2003 Volkswagen Passat Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 35about this part
- Share
- 6%of 628 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 35 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, 6% of the 628 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving on the highway around 47-50 MPH all of a sudden I heard a strong hit,as if someone hit me from the rear... Then my dashboard started flashing and all the transmission gears got locked up, I was able to stop the car and turn it off, funny thing is this happens during summer only when it's hot outside otherwise, I don't see it... This can be dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10498287, filed 2013-02, 152,000 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“My 2003 Volkswagen Passat is holding 6inches or more of water on the passenger side in the floor board and has shorted out the computer underneath, in servicing the car the technician advised he found 3 other Volkswagen passats of the same year to have the same defect. I have also been advised that a serious crash could have resulted because the computer underneath regulates the transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10232663, filed 2008-06, 81,000 miles“My 2003 vw Passat has shown cases of transmission problems following a recent rain storm. The rear passenger footwell collected water and the car would not shift normally. The car would not upshift and slammed into gear from park. I'm now unable to get the car out of neutral and can't remove the key.”
NHTSA complaint #10216213, filed 2008-01, 49,000 miles“Car makes jump when slowing down looks like trouble with the transmission. After four times I took the car for check up in northeast wv outlet in philadelphia,pa problem is still there. They replaced the battery, ignition coils reset computer and so and so but looks like they can't solve that problem. My wife drives this car ,and this scares her, she gets nervous and can cause an accident.”
NHTSA complaint #10212711, filed 2007-12, 54,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238600Jul 4, 2014Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an engine, flywheel or transmission, please follow the…
- 10120207Jul 4, 2014Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an…
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 | 15% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 3 | 7% |
| 2017 | 5 | 5% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 37 | 6% |
| 2013 | 33 | 4% |
| 2012 | 15 | 3% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 34 | 21% |
| 2009 | 10 | 7% |
| 2008 | 12 | 7% |
| 2007 | 13 | 5% |
| 2006 | 47 | 8% |
| 2005 | 13 | 9% |
| 2004 | 38 | 14% |
| 2003 | 35 | 6% |
| 2002 | 25 | 4% |
| 2001 | 34 | 8% |
| 2000 | 19 | 4% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 16 | 5% |
| 1996 | 2 | 5% |
| 1995 | 10 | 11% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
169 complaintsEngine cooling
131 complaintsSeats
97 complaintsElectrical system
90 complaintsBrakes
42 complaintsExterior lighting
39 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