2003 Volkswagen Passat
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 39 |
| 1993 | 68 |
| 1994 | 25 |
| 1995 | 93 |
| 1996 | 40 |
| 1997 | 37 |
| 1998 | 331 |
| 1999 | 664 |
| 2000 | 507 |
| 2001 | 430 |
| 2002 | 636 |
| 2003 | 628 |
| 2004 | 279 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 262 |
| 2008 | 168 |
| 2009 | 146 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 481 |
| 2013 | 747 |
| 2014 | 592 |
| 2015 | 242 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 107 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
14% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 85 distinct reports on file.
FIRE13% of complaints: seats — 81 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY10% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 63 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, coolant leaked onto the front passengerâs side floorboard.
NHTSA ODI report, 20231221
8% of complaints: electrical system — 53 distinct reports on file.
FIRE INJURY6% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 38 distinct reports on file.
FIREShow 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, 20251126
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, 20250319
SAFETY TIMELINE
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 ABRASION
Campaign 02V026000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE STALLING
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 INOPERATI
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.
Campaign 06V017000 — check if this car was fixed
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. VEHICLE
Campaign 07V063000 — check if this car was fixed
PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
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 F
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 PRE
Campaign 07V375000 — check if this car was fixed
PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
FUEL TANK LEAK
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 SHIELD
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. DEA
Campaign 08V156000 — check if this car was fixed
Engine Compartment Fire
Engine Compartment Fire
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.
Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 18V406000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2003 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (85 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for seats issues (81 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (63 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06V017000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V375000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V406000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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:delivery:fuel pump, accounting for 14% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Volkswagen Passat have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.