Every time I crank my car it smells like gas. I was driving down the road and smoke came out from under the hood when I stopped and lifted the hood it had a strong gas smell.
2003 Volkswagen Passat: gas smell in the cabin
10 of the 628 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat describe gas smell in the cabin.
- owner complaints
- 10
- of this car's complaints
- 2%
- typical mileage
- 97,905
- recalls
- 4
Is there a fix? There are 4 recalls for this area of the car. See below
Gas smell in the cabin by model year
What owners say
The federal safety agency campaign id number: 08v156000 "fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture." the federal safety agency action number: pe08008 the car is oozing gasoline from top left (driver's) side of gas tank. There is a strong smell of gasoline inside and outside (outside due to a gas puddle). Vw dealer (vw downtown los angeles) refuses to grant the repair, asking for $140 inspection fee. Vwoa representative sites the recall performed in 2009. The recall ( pe08008 ) issued has 2 parts: 1) underbody heat shield installation. 2) "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." I suspect the second part was not fulfilled, given the exact nature of mechanic failure described.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that there were gasoline fumes emitting from outside of the vehicle. The failure continued to occur over a period of one week. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who stated that the fuel tank needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under the federal safety agency campaign number 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
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.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that he noticed a fuel odor and when he inspected, he saw that the fuel tank was leaking. The vehicle was taken to a local repair shop where the cotnact was informed that the plastic gas nozzle cracked and put pressure on the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for recall 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery) but the dealer would not replace the fuel tank because the fuel like was too long. The contact called the manufacturer who offered no assistance. The vehicle had not been repaired. The current and failure mileages were 107,235.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. While fueling the vehicle, the contact noticed a strong fuel odor and noticed fuel on the ground. She loosened the fuel cap to stop it from leaking but it continued to leak. The contact had previously been taken to an authorized dealer for repair for recall 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery) september 2008. The dealer replaced the fuel line and heat shield. The dealer refused to repair the vehicle again according to the recall. The contact called the manufacturer who took a report and advised her to take the vehicle to the dealer for a diagnosis. The current and failure mileages were approximately 84,000.
When filling up the car with gasoline there is a severe fuel odor. Took car to dealer and they said the "fuel tank ventilation valve" was leaking. This also happened two years ago and they replaced the fuel tank under warranty. The dealer refused to fix the problem unless I paid for it. I have noticed that they are issuing a recall for this exact problem but when I called volkswagen they said my VIN number is not included. Very disappointed in the car overall and would not recommend one to anyone.
Check engine light was on, noticed smell of gasoline. After filling car up, gasoline began leaking from right rear of car from the gas tank. Left car at dealer for service, when car was left, gasoline was still leaking.
1. No event lead up to the failure 2. Fuel leak; strong gas fumes within car. Leak & fumes more prominent with warmer weather. 3. Vw dealership found gas leaking from (3) locations including nipple & plastic seams where clips are attached. Gas tank was replaced.
After filling up my 2003 volkswagen passat 4-motion, v6 with fuel, I noticed a strong fuel odor. After inspecting under the car, I found a fuel leak on the gas tank. I took it to our local repair shop that specializes in volkswagens since I am 140 miles from the nearest dealer to be checked out. They discovered that one of the 90 degree connectors for the vapor line on top of the tank had cracked. The whole tank has to be replaced as you can't just replace the connector. The tank is plastic and the connector has a steel sleeve in it to make it more rigid. On inspection of the old tank, it was discovered that three (3) sleeves on the 3 vent connectors had worked there way out of the connectors so they just sit there and flex until they fail. This type of bad design cvould have resulted in an explosion and serious injury to myself or my family. On contacting vw consumer line they were concerned but not enough to admit a problem or help pay for the replacement as my mileage was too high. Mileage should not have anything to do with those vent connectors failing. I know this is not a unique occurrence since another vw passat came in two days later to the same repair shop with exactly the same problem.
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 smell
Is gas smell in the cabin a common problem on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
10 of 628 owner complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat (2%) mention gas smell in the cabin. 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 17Fuel leak 16Won't start 15Headlights 14Misfire 12Hesitation 9Jerking 9Adaptive cruise 8Airbag light 6Ball joint 6Battery drain 6Brake failure 6Door locks 5
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