Model year record
2003 Volkswagen Passat Wagon recalls & problems
The 2003 Volkswagen Passat Wagon has no safety recalls on file with NHTSA, and 3 owner complaints. The most-reported problem area is fuel/propulsion system (2 complaints).
Safety recalls
No safety recalls have been filed for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat Wagon.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Fuel economy
Passat Wagon
| City / highway | 19 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Passat Wagon
| City / highway | 19 / 28 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel
Passat Wagon
| City / highway | 17 / 26 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
Passat Wagon
| City / highway | 17 / 25 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $4,100/year to fuel
Passat Wagon 4motion
| City / highway | 17 / 24 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
2.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,350/year to fuel
Passat Wagon 4motion
| City / highway | 16 / 23 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4 L · 8 cyl · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
Passat Wagon 4motion
| City / highway | 15 / 22 mpg |
|---|---|
| Fuel | Premium Gasoline |
4 L · 8 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
| Problem area | Complaints | Typical mileage* |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 2 | — |
| Electrical system | 1 | — |
| Seats | 1 | — |
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system
WHEN IN MOTION CAR DIED WHILE DRIVING
- Electrical systemFire1 injury
MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON LOW. I COULD FEEL THE SEAT GETTING WARMER AND CHECKED TO BE SURE THE SETTING WAS NOT ON HIGH WHICH IT WASN'T. I THOUGHT MAYBE I WAS BEING SENSITIVE AND STUCK MY MITTEN UNDER MY THIGH. I THEN NOTICED A FUNNY SMELL AND SUDDENLY THINGS GOT VERY HOT AND STARTED TO BURN MY LEG AS I WAS DRIVING. I LOOKED DOWN AND ACTUALLY STARTED TO SEE SMOKE. I WAS NOT ABLE TO JUST PULL OVER BUT QUICKLY TURNED THE SEAT OFF. I PULLED OUT MY MITTEN AND FLEECE WAS ACTUALLY MELTED. I WAS A BLOCK OR TWO FROM WORK AND TRIED TO KEEP FROM SITTING COMPLETELY DOWN AS IT BURNED. I ARRIVED AND JUMPED OUT TO SEE A BLACKENED AREA AND HOLE IN MY SEAT!! THE CAR WAS SMELLING AND I AM…
- Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WAGON. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE, SHE NOTICED A LEAK FROM THE FUEL SYSTEM. THE LEAK WAS NOTICED ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.