Problems with 2003 Volkswagen Passat ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. while driving 45 mph, the vehicle jerked and stalled. the vehicle inadvertently shifted in reverse and the brakes stopped working. the contact had to apply the parking brake. the contact mentioned that the gear shifter was stuck in park. also, the check engine, tire pressure, and epc indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to heritage volkswagen of south atlanta at (678) 263-3711 (4305 jonesboro rd, union city, ga 30291) where it was diagnosed that the ignition control module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however, the failure recurred. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and confirmed that there were no recalls associated with the vin. the contact was advised to call nhtsa. the approximate failure mileage was 172,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. the contact stated the vehicle was previously included in a recall that called for the ignition coil to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired; however, the check engine warning indicator illuminated. while driving various speeds, the vehicle suddenly stalled without warning. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ignition coil needed to be replaced. the vehicle was repaired. due to the fact the vehicle was previously repaired per the recall, the manufacturer was not able to assist. the nhtsa campaign number was unknown. the approximate failure mileage was 144,604.

Driving at night, 65mph, interstate hwy. low beam headlights went out. high beams did work. replaced both headlight bulbs. did not fix. cost $95. replace headlight relay. did not fix. cost in excess of $200. recall for later year passat for same problem caused by "hood slam?"

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that the vehicle stalled without warning while driving at various speeds. the failure was experienced numerous times. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who performed diagnostic testing. the engine oxygen sensor, coil spring, sparks plugs, and wires were replaced; however, the failure was not corrected. the contact stated that the tail lights also failed. the tail lights were not repaired. the manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. the failure mileage was 130,000.

Car was constantly getting the passenger side (front and back) flooded w water during a rain storm. had to get new battery cleaned out sunroof drainage. it didn't matter. whenever it rained the battery would be dead because the control module which is there is all messed up sending mixed messages. finely just died in the middle of the road. not worth putting money into the car. i purchased this car less then a year ago and had this problem after the first rain and went down from their. im so disappointed hoping buying a used vw i was going to be satisfied but had nothing trouble from day one. *tr

Abs module failure, abs light on brake light blinking and then asr light on, happens randomly, no specific reason, dry weather, humid, day or night. still comes on randomly, no speeding, problem goes away when car is turned off. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that it took multiple attempts for the vehicle to become operable even when the starter was engaged. the vehicle also experienced an interior water leak and the driver side door latch would not properly latch. in addition, the vehicle experienced a complete loss of engine power and the check engine, brake, and various other warning indicators illuminated. the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed as a software failure, and the ignition coil springs were defective and needed to be replaced. the ignition coil springs were replace however the failure recurred. the manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. the failure mileage was approximately 190,000.

The turn signal would continue to make a clicking noise even after the signal had been shut off. this continued to happen for several minutes and then smoke began to rise from behind my steering wheel where the turn signal enters the wheel console. i began to pull over at the next safe area and before i could i noticed small flames coming from the same area where the turn signal enters the wheel console. when i turned off the car the smoke/fire slowly subsided. i ended up removing the turn signal fuse in order to drive to a repair shop. after some research this seems to be a common issue with no recalls issued yet. *tr

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. while driving approximately 20 mph, the contact noticed smoke coming from under the hood and pouring inside the vehicle. the contact found water and coolant leaking from the dashboard and onto the driver's side of the vehicle. the vehicle was also overheating. after exiting the vehicle, the contact noticed flames coming from under the hood. the contact was able to extinguish the fire however, the contact sustained burns to her legs due to the hot leaking coolant. the vehicle was towed to the dealer for diagnostic testing. the technician stated that the engine blew and the instrument panel cluster was damaged. the contact was unaware of what caused the failure. the vehicle was not repaired. the approximate failure mileage was 174,256.

Coils failing randomly and causing the car to shake violently and lose power on highway. potential damage to be caused to other areas of the car because of this. ie oxygen sensor etc. *tr

Heated seat coils overheated and burnt seat on driver side. 1 year after recall was done by [xxx] vw brockton ma, they told me the heaters in the seat are no longer under warranty and told me to call vw usa with my problem, information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

My 2003 volkswagan passat wagon has roof/chassis drains that are backing up inside the vehicle causing the vehicle electronics to short out and fail. my rear door will not open. this is a safety issue. *tr

I was driving my vw passat 1.8l turbo stationwagon at a speed of 40 miles per hour and the car suddenly stalled without any warning. my four month old baby was in the back in his carseat and had i been in a different setting we both could have been injured or killed. this was the first time it had occurred and once i took it to the mechanic the car started and drove fine and they could not duplicate the problem. they informed me that it was likely a parts recall issue: recall: 07v375000: fuel pump replacement. i contacted vw america, inc. and was informed that while in fact there was such a recall for 2003 passats, my vin number was not covered in the recall and thus there was nothing they could/would do to help me despite the fact that the problem appears to be the very one indicated in the recall notice. this is very frustrating and scary. *tr

I purchased a 2003 passat 6 months ago. i have had nothing but trouble from it. it is just one thing after another. i have had to take it in to be fixed about six times. i can't even remember everything i have had to have fixed. i do remember the last thing though. it was the tail lights, the tail light would not go out even when i had no lights on and even when the car was turned off. my car is in the shop again right now. it has been there since monday december 27th. it is a four cylinder and has been running on three. i found out for the first time monday that my car has 5 recalls on it. i was never notified of none of them. after leaving it for all the recalls to be fixed, i had to rent a car for 30.00 to get home. now i have no way to pick up my car because i had to return the rental car the next day because i could not afford to pay 30.00 per day. i have ...

Tl* the contact owns a 2003 volkswagen passat. the contact stated that the malfunction indicator warning light illuminated intermittently, causing the vehicle to shake excessively. the dealer made six attempts to diagnose the failure but to no avail. the manufacturer was notified who contacted the local dealer but offered no additional assistance. the vehicle was not repaired. the current mileage was 91,252 and the failure mileage was approximately 89,000.