2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Engine And Engine Cooling Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, coolant leaked onto the front passenger’s side floorboard. The contact stated that the coolant leak was underneath the glove compartment area. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, and the contact was advised to have the vehicle taken to the Volkswagen dealer. The contact visited the dealer and discussed the reoccurring failure and was informed that the heater coil was designed incorrectly, and the failure was due to the design of the heater coil. The contact was informed that the heater coil needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and a case was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 72,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE CONTACT STATED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE LOW COOLANT WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND AN ABNORMAL BEEPING SOUND WAS HEARD WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT LEAK WAS DUE TO AN ENGINE FAILURE THAT WAS NOT REPAIRABLE. THE DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,675. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON. CAR AT TIMES START SHAKING - NOT CONSISTENTLY THOUGH. TOOK IT TO SHOP: FOUND OUT IGNITION COILS MISFIRES. THIS HAS OCCURRED 4 TIMES IN A 2 YEAR TIME SPAN. THE MOST RECENT 2 BEING A MONTH APART. THE MOST RECENT INCIDENT BURNED ALMOST ALL OF THE SPARK PLUGS. DID RESEARCH AND THIS WEBSITE DESCRIBES MY SITUATION PERFECTLY: HTTP://WWW.VWPROBLEMS.COM/TRENDS/IGNITION-COIL/. *TR

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EMITTED A NOISE IN WHICH IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS LOW ON FUEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT UNDER RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 113,008.

AT A STOPLIGHT CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE AND SPUTTER, I MADE IT HOME WITH THE CAR SHAKING THE ENTIRE TIME. HAD TO REPLACE COILS. HAVE BROKEN DOWN TWICE AND HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED SINCE THEN AND REPLACE COILS. NOT TOO MENTION THE OTHER SEVERAL TIMES COILS WERE REPLACED WITHOUT THE CAR ACTUALLY BREAKING DOWN. DUE TO THE COILS CONSTANTLY GOING BAD CAUSED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER TO GO BAD, WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED MAY 2011 ALONG WITH THE COILS AND O2 SENSOR. BUT TWO MONTHS LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AGAIN, ONCE AGAIN DUE TO THE COILS. THEY WERE REPLACED, AND ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN. THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD VOID THE WARRANTY ON THE CONVERTER DUE TO THE ISSUE WITH THE COIL PACKS! THE CAR NOW SMELLS LIKE IT IS BURNING WHEN ONLY DRIVING FOR 20-30 MINS. HAD TO GET A EMISSIONS WAIVER FROM THE DOT FOR...

OWNER DROVE THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT (2.8 V6 ENGINE) HOME AND PARKED IT. HE CAME BACK OUT TO THE DRIVEWAY APPROXIMATELY 2 HOURS LATER AND FOUND THE VEHICLE SMOKING. SMALL FIRE AT RIGHT FRONT FLOOR PAN/MINOR MELTING OF DASH PLASTICS CAUSED BY HEAT FROM RIGHT SIDE EXHAUST PIPE/CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HEAT SHIELD MELTED, RUBBER BODY PLUG IGNITED AND CONSUMED, CARPET JUST ABOVE BODY PLUG WAS CHARRED. CAR JUST HAD RIGHT SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND PIPE REPLACED. *TR

I HAVE A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH 77,650 MILES WITH PROBLEMS WITH THE OILPUMP AND ENGINE PROBLEMS THAT IS UNKNOWN. THE AUTOMOBILE WILL STALL NOT START IT HASN'T BEEN DRIVEN IN OVER 6 MONTHS DUE TO THE RATTLING NOISE IN THE ENGINE AND I BELIEVE SLUGGED IS BUILD UP IN THE ENGINE BUT SINCE THEN I HAVE REPLACED TWO OILPUMPS IN THE VEHICLE AND THE SENSORS. ENGINE OIL PRESSURE FAILURE AND DEFECTIVE COILS ON EACH CYLINDER. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE TIMING BELT COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED BECAUSE OF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE IGNITION COIL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THE TIMING CHAIN WAS DESIGNED TO BE A LIFETIME TIMING SYSTEM AND COULD NOT BE ADJUSTED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO REGISTER THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. THE CONTACT SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THE ONLY THING THAT CAN BE DONE IS TO REPLACE ALL FOUR CAM GEAR ADJUSTERS, CONTROL SOLENOID HOUSING, ADJUSTER BOLTS AND TIMING CHAINS, THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND SEALS, TORQUE CONVERTER BOLTS, EXHAUST GASKETS, INTAKE MANIFOLD GASKETS, INJECTOR SEALS, CHAIN COVER, CHAIN TENSIONERS, REAR MAIN SEAL AND THE THROTTLE BODY GASKETS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

I OWN A 2003 VW PASSATT 1.8L TURBO. I PURCHASED THIS CAR BRAND NEW, AND HAVE USED FULLY SYNTHETIC OIL FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. FROM READING SEVERAL FORUMS ON THE ISSUE I AM GOING TO REPORT, I DO NOT HAVE A GOLD PLATED RECORD OF ALL OIL CHANGES AND MAINTENANCE. I HAVE CHANGED MY OIL EVERY 3000-5000 MILES. TWO MONTHS AGO, I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN THE STOP ENGINE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY MECHANIC, WHO IS A MASTER MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WAS THE OIL INTAKE TUBE IN THE OIL PAN....IT WAS COMPLETELY CLOGGED UP AND NO OIL WAS GETTING THROUGH IT. I PAID FOR PARTS AND LABOR FOR HIM TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND IT COST ME $2500 DOLLARS. I WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED FOR MY COST, AND FIND OUT...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH WHEN THE OIL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MOVED OFF THE ROADWAY AND SHUT THE VEHICLE OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND DRIVEN A SHORT DISTANCE BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE FAILURE AND SHE WAS ADVISED TO CALL BACK AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. SHE STATED THAT THE DEALER ADVISED HER THAT THERE WAS A WARRANTY REPAIR DEALING WITH THE OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,600.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W8. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE UNCONTROLLABLY CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN THE STEERING. SUDDENLY, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE ONTO THE EMERGENCY LANE. WITHIN TEN MINUTES, THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND DRIVE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED HIM THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE CAM SHAFT AND TORQUE. THE TECHNICIAN COULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT THE FAILURE WOULD NOT RECUR AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 78,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/29/11*LJ UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN *TR

THE VW 1.8T ENGINE HAS KNOW SLUDGE ISSUES THAT LEAD TO ENGINE FAILURE. WHEN THE ENGINE FAILS THE DRIVER LOOSES ALL POWER FUNCTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THIS INCLUDES STEERING AND BRAKES. THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT HAPPENED TO ME AND I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE IN THE LEFT HAND LANE AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER AND PARK. HAD THIS HAPPENED WHEN I WAS ON AN INTERSTATE IT COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT OUTCOME. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BECAME STUCK IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND SHUT OFF. UPON RESTARTING, THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS NORMAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, WHEN DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH THE OIL PRESSURE LIGHT BEGAN ILLUMINATING ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE PERSISTED SO THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE HEAD GASKET WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

2003 VW PASSAT WAGON 1.8 T SLUDGE ISSUE STOP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 88,683 MILES INDICATING OIL PRESSURE IS LOW AND VEHICLE SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN. HAS NOT YET BEEN REPAIRED/REPLACED: OIL SLUDGE LOW BAR PRESSURE $1792. *TR

I PURCHASED AN 03 VW PASSAT FROM A VW DEALER AS A CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED VEHICLE BACK IN 2/07. WITHIN THE FIRST WEEK OF PURCHASE I HAD BRAKE PROBLEMS. THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS WERE FOLLOWED BY VALVE COVER LEAKS, ENGINE LEAKS, AUTO WINDOW PROBLEMS, BATTERY PROBLEMS, RECALL ISSUES, WATER INTRUSION ISSUES, IGNITION COIL RECALL AND THE LIST GOES ON. AFTER A WATER INTRUSION JUST DAYS AFTER THE REPLACEMENT OF FAULTY IGNITION COILS I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURE NOTIFYING THEM OF THE PROBLEMS. THE MANUFACTURE HAD HELD THEIR FOOT TO THE GROUND THAT MY CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY (THAT I WAS TOLD AT TIME OF SALE I DID NOT HAVE) AND SO THEY ARE ABLE TO DO NOTHING ABOUT ANY OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER AS IT STANDS I HAVE NEARLY $3000 IN REPAIRS NEEDED TO THIS VEHICLE. NOT TO MENTION THE WATER LEAK/DAMAGE FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND MAY ACTUALLY...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STARTED TO MAKE NOISES WHILE DRIVING 40MPH. HE STATED THAT THE OIL FUNCTION LIGHT ALSO CAME ON. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC AND THEY STATED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE AND SHOULD TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND THEY REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BECAUSE HE DIDN'T HAVE ALL HIS RECORDS FOR THE OIL CHANGES. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WAS 96,000.

VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2003 ENGINE WAS RUINED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED WITH 26,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS TOLD BY MY PURCHASE DEALER THAT THEY WOULD NOT COVER THE COST OF REPLACEMENT AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY REPLIED THE SAME. MY INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING A RAINY DAY IN MIDDLEBURY, IN. THE ENGINE STOPPED WORKING WHEN I WAS ON A BRIDGE AND IN A 2" PUDDLE. BOTH VW AND MY INSURANCE COMPANY SAID THEY DO NOT COVER ANYTHING RELATED TO WATER DAMAGE. AN ENGINE SHOULD NOT BE RUINED IN A 2" PUDDLE. I WROTE TO "CLICK AND CLACK" EVENTUALLY ABOUT THE DAMAGE. THEY TOLD ME OTHER VS PASSAT OWNERS HAD THEIR ENGINES DAMAGED AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED BUT IT WAS BY OTHER EVENTS. THE LOSS OF THE ENGINE HAPPENED IN THE PASSAT BECAUSE THE AIR INTAKE WAS THE LOWEST PART OF THE ENGINE AND WAS AFFECTED BY ANYTHING NEAR THE INTAKE....

2003 VW PASSAT SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED IN THE GARAGE OF OUR HOME. THERE ARE NO EVENTS OF CONCERN LEADING UP TO THE FIRE. THE CAR HAD BEEN PARKED IN THE GARAGE SINCE 5:00 PM ON JANUARY 9, 2010 AND THE FIRE WAS DISCOVERED AT ABOUT 3:00 AM ON JANUARY 10, 2010. A NOISE FROM THE CAR ALERTED US AND UPON LOOKING IN THE GARAGE THERE WERE FLAMES COMING FROM THE ENGINE UNDER THE CAR. THE FIRE TOTALED THE CAR AND CAUSED OVER $100,000. DAMAGES TO THE STRUCTURE OF OUR HOME. THE COST TO REPLACE AND REPAIR CONTENTS IS NOT YET KNOWN. *TR

DRIVING AT 65MPH AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHT COMES ON -TAKES US 15 MINUTES TO FIND A SAFE SPOT TO PULL OVER- GET CAR TO DEALER -'SLUDGE " IN THE ENGINE- REGULARLY SERVICED CAR FOR 7 YEARS. *TR

MY 2003 PASSAT HAS 104,000 MILES AND IS CURRENTLY BEING FIXED DUE TO OIL SLUDGE IN MY ENGINE. 2 YEARS AGO MY MECHANIC WARNED ME OF THIS ISSUE; HOWEVER, A FAITHFUL VOLKSWAGEN OWNER I DECIDED TO KEEP MY CAR AND FAITHFULLY CHANGE MY OIL EVERY 3,000 MILES WHILE THE OWNER'S MANUAL SAY EVERY 5,000 MILES. FRIDAY, JANUARY 15, 2010 I FOUND MYSELF STRANDED OFF THE HIGHWAY, ON A TRIP, DUE TO OIL SLUDGE. I AM FIRM BELIEVER IN TAKING CARE OF YOUR CAR AND FEEL AS THOUGH THIS IS A VOLKSWAGEN ISSUE. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH THERE ARE SEVERAL ISSUES WITH THIS AND VOLKSWAGEN AND WOULD LIKE FOR AN ACTION TO BE CONSIDERED. *TR

HAD MY IGNITION COILS IN MY VW 2003 PASSAT GO OUT. WENT TO AUTO REPAIR HAD REPAIRS DONE AT 340.00. 2 MONTHS LATER GOT LETTER OF RECALL FOR EXACT PROBLEM, LETTER SAID TO SEND IN RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT. SENT FORMS, FOLLOWED UP WITH CALL AND GOT CHECK THIS WEEK...FOR 78.00. CALLED # ON FORM AND THEY SAID THEY REFUND WHAT THE US AVERAGE COST WOULD BE AND IN THIS CASE THAT WAS IT. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALER TO ASK THEM AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE DONE THE REPAIRS FOR 320.00 AND THAT I WAS BEING RIPPED OFF. AFTER TALKING WITH THE RECALL AGENCY AND BEING PUT ON HOLD 4 TIMES THEY SAID THAT WAS IT AND ALL I WOULD RECEIVE. *TR

MY 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T HAS THE WELL DOCUMENTED SLUDGE ISSUE THAT THOUSANDS OF VW/AUDI OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING. INITIALLY I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED B/C A GASKET WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUGS, AND MY ENGINE COIL PACK WAS BAD. I PAID $700 TO REPAIR AND REPLACE THE PARTS. 80 MILES AFTER LEAVING THE MECHANIC SHOP, THE OIL LIGHT AND STOP ENGINE LIGHTS CAME ON. TOWED THE CAR AGAIN; NO OIL PRESSURE. COLLECTED ALL OF MY MAINTENANCE RECORDS AND TOOK THEM TO VW TO GET APPROVAL OF THE WARRANTY ISSUE BEFORE LETTING THEM "CONFIRM" ENGINE SLUDGE ($500 DIAGNOSIS FEE FOR DROPPING THE OIL PAN). IF THE ISSUE IS ENGINE SLUDGE, THE ENGINE IS A LOST CAUSE BECAUSE THE LOW OIL PRESSURE STARVED THE ENGINE HEAD FOR OIL. THE VW DEALERSHIP IS WAITING FOR MY MONEY BEFORE THEY'LL DIAGNOSE THE ENGINE SLUDGE- WHICH YOU CAN SEE IN THE...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS WHEN THE "OIL PRESSURE" WARNING LIGHT INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND SUDDENLY, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO OIL SLUDGE. THE VEHICLE IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

WHILE DRIVING OR IDLING, AN ENGINE WARNING LIGHT APPEARS TELLING THE DRIVER TO STOP IMMEDIATELY DUE TO NO OIL PRESSURE. THIS CAN HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. THE PROBLEM IS DUE TO A KNOWN ISSUE BY VW OF OIL SLUDGE BUILDUP. THE CONSEQUENCE IS THE ENGINE WILL SEIZE UP AND NEED TO BE REPLACED ALONG WITH BUT NOT ALWAYS INCLUDING THE TURBOCHARGER. VW HAS EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 8 YEARS UNLIMITED MILES FOR THOSE ENGINES, BUT UNREASONABLY REQUIRES PRODUCTION OF ALL OIL CHANGE RECEIPTS FOR THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF THE CAR. *TR

VW ISSUED A VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD ON MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON. (OPEN CAMPAIGN: 26E5/R5). I TOOK THE CAR TO THE LOCAL DEALER TO ADDRESS THE RECALL BUT WAS TOLD MY CAR COULD NOT BE SERVICED WITHOUT POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS BEHIND THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. BOTH JOINTS WERE SAID TO HAVE SMALL FRACTURES IN THE METAL AND BRAIDED STEEL. I WAS TOLD THAT THE HEAT SHIELD REPLACEMENT REQUIRED THE EXHAUST LINE TO BE DROPPED VIA THE FLEXIBLE JOINTS AND THAT THEY COULD BE BROKEN IN THE PROCESS. IF DAMAGE TO THE JOINTS OCCURRED, THE CHARGE FOR THE PARTS (EXCLUDING LABOR) WOULD BE $1500 AND THAT THE FULL BILL FOR PARTS/LABOR WOULD BE MY RESPONSIBILITY. BECAUSE OF THE EXCESSIVE COST, I WAS NOT ABLE TO HAVE THE HEAT SHIELDS REPLACED. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL SAFETY HAZARD FOR CONTINUED USE OF THE...

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SIDE ROAD. A TECHNICIAN FROM THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF AN OIL/SLUDGE PROBLEM. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT PROVIDE HER WITH ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,167. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

MY 2003 VW PASSAT WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH COILS AND VALVE COVERS. MY CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE! LUCKILY THE FIRE WENT OUT ABOUT 10 MINUTES AFTER I STOPPED THE CAR! I CAN'T BELIEVE THIS HAPPENED! IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? ARE THERE ANY RECALLS OUT THERE?! *TR

9/2002 PURCHASED 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8 TURBO. 2005- 48,000 ENGINE FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE. TOWED TO COMMONWEALTH MOTORS SANTA ANA, CA AFTER 2 MOS INSTALLED NEW OIL PUMP, WE EACH PAID HALF EVEN THOUGH IT IS A KNOWN DESIGN FLAW WITH OIL PUMP. 2007 SAME THING HAPPENED( BUT I WAS AWAY AND CAR TOWED TO LOCAL GARAGE) MECHANIC STATED THAT NO WARRANTY WOULD COVER PROBLEM. ESTIMATED 95. FINAL $2,569 TO REPLACE OIL PUMP AND TURBO PICKED UP CAR IN MARCH 2008, IN DEC 2008 ENGINE FAILED AGAIN TOWED TO MESA WEST WHO SUGGESTED DEALER SHOULD BE CALLED. DEALER ACCEPTED RESPONSIBILITY ON PHONE SINCE THEY HAD DONE ORIGINAL REPAIR, 4 MONTHS LATER CAR NEEDS NEW ENGINE IS STILL AT DEALER. OIL PUMP CANNOT PROCESS PROPERLY. VW AWARE OF CHRONIC PROBLEM BUT WON'T STAND BY PRODUCT UNLESS ALL RECEIPTS FROM OIL CHANGES ARE AVAILABLE. CAR NEED $6000.00 OF WORK AND DEALER DOING...

I HAVE HAD MY 2003 VW PASSAT FOR 7 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A VW DEALERSHIP THE TURBO WENT OUT. I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. I THEN DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 150 MILES FOR A TOURNAMENT AND WHEN ALMOST THERE A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING TO STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO VW DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS COVERED BY VW. IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH SLUDGE FROM OIL. GOT IT BACK AND 3 DAYS LATER A LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS THE MIL LIGHT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE VW DEALERSHIP. STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THIS TIME. I HAVE NOW HAD MY OIL CHANGED 3 TIMES IN 5 THOUSAND MILES DUE TO REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR SO FAR....

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NEW PAIR OF RARE BRAKES FAILED ON HER VEHICLE AFTER 14,952 MILES. SHE USUALLY GETS OVER 36,000 MILES ON A PAIR OF BRAKES. SHE STATED THAT THE BRAKE PADS FAILED AND DAMAGED THE ROTORS. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE PADS ARE DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE LASTED LONGER THAN 14,000 MILES. SHE ALSO FEELS THAT THE DEALER SHOULD COVER THE COST OF THE NEW PADS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 95,100. UPDATED 04/21/09. *LJ THE SERPENTINE BELT WAS CRACKED, THE POWER STEERING FLUID WAS LOW, THE VC BOOT AND HOOD STRUT WAS REPLACED.. UPDATED 04/21/09.*JB

BRAKE FAILURE LIGHT APPEARS EVEN AFTER MULTIPLE BRAKE REPAIRS. DRIVER?S SIDE REAR UPPER BRAKE LIGHT REPLACED FOR 29TH TIME IN LESS THAN 2 YRS. MULTIPLE COOLANT LEAKS STILL PRESENT EVEN AFTER REPAIR AND WATER PUMP REPLACEMENT. RADIO/AMPLIFIER NOT FUNCTIONING EVEN AFTER REPLACEMENT (RADIO WAS ONLY USED TWICE IN VEHICLE?S LIFETIME). DIAGNOSTICS SHOW AIRBAG MALFUNCTION. REGULATOR PIN ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW KEEPS BREAKING (3RD REPLACEMENT SINCE 2003). ENGINE COVER BELOW CAR KEEPS FALLING OFF DUE TO RUSTED BOLTS. HOMELINK SYSTEM KEEPS MALFUNCTIONING. FUSES KEEP BLOWING OUT. DASHBOARD PANEL LIGHTS OUT (ODOMETER, FUEL GAUGE, ETC.). CCM MODULE KEEPS BREAKING DOWN. CAR NEEDS TO BE JUMPSTARTED WHEN NOT IN USE FOR OVER 48 HRS. CLIMATE CONTROL (A/C AND HEATER) WORKS ONLY SPORADICALLY. ALL REPAIRS PERFORMED BY VW DEALERSHIP, YET SAME ISSUES KEEP REAPPEARING JUST A FEW WEEKS AFTER REPAIRS. REPAIRS PERFORMED IN PAST 2 YEARS: ECU UNIT REPLACED, BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH REPLACED...

VW PASSAT 2003, PURCHASED01/09/03, 4 MOTION SEDAN, FOR $32,766.50. ON 10/7/2004, I WENT THROUGH A 2" OR LESS, RAIN PUDDLE. BECAUSE OF THE AIR INTAKE ON THE PASSAT LOCATION BEING VERY LOW, THE ENGINE WAS DAMAGED DUE TO THE WATER INTAKE IN THE AIR INTAKE PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND COST $11,077.53. THE CAR MILEAGE WAS 29,143. VW REFUSED TO PAY, SAYING IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT. MY INSURANCE COMPANY REFUSED TO PAY BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFAULT IN THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, I HAD TO PAY THE $11,077.53 TO KEEP A VEHICLE THAT I HAD PURCHASED NEW IN 2003. IT WAS 1/3 THE COST OF THE NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 29,143 MILEAGE. THE AMOUNT OF RAIN CAN BE DETERMINED ON THE DAY IT HAPPENED, IN MIDDLEBURY, IN. I DID CONTACT CARTALK, AFTER NO RESULT FROM VW, AND THEY STATED THAT...

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, ONCE WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CONTACT MADE A SUDDEN STOP AND THE ENGINE SHUT OFF. ON THE SECOND OCCASION, WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. ON BOTH OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FAILURE WOULD HAVE TO REPEAT ITSELF IN ORDER FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS ADVISED NOT TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH AN OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY DUE TO THIS OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM. *KB THE VEHICLE HAD A SLIGHT ENGINE KNOCK, BEFORE THE OIL WAS CHANGED. THE DEALER STATED THE LOW OIL PRESSURE WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE PICK UP TUBE IN THE OIL PAN BLOCKED BY OIL SLUDGE. *JB

I HAVE OWNED 3 VWS AND HAVE ALWAYS MADE SURE TO STAY UP TO DATE ON SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE. RECENT KNOCKING NOISE IN ENGINE LEAD US TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR A REPAIR AT WHICH TIME WE WERE INFORMED THAT WE HAD A MAJOR SLUDGE PROBLEM AND IT WOULD COST ME $6900 TO REPLACE THE ENGINE. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH RECALL FOR FAULTY SEAL AND HEAT SHIELD. CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED AND THEN RECEIVED THE RECALLS. HE WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE REPAIRS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DISCOVERED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER AND CLEANED IT. THE SUNROOF TUBES AND DRAIN PLUG WERE REPLACED. *JB

DRIVING ON I-87 UPSTATE NY AROUND ALBANY IN THE FAST LANE ABOUT 80 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. WE PULLED OVER QUICKLY TO THE GRASSY AREA BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. WE HEARD A SOUND BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROM THE ROAD WHEN WE PULLED OFF OR A BACKFIRE? THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE CALLED 911 AND A SHERIFF ARRIVED SOON AND TOLD US HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC GOING 90-95 MILES AN HOUR. WE HAD TO GET INTO THE FAST LANE. WE DROVE A LITTLE ON THE GRASSY AREA TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD WORK. WITH GREAT DIFFICULT AND TREMENDOUS FEAR WE MANAGED TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE THEN ABLE TO DRIVE TO NYC WITHOUT PROBLEMS IN THE SLOWER LANES. NO LIGHTS OR SOUNDS CAME ON TO WARN US OF THE LOSS OF POWER. THIS...

2003 VOLKSWAGEN GLS PASSAT WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND MORE. *KB THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 2 OCCASIONS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER SOON DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FRONT CV BOOT AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. *JB

WE WERE DRIVING UP TO THE BASE OF THE PALM SPRINGS TRAM ON A COOL DAY AT A RELATIVELY SLOW RATE OF SPEED AND PARKED AT THE VALLEY STATION. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE WAS APPARENTLY OPERATING NORMALLY DURING THE ENTIRE DRIVE. A FEW MINUTES AFTER PARKING, WE NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD OF THE CAR, AND UPON OPENING THE HOOD DISCOVERED THE FIRE. SINCE TRAM SECURITY WAS THERE WITH A FIRE EXTINGUISHER, THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED RELATIVELY QUICKLY. THE INSULATION WAS BURNED AND THE CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO BE DRIVEN ANY FURTHER. IT WAS TOWED TO INDIO, CA. *TR

1.8L TURBO ENGINE WITH 51,000 MILES, STILL UNDER POWER TRAIN WARRANTY. OIL PRESS/STOP ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED MOMENTARILY. FIRST TIME WAS THE SUMMER 07. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY ADVISED CHANGING THE OIL, WHICH I HAD DONE 2K MILES AND 2 MONTHS PREVIOUS, BUT DID AGAIN. THAT WORKED, NO OTHER ADVISE BY DEALER. NO OCCURRENCE AGAIN UNTIL NOV 07. DEALERSHIP INSPECTION REVEALED SLUDGE AND COKING. VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT PAY FOR ANY TYPE OF REPAIR WITHOUT RECEIPTS PROVING MAINTENANCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE OWNERS MANUAL. I DID ALL MY OWN OIL CHANGES ON SCHEDULE BUT DID NOT KEEP RECEIPTS FOR OIL/FILTER. THE $130+ DIAGNOSTIC CHARGE WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY EITHER. ADDITIONALLY, DEALER SAID THE WARRANTY WAS VOID BECAUSE I HAD AN OTHER THAN VW OIL FILTER ON. REPAIR ESTIMATE IS $3,000 TO REBUILD ENGINE. *TR

I HAVE A VW PASSAT 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINE THAT HAS SLUDGE IN IT CAUSING MY OIL PRESSURE TO BE LOW WHICH THREW MY TIMING OFF. LUCKILY STOPPED DRIVING THE CAR BEFORE IT LOCK UP. *TR

2003 VOLKSWAGON PASSET CAUGHT FIRE WENT FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE INSTRUMENT-PANEL AREA AND ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CARS NEAR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ALONG THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THE VEHICLE CAUGHT FIRE UNDER THE HOOD WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE FIRE DESTROYED THE VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATOR LIGHTS PRESENT PRIOR TO THE FIRE. THERE IS A FIRE REPORT AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS UNABLE DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FIRE. THE CONTACT HAS PHOTOS AND A VIDEO TAPE. THE MANUFACTURER HAD AN INVESTIGATOR INSPECT THE VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FIRE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 57,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OR ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER AND SHUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED. HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS ALSO MALFUNCTION AND THE ELECTRICAL SWITCH WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER AND THEY ARE UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE'S WARRANTY HAS BEEN CHARGED FOR EACH REPLACEMENT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 57,006 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000.

DRIVER WAS ON DAILY COMMUTE TO WORK, STOPPED AT AN INTERSECTION. A LOUD BANG WAS HEARD BY THE DRIVER AND WHEN THE DRIVER EXITED THE CAR TO SEE WHAT HAD HAPPENED, A BYSTANDER IMMEDIATELY YELLED TOWARD THE DRIVER TO WARN THEM THAT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE. DRIVER WAS ABLE TO MAKE IT OUT OF CAR SAFELY, WITH MINOR INJURIES INCURRED AS A RESULT OF TRYING TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE ITSELF WAS LIMITED TO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT, HOWEVER AS A RESULT THE ENTIRE ENGINE AND ENGINE COMPARTMENT WERE DESTROYED AND THE CAR WAS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS BY INSURANCE. SINCE THE DEFECTIVE COMPONENT(S) AND SURROUNDING AREA INVOLVED IN THE DEFECT WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED, THERE WAS NO PARTS TO REPAIR OR REPLACE. *JB

OIL SLUDGE BUILD UP. STOP ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IMMEDIATELY TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP AND LEARNED THAT IT WAS AN OIL PRESSURE ISSUE TO SLUDGE. VOLKSWAGEN HAD ISSUED AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THEY REQUIREED COMPLETE RECORDS WHICH MOST PEOPLE DID NOT KEEP. THERE WERE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH REGARD TO THIS ISSUE. WONDERING WHY A RECALL HAS NOT BEEN IMPOSED GIVEN THE EXPENSE TO CONSUMER'S FOR SOMETHING THAT WAS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. CONSUMER PROTECTION SHOULD BE FIRST PRIORITY.*AK

I FINANCED A 03 PASSAT GLS 1.8T IN JAN OF 05 A YEAR LATER IT STOPPED RUNNING. WHEN I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IT WAS OIL SLUDGE. THE ENGINE HAS A WARRANTY FOR SLUDGE FOR UNLIMITED MILEAGE FOR 8YRS. THE CAR NEEDED A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THE SLUDGE. VW REFUSED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE STATING THAT I DID NOT HAVE ENOUGH PROOF OF MAINTENANCE DONE TO THE VEHICLE. WHICH STATEMENT IS FALSE. THE VEHICLE HAD ALL MAINTENANCE DONE IN THE TIME THAT CORRESPONDED, I HAD PROOF OF THEM WHICH I SUBMITTED. THEREFORE I HAVE SPENT 4 MONTHS MAKING PAYMENTS TOWARDS A VEHICLE THAT CAN NOT BE USED. NOW I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE MYSELF SINCE VW REFUSED TO SOLVE THE SITUATION. *TR

OWNER WAS DRIVING VOLKSWAGEN WHEN IT STARTED TO HESITATE AND THE ENGINE CAUGHT ON FIRE. FIRE BURNED MOST SEVERELY IN CENTER REAR AND RIGHT SIDE OF THE COMPARTMENT.

OWNER WAS DRIVING THE VOLKSWAGEN AND SMELLED A WEIRD ODOR, SO HE PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. HE OPENED THE HOOD AND LOOKED TOWARD THE BACK OF THE ENGINE AND OBSERVED SMOKE AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. HE STATED HE OBSERVED FIRE FROM THE BOTTOM PART OF A WIRE HARNESS. A SUBSEQUENT EXAMINATION REVEALED THE SPARK PLUGS SHOWED A SLIGHTLY RICH FUEL/AIR MIXTURE IN THE CYLINDERS, RESULTING IN POSSIBLE OVERHEATED EXHAUST COMPONENTS. CAUSE OF FIRE UNDETERMINED. *NM