9.1
really awfulTypical Repair Cost:
$4,675.00
Average Mileage:
78,148 miles
Total Complaints:
18 complaints
Most common solutions:
- have to buy a new engine (6 reports)
- not sure (6 reports)
- replaced oil pump and hoses (5 reports)
- valve and head rebuilt & clean oil pan (1 reports)
engine problem
This problem may be covered under warranty. Ask your Volkswagen dealer.
Helpful Websites About 2003 Volkswagen Passat engine failure from low oil pressure
2009May 01
Passat 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 145,586 miles
My brother gave me this car. He said he was tired of this car. So far I have replace the turbo.Now the oil pressure ligth come on and tell me to stop the engine. Is it the oil pump are what? I am affraid to take it to the dealership.
2009Jun 27
Passat 1.8L Turbo
- Automatic transmission
- 106,000 miles
I HAVE A 2003 PASSAT AND WHEN I WAS DRIVING HOME A LIGHT CAME ON THAT STOP ENGINE CHECK OIL PRESSUR. HOWEVER THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN. IT DID IT THREE YRS AGO WHEN THE CAR WAS AT 74,000. I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR ABOUT 10 MONTHS WHEN IT FIRST HAPPEN. OF COURSE VOLKSWAGON FOUGHT TOOTH AND NAIL NOT TO PAY FOR IT BUT I WON IN THE END. tHEY SAID THE OTHER PERSON WHO OWNED THE CAR BEFORE ME MUST HAVE NOT KEEPED UP WITH THE MAINTANCE ON THE CAR.
NOW THREE YRS LATER IT HAPPEN AGAIN. I STILL HAVE NO CLUE HOW MUCH IT IS GOING TO COST TO FIX THE PROBLEM. THE MORE I READ IT LOOKS LIKE THERE IS NO SOULATION EXCEPT BUY A NEW CAR. IN MY CASE THAT IS NOT AN OPTION.
WHEN I MADE A COMPLAINT TO VW THEY TOLD ME I NEED TO USE SYNTHIC OIL. WHEN I TOLD THEM THAT IS ALL I USE THEY WERE SPEECHLESS. SO SWITCH THE OIL TO SYNTHIC WILL NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM IT JUST DELAYS IT. I CALLED A LAWYER AS WELL ABOUT THE LEMON LAW WHEN I HAS ANOTHER ISSUE WITH THE CAR. SINCE MY CAR IS NOT UNDER WARRENTY THE LEMON LAW DOSEN'T APPLY TO ME
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 27
Passat GLS 1.8L
- Automatic transmission
- 74,000 miles
In April 2009 my stop engine light came on, I took it to the vw dealership and was told that the stop engine light did not come on when they had it in there possession. I said ok can you give me an oil change. They gave me a oil change. On June 27, 2009 while taking a trip with my family to Maryland the stop engine light came on and before i can pull over i heard a bang sound and the car was smoking. I opened the hood of my vehicle and my car was on fire. When i took it to the dealership in Maryland he advised me that it was low oil pressure and the valve stem exploded threw the engine block and it would cost me 6,000 to 8,000 dollars to fix.
When i first got a vw vehicle i was excited, i thought it was a beautiful car, now i would never by another car for vw again. I am out of a car that i only had for one year and now i have to find a way to get back and fourth to work. I am now looking for a dependable car,a car that i can go out of town and dont have to worry about anything anymore. I don't recommend a vw to anyone. I also had to pay 260.00 for a rental car to get back to New York.
2009Apr 26
Passat V6
- Automatic transmission
- 64,000 miles
My STOP ENGINE light came on followed by the low oil pressure light. I took my car into the shop where they replaced my low pressure switch. 2 weeks later the light came back on and my car completely shut down. I had my car towed back to the shop that claimed to fix the problem and they said I need a new engine. $5500.00 for a salvaged engine with 50,000 miles. I contacted CarMax who sold me the car. They said there was nothing I could do, but they wish I would have been encouraged to buy an extended warranty considering VW came out with so many engine problems in the time frame that my car was purchased. I have had the car for less than 2 years. Still making payments, and yet I have no car. My job is as a marketing director where I drive everyday. This has been terrible and I WILL NEVER EVER RECOMMEND VW'S TO ANYONE. AS A MATTER OF FACT, I PLAN TO POST HOW TERRIBLE THEY ARE ON EVERY SITE I CAN FIND! NO ONE SHOULD BE TAKEN ADVANTAGE OF LIKE THIS AND IT SEEMS THAT ALL OF US HAVE! VW IS A SCAM!!!!!!!
2009Mar 30
Passat V6
- Automatic transmission
- 91,000 miles
My car started acting funny and the control panel flashed stop engine in big red letters and turn off motor due to low pressure while the oil light was blinking. It scared the hell out of me I thought there was a bomb in my car. I have had it parked for days, we changed the oil and still know luck.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Dec 11
Passat 1.8L Turbo
- Automatic transmission
- 66,845 miles
This car dropped a valve and because of this, all valves got bent. Car is not under warranty anymore. I had to have the entire head rebuilt $950. I also had to replace the timing gear and belt. I did all this work myself before I ever heard about this sludge problem! This has cost about $1,400 in parts alone. Good thing I can turn a wrench or two!
2009Feb 02
Passat 1.8t
- Tiptronic transmission
- 107,000 miles
Check Engine/STOP Engine NOW light and ratcheting sounds required that I stop the car/engine on a rural road (Kern Canyon) at 5:30 am. Called AAA and had it towed to Family Motors in Bakersfield. They called me and said it was an "Oil Sludge Problem" and would cost me over $1800 to fix and Oh by the way you need this that and ---. Total was $3300. I asked them how they knew it was an oil sludge problem nd were they sure the engine was OK. They said they checked and it was a sludge caused problem that caused the oil pump to break. a day later they called again and said they pulled the pan and that there were metal shavings and the entire engine had to be replaced at a cost of $7200. I believe this is BS and that there is a real problem here that VW is ignoring. Sludge is their stock answer - there is NO WAY "sludge could have been a problem here because we have diligently used the required synthetic oil from the day we bought it new. I believe that the engine oil pump is deficient and breaks apart no matter what oil you use. VW should cover repair and/or replacement of all "BS OIl Sludge" or engine failures caused by oil pump failure. VW is leaving Die Hard VW lovers out in the cold - Literally! This was the last VW I will ever own. I bought my Wife a brand new Acura instead - a very nice dependable car.
2004Dec 01
Passat 1.8T 1.8t
- Automatic transmission
- 36,000 miles
I've have always used synthetic oil in my car from day one, and had the oil change ever 3-4k miles. the 4 times that this car 03 VW Passat oil pressure light has comes on- each one costing me 1100.00 and extremely rude treatment at local VW dealers around Phila area. The worst was YBH and Fred Bean, accuse me of not changing the oil regularly, and refused to repair the cost unwarranty. I handed them the paperwork from all my oil changes. Prior to this I've purchased 5 VW's first in college. The 96 VW Jetta prior to this had electrical issue and caught fire. My VW Passat recently had the the notorious "STOP ENGINE" light come on and when transported to the dealer -I was again informed, the oil pump needed to be replaced out of pocket. This time however I parked this car and bought a new Lexus. In short I'm done with VW.
2008Oct 30
Passat 1.8L T
- Automatic transmission
- 80,000 miles
One the way home from a softball game, my "STOP- OIL PRESSURE" warning came on. After checking the oil level (which was full), I proceeded to drive the rest of the way home with no problems- until I got to my neighborhood. The scary warning came back on again!!! I've parked my car and will have it towed to the local VW dealership in the morning. Hopefully, things will get resolved quickly and inexpensively. I really do LOVE this car, but this problem, on top of all of the recalls, is really making my life stressful.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2008Oct 09
Passat 1.8t
- Automatic transmission
- 79,000 miles
My wife was on the way to work one morning when her oil pressure light came on. She pulled off the interstate immediately and left her car at a gas station. I took the vehicle in for an oil change. I discovered that the oil change did not fix the problem. The mechanic reported that the problem was sludge in the engine. He said he could work on fixing the problem at $100.00 an hour however could not promise he could fix it. Now the car sits in my garage because we can't afford to fix that problem. We have had the car for 2 years now and are still making payments on it. Besides the oil problem, the boots that cover the cv joints tore, the rear shocks went bad causing the rear tires to become "off round" and the fuel pump went bad and stranded my wife on I 94 in the middle of WI, (she had no idea where she was at the time and it took the tow truck 45 minutes to find her) that was a week after we received a recall for that part. We have received multiple recalls for other faulty parts on the vehicle. In closing I have never owned a worse vehicle and I will never buy another VW!
2008Jan 17
Passat ESL 1.8L Turbo
- Automatic transmission
- 79,750 miles
was driving down the interstate and "STOP ENGINE IMMEDIATELY-CHECK OIL PRESSURE" warning came on. Stop instantly. Towed car home. Dealership declared a total repair cost $1200. Received repair from local mechanic because vehicle isn't under warranty for $900.
Now, after 6 months, I'm experiencing the same problem in conjunction with a transmission issue requiring a $3600 rebuild.
2008Jun 04
Passat Turbo
- Automatic transmission
- 92,000 miles
Bought passat 2 years ago (had 2 year warranty) and had regular oil changes. Last week (june 5 2008) the oil pressure light & check engine light comes on. Brought to local mechanic and he checked the oil and other fluids. Said looks OK. Drove about 5 more minutes and and lights come on and engine dies! After bringing back to dealer (Donaldson VW Sayville, NY) they tell me it's not under warranty and worth about $1,000 after I produced 6 oil change receipts for the 2 years. We bought the car certified pre-owned for $17,000. They are not doing ANYTHING for us! DO NOT BUY A VW OR YOU WILL BE SORRY. Never again.
2007May 17
(reported on)Passat
- Manual transmission
- 83,000 miles
2003 Passat of ours - taken to each scheduled service etc - had a complete engine failure this week. Driving on expressway and "OIL PRESS" light came on. Called our service guy and he said bring it on in - we were literally on our way there when the whole car shut down (4 guys had to jump out of their cars and help move me to safety). Keep in mind this was the first time this message had appeared and within a few miles the whole engine quits. Couldn't believe it. Car was towed to dealership and we found out today that Olympicare Warranty has denied the claim stating that we abused the engine. The warranty company stated because the timing belt wasn't broken and the oil was fine that it was due to "severe and rapid abuse" to the engine. He said we "probably" took the gear from 5th to 2nd or 1st too rapidly and we damaged the engine and that's why the "Oil Press" came on. He also stated that while we were driving and the "Oil Press" light came on that we should have IMMEDIATELY stopped the car and had it towed to the nearest shop.
We are having a lawyer look at their conclusions tomorrow ! This is truly a nightmare -
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2007Dec 09
Passat 1.8t
- Automatic transmission
- 60,480 miles
I am the latest victim of this horrendous injustice from VW. My Oil Pressure - STOP light came on while heading to a family function and i went to the nearest station (about 1 Mile).
I called Volkswagen roadside assistance, got the car into the service station and that is where the real fun began. I bought an extended warranty on the car, so i figured i was covered, right? wrong.
The dealership (Carter Volkswagen in Seattle, WA) basically spelled out my options, and the guys at the dealership were amazing, but still resulted in what is now 3 days of fighting with VW USA on the claim. Without every service record on the car, they are not going to cover A KNOWN FAULT within the car that obviously several people have already discovered and battled VW USA to no avail.
I had purchased a lifetime oil change program at the time i bought the car, but the dealership that i bought the car from sold out to another company and the new guys refused to honor that contract. I then ended up shunning that dealer for a while and getting my oil changed at a local mom and pop type place. I then moved to Seattle and dealt with Carter, who have been great.
My issue is with VW usa though, and the fact that through lawyerisms and shady maneuvers have managed to find essentially a loop hole to avoid responsibility for a known defect a car that they sold to thousands. Proof of oil changes? I guess VW has a different approach to responsiblity and customer service than they preached when they sold me a car, and an extended warranty.
Right now I am at minimum 1200 in for a new Oil Pump. I will be 'notified' if it worse than that, but i will tell you right now that with all of the other issues that this car has had, there is no way i am putting another dime into it.
I just may make it my new years resolution to talk anyone I can out of buying from VW as there is no excuse for how they have treated me and the rest of the folks that have dealt with this issue.
2007Jan 17
(reported on)Passat Turbo 1.8
- Automatic transmission
- 30,000 miles
Engine light came on, grove to next exit ramp. Car just stopped, wouldn't run. Had it towed to dealership (under warranty only 2 years old.) Their adjuster lived in another state, he denied claim without even looking at the car. Denied claim due to lack of oil receipt (just one) Car has set in my garage for 1 year this Jan. I still have made the payments. Hired an attorney and had received from VW attorneys that they were going to settle claim. They now have not responded to his phone or written communication. Now we are seeking jury trial and should have a date this month. This car has 30,000 miles, all oil changes at 4,000 miles. Missing one receipt. VW admitted that my car was stopped on the production line and repaired for the problem. This was not disclosed to me. But I do have the audio tape were he admitted this. I have placed ads in the paper warning people of this problem and placed petition information throughout my area warning people of this. I will not back down and I wont go away. I only hope I can open the doors for others to place legal action against VW to get what we paid for "A RUNNING CAR" Their are several class action suits but i was told they could take several years to get any result.
2005Nov 07
(reported on)Passat
- 60,000 miles
Only own the car for 4 month and already have to replace the engine - these cars definitely have oil pressure problem and should be addressed by Volkswagen. VW will not take any responsibility and the dealer that I bought the car from will not even talk to me. VW told me it will take $8000.00 to replace the engine... I am really frustrated.
2005Sep 04
(reported on)Passat
- 40,000 miles
40,000 miles oil pump and oil hoses are replaced due to oil pressure failures. Car broke down on road.
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A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
2009Jun 20
Passat GL Wagon 1.8t
So I had this dreaded problem and was worried Vw wouldn't fix it. With 112000 miles we got our oil changed one day and the next we got a flashing STOP engine message. I thought it was related to our oil change only to find out sludge was blocking the oil pick up tube and potentially other problems. I took it to Leith VW in Cary NC with receipts from 4 oil changes over the past year. I've owned the car since march 08 (86,000 miles to current 112,000 miles). The service manager took all my paper work and sent it to vw warranty. 2 days later I got a call that my car was fixed at no charge. This was totally unexpected! VW does stand behind their product, hopefully some of you have the same experience I did!
David A.
Cary, NC, USA
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