Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 still in shock over this. I have looked and can't find a recall on the seat. This is very disturbing and dangerous. This should not happen no matter how old the car is.
On April 20, 2010 my 2003 Volkswagen passats check engine light came on at around 4:45 pm. I immediately called the place who does all my repair work, and was told I could drop off the car that night, and they would check it out the following morning. I arrived at the location around 5:10, parked the car and went to place my key in the night drop box. When I walked back to the car I saw smoke coming out from under the hood. I raised the hood and saw flames coming from what looked like under the back of the engine compartment. Then I noticed that there were flames coming out from under the dashboard inside the car. I called 911 and ran to a nearby gas station to get a fire extinguisher. When I got back to the car there were flames visible inside the car. I used the entire fire extinguisher and it did not even phase the fire. Within 1 minute the entire car was engulfed in flames. …
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 [phone] (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. 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.
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.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 40 MPH the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and a technician replaced the ignition coil at an expense of $403.00. The failure resurfaced one year after the vehicle was repaired. An authorized technician concluded that the ignition coil failed and caused the wiring harness, and the engines computer to burn. The vehicle was repaired at an expense of $887.97. The manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 83,000 and the current mileage was 92,000. Updated 10/21/09. Updated 12/07/09. The consumer stated in addition to the other problem, the failed stalled on the highway and the the lights on the dashboard illuminated. Updated 12/08/09
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.
While driving on interstate highway I observed smoke billowing in my rear view mirror. I pulled off highway and found a fire in engine compartment which I extingushed using an extingusher. The fire was caused when a plug at the rear of the engine fell out causing the engine oil to empty onto the exhaust system which caused the fire. The temperature at the time was well below zero. I was told the plug in the aluminum block engine was made of steel which heats and cools at different rates and appears to have caused the plug to fall out. The car was a total loss per my insurance and Volkswagen. The car is a 2003 vw Passat wagon glx 4-motion.
Tl contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the vehicle began to smoke and drive sluggish. She continued to drive to her destination and then exited the vehicle. Approximately 20 minutes later, the vehicle began to smoke heavily underneath the hood and in the passenger compartment. The vehicle caught fire from the instrument panel and was completely engulfed within minutes. There were no injuries. A nearby vehicle sustained damage to its passenger side. NHTSA campaign id number 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery) was referenced. The current and failure mileages were 64,000.
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.
NHTSA investigations
Engine Compartment Fire
ODI has received 11 complaints alleging that a fire started in the engine compartment of the vehicle that may be related to ignition coil failure, and 9 complaints of ignition coil failure that did not result in a fire.Reports state that the vehicle hesitated or lost power, and the check engine or dashboard lights illuminated.The vehicles were repaired by replacing the faulty ignition coil(s).
Passenger/engine compartment fires
Many of the fire reports allege that the vehicle fire was attributed to ignition coil failure.vw provided additional data regarding its analysis of vehicle fires and a detailed description of the three different engines and ignition systems for the subject vehicles.odifinds the need to further investigate this issue.to facilitate acquisition and analysis of additional information, this investigationhas been upgraded…
Engine Compartment Fire
In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports…
Passenger engine compartment fires
The manufacturer notified NHTSA on 04-apr-08 that a safety recall action would be initiated to remedy the issue.in June 2008, the manufacturer issued a technical service bulletin (code 26e5/r5) regarding the specific procedures to be employed in this campaign.vehicle owner notification letters were sent beginning approximately June 13, 2008.the campaign was assigned NHTSA no.
Engine stalling
By letter received on June 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 Volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a…
Electrical complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 91 complaints about the electrical system of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, 14% of the model year's 631 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (24 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2003 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 6 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2003 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 63,000 miles, and 24% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 14 fires and 5 injuries to electrical system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.