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Engine coolingPart report

2003 Volkswagen Eurovan Engine cooling Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
20%of 15 total for the year
Median mileage
58,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan, 20% of the 15 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 58,000 miles.

Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“On 01/09/03 I purchased a 2003 vw Eurovan & on 01/18/09 my engine light came on. On 01/20/03 I was told I had faulty coils. I was told that the two coils that failed were going to be replaced, but with that came a warning that I have a total of 6 coils. When I picked up my partialy fixed van I was told hopefully we can replace all your coils before this happens to you again. When I contacted vw directly they informed me that this was a large problem they were having company wide & at this time they were only replacing the failed faulity coils. …”

NHTSA complaint #10003274, filed 2003-01, 900 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan. While the vehicle was parked or idling, there was a strong odor. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with a leak in the manifold, which caused exhaust fumes to enter the vehicle through the air intake. The manifold needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the issue. The failure mileage was approximately 92,000. The VIN was not available. ..updated 08/22/17”

NHTSA complaint #10939525, filed 2017-01, 92,000 miles

Related service bulletins

Engine cooling: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2003320%
20021131%
2001733%
20001352%
1999424%
199717%
1995233%
1993911%

Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan

Electrical system
2 complaints
Latches, locks and linkages
2 complaints
Other or unknown
2 complaints
Seat belts
2 complaints
Seats
2 complaints
Body and structure
2 complaints
Engine
1 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
1 complaints
Wheels
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology