MYRModel Year Report

2003 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2003 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
629
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
6

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Fuel system, gasoline

23% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2003 629 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2003 629 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2003: 629 complaints 2003 629 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2003: 629 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202118
202213

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Fuel system, gasoline

23% · 146 reports

Most commonly citing fuel pump and delivery.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-11-26

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V017000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-19

Engine and engine cooling

21% · 134 reports

Most commonly citing engine and exhaust system.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2023-12-21

Seats

16% · 98 reports

Most commonly citing seat heater/cooler and power adjust.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

My son was driving (In motion) on hwy 17 in miller county mo with seat heater on Saturday nov. 28, 2020. Seat caught on fire. I had noticed when I had seat heater on previously it became so hot as to burn legs. This is a serious problem.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-11-30

05/01/2019 car had a dead battery---charge over night still would not start---had the car towed to auto shop--upon arrival with key on approx.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-05-06

This is portions of a letter sent to the customer complaint section of the www.vw.com website on June 22, 2003.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-22

Electrical system

15% · 95 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and wiring.

FIREINJURY

Service brakes

7% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 6 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2003Complaint volume 629 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2003-06-13Fuel system, gasoline02V026000 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.

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. I
    2005-08-11Defect petitionClosed 2005-12-08 Engine stalling
  4. R
    2006-04-10Fuel system, gasoline06V017000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2007-04-27Exterior lighting07V063000 On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

    Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through September 21, 2007.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. I
    2007-05-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-09-28 Passenger/engine compartment fires
  7. R
    2007-09-28Fuel system, gasoline07V375000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2007-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 2008-07-07 Passenger engine compartment fires
  9. I
    2008-01-31Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-05-30 Fuel tank leak
  10. R
    2008-06-13Fuel system, gasoline08V156000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. I
    2010-07-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-02-07 Engine Compartment Fire
  12. I
    2011-01-26Engineering analysisClosed 2012-02-17 Engine Compartment Fire
  13. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013...

    Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    2019-05-02Air bags18V406000 Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles.

    Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2003 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Fuel system, gasoline: 146 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 134 reports on file for this year.
  • Seats: 98 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V026000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06V017000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 07V063000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V375000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 08V156000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 18V406000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Volkswagen Passat is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is fuel system, gasoline, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Volkswagen Passat have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.