2003 Volkswagen Passat: headlights failing or too dim

Filed Aug 17, 2016 · Airbags · 107,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Teenage son lost control of the vehicle on the highway. Vehicle was then involved in a front impact collision at highway speeds with the side of a flatbed truck. Bumper, headlight assemblies pushed up into the engine compartment. Drivers side curtain airbags deployed. Neither driver side or passenger side front air bags deployed. Vehicle was declared a total loss.

Filed Nov 4, 2015 · Electrical, Lights · 108,000 miles · VA

Driving at night, 65mph, interstate hwy. Low beam headlights went out. High beams did work. Replaced both headlight bulbs. Did not fix. Cost $95. Replace headlight relay. Did not fix. Cost in excess of $200. Recall for later year passat for same problem caused by "hood slam?"

Filed Jul 21, 2010 · Lights · 70,000 miles · VA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passed. The contact stated that the headlight assembly plastic covers became foggy due to the sun light. While driving 25 MPH at night the headlights looked as though they were off and it was difficult to see. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who stated that the headlight assembly needed to be replaced. The headlight assembly was not replaced and is concerned that there are no recalls related to the failure. The failure mileage was 70,000.

Filed Sep 18, 2008 · Lights · 50,332 miles · FL

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. While examining the vehicle, the contact noticed that the headlight lens were covered with a foggy material. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and they stated that the headlights needed to be serviced. The current and failure mileages were 50,332. Updated 10/16/08. *lj updated 10/20/08.

Filed Nov 29, 2007 · Airbags, Body · 42,000 miles · WV

I have a 2003 vw passat. I've had two leaks into the front right floorboard in the past six months from either a sunroof drain line or a air conditioner. The leaks have produced so much water that it has gone to right back floorboard. The plastic on the interior is worn off. The ashtray fell apart. They can't seem to get the alignment right so I keep going through tires and the tires I do have sound uneven when I rotate them, making me think there's a problem. Hove replaced the headlights three times in 1 and 1/2 years. There's a defect investigation into fires in the engine and a recall on oil sludge. This car is an accident waiting to happen and it's very poorly engineered. One thing after another. Vw has on a bunch of recalls already on this model, to many for me to feel safe with. I'm abandoning the car today, trading it in for something else. Will never buy a vw again. No car should have this many issues. And the issues continue to roll in. Now the airbag light just came on...another thing to have to worry about!!!

Filed Jun 25, 2007 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · CA

Tl*the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. The contact has had the vehicle repaired, however, several failures continue to recur. The failures include the instrument panel lights, cruise control, heated seats, the regulator pin in the passenger side rear window, the glove compartment, and the head lights. The failures were noticed while driving 40 MPH. The current mileage is 109,000 and failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Apr 12, 2007 · Electrical, Lights · 7,000 miles · CA

Tl*- the contact stated that while driving the 2003 volkswagen passat with 7000 failure mileage the brake lights intermittently turned off. Also, the driver's side front headlight turns off, the rear passenger side window, and the horn did not operate. The vehicle was taken to a dealer several times, but they still could not determine the cause of the problems. The current mileage was 105,944.

Filed Mar 6, 2007 · Electrical, Engine · 00

Headlights fails proper function. They have been replaced. Seat belts and sun roof do not work properly. Engine replaced; steering wheels - car pulls to the right everytime an alignment was done and they calibrated the wheels. - problem continued - this problem caused the tires to be destroyed in a few kms - less 20 000; water infiltration - for now it is fixed; trunk was hard to open and close - problem fixed. Front doors vibrated - the rubber of the doors are being exhibiting signs of damage; the front glass ( windscreen ) isn't from the same year of all the others.

Filed Feb 15, 2007 · Body, Electrical · 00

Front headlights malfunctioned - replaced them but they couldn't make the alignment of the beam. The car runs to the right but the wheels are calibrated and the direction alignment is done. The car infiltrated water inside the car and trunk. Sunroof malfunction - opens in all positions but don't close. The car as the front glass is from 2005 and all the others are from 2002, construction of the car 2003. Diesel escaped from the pump. Cd changer - 6 cds as malfunction the radio doesn't eject the cd's. The motor gag various times a constant rotation. The trunk was hard to open and close. There are other complaints.... The complaints begin 15 days from the purchase.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Acceleration, Electrical · CT

2003 volkswagen passat consumer request for early termination of the lease.***no answer required***. *mr the consumer made the request due to the numerous mechanical problems such as a defective purge valve, right front head light, the vehicle overheated and started t o smoke due to a faulty water pump. The brake light would not shut off and the right head light went out for the second time. The brake light switch was replaced. The cruise control would not disengage. The vehicle would not start at times.

Filed Aug 30, 2005 · Brakes, Lights · CA

2003 volkswagen passat sw developed problems rear brake pads and rotors.***no answer required***.*mr the consumer stated 8,493 miles later the brakes began to squeak. The consumer took the vehicle back to the dealership where it was discovered the rear brake pads and rotors were damaged again. The head light bulb was replaced.

Filed Jan 31, 2005 · Brakes, Lights · 20,000 miles · CA

Consumer disappointed in the quality and performance with braking system on 2003 passat. *bf the problem was with the front brake pads and rotors. There was also grinding in the rear brakes. The right headlight had gone out twice. *sc