Model year record

2003 Volkswagen Passat

6 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 818 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 18V406000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Vehicles affected: 2,564
Reported to NHTSA: 2018-06-13
Owners notified: 2019-05-02

Defect description

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. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.

Safety risk

In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.

Manufacturer 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V156000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 412,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2008-04-07
Owners notified: 2008-06-13

Defect description

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 THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

Safety risk

A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer 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. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V375000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 34,358
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-08-28
Owners notified: 2007-09-28

Defect description

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 FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Safety risk

IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (PLEASE SEE 06V017).

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V063000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component: Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 1,002,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2007-02-20
Owners notified: 2007-04-27

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Safety risk

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 06V017000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 74,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2006-01-23
Owners notified: 2006-04-10

Defect description

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 INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.

Safety risk

IF FUEL FLOW TO THE ENGINE IS INTERRUPTED, THE VEHICLE COULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND THUS PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V026000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 487,284
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-01-25
Owners notified: 2003-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer 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 PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	85	54,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	81	37,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	63	78,000 mi
Electrical system	53	78,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	40	95,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	38	44,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	24	40,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	24	124,084 mi
Engine	23	135,800 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	21	55,150 mi
Air bags	15	57,665 mi
Structure	15	44,500 mi
Seats	13	85,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	12	38,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	12	24,145 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	12	20,000 mi
Unknown or other	12	132,249 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	11	70,000 mi
Power train	11	112,000 mi
Service brakes	11	90,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	9	104,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	8	75,672 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	8	36,458 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	7	91,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	7	43,500 mi
Equipment	7	31,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	7	35,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	7	20,000 mi
Structure: body	7	31,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	7	54,800 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	7	38,500 mi
Steering	6	3,000 mi
Suspension	6	70,000 mi
Exterior lighting	5	77,000 mi
Fuel system, other	5	95,837 mi
Tires	5	22,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	5	47,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	4	60,100 mi
Electrical system: wiring	4	7,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	7,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	4	48,700 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	3	47,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	3	32,915 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel	3	64,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	3	30,100 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump	3	56,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	3	3,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	3	9,000 mi
Suspension: front	3	32,000 mi
Visibility	3	42,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	3	51,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	3	27,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	42,740 mi
Electrical system: horn	2	7,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	66,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	67,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage	2	74,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	49,143 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	2	2,300 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	2	146,000 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint	2	74,000 mi
Seat belts: front	2	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	2	4,200 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	2	7,000 mi
Structure: body: door	2	40,413 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	40,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	2	56,300 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	2	10,000 mi
Wheels	2	47,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	88,131 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	46,500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	13,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	1	115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	52,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	—
Exterior lighting: back up lights: switch	1	—
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	1	70,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights	1	130,000 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch	1	50 mi
Fuel system, diesel	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors	1	10,500 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	1	47,000 mi
Interior lighting	1	2,300 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	1	7,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift	1	—
Power train: driveline	1	50,000 mi
Seat belts	1	86,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: head restraint	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module	1	74,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads	1	52,275 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	52,275 mi
Service brakes, electric	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	65,500 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum	1	—
Steering: gear box: shaft sector	1	—
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	95,100 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	1	—
Steering: rack and pinion	1	21,269 mi
Steering: rack and pinion: rack	1	5,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	1	3,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate	1	3,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments	1	50,000 mi
Structure: body: hood: hinge and attachments	1	95,100 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	55,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	1	38,600 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	1	40,600 mi
Traction control system	1	85,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	1	7,000 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	95,000 mi
Wheels: hub	1	18,500 mi

The 2002 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2004 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.