2003 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 42about this part
- Share
- 7%of 628 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,400miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 42 complaints about the brakes of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, 7% of the 628 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,400 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My dash showed 2 lights a red break light and yellow ABS it keeps beeping . It started randomly one morning when I turned my car on its been doing it for 6 months now”
NHTSA complaint #10818769, filed 2016-01, 90,000 miles“I brought my 2003 Passat glx sedan into dealership because car was jerky when the brakes were applied. Car has 41,214 miles on it, 90% highway. Dealer informed me that the rear brake rotors were warped and had to be replaced along with pads. Dealer informed that Passat rotors could not be turned in lieu of replacement. From other complaints I view, it appears this is a defect in the rotors.”
NHTSA complaint #10184144, filed 2007-03, 41,000 miles“I took my car to Volkswagen dealership to find out why my brake light was on and why my brakes would flutter at times when using them. I got estimate that my brake reservoir was bad and the sensor that it would be okay to drive till I got fixed in a week. I faxed my warranty papers to dealership to find out to see what was covered..on saturday 5 days later when I was driving 35 miles an hour tried to stop and brake pedal went to floor had nothing to stop me but the car in front of me. I was issued a ticket had my car towed and I. …”
NHTSA complaint #10573575, filed 2014-03, 181 miles“At 35005 miles I was told by vw that I needed rear brakes pads and rotors so I had them installed at 35005 miles. Last week with the car at 52275 mile I was again told by vw that my rear brake pads and rotors need to be replaced. I find that 17270 miles is very quick wear for brakes. Vw brake pads and rotors should not have to be replaced every 18,000 miles and if they due then there is a design problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10120148, filed 2005-05, 52,275 miles“Bought new a vw Passat, glx,v6 in may 2003. It has 18500 miles on it. I have had three sets of rear rotors replaced because they have warped. The last set were replaced in march 2005, and I am experiencing the same problem today, and have an appointment at the dealer to have them replaced again. The rotors warp badley, the car, especially at highway speeds shudders when the brakes are applied and does not stop adequately.”
NHTSA complaint #10138134, filed 2005-09, 3,000 milesRelated recalls
- 07V063000Feb 20, 2007On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2003–2005, Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10238963Nov 7, 2014Fault code 02543 000 ?Brake Vacuum Sensor no Display? may be encountered in the ABS module. This may be caused by the hydraulic brake boost function (HBV) in adaptation value 61…
- 10238568Sep 12, 2014For long crank/ difficulty starting with the engine hot: Before replacing any components for this complaint, drain the fuel from the vehicle and replace with known good diesel…
- 10238566Jun 18, 2013If mechanical damage is found to the turbocharger (e.g. damaged compression wheel, loose or broken shaft), it is not enough to just replace the turbocharger.
- 10238966May 31, 2013After replacing a Bosch 5.7 ABS module, refer to the table below to determine correct module coding value based on vehicle PR codes. Listed login code must be entered under…
- 10070775May 31, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10237700Jul 23, 2010For concerns of no or intermittent A/C operation where pressure diagnosis does not lead to a cause, be sure to check the N25 A/C clutch coil. The fan control module may send a…
- 10025923Jun 1, 2008Volkswagen: 2001-2005 models: service air plenum area to improve drainage and install improved pollen filter seal. Water could leak into the passenger compartment. 2002 models…
- 10016037Jul 14, 2005Anti-lock brake system (abs) control module warranty repair process.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 25% |
| 2018 | 13 | 28% |
| 2017 | 17 | 15% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 28 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 16 | 6% |
| 2006 | 49 | 9% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 42 | 7% |
| 2002 | 72 | 11% |
| 2001 | 63 | 15% |
| 2000 | 207 | 41% |
| 1999 | 233 | 35% |
| 1998 | 90 | 27% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
169 complaintsEngine cooling
131 complaintsSeats
97 complaintsElectrical system
90 complaintsExterior lighting
39 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsBody and structure
29 complaintsAir bags
23 complaintsEngine
23 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsOther or unknown
13 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology