10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
24,682 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Volkswagen Passat suspension problems

suspension problem

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2003 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #6

Dec 282022

Passat

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Vehicle has major fuel pump issue, currently at 132,000 and noticing loss of power, car shaking, and occasional stall. A code reader is unable able to detect the issue which is a major concern. I have contacted the volkswagen Manufacturer and I consistently keep getting ignored after bringing up the recall that was put out for the fuel pump. While driving on the highway my rear and front suspension failed and dropped suddenly while moving slowly during traffic. I whave only been able to repair the front shocks and struts so far, but the rear are needed as well. I would like to state that all the parts are original manufacturer parts.

- Boyertown, PA, USA

problem #5

Mar 152014

Passat 6-cyl

  • 181 miles
I took my car to Volkswagen dealership to find out why my brake light was on and why my brakes would flutter at times when using them. I got estimate that my brake reservoir was bad and the sensor that it would be okay to drive till I got fixed in a week. I faxed my warranty papers to dealership to find out to see what was covered..on Saturday 5 days later when I was driving 35 miles an hour tried to stop and brake pedal went to floor had nothing to stop me but the car in front of me. I was issued a ticket had my car towed and I. am having headaches and neck pain which I'm getting treated..I don't feel as if that car was safe to ne driving..

- Ladylake, FL, USA

problem #4

May 052011

Passat

  • 70,000 miles
Front control arms failure. Very common in this suspension design. There has been a recall issued in europe for the same problem. Likewise, the Audi A4 shares the same chassis and same front end suspension. These control arms are seriously under designed. This is dangerous! having this fail while driving will result in death or serious injury. This is a design flaw, and is being overlooked. The bushings on my control arms (all 4 for each of my front wheels, eight in total) are seriously cracked and need replacement. This is not something that should be failing at 50K and 70K miles. Volkswagen should be held responsible for replacing failed control arms.

- Redding, CA, USA

problem #3

Mar 282011

Passat

  • 77,908 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Richmond, VA, USA

problem #2

Sep 222008

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2003 Volkswagen Passat fire the consumer stated while driving a light blinked on the dashboard. According to the owner's manual, it was a light for the catalytic converter. When the consumer arrived to the dealer, the light went out, and they could not find a problem. The light returned shortly thereafter and stayed on. The dealer repaired the light. The ball joints failed, but they were not covered under warranty. Soon, the light illuminated on the dashboard again, that was supposed to have been fixed by the dealer earlier in the year. The consumer continued driving, when suddenly another motorist informed her the vehicle was on fire. The fire department stated the fire was caused by the catalytic converter. The consumer's insurance agent contacted her and advised her Volkswagen was covering all the cost related to the incident, because the fire was a result of a recall that had not been taken care of by the authorized dealer from where the vehicle was purchased.

- Bronx, NY, USA

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problem #1

Apr 272005

Passat Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • miles
Headlights fails proper function. They have been replaced. Seat belts and sun roof do not work properly. Engine replaced; steering wheels - car pulls to the right everytime an alignment was done and they calibrated the wheels. - problem continued - this problem caused the tires to be destroyed in a few kms - less 20 000; water infiltration - for now it is fixed; trunk was hard to open and close - problem fixed. Front doors vibrated - the rubber of the doors are being exhibiting signs of damage; the front glass ( windscreen ) isn't from the same year of all the others.

- Porto, 00, USA

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