NHTSA Complaint #10177848 — 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM issue reported to NHTSA

Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report

Fire

Complaint Details

ODI Number	10177848
Vehicle	2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT
Component	ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM
Date of Incident	December 7, 2003
Date Filed	January 5, 2007
Mileage	N/A miles
Crash	No
Fire	Yes
Injuries	0
Deaths	0
Vehicle Towed	No
State	MA

Consumer Description

OWNER WAS DRIVING WHEN SOMEONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD POINTED AND INDICATED THERE WAS SOMETHING COMING OUT OF HER VEHICLE THAT LOOKED LIKE FOG. SMOKE WAS THEN NOTICED AND HER HUSBAND GOT OUT OF THE VEHICLE, LOOKED UNDERNEATH, AND SAW FIRE. HE BEGAN THROWING SNOW ON THE VEHICLE. FD EXTINGUISHED FIRE. SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE EXHAUST SYSTEM OVERHEATED AND IGNITED THE FIRE DUE TO AN ENGINE MANAGEMENT PROBLEM - SPARK PLUGS SHOWED OVERLY RICH FUEL/AIR MIXTURE.

Related Complaints for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

Other ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM Complaints

#10361194 — October 19, 2010 — CATALYTIC CONVERTER HEAT CAUSED FABRIC MATERIAL BEHIND SILVER REFLECTIVE LINER ON PASSENGER SIDE TO CATCH AND HOLD A ...

#10303623 — February 1, 2010 — CAR MISSING A GETTING BAD MILAGE ...SAME CAR DOES NOT RUN WELL AND CAUGHT FIRE BY TURBO 2003 PASSAT VW 1.8 LITER TUR...

#10262438 — March 19, 2009 — DEALER REFUSES TO FIX RECALL UNLESS I ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE TO AFTERMARKET PARTS OCCURRING WHILE REPLA...

#10247653 — November 4, 2008 — I WAS PULLING OUT OF MY APARTMENTS WHEN MY CAR LOST ALL HORSE POWER AND PRETTY MUCH SPUTTERED THEN DIED; I WAS LEFT E...

#10238727 — August 18, 2008 — THE HEATER CORE TUBING IN THE CAR DISINTEGRATED AT ABOUT 18,000 MILES. THIS RESULTED IN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEAR...

Recent Complaints for the 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT

#11701679 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — November 26, 2025 — The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stal...

#11649242 — FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE — March 19, 2025 — The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V017000 (Fue...

#11561345 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING — December 21, 2023 — The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, coolant lea...

#11499252 — FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM — December 28, 2022 — Vehicle has major fuel pump issue, currently at 132,000 and noticing loss of power, car shaking, and occasional stall...

#11499252 — SUSPENSION — December 28, 2022 — Vehicle has major fuel pump issue, currently at 132,000 and noticing loss of power, car shaking, and occasional stall...