer regarding the recall and the manufacturer stated that they would not honor the recall because the vehicle was previously repaired under the recall campaign. The failure mileage was 68,000.
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 there was an overpowering odor of gasoline from the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where the contact was advised that there was a fuel leak and that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. There were no recalls for the failure. The manufacturer was contacted who offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 87,000.
Metal fuel line in the rear of the engine compartment dripped gasoline onto the exhaust system below, despite a patch that a vw mechanic had installed earlier. First smelled gas in march and took it to a vw repair shop. Patch with clamps was added. Smelled gas again in may and discovered the fuel leak. Vw customer service said the leak was not a recall issue. Mechanic said it was the result of a cracked fuel line, which he said is a known issue with older passats.
Vehicle is 2003 vw passat 4 motion. A fuel leak was detected in the tank area. Automobile was brought to an independent repair shop where it was determined that there was a crack on the rollover valve. A recall was issued on this car for this problem (recall #(08v156000, the federal safety agency investigaiton #pe08008) and the necessary repairs were purportedly done by the authorized vw repair shop.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
- Risk
- A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 08V156000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.
- Risk
- If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on september 28, 20007. Owners may contact vw at 1‑800‑222‑8987 or audi at 1‑800‑822‑2834. This recall is a supplement to a previous campaign (please see 06v017).
Recall number 07V375000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- On certain vehicles produced from september 2002 - march 2003, equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an inoperative fuel pump and, ultimately, stoppage of fuel supply to the engine causing it to stall.
- Risk
- If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on april 10, 2006. Owners may contact vw at 1‑800‑222‑8987 or audi at 1‑800‑822‑2834.
Recall number 06V017000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.
- Risk
- Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began june 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 02V026000 · Recall details
Questions about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat fuel leak
Is fuel leak a common problem on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
16 of 628 owner complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat (3%) mention fuel leak. The model year with the most reports is 2002.
Is there a recall or service bulletin for this on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
There are 4 recalls and 0 service bulletins for the same area of the car. Check them below with your VIN.
Other symptoms on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
Fuel pump 99Fire or smoke 71Stalling 60Check engine light 48Loss of power 26Engine failure 19Overheating 18ABS 17Water leak 17Won't start 15Headlights 14Misfire 12Fuel smell 10Hesitation 9Jerking 9Adaptive cruise 8Airbag light 6Ball joint 6Battery drain 6Brake failure 6Door locks 5
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