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Volkswagen EurovanModel year report

2003 Volkswagen Eurovan Problems

Complaints
15filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
81,400miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
1campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 2.8L 6-cyl FWD · 15 city / 18 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan. The part named most often is engine cooling, with 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system (2) and latches, locks and linkages (2). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 17% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 81,400 miles. Of all complaints, 4 a fire, 1 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign and 123 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine cooling complaints overlap with 24 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 26 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Transmission and drivetrain (1), Wheels (1).

Example complaints

Engine cooling: “I have a 2003 rialta qd. Two days ago in a very remote area my radiator fan exploded and tore up the shroud, radiator, hoses and belt. I understand these fans have been a problem and are on backorder around the country. I guess this is a vw problem. There has been a recall on prior years but why hasn't there been a recall on other model years as it appears this is an ongoing problem? If I had opened the hood it is very possible that I could have been burned, blinded or worse.”

NHTSA complaint #10421889, filed 2011-08, 58,000 miles

Electrical system: “Faulty seat heater in drivers seat caused fire inside the vehicle. It is a 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan. It was warming in the driveway of our home because of recent ice storm. We managed to put the fire out and it was contained to the one seat but the seat is badly damaged and the interior of van smell of burned wiring.”

NHTSA complaint #10383060, filed 2011-02, 125,000 miles

Latches, locks and linkages: “Passenger side sliding door does not latch fully, and may not lock/unlock, or latch, at all, at temperatures below 30 degrees fahrenheit. Exterior handle sticks and does not operate at temperatures below 30 degrees fahrenheit. This problem may occur to a lesser degree at temperatures as high as 40 degrees. This presents a hazard of theft/vandalism for parked cars, and may endanger child passengers, or other vehicles due to objects falling from an opened (unlatched) door. …”

NHTSA complaint #10379669, filed 2011-01, 70,800 miles

Other or unknown: “The cover of the components underneath the steering wheel fell off while driving on a highway. It landed right on top of the brake pedal and gas pedal. At first I didn't realize what happened, I just became aware that something was blocking my foot from reaching the brake pedal. Fortunately this did not result in an accident, thanks to a front seat passenger who was able to look down at my feet to see what the problem was and pull the cover away. But if it had happened at a time when I needed immediate brake access, I wouldn't have been able to stop. Please see photo of the cover. …”

NHTSA complaint #10820699, filed 2016-01, 145,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

17% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,500 and 125,000 miles.

8%0–100%10–258%25–5033%50–758%75–10033%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 81,400 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

200820103201220162020
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Eurovan FWD2.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic151816$5,150
Eurovan Camper FWD2.8L 6-cyl4-speed automatic141816$5,150

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 123 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 123 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Eurovan

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20031581,4001—16—Falling
20023569,0000—16Not compared (before 2008)Falling
20012136,2731—16—Stable
20002555,5000—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable
19991750,5000—15—Falling
19971453,2501—14—Not enough data
19956—0—15—Not enough data
199382131,0003—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Volkswagen Eurovan model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan have?

NHTSA recorded 15 consumer complaints for the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan is reported most often?

Engine cooling is named most often, in 3 complaints (20% of the total), followed by electrical system with 2.

Has the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan been recalled?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan (Eurovan, 2.8L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 15 city and 18 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 81,400 miles and the middle half falls between 62,500 and 125,000 miles; 17% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.