2003 Volkswagen Passat Fuel System Problems

Which parts fail

• Delivery › Fuel pump
  88
• Delivery
  11
• Storage › Tank assembly
  4
• Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
  2
• Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
  2
• Storage
  2

Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  96%
• 25k–50k
  3322%
• 50k–75k
  4329%
• 75k–100k
  2819%
• 100k–150k
  2517%
• 150k+
  117%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2003 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the parts needed for the repair could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V375000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was included but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

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.

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V017000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

I noticed a stain under my car while it was parked in the street. I figured out that vw had a recall on the fuel tank vent which required replacing the whole fuel tank. The tank runs about $922 and it takes up to 11 hours labor time. I started a chat with a vwoa rep to look into this issue. She said there are no current recalls or campaigns on my vehicle at this time. She also stated that my car's 26e5/r5 recall, it covers all 1999-2005 Passat and Passat wagon (5th gen) equipped with gas engines. Install underbody heat shield(s): inspect/replace fuel line, fuel tank: update software, if necessary, had been performed on 03/12/09 but has no service record to tell me what was done. It May not have actually been replaced. She also said vwoa will not fix nor help me fix it. …

Engine compartment fire NHTSA defect investigation #pe10027 1.at about 2:45 in cvs 2.waited about 10 minutes 3.I was paged by identification of my car 4.advised car on fire 5.a man in a deffenbaugh uniform was trying to extinguish the fire coming out from under the front of the car 6.the fire extinguisher was aggravating the flames 7.I advised him to stand back 8.I asked if the fire department had been called 9.a cvs employee did contact fire department two times 10.cvs pharmacy employee came out ' her car was parked two spaces to the passenger side of my car 11.the man from deffenbaugh moved her car 12.an older man approached man and said that he was the one who reported the fire 13.he was walking in front of my cat to enter the store and sparks where coming out from under the hood 14.the fire spread rapidly 15.what looked to be like card board substance was falling to the ground …

NHTSA campaign id number: 08V156000 "fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture." NHTSA action number: pe08008 the car is oozing gasoline from top left (driver's) side of gas tank. There is a strong smell of gasoline inside and outside (outside due to a gas puddle). Vw dealer (vw downtown los angeles) refuses to grant the repair, asking for $140 inspection fee. Vwoa representative sites the recall performed in 2009. The recall ( pe08008 ) issued has 2 parts: 1) underbody heat shield installation. 2) "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." I suspect the second part was not fulfilled, given the exact nature of mechanic failure described.

My daughter drove this vehicle into my garage and reported to me that she smelled a strong odor of gas. I looked and noticed gas dripping onto the floor. I got down and inspected the area where it was coming from and noted that it was flowing from the top (out of sight) of the tank. Backed the car out onto the drive and placed a towel under the area. Called the dealership and scheduled an appointment. Betten imports (Volkswagen dealership) of grand rapids mi, inspected it and I was informed it had a crack in the plastic tank the length of a dime. The dealership recommended the tank be replaced at a estimated cost of $2,700. Due to the extensive cost I did not elect to have this done at this time. Only seems to be an issue when tank is filled to max capacity.

While driving the car power cuts off and stops in traffic. Have to restart. It is dangerous that the car just stops in traffic. The battery continues to drain even after totally recharging the battery. After a complete battery recharge and starting the car every day, the battery still drains again after about a week. This started happening in June 2016 and I have only driven the car about 30 total miles because afraid it is going to shut down while driving in traffic. Recently, I received a recall for this problem for my 2016 Volkswagen cc but I am not having the problem with the cc. I am having the described recall problem with my 2003 Passat but did not receive a recall notification for it. I am the original owner and my Passat needs this repair.

Tl contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. While the consumers husband was driving 40 MPH, the contact smelled gasoline. He approached a stop sign and heard a pop sound. The contact looked out her window and noticed flames coming from the wheel well on the front passenger side of the vehicle. She and her husband exited the vehicle and called the fire and police departments. A police report was filed. The insurance company was notified and began researching available recalls. The contact found a recall related to the failure, but the NHTSA campaign number was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 71,000. Updated 07/15/08 updated

I purchased a used 2003 vw Passat from a private dealer drove the car five months and the timing belt came off while I was driving. I almost got into an accident but avoided it. This particular vehicle and ones like it was recalled in 3/7/2014 for engine and engine cooling engine problems that causes the timing belt to come off while driving. Recall: 14e007000 because of the timing belt failure. I contacted a vw dealership and they said the recall didn't apply to my car. I find that insulting consider ing what I just experienced.

Related recalls

NHTSA investigations

Fuel System complaints in other Passat years