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.
2003 Volkswagen Passat fuel system complaints
Page 2 of 7: complaints 11 to 40 of 169, newest first, as owners wrote them.
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.
Less then >100k miles. Plastic fuel line that runs along firewall was damaged due to screw with thread facing engine bay, which sits right in between both fuel lines. I spoke to vw which said the recall had been fixed on my car in 2012 (I am second owner), but the screw that creates the problem was never replaced or removed. A local vw stealership is quoting me 500+ for the repair on a car who's kbb is 2000 in perfect condition (far from it ;)
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. The contact stated that there was a fume odor emitted inside and around the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was not available.
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.
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
After a couple attempts to start the vehicle the engine turns over and runs for 2-3 seconds then dies. This happens multiple times before fully starting up and is able to be driven. While out of gear and car is running, pressing on the acceleration does nothing. Car is able to be driven short distances but stalled at one point going approx. 5 MPH. I was told my specific VIN # is not covered under warranty for fuel pump/system malfunctions. If this is a known issue of 2003 passat's already why would some not be covered?
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.
As I was parking my car in the school parking lot, a strong odor of gasoline started to come through the vents. I open the hood an a line behind the engine bay was squirting out gasoline directly onto the hot surface of the engine. I check online and I see that there was aprevious recall the r5 recall but many owners were being told by volkswagen that it's no longer covered or that there VIN wasn't covered even though the car was the same year on the recall. I called volkswagen aswell and they mentioned to me that there was a recall but no longer active or had been serviced already. It leaks when it's on or not.
Recently had the vehicle maintenance done, brought the car home and found that when it cooled and all fluids settled overnight, the fuel pump was having trouble- resulting in car not starting. After one hour of turning the key over-and-over, then giving it gas, it eventually started. Excited, I took the car out for a test drive, it stalled in the middle of a for way intersection. Thankfully I live in a very small town, if that had happened on a highway there would be potential for an accident. Considering I bought this car a couple years ago, I don't feel I'm at fault for not taking advantage of the dealerships recall and it's in my best interest to investigate further to see if I'm eligible for the free replacement by the dealer. I would appreciate someone getting back to me via e-mail or text message(cannot make or receive phone calls) top let me know as soon as possible. Thank you, very much [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, it would stall. The failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 06v017000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 160,000.
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.
While driving my car reported 1/4 tank than abruptly spurting and reported an empty tank, causing me to pull over on the highway due to no fuel in tank. This has happened multiple times.
Since after the day one of the purchase my car started shaking, vibrating. I had to have coils replaced. The car started running for 2 weeks then when I was in the traffic it started shaking then stalled. I was able to pull over in the parking lot. I had wiring harness and coils replaced again this time. The car had startup issues and then mechanic replaced camshaft sensor. After 3 weeks same problem!!!! I was on the side of the road had to be towed. Changed spark plugs and coils but after 2 months oh my goodness same problem now they think ecu is fried coils are bad maybe fuel pump no one is able to figure out and I cant spend any more thousands of dollars on a car im still financing. Very disappointed! I don't feel safe at all on the road and im scared to cause an accident because of the stalls on the road. Please help! Feel very unsafe!
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact was driving 60 MPH when the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was coasted off road into a nearby parking lot, and was not taken to a dealer or independent mechanic for inspection or repairs. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 07v375000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.
Fuel pump failed while I was driving on the freeway. It was highly dangerous and my car had to be towed. I go to the dealer and find out that there was a fuel pump for certain 2003 vw passats but my VIN number for my car did not fall under the category for the recall and therefore vw had refused to reimburse me for fixing the fuel pump. My dealer had told me that their were similar customer complaints for all vw 2003 but unfortunately my car didn't fall under the right VIN.
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.
Fuel tank ventilation valve is cracked and leaking on 2003 vw passat 4motion/awd (under the federal safety agency campaign # 08v156000). Contacted multiple dealers and vw directly and dealership/vw will not replace fuel tank under recall. Both stated this recall was completed in 2009 however work completed was only one part of the recall that included adding additional heat shields. Vw customer care stated vehicle was out of warranty and they could not assist. Customer objected stating this is a safety concern not a warranty issue. *tr
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.
Strong odor of fuel in car (2003 vw passat 4motion) after the tank is filled up. Took car to repairman who diagnosed a crack in the fuel tank. Took car to vw dealership for repair because we believe the repair should be covered under a recall on cracked fuel tanks (near the valves), but vw has stated that this car does not qualify for the recall.
2003 volkswagen passat. Consumer writes in regards to safety recall 26e5/r5 concerning underbody heat shield *tgw the consumer stated due to the recall, the fuel pump failed. The consumer was informed it would cost $ 1343.00 to replace. Recall # 08v156000 *jb the consumer stated even if the dealer performed the recall, she would not feel comfortable in the vehicle. Updated 09/13/12
Fuel pouring out of the rear of the car. Fire could happen.
Coils failing randomly and causing the car to shake violently and lose power on highway. Potential damage to be caused to other areas of the car because of this. Ie oxygen sensor etc.
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle was parked and shut off when he noticed a strong odor of gasoline. The contact also noticed gasoline leaking from the fuel tank. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the fuel line inside of the fuel tank was leaking. The contact was also informed that the failure was not the same failure addressed in the federal safety agency campign id numbers: 02v026000 (fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap), 06v017000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump), 07v375000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump), and 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 120,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact stated after he received a voluntary recall in regards to the emissions system and having the repairs done, he noticed that the check engine light illuminated for approximately 2 1/2 years. The vehicle was then inspected by a independent mechanic who advised him that the valve on the fuel tank had failed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and offered no assistance since there was a one year warranty on the voluntary recall. The failure mileage was approximately 114,000. Updated 07/08/11 *bf updated 3/13/12
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