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Seat beltsPart report

2003 Volkswagen Passat Seat belts Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
1%of 628 total for the year
Median mileage
8,933miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the seat belts of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, 1% of the 628 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 8,933 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.

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.

“On the morning of february 25th, as I was leaving home and attempted to buckle the driver's side seatbelt on a 2003 Volkswagen Passat gls. The latch did not hold the metal belt tongue. I drove directly to the dealer where the vehicle was purchased and left it for repairs. When arriving to pick up the vehicle late in the afternoon, I was advised the repairs were not completed due to the need to order a part, which was to arrive in 4-7 days. When asking for a replacement vehicle, the response was negative and they seemed unconcerned with the fact a critical safety feature was not operable. …”

NHTSA complaint #10008113, filed 2003-02, 8,933 miles

“The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that another vehicle crashed into the front end of her vehicle and the air bags did not deploy. She also mentioned that the seatbelts did not retract on impact. As a result, her head hit the steering wheel, causing a concussion. A police report was filed. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure and current mileages were 86,000. Updated 4/11/2011 the consumer also stated the seat belts did not lock in to place. Updated 04/22/11”

NHTSA complaint #10383978, filed 2011-02, 86,000 miles

“Headlights fails proper function. They have been replaced. Seat belts and sun roof do not work properly. Engine replaced; steering wheels - car pulls to the right everytime an alignment was done and they calibrated the wheels. - problem continued - this problem caused the tires to be destroyed in a few kms - less 20 000; water infiltration - for now it is fixed; trunk was hard to open and close - problem fixed. Front doors vibrated - the rubber of the doors are being exhibiting signs of damage; the front glass ( windscreen ) isn't from the same year of all the others.”

NHTSA complaint #10184288, filed 2007-03

“Front headlights malfunctioned - replaced them but they couldn't make the alignment of the beam. The car runs to the right but the wheels are calibrated and the direction alignment is done. The car infiltrated water inside the car and trunk. Sunroof malfunction - opens in all positions but don't close. The car as the front glass is from 2005 and all the others are from 2002, construction of the car 2003. Diesel escaped from the pump. Cd changer - 6 cds as malfunction the radio doesn't eject the cd's. The motor gag various times a constant rotation. The trunk was hard to open and close. …”

NHTSA complaint #10182641, filed 2007-02

Seat belts: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
202016%
201722%
201622%
201542%
201431%
201341%
201210%
201011%
200921%
200821%
200731%
200661%
200521%
200410%
200351%
200251%
200141%
200061%
199941%
199821%
199713%
199544%
1994312%
199346%
199225%
1991313%
1990721%

Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat

Fuel system
169 complaints
Engine cooling
131 complaints
Seats
97 complaints
Electrical system
90 complaints
Brakes
42 complaints
Exterior lighting
39 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
35 complaints
Body and structure
29 complaints
Air bags
23 complaints
Engine
23 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
22 complaints
Vehicle speed control
14 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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