2003 Volkswagen Passat Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 169about this part
- Share
- 27%of 628 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 67,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 169 complaints about the fuel system of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, 27% of the 628 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 3 a fire, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11416513, filed 2021-05, 180,000 miles“Since after the day one of the purchase my car started shaking, vibrating. I had to have coils replaced. The car started running for 2 weeks then when I was in the traffic it started shaking then stalled. I was able to pull over in the parking lot. I had wiring harness and coils replaced again this time. The car had startup issues and then mechanic replaced camshaft sensor. After 3 weeks same problem!!!! I was on the side of the road had to be towed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10577118, filed 2014-04, 127,000 miles“I have had the 2003 Passat glx for less than 2 weeks, I have only put 307 miles on it. Today while on the interstate, the car quit pulling. It was not getting any gas. Then it died completely and would not start. It turns over but won't start. Was on the side of the interstate for nearly an hour waiting for a tow truck. Was told that it is the fuel pump.”
NHTSA complaint #10237418, filed 2008-08, 105,000 miles“On or about feb. 1, 2013, I started my manual-transmission 2003 Volkswagen Passat gls (v6) and shifted into reverse to back out of my driveway. As soon as I took my foot off the brake, the car lurched backward even though I was not depressing the accelerator pedal. I quickly shifted into neutral, engaged the parking brake and turned off the ignition. When I tried to restart the car, it would not start and did not start until about an hour later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10507005, filed 2013-04, 112,000 miles“Fuel pump failed while I was driving on the freeway. It was highly dangerous and my car had to be towed. I go to the dealer and find out that there was a fuel pump for certain 2003 vw passats but my VIN number for my car did not fall under the category for the recall and therefore vw had refused to reimburse me for fixing the fuel pump. My dealer had told me that their were similar customer complaints for all vw 2003 but unfortunately my car didn't fall under the right VIN.”
NHTSA complaint #10547389, filed 2013-10, 92,000 milesRelated recalls
- 08V156000Apr 7, 2008Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1999–2005
- 07V375000Aug 28, 2007On certain vehicles equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components in the fuel pump can lead to an…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2003, Audi A4 2003, A6 2003
- 06V017000Jan 23, 2006On certain vehicles produced from september 2002 - march 2003, equipped with 1.8l turbo, 2.8l v6, or 3.0l engines, a change in the electrical motor components…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2003, Audi A4 2003, A6 2003
- 02V026000Jan 25, 2002On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1998–2003, Jetta 1997–1999, Cabrio 1998
Related service bulletins
- 10121123Feb 5, 2016Technical tips on what to do if improper gasoline has been added to the vehicle.
- 10121246Jan 20, 2015Discusses the issues associated with using contaiminated gasoline. There are recommendations to use top tier gasoline retailers
- 10121536Oct 10, 2014Tech Tips (ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear): This document informs to clear static ECM fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low", add fuel to vehicle and complete a…
- 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…
- 10238954Aug 29, 2014Use the diagram below to test the N75 Solenoid Valve in the event of a turbocharger fault code such as P0299 or P0234. This applies to Mechanical Injection Style Diesel Engines…
- 10238572May 9, 2014Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10238960Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10238959Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10242399Mar 4, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 6 | 13% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 50 | 8% |
| 2013 | 88 | 12% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 19% |
| 2010 | 33 | 20% |
| 2009 | 53 | 36% |
| 2008 | 63 | 38% |
| 2007 | 42 | 16% |
| 2006 | 64 | 11% |
| 2005 | 23 | 16% |
| 2004 | 57 | 20% |
| 2003 | 169 | 27% |
| 2002 | 73 | 11% |
| 2001 | 44 | 10% |
| 2000 | 46 | 9% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 21% |
| 1991 | 5 | 21% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
131 complaintsSeats
97 complaintsElectrical system
90 complaintsBrakes
42 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