2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT Fuel System, Gasoline Problems

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that the parts needed for the repair could not be found. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V375000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was included but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Mileage: 133,000

The contact owns a 2003 Volkswagen Passat. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V017000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The dealer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE REFUELING THE VEHICLE, IT STARTED TO LEAK FUEL FROM UNDERNEATH THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,500. ...UPDATED 06-12-15 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE WAS ADVOCATING TO GET A NEW FUEL TANK INSTALLED FOR HIM AT NO COST. UPDATED 06/23/15*JB

Mileage: 82,500

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 "FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE." NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: PE08008 THE CAR IS OOZING GASOLINE FROM TOP LEFT (DRIVER'S) SIDE OF GAS TANK. THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE INSIDE AND OUTSIDE (OUTSIDE DUE TO A GAS PUDDLE). VW DEALER (VW DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES) REFUSES TO GRANT THE REPAIR, ASKING FOR $140 INSPECTION FEE. VWOA REPRESENTATIVE SITES THE RECALL PERFORMED IN 2009. THE RECALL ( PE08008 ) ISSUED HAS 2 PARTS: 1) UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD INSTALLATION. 2) "DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE." I SUSPECT THE SECOND PART WAS NOT FULFILLED, GIVEN THE EXACT NATURE OF MECHANIC FAILURE DESCRIBED. *TR

Mileage: 209,000

AS I WAS PARKING MY CAR IN THE SCHOOL PARKING LOT, A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE STARTED TO COME THROUGH THE VENTS. I OPEN THE HOOD AN A LINE BEHIND THE ENGINE BAY WAS SQUIRTING OUT GASOLINE DIRECTLY ONTO THE HOT SURFACE OF THE ENGINE. I CHECK ONLINE AND I SEE THAT THERE WAS APREVIOUS RECALL THE R5 RECALL BUT MANY OWNERS WERE BEING TOLD BY VOLKSWAGEN THAT IT'S NO LONGER COVERED OR THAT THERE VIN WASN'T COVERED EVEN THOUGH THE CAR WAS THE SAME YEAR ON THE RECALL. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ASWELL AND THEY MENTIONED TO ME THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT NO LONGER ACTIVE OR HAD BEEN SERVICED ALREADY. IT LEAKS WHEN IT'S ON OR NOT. *TR

Mileage: 155,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT WOULD STALL. THE FAILURE WAS INTERMITTENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE GASOLINE FUMES EMITTING FROM OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR OVER A PERIOD OF ONE WEEK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

Mileage: 108,000

WHILE DRIVING MY CAR REPORTED 1/4 TANK THAN ABRUPTLY SPURTING AND REPORTED AN EMPTY TANK, CAUSING ME TO PULL OVER ON THE HIGHWAY DUE TO NO FUEL IN TANK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. *JS

Mileage: 10,300

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. CHANGED SPARK PLUGS AND COILS BUT AFTER 2 MONTHS OH MY GOODNESS SAME PROBLEM NOW THEY THINK ECU IS FRIED COILS ARE BAD MAYBE FUEL PUMP NO ONE IS ABLE TO FIGURE OUT AND I CANT SPEND ANY MORE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS ON A CAR IM STILL FINANCING. VERY DISAPPOINTED! I DON'T FEEL SAFE AT ALL ON THE ROAD AND IM SCARED TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THE STALLS ON THE ROAD. PLEASE HELP! FEEL VERY UNSAFE! *TR

Mileage: 127,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 92,000

FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE IS CRACKED AND LEAKING ON 2003 VW PASSAT 4MOTION/AWD (UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 08V156000). CONTACTED MULTIPLE DEALERS AND VW DIRECTLY AND DEALERSHIP/VW WILL NOT REPLACE FUEL TANK UNDER RECALL. BOTH STATED THIS RECALL WAS COMPLETED IN 2009 HOWEVER WORK COMPLETED WAS ONLY ONE PART OF THE RECALL THAT INCLUDED ADDING ADDITIONAL HEAT SHIELDS. VW CUSTOMER CARE STATED VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND THEY COULD NOT ASSIST. CUSTOMER OBJECTED STATING THIS IS A SAFETY CONCERN NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE. *TR *JS

Mileage: 70,000

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 26E5/R5 CONCERNING UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE RECALL, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $ 1343.00 TO REPLACE. RECALL # 08V156000 *JB THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN IF THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL, SHE WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/13/12

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO SAFETY RECALL 26E5/R5 CONCERNING UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED DUE TO THE RECALL, THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED IT WOULD COST $ 1343.00 TO REPLACE. RECALL # 08V156000 *JB THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN IF THE DEALER PERFORMED THE RECALL, SHE WOULD NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 09/13/12

COILS FAILING RANDOMLY AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY AND LOSE POWER ON HIGHWAY. POTENTIAL DAMAGE TO BE CAUSED TO OTHER AREAS OF THE CAR BECAUSE OF THIS. IE OXYGEN SENSOR ETC. *TR

Mileage: 108,819

FUEL POURING OUT OF THE REAR OF THE CAR. FIRE COULD HAPPEN. *TR

Mileage: 108,830

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERPOWERING ODOR OF GASOLINE FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK AND THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000.

Mileage: 87,000

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AND SHUT OFF WHEN HE NOTICED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LINE INSIDE OF THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT THE SAME FAILURE ADDRESSED IN NHTSA CAMPIGN ID NUMBERS: 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP), 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), AND 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER HE RECEIVED A VOLUNTARY RECALL IN REGARDS TO THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM AND HAVING THE REPAIRS DONE, HE NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED FOR APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INSPECTED BY A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED HIM THAT THE VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK HAD FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE SINCE THERE WAS A ONE YEAR WARRANTY ON THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 114,000. UPDATED 07/08/11 *BF UPDATED 3/13/12 *CN

Mileage: 114,000

METAL FUEL LINE IN THE REAR OF THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT DRIPPED GASOLINE ONTO THE EXHAUST SYSTEM BELOW, DESPITE A PATCH THAT A VW MECHANIC HAD INSTALLED EARLIER. FIRST SMELLED GAS IN MARCH AND TOOK IT TO A VW REPAIR SHOP. PATCH WITH CLAMPS WAS ADDED. SMELLED GAS AGAIN IN MAY AND DISCOVERED THE FUEL LEAK. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE SAID THE LEAK WAS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS THE RESULT OF A CRACKED FUEL LINE, WHICH HE SAID IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH OLDER PASSATS.

Mileage: 95,200

I WAS DRIVING MY VW PASSAT 1.8L TURBO STATIONWAGON AT A SPEED OF 40 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR SUDDENLY STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. MY FOUR MONTH OLD BABY WAS IN THE BACK IN HIS CARSEAT AND HAD I BEEN IN A DIFFERENT SETTING WE BOTH COULD HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME IT HAD OCCURRED AND ONCE I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC THE CAR STARTED AND DROVE FINE AND THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT WAS LIKELY A PARTS RECALL ISSUE: RECALL: 07V375000: FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. I CONTACTED VW AMERICA, INC. AND WAS INFORMED THAT WHILE IN FACT THERE WAS SUCH A RECALL FOR 2003 PASSATS, MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL AND THUS THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD/WOULD DO TO HELP ME DESPITE THE FACT THAT THE PROBLEM APPEARS TO BE THE VERY ONE INDICATED IN THE RECALL NOTICE. THIS IS VERY FRUSTRATING AND SCARY. *TR

Mileage: 121,752

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NOTICED A FUEL ODOR AND WHEN HE INSPECTED, HE SAW THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE COTNACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE PLASTIC GAS NOZZLE CRACKED AND PUT PRESSURE ON THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR RECALL 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) BUT THE DEALER WOULD NOT REPLACE THE FUEL TANK BECAUSE THE FUEL LIKE WAS TOO LONG. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 107,235.

Mileage: 107,235

RUPTURED FUEL LINE - PRESSURE SIDE FUEL LINE FAILED AT POINT WHERE IT IS SECURED TO THE FIRE WALL IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THE GROMET WORE THROUGH, ALLOWING THE FUEL LINE TO RUB AGAINST THE FASTENER AND THE LINE SUBSEQUENTLY RUPTURED ALLOWING FUEL TO ESCAPE IN A LARGE VOLUME. *TR

Mileage: 55,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AND NOTICED FUEL ON THE GROUND. SHE LOOSENED THE FUEL CAP TO STOP IT FROM LEAKING BUT IT CONTINUED TO LEAK. THE CONTACT HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR REPAIR FOR RECALL 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY) SEPTEMBER 2008. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL LINE AND HEAT SHIELD. THE DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AGAIN ACCORDING TO THE RECALL. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A REPORT AND ADVISED HER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 84,000.

Mileage: 84,000

VEHICLE IS 2003 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION. A FUEL LEAK WAS DETECTED IN THE TANK AREA. AUTOMOBILE WAS BROUGHT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM (RECALL #(08V156000, NHTSA INVESTIGAITON #PE08008) AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE PURPORTEDLY DONE BY THE AUTHORIZED VW REPAIR SHOP. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

VEHICLE IS 2003 VW PASSAT 4 MOTION. A FUEL LEAK WAS DETECTED IN THE TANK AREA. AUTOMOBILE WAS BROUGHT TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THERE WAS A CRACK ON THE ROLLOVER VALVE. A RECALL WAS ISSUED ON THIS CAR FOR THIS PROBLEM (RECALL #(08V156000, NHTSA INVESTIGAITON #PE08008) AND THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WERE PURPORTEDLY DONE BY THE AUTHORIZED VW REPAIR SHOP. *TR

Mileage: 95,000

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FIRE*CW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING A LIGHT BLINKED ON THE DASHBOARD. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT WAS A LIGHT FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED TO THE DEALER, THE LIGHT WENT OUT, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE LIGHT RETURNED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND STAYED ON. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LIGHT. THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, BUT THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SOON, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AGAIN, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALER EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED DRIVING, WHEN SUDDENLY ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED HER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE AGENT CONTACTED HER AND ADVISED HER VOLKSWAGEN WAS COVERING ALL THE COST RELATED TO THE INCIDENT, BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A RECALL THAT HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FIRE*CW THE CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING A LIGHT BLINKED ON THE DASHBOARD. ACCORDING TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, IT WAS A LIGHT FOR THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. WHEN THE CONSUMER ARRIVED TO THE DEALER, THE LIGHT WENT OUT, AND THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. THE LIGHT RETURNED SHORTLY THEREAFTER AND STAYED ON. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE LIGHT. THE BALL JOINTS FAILED, BUT THEY WERE NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. SOON, THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AGAIN, THAT WAS SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN FIXED BY THE DEALER EARLIER IN THE YEAR. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED DRIVING, WHEN SUDDENLY ANOTHER MOTORIST INFORMED HER THE VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE AGENT CONTACTED HER AND ADVISED HER VOLKSWAGEN WAS COVERING ALL THE COST RELATED TO THE INCIDENT, BECAUSE THE FIRE WAS A RESULT OF A RECALL THAT HAD NOT BEEN TAKEN CARE OF BY THE AUTHORIZED DEALER FROM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CONTACT ALSO OBSERVED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL ON THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY) IS RELATED TO THE FAILURE; HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM THE RECALL. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $2,000. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS CONCERN OF THE SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 149,000.

Mileage: 149,000

FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER AND WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VW HAS A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE (NHTSA 06V01700 AND 07V375000) IS NOT IN THE VIN RANGE COVERED. I FEEL MY FUEL PUMP SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN THE RECALL AS IT IS A DEFECTIVE UNIT AND NOT SAFE. *TR

Mileage: 173,000

FUEL PUMP FAILURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT. DRIVING ON INTERSTATE AND LOST POWER AND WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. VW HAS A RECALL ON THIS PART BUT THEY CLAIM MY VEHICLE (NHTSA 06V01700 AND 07V375000) IS NOT IN THE VIN RANGE COVERED. I FEEL MY FUEL PUMP SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN THE RECALL AS IT IS A DEFECTIVE UNIT AND NOT SAFE. *TR

Mileage: 173,000

I HAVE HAD MY 2003 VW PASSAT FOR 7 MONTHS NOW AND HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN THE SHOP 3 TIMES. RIGHT AFTER I BOUGHT IT USED FROM A VW DEALERSHIP THE TURBO WENT OUT. I HAD TO PAY FOR THAT. I THEN DROVE THE CAR ABOUT 150 MILES FOR A TOURNAMENT AND WHEN ALMOST THERE A LIGHT CAME ON SAYING TO STOP AND TURN OFF THE ENGINE. TOOK IT TO VW DEALERSHIP AND IT WAS COVERED BY VW. IT HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH SLUDGE FROM OIL. GOT IT BACK AND 3 DAYS LATER A LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS THE MIL LIGHT. I TOOK IT IN TO THE VW DEALERSHIP. STILL WAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE PROBLEM IS THIS TIME. I HAVE NOW HAD MY OIL CHANGED 3 TIMES IN 5 THOUSAND MILES DUE TO REPAIRS. IT HAS BEEN ONE THING AFTER ANOTHER WITH THIS CAR SO FAR. *TR

Mileage: 78,000

WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 VW PASSAT DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 35 MILES PER HOUR, THE ENGINE SIMPLY CEASED OPERATING. FORTUNATELY, I WAS ABLE TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC AND GLIDE INTO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND HAD TO BE TOWED, AND THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THE PASSAT HAD ONLY 51,764 MILES WHEN THIS BREAKDOWN OCCURRED. WHILE SEARCHING THROUGH THE INTERNET, I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS OF THIS SAME MAKE MODEL AND YEAR VEHICLE WITH A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VW HAS ONLY RECALLED CERTAIN VIN NUMBERS FOR THIS FUEL PUMP. MY PASSAT DOES NOT FALL WITHIN THE RECALL VINS AND VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE A GLOBAL PROBLEM WITH THESE FUEL PUMPS. *TR

Mileage: 51,764

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED IN HIS VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE STUTTERED WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, STALLED, AND THEN COMPLETELY LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE RESTARTED FOR A FEW SECONDS, BUT THEN LOST POWER AGAIN WHEN HE ATTEMPTED TO ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP). TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER AGREED WITH THE DEALERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,455 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,440.

Mileage: 76,440

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. HE CALLED THE LOCAL DEALER TO INQUIRE ABOUT RELEVANT RECALLS AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WERE NONE. THROUGH RESEARCH, THE CONTACT FOUND NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP), BUT WAS INFORMED THAT HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY COULD NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE; THEREFORE, THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,100 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 46,000.

Mileage: 46,000

2003 VOLKWAGEN PASSAT WAGON W8 (4MOTION/ALL-WHEEL DRIVE) FUEL TANK LEAK AT/OR NEAR ROLLOVER VALVE AT FUEL TANK. FUEL TANK HAS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OR ABRASIONS AND FUEL TANK HEAT SHIELD IS ORIGINAL UNDAMAGED CONDITION, VEHICLE HAS NO DAMAGE OR CRASH HISTORY. VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH W-8 4.0 L W/ AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS 62,215 MILES. AFTER REFILL OF FUEL ,STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE AND/OR VAPOR. INSPECTION FOUND FUEL TANK LEAKING FROM ROLLOVER VALVE AND FROM FUEL PUMP COVER IN TOP OF TANK. IMMEDIATE ACTION WAS TAKEN AND VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED TO DEALER FOR REMEDY. *TR

Mileage: 62,215

GOT INTO MY 2003 VW PASSAT AND SMELLED FUEL. GOT OUT CHECKED FOR LEAKS AND NONE WERE VISIBLE. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO REPAIR SHOP FOR FURTHER CHECKING. WHEN REPAIR SHOP STARTED VEHICLE, FUEL SPRAYED ON CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND SURROUNDING COMPONENTS. A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE WAS DETERMINED. THE AREA OF THE FUEL LINE ADJACENT TO THE FIRE WALL HAD RUBBED A HOLE. FUEL LINE ASSEMBLY HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 97,656

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO A MECHANIC AND IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. APPROXIMATELY ONE YEAR LATER, THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V017000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP); HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,980.

Mileage: 61,980

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. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

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. *TR

Mileage: 105,000

THIS CAR WAS NEVER INSPECTED FOR RECALLS, OR SAFETY ISSUES. THE MOMENT THE CAR WAS HANDED TO US THE BATTERY DIED. THE DEALERSHIP QUICKLY CHANGE THE BATTERY. THE CAR WAS HESITATING ON ACCELERATION EVER SINCE. IT WAS ON JULY 27 2008 THAT FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK THE CAR TO A GARAGE AND IT HAS COAST US 270 DOLLARS TO FIX IT SO FAR. WE HAVE NOT HAD THIS CAR FOR MORE THAN A MONTH. THERE ARE TWO RECALLS ON THIS CAR THAT WERE NEVER LOOK AT OR FIXED BY PRECISION TOYOTA OF TUCSON . ONE OF THESE RECALLS CAN CAUSE FIRE. *TR

Mileage: 31,000

CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP, COST $45. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP, COSTING ANOTHER $110 FOR THIS INFORMATION. A FEW DAYS LATER CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED ONCE AGAIN TO VW DEALERSHIP, COST $155. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE AND ALSO CHECK ALL OTHER RECALLS. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER THE DAY AFTER THE NO START. I AM ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BOTH TOWS AND THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AS ALL COST INCURRED WERE DUE TO THIS RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

CAR STALLED SEVERAL TIMES AND EVENTUALLY WOULD NOT START. HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST AUTO REPAIR SHOP, COST $45. AFTER DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THEY STATED THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH IT AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP, COSTING ANOTHER $110 FOR THIS INFORMATION. A FEW DAYS LATER CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT START. TOWED ONCE AGAIN TO VW DEALERSHIP, COST $155. THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS THE FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED IT FREE OF CHARGE AND ALSO CHECK ALL OTHER RECALLS. WE RECEIVED THE RECALL LETTER THE DAY AFTER THE NO START. I AM ASKING TO BE REIMBURSED FOR BOTH TOWS AND THE DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AS ALL COST INCURRED WERE DUE TO THIS RECALL. *TR

Mileage: 77,000

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH RECALL FOR FAULTY SEAL AND HEAT SHIELD. CONSUMER HAD THE PROBLEM REPAIRED AND THEN RECEIVED THE RECALLS. HE WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THESE REPAIRS. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A BURNING SMELL COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER DISCOVERED OIL LEAKING FROM THE VALVE COVER AND CLEANED IT. THE SUNROOF TUBES AND DRAIN PLUG WERE REPLACED. *JB

ON APPROX. JUNE 20, 2008 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM VW THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT SHIELDS AND FUEL SYSTEM OF MY 2003 PASSAT ( RECALL NOTICE- 26E5/R5 AND 66C8/P9. I MADE AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP (DONALDSON"S VW IN SAYVILLE, NY AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 27. BECAUSE I WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THE NOTICE ADVISED OF A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE EXISTED, I TOOK MY VEHICLE RIGHT DOWN THERE. I WAS THEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE BACK ORDERED ON THE PARTS. I WAS ALSO ALARMED WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THEY COULD DO THE REPAIR OR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD COME IN. I AM WRITING THIS IN THE EVENT THAT MY VW PASSAT SHOULD MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT COULD BE EXPEDITIOUSLY REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 49,143

ON APPROX. JUNE 20, 2008 I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM VW THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE WITH HEAT SHIELDS AND FUEL SYSTEM OF MY 2003 PASSAT ( RECALL NOTICE- 26E5/R5 AND 66C8/P9. I MADE AN IMMEDIATE APPOINTMENT WITH MY DEALERSHIP (DONALDSON"S VW IN SAYVILLE, NY AND GOT AN APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 27. BECAUSE I WAS VERY CONCERNED WITH THE RECALL AND THE FACT THAT THE NOTICE ADVISED OF A POSSIBILITY OF FIRE EXISTED, I TOOK MY VEHICLE RIGHT DOWN THERE. I WAS THEN ADVISED BY THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE THAT THEY COULD NOT PERFORM THE NECESSARY REPAIRS BECAUSE THEY WERE BACK ORDERED ON THE PARTS. I WAS ALSO ALARMED WHEN I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD NO IDEA WHEN THEY COULD DO THE REPAIR OR WHEN THE PARTS WOULD COME IN. I AM WRITING THIS IN THE EVENT THAT MY VW PASSAT SHOULD MALFUNCTION BECAUSE OF A DEFECT THAT COULD BE EXPEDITIOUSLY REPAIRED BY THE DEALER. *TR

Mileage: 49,143

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH COOLANT SYSTEM AND HEATED SEAT RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE HEATED SEATS WERE REPAIRED BUT NOW DON'T WORK AT ALL. SHE ALSO STATES THAT THE GAS HAS BEEN BURNING OUT VERY FAST. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS SMELLING FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WITH COOLANT SYSTEM AND HEATED SEAT RECALL. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE COOLANT SYSTEM WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THE HEATED SEATS WERE REPAIRED BUT NOW DON'T WORK AT ALL. SHE ALSO STATES THAT THE GAS HAS BEEN BURNING OUT VERY FAST. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED SHE WAS SMELLING FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONSUMERS HUSBAND WAS DRIVING 40 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED GASOLINE. HE APPROACHED A STOP SIGN AND HEARD A POP SOUND. THE CONTACT LOOKED OUT HER WINDOW AND NOTICED FLAMES COMING FROM THE WHEEL WELL ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. SHE AND HER HUSBAND EXITED THE VEHICLE AND CALLED THE FIRE AND POLICE DEPARTMENTS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE INSURANCE COMPANY WAS NOTIFIED AND BEGAN RESEARCHING AVAILABLE RECALLS. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL RELATED TO THE FAILURE, BUT THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000. UPDATED 07/15/08 *BF UPDATED

Mileage: 71,000

DRIVING ON I-87 UPSTATE NY AROUND ALBANY IN THE FAST LANE ABOUT 80 MILES AN HOUR THE CAR COMPLETELY LOST POWER. WE PULLED OVER QUICKLY TO THE GRASSY AREA BETWEEN THE HIGHWAYS. WE HEARD A SOUND BUT IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN FROM THE ROAD WHEN WE PULLED OFF OR A BACKFIRE? THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY DEAD. WE CALLED 911 AND A SHERIFF ARRIVED SOON AND TOLD US HOW DIFFICULT IT WOULD BE TO GET BACK ON THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC GOING 90-95 MILES AN HOUR. WE HAD TO GET INTO THE FAST LANE. WE DROVE A LITTLE ON THE GRASSY AREA TO SEE IF THE CAR WOULD WORK. WITH GREAT DIFFICULT AND TREMENDOUS FEAR WE MANAGED TO GET ONTO THE HIGHWAY. WE WERE THEN ABLE TO DRIVE TO NYC WITHOUT PROBLEMS IN THE SLOWER LANES. NO LIGHTS OR SOUNDS CAME ON TO WARN US OF THE LOSS OF POWER. THIS HAPPENED ABOUT 6 WEEKS AGO AS WE WERE APPROACHING THE WILLIAMSBURG BRIDGE IN MANHATTAN BUT GOING AT A MUCH SLOWER SPEED. WE PULLED OVER AND HAD TO RESTART THE CAR. WE HAVE HAD THE RECALLS FROM VW BUT NOT A RECENT ONE THAT MAY HAVE COME OUT IN MAY. IT SEEMS LIKE IT COULD BE A FUEL TANK ISSUE. I WILL BE TAKING IT BACK TO VW IN BROOKLYN IN TWO WEEKS TO HAVE THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT SINCE I DID COME IN AND GET ALL THE RECALLS THAT IT COULD NOT BE THAT. I AM AFRAID OF THIS CAR AND ONLY HAVE ABOUT 27,000 MILES AFTER 5 YEARS. IT IS A 2003 PASSAT TURBO WAGON. IT WAS A HOT DAY ON JUNE 8TH AND WHEN WE TURNED ON THE CAR THE TEMP OUT SIDE LIGHT SAID 101 DEGREES. *TR

Mileage: 27,314

I OWN A 2003 PASSAT 4-MOTION. I PURCHASED IT FROM THE DEALER IN JULY OF 2005 WHEN IT HAD 42,000 MILES ON IT. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY I NOTICED TWO THINGS ABOUT THE CAR: FIRST, IT SOMETIMES HESITATES WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AND THEN WHEN IT DOES FINALLY TAKE OFF, IT "LEAPS" FORWARD. SECOND, WHEN SHIFTING DOWN SOMETIMES, IT DOES NOT DO SO NORMALLY BUT WILL ACTUALLY JERK THE CAR BADLY AND MAKE A "CLUNKY" SOUND, LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN WHEN YOU DON'T COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AND THEN TRY AND ACCELERATE AGAIN, LIKE STOP AND GO TRAFFIC. I HAVE HAD THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER MANY TIMES AND HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THIS IS JUST A "CHARACTERISTIC" OF THE CAR AND THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO ABOUT IT. OVERALL I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CAR. *TR

Mileage: 42,000

WHEN FILLING UP THE CAR WITH GASOLINE THERE IS A SEVERE FUEL ODOR. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND THEY SAID THE "FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE" WAS LEAKING. THIS ALSO HAPPENED TWO YEARS AGO AND THEY REPLACED THE FUEL TANK UNDER WARRANTY. THE DEALER REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM UNLESS I PAID FOR IT. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THEY ARE ISSUING A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM BUT WHEN I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN THEY SAID MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT INCLUDED. VERY DISAPPOINTED IN THE CAR OVERALL AND WOULD NOT RECOMMEND ONE TO ANYONE. *TR

Mileage: 82,000

2003 VOLKSWAGEN GLS PASSAT WITH SEVERAL PROBLEMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE FUEL PUMP, CAM SHAFT SENSOR AND MORE. *KB THE VEHICLE STALLED ON 2 OCCASIONS DUE TO A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. THE CONSUMER SOON DISCOVERED THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FRONT CV BOOT AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD A TRANSMISSION LEAK. THE DRIVERS HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTIONED. *JB

Mileage: 32,251

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, NOTICED SMELL OF GASOLINE. AFTER FILLING CAR UP, GASOLINE BEGAN LEAKING FROM RIGHT REAR OF CAR FROM THE GAS TANK. LEFT CAR AT DEALER FOR SERVICE, WHEN CAR WAS LEFT, GASOLINE WAS STILL LEAKING. *TR

Mileage: 84,525

I OWN A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, 2003, 1.8 LITER TURBO. FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING A HESITATION ON TAKE OFF. SOMETIMES WHEN BACKING OUT OF THE GARAGE THE CAR HESITATES REALLY BAD. THE IS MY WIFE'F CAR AND I AM AFRAID THE SOMEDAY IT MAY STALL OUT AT A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION, CAUSING A CRASH. I HAVE CONTACTED A VOLKSWAGEN DEARLER AND HE ADVISED THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT FALL UNDER THE VIN NUMBERS OF THE RECALL, VOLKSWAGON ALREADY HAS IN PLACE. I WOULD LIKE TO REPORT THAT WE HAVE ALREADY HAD OUT OIL PRESSURE PUMP REPLACED AND I WAS WONDERING IF THERE HAS BEEN OTHER COPLAINTS OF THE OIL PRESSURE PUMP FAILING. *TR

Mileage: 49,940

FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY THE CAR QUITE RUNNING. 1.8 LITER TURBO IN O3 VW PASSAT. DEALER CALLS AND TELLS US OUR VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. TO CALL VW OF NORTH AMERICA AND THEY SHOULD COVER IT. I TALK TO A WOMEN TELL HER THE SAME THING AS ABOVE AND SHE ASK ME TO HOLD WHILE SHE SUBMITS THE CLAIM. SHE COMES BACK ON THE LINE AFTER 45 SECONDS OR SO AND SAYS THAT THEY WON'T COVER IT. THE VIN NUMBER IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I ASK TO SPEAK TO A SUPERVISOR. I AM TOLD THERE IS NO ONE ELSE I CAN SPEAK TO AND THIS IS THE FINALLY DECISION OF VW OF NORTH AMERICA. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST FAILURE FOR THIS CAR. TEMPERATURE SENSOR REPLACED, BRAKE MODULE REPLACED TWICE, THE HEATER CORE REPLACE, THE TRIP TRONIC SHIFT REPLACED, INSTRUMENT PANEL REPLACED, THE ENGINE FLUSHED FOR SLUDGE. CV BOOTS REPLACED. THEY'RE CRACKED AGAIN AFTER 3 MONTHS. *TR

Mileage: 74,000

1. NO EVENT LEAD UP TO THE FAILURE 2. FUEL LEAK; STRONG GAS FUMES WITHIN CAR. LEAK & FUMES MORE PROMINENT WITH WARMER WEATHER. 3. VW DEALERSHIP FOUND GAS LEAKING FROM (3) LOCATIONS INCLUDING NIPPLE & PLASTIC SEAMS WHERE CLIPS ARE ATTACHED. GAS TANK WAS REPLACED. *TR

Mileage: 48,700

AFTER REPLACING THE FUEL PUMP (UNDER RECALL) ON MY 2003 VW PASSAT IN OCTOBER, 2007, I BEGAN TO NOTICE A PERIODIC GAS LEAK FROM AROUND THE GAS TANK. IN DECEMBER, 2007, I HAD A LOCAL MECHANIC INVESTIGATE AND HE COULD FIND NOTHING WRONG. MY TANK LEAKED AGAIN LAST WEEK. *TR

Mileage: 69,050

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN IT WAS DEPRESSED. AS OF NOVEMBER 26, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED THE VEHICLE. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V375000). THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 81,716.

Mileage: 81,716

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FLUID WHILE IT WAS PARKED. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SEAL TWICE. ANOTHER REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE BREATHER TUBE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THEY DID NOT MAKE THE REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000.

Mileage: 105,000

MY CAR EXPERIENCED A FUEL PUMP FAILURE AS DESCRIBED IN A RECALL NOTICE FOUND ON THE NHTSA WEB SITE. THE VIN NUMBER OF MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE RANGE OF RECALLED VEHICLES. WHEN I CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER (VW) THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY CAR WAS NOT AFFECTED BY THE RECALL. WELL, THE CAR SURE WAS AFFECTED BY THE DEFECT! *TR

Mileage: 66,730

2003 VW PASSAT WITH FUEL PUMP REPLACEMENT. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE COST OF THE RENTAL VEHICLE, WHILE HIS VEHICLE WAS HAVING THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. *KB IN THE BEGINNING, VOLKSWAGEN TOLD THE CONSUMER HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS NOT DEFECTIVE. AFTER THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND THE CONSUMER PAID FOR THE REPAIRS, VOLKSWAGEN EXTENDED THE RECALL WHICH INCLUDED THE CONSUMERS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER. *JB

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG GASEOUS ODOR COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE EXAMINED THE VEHICLE AND ADJUSTED THE FUEL CAP. THE SMELL STILL LINGERED. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE GARAGE AND PARKED IT ON THE STREET. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK VALVE FAILED AND THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. NO REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 96,703 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 96,670. *UPDATED 12/27/07 *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS PAID IN FULL BY THE MANUFACTURER ON OCTOBER 8, 2007. UPDATED 12/12/07 *TR

Mileage: 96,670

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE, BUT THE STALLING CONTINUED AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS NOT DISTRIBUTING THE FUEL. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED IN 2005 UNDER WARRANTY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 101,300. UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB UPDATED*JB

Mileage: 101,300

AFTER FILLING UP MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 4-MOTION, V6 WITH FUEL, I NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR. AFTER INSPECTING UNDER THE CAR, I FOUND A FUEL LEAK ON THE GAS TANK. I TOOK IT TO OUR LOCAL REPAIR SHOP THAT SPECIALIZES IN VOLKSWAGENS SINCE I AM 140 MILES FROM THE NEAREST DEALER TO BE CHECKED OUT. THEY DISCOVERED THAT ONE OF THE 90 DEGREE CONNECTORS FOR THE VAPOR LINE ON TOP OF THE TANK HAD CRACKED. THE WHOLE TANK HAS TO BE REPLACED AS YOU CAN'T JUST REPLACE THE CONNECTOR. THE TANK IS PLASTIC AND THE CONNECTOR HAS A STEEL SLEEVE IN IT TO MAKE IT MORE RIGID. ON INSPECTION OF THE OLD TANK, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THREE (3) SLEEVES ON THE 3 VENT CONNECTORS HAD WORKED THERE WAY OUT OF THE CONNECTORS SO THEY JUST SIT THERE AND FLEX UNTIL THEY FAIL. THIS TYPE OF BAD DESIGN CVOULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN EXPLOSION AND SERIOUS INJURY TO MYSELF OR MY FAMILY. ON CONTACTING VW CONSUMER LINE THEY WERE CONCERNED BUT NOT ENOUGH TO ADMIT A PROBLEM OR HELP PAY FOR THE REPLACEMENT AS MY MILEAGE WAS TOO HIGH. MILEAGE SHOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THOSE VENT CONNECTORS FAILING. I KNOW THIS IS NOT A UNIQUE OCCURRENCE SINCE ANOTHER VW PASSAT CAME IN TWO DAYS LATER TO THE SAME REPAIR SHOP WITH EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

Mileage: 97,905

THE FUEL TANK RUPTURED CAUSING FUEL TO SPLIT FROM THE TOP OF THE TANK AND ONTO THE GROUND. *JB

Mileage: 74,000

VEHICLE WOULD NOT START ON AUG. 26. STARTER CRANKED BUT ENGINE FAILED TO TURN OVER AND START. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY 88,000 MILES. WE WERE INFORMED MANUFACTURER VW HAS RECALLED FUEL PUMPS FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL YEAR (2003) BUT NOT THIS PARTICULAR VIN. WE ALSO UNDERSTAND VW ORIGINALLY LIMITED RECALL TO AN EVEN SMALLER BATCH OF VINS. WE BELIEVE THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT IS MORE EXTENSIVE THAN VW IS WILLING TO ACKNOWLEDGE. THE REPAIR IS CURRENTLY NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND WILL COST OUR FAMILY APPROXIMATELY $655 TO REPAIR, PLUS TOWING AND CAR RENTAL COSTS. WE ARE LUCKY THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING A COLD START AND NOT ON THE ROAD, WHERE WE COULD HAVE BEEN STRANDED IN A DESERT, A STORM, OR THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. AFTER DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE FIXED PROBLEM ON AUG. 29,2007, WE TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT AGAIN FAILED TO START, OR EVEN CRANK. DEALER HAS TOWED IT BACK AND IS REVIEWING. *TR UPDATED 01-15-08. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE SECOND FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED BATTERY. UPDATED *JB

Mileage: 88,131

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WHEN THE DEALER NOTICED A FAILED EXTERIOR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN RECALL NUMBER 07V063000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH). THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE RECALL SHOULD BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE HIS VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 72,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THE 3RD RECALL THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN DUE TO THE VIN NUMBER. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM THE COMPANY FIXED BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT DISPUTE IT. UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

Mileage: 72,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP MALFUNCTIONED AND THEY WILL NOT REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 74,000.

Mileage: 74,000

2003 PASSAT FAULTY FUEL PUMP. CAR EXPERIENCED TOTAL LOSS OF POWER THAT COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. DESPITE VW ISSUING A RECALL TO REMEDY THIS PROBLEM ON CERTAIN 2003 PASSATS, THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR (REPLACEMENT OF FUEL PUMP - PARTS AND LABOR). *TR

Mileage: 75,000

WHILE DRIVING 2003 VW PASSAT THE ENGINE STALLED OUT (NO FUEL) CAUSING NEAR ACCIDENT BY PASSING VEHICLES. DRIFTED TO SIDE OF ROAD. AFTER 100 MILE TOW TO VINCENT VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN ROCHESTER, THEY FOUND NO PROBLEM. CAR DID RUN TWO DAYS. THE SAME STALL-OUT OCCURRED THREE DAYS LATER. ANOTHER TOW TO A DEALER (SCHMITTS GARAGE) TO ATTEMPT TO REPAIR. NOT SURE WHAT THE PROBLEM IS BUT STRONGLY SUSPECT FUEL PUMP OR CONTROL SYSTEM FOR FUEL OR FUEL LINE SYSTEM. THERE HAVE BEEN PREVIOUS RECALLS ON SOME 2003 PASSAT FUEL SYSTEM ITEMS INCLUDING FUEL PUMPS (POTENTIAL TO CAUSE CRASH WHEN FAIL) . WAS TOLD MY PASSAT WAS NOT PART OF THE OTHER 2003 PASSAT FUEL PUMP/SYSTEM RECALL. HOWEVER, ARE MORE FUEL PUMP UNITS BAD THAT VW DOESN'T REALIZE WHICH COULD CAUSE MAJOR ACCIDENTS, HEAD ON COLLISIONS DURING PASSING. FILED THIS WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE. TWO WEEKS PRIOR BRAKE LIGHTS DID NOT WORK AND WAS NEARLY REAR ENDED. VW DEALER REPLACED DEFECTIVE BRAKE SWITCH WHICH INITIALLY WASN'T ON THE RECALL LIST BUT WAS RECENTLY ADDED. TWO NEAR MAJOR ACCIDENTS IN TWO WEEKS DUE TO EQUIPMENT FAILURES. *TR

Mileage: 55,150

MY 2003 PASSAT WITH 46,000 MILES AND REGULAR 5,000 MILES SERVICE VISITS RECENTLY HAD TWO MAJOR PROBLEMS. THE ALTERNATOR WENT BAD AND WAS PRODUCING NEARLY TWICE THE VOLTAGE. THERE WERE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON THIS ITEM AND WAS FIXED AT A SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. NEXT WAS THE FUEL TANK. I FIRST EXPERIENCED AN ODOR WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE A LEAK IN THE GAS TANK. I AM WORKING WITH AN EXCELLENT VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE BUSINESS WHICH IS NOT A DEALERSHIP. VW AMERICA WILL ONLY TAKE THE WORD OF A LICENSED DEALER. THE DEFECTIVE TANK IS CURRENTLY BEING REPLACED AT A VERY SIGNIFICANT COST TO ME. THERE ARE NO SERVICE BULLETINS OR RECALLS ON MY VIN. I UNDERSTAND THAT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP HAS HAD TO REPLACE A FEW OF THESE. THIS IS A VERY NICE CAR DEVELOPING A BAD REPUTATION. I HAVE SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS CAR AND WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT. *JB

Mileage: 46,500

I WAS DRIVING EAST ON ATLANTIC AVENUE IN DELRAY BEACH, FL., I MADE A LEFT TURN ONTO N.E. 4TH AVENUE AND WITHIN A FEW YARDS THE CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET. FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT TOO FAR FROM THE FOUNTAIN SQUARE PARKING LOT SO I PUSHED THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT TO PREVENT AN ACCIDENT.

Mileage: 85,879

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A GASEOUS ODOR. THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED UP AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE FUEL LINE UNDER THE HOOD. THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A CRACKED FUEL LINE HOSE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000.

Mileage: 67,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER AND COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS THE FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CONDUCTED RESEARCH ON HIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT THERE WERE RECALLS ON THE FUEL PUMP FOR THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. HE NOTIFIED THE MANUFACTURER WHO STATED THAT THE RECALLS APPLIED TO VEHICLE'S MADE BETWEEN SEPTEMBER 2002 THROUGH MARCH 2003. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS MADE IN APRIL, THEREFORE EXCLUDING IT FROM THE RECALL. HE BELIEVES THAT HIS VEHICLE IS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 52,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,00 UPDATED 02-01-08. *KB

Mileage: 15,000

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH ON HIGHWAY, CAR STALLED AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALERSHIP REPLACED FUEL PUMP TO REMEDY FAILURE. OLD PART IS AVAILABLE. *TR

Mileage: 52,317

VEHICLE STALLED AT VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START. HAD TO BE PUSHED TO THE SIDE OF ROAD THROUGH TRAFFIC AND TOWED TO DEALERSHIP. FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST OF OVER $900.00 WITH COST OF RENTAL VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 85,000

I HAD TAKEN MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO REPLACE A FUEL PUMP. WHEN THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME THERE WAS A HOLE BURNED INTO THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT. THE REP AT THE DEALER SAID THE SEAT WARMER IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT HAD BURNED COMPLETELY THROUGH THE SEAT. HE HAD SEEN IT HAPPEN BEFORE. BUT MY SEAT WARMER WAS NOT ON AT THE TIME. I DON'T NEED TO USE IT IN SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA WEATHER. THE PROBLEM WILL NEED TO BE FIXED BUT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE MADE TO COVER THE COST. *JB

FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 75K MILES. MY VIN IS WITHIN THE RECALL RANGE FOR 06V017000 BUT I WAS REFUSED RECALL SERVICE AS VW CLAIMS MY VEHICLE IS NOT AFFECTED. I CONTACTED VW WHEN THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED AND WAS INFORMED OF THIS FACT. THE VW DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP BUT INFORMED ME AGAIN THAT THE REPLACEMENT WAS NOT COVERED. AS A FUEL PUMP SHOULD LAST MUCH LONGER THAN 75K MILES, I FEEL THAT MY VEHICLE WAS MISIDENTIFIED AND SHOULD BE COVERED. *JB

Mileage: 74,000

TL*- THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX, FUEL PUMP FAILED ON 02/23/07. HE STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT A SPEED OF 45 MPH ON CLEAR DAY IN THE CENTER LANE THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EXPRESSWAY AND COULDN'T GE THE VEHICLE TO START BACK UP. HE AND OTHER WITNESS HELP PUSH VEHICLE UP THE HILL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED AND NEEDED TO HAVE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. THE CONTACT FOUND A RECALL FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL WITH CAMPAIGN# 06V017000 FOR THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE CHECKED WITH THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY INFORMED HIM THAT THE VIN DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THE SERVICE MANAGER DID INFORM HIM THAT THEY WILL COVER THE COST OF THE PARTS, BUT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF LABOR $200.00, AND A DIAGNOSTIC COST OF ABOUT $150.00. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD INFORMED THE DEALERSHIP THAT HE WOULD LIKE TO KEEP THE FUEL PUMP THAT WILL BE REMOVED FROM THE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 57,100

LAST SUMMER THE FUEL PUMP FAILED ON THE HIGHWAY ON MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT VIN #[XXX]. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO VW AND THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. DURING A SEARCH ON THE INTERNET FOR RECALLS I NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP ON THE CAR. WHEN I LOOKED DEEPER INTO THE RECALL I FOUND THAT MY CAR IS BARELY OUT OF THE VIN # RECALL RANGE. I HAVE ALSO FOUND THAT THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM WITH OTHER PEOPLE BEING BARELY OUT OF RECALL RANGE. I THINK THAT THE VIN # RECALL RANGE IS OBVIOUSLY SHORT OF WHAT IT SHOULD BE SINCE SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS ISSUE.. THIS IS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR. VWOA WAS NOT WILLING TO HELP IN THIS MATTER AND I THOUGHT I SHOULD REPORT IT...*NM UPDATED 07/11/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Mileage: 55,000

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STALLED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AS HAVING A BAD FUEL PUMP AND REPLACED THE PART. THE REPAIR SHOP ADVISED THE CONTACT THERE WAS A RECENT RECALL ON FUEL PUMP. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. *AK UPDATED 2/22/2007- *NM

Mileage: 144,976

CAR QUITS SUDDENLY WHILE DRIVING; WON'T RE-START. WAS TOWED TO DEALER; REPLACED FUEL PUMP. *JB

Mileage: 49,000

RELATIVE TO NHTSA RECALL 06V017000, MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN 1.8T PASSAT, WHICH I PURCHASED AS A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE WITH 25K MILES, EXPERIENCED WHAT LATER WAS DETERMINED TO BE A FUEL-PUMP FAILURE AT APPROXIMATELY 29K MILES. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED IN OCTOBER 2004, WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED ON A RURAL INTERSTATE FOLLOWING A WEEKEND TRIP TO A NEIGHBORING STATE. I HAD BEEN USING THE CRUISE CONTROL TO TRAVEL AT THE 65 MPH SPEED LIMIT, AND HAD ACCELERATED TO PASS A SEMI-TRACTOR-TRAILER. HAVING PASSED THE TRUCK, THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT KICK BACK IN AS USUAL WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE ACCELERATOR BUT, RATHER, THE CAR LOST POWER SUDDENLY AND COMPLETELY. I WAS ABLE TO NAVIGATE TO THE SIDE SHOULDER WITHOUT PROPERTY DAMAGE OR INJURY, WHERE I ARRANGED FOR TOWING TO THE NEAREST TOWN WITH A VW DEALER (THE TOW-TRUCK DRIVER SENT TO RETRIEVE ME NEARLY WAS SIDE-SWIPED/KILLED BY A PASSING SEMI WHILE LOADING MY VEHICLE ONTO HIS FLATBED, HOWEVER). IT BEING A SUNDAY, MY TRIP WAS DISRUPTED AND I WAS FORCED TO STAY OVERNIGHT IN THE DEALER LOCALE UNTIL THE PROBLEM COULD BE ADDRESSED THE FOLLOWING DAY. BECAUSE A NEW FUEL PUMP WAS NOT IN STOCK AND COULD NOT BE DELIVERED FOR ANOTHER 2 DAYS, I RETURNED HOME IN A RENTAL CAR AND ARRANGED TO HAVE MY CAR TRANSPORTED TO MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP ONCE THE REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, WHICH TURNED OUT TO BE SOME 9 DAYS LATER. EXPENSES OF THE DISRUPTION WERE REIMBURSED COMPLETELY BY VW OF AMERICA. I BECAME AWARE OF THE SUBSEQUENT RECALL ONLY RECENTLY VIA AN INTERNET WEBSITE ON VW PASSAT MECHANICAL PROBLEMS. I HAVE NOT BEEN CONTACTED BY VW ABOUT THE RECALL, BUT I PRESUME THAT IT WAS BECAUSE MY DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP HAD BEEN REPLACED BEFORE THE RECALL ACTION WAS INITIATED. *JB

Mileage: 29,000

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L FUEL PUMP DIED WITHOUT WARNING DURING RUSH HOUR IN A VERY BUSY PART OF TOWN. IT CAUSED A HUGE TRAFFIC JAM, AND I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO MY HOUSE BY AAA. I HAD MY MECHANIC CHECK IT OUT AND HER VERIFIED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD DIED. THE CAR HAS ONLY 55K MILES ON IT, WHICH IS VERY PREMATURE FOR A FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A RECALL ITEM ON 2003 PASSATS BUILT UP UNTIL 3/03. MY CAR WAS BUILT ON 4/03 AND VOLKSWAGEN REFUSES TO COVER THE REPAIR, NOR FIX IT UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE MY CAR IS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. *JB

Mileage: 55,806

FUEL PUMP FALIIURE ON 2003 VW PASSAT CAR STALLED ON I-95 IN THE MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY TRAFFIC FAMILY WAS STRANDED ON I-95 AT 1:00AM

Mileage: 78,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANGING NOISE WHILE PULLING INTO A GARAGE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND DID NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WAS CONSULTED, AND DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH. A SERVICE DEALER WAS CONSULTED BY THE PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V017000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 53,001

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE A CLANGING NOISE WHILE PULLING INTO A GARAGE. WHEN THE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, AND DID NOT ENGAGE COMPLETELY. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT. A PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP WAS CONSULTED, AND DETERMINED THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED, THE TIRES WERE ROTATED, AND THE OIL WAS CHANGED. DURING THE SUBSEQUENT TEST DRIVE, THE VEHICLE STALLED COMPLETELY WHILE TRAVELING 25 MPH. A SERVICE DEALER WAS CONSULTED BY THE PRIVATE REPAIR SHOP, AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL # 06V017000 WHICH PERTAINED TO THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN.

Mileage: 53,001

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED, RECALL # 06V017000; FUEL PUMP (VW #M7) WAS RECEIVED IN THE 2ND WEEK OF MARCH 2006. WHEN THE SERVICE DEALER WAS CONTACTED FOR AN APPOINTMENT, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP WAS BACK ORDERED AND THE CONTACT WOULD BE NOTIFIED WHEN THE PART WAS AVAILABLE. IN MAY 2006 THE PART WAS STILL ON BACK ORDER. WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, THE CONTACT WAS REFERRED BACK TO DEALER.

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL (06V017000) FOR THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS ON THE WAITING LIST TO GET THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED WITH THE DEALER FOR FIVE MONTHS. THE SERVICE DEALER EXPRESSED THE PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER EXPRESSED THE FUEL WAS UNABLE TO BE OBTAINED.

CONSUMER COMPLAINT AGAINST DEALER AND MANUFACTURER REFUSE TO REPAIR THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT UNDER RECALL. *KB THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THEY COULDN'T PERFORM THE RECALL BECAUSE THERE WERE NO MORE FUEL PUMPS AVAILABLE. *JB

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A RECALL NOTICE RECEIVED IN MARCH 2006. THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE BEFORE THE RECALL NOTICES WAS RECEIVED; HOWEVER THE CONTACT INQUIRED SIX TIMES AS TO WHEN THE PART WOULD BE IN AND THE DEALERSHIP COULD NOT OFFER AN ESTIMATE. THE NHTSA RECALL WAS # 06V017000 REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE WERE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 40,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS COASTED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. THE REPAIR SHOP DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL DUE TO THE VIN. 08/29/06 VEHICLE WAS IN LEFT LANE OF 4 LANE INTERSTATE WHEN FAILURE OCCURRED. DRIVER HAD TO MOVE ACROSS ALL THE LANES TO SAFETY. *TT

Mileage: 79,000

AT 44,400 MILES AND JUST 4,000 MILES AFTER FUEL PUMP REPLACED THE NEW FUEL PUMP FAILED ON MY 2003 PASSAT WAGON. BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING THE CAR ON HIGH TRAFFIC SUBURBAN WASHINGTON DC STREETS. THERE WAS NO WARNING AND CAR CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP WITHOUT TIME FOR ME TO SIGNAL THE CARS BEHIND ME. THIS IS IN ADDITION TO HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AND REAR ROTORS AT ABOUT 20,00 MILES AS WELL AS CONTROL ARMS. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN INORDINATE AMOUNT OF SERVICE IN ONLY 3 YEARS AND 44,000 MILES! *JB

Mileage: 44,400

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP WAS THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED DUE TO RECALL # M7 (NHTSA # 06V017000). THE PUMP WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES BY THE SERVICE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FIRST TWO TO BE DEFECTIVE AND THE THIRD PUMP FAILURE DUE TO ETHANOL MIXTURE IN THE FUEL. THE MANUFACTURER SUGGESTED SEVERAL GAS STATIONS TO BE USED THAT HAD BEEN TESTED FOR ETHANOL CONTENT.

Mileage: 27,913

OVER FOUR MONTHS AGO, I RECEIVED VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL M7 (APPLICABLE TO 2003 VW PASSAT'S) REGARDING A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP THAT MAY CAUSE A CAR TO "STALL WITHOUT WARNING AND . . . PRESENT A POTENTIAL RISK OF CRASH." I IMMEDIATELY CALLED A DEALER TO GET THE PART REPLACED. NOTHING HAS HAPPENED SINCE. AFTER MONTHS ON A WAITING LIST I AM NOW LEAVING THE WASHINGTON DC AREA, AND AM TOLD THAT THERE IS A SIMILAR WAIT LIST (BACKED UP FOR OVER 4 MONTHS) WHERE I'M MOVING TO. VOLKSWAGEN'S DELAY AND REFUSAL TO CURE THE FUEL PUMP DEFECT IS SIMPLY UNACCEPTABLE. I STRONGLY URGE THE NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE. *JB

NHTSA RECALL 06V017000 FOR A VW PASSAT. I HAVE BEEN WAITING NEARLY 3 MONTHS SINCE MY APPOINTMENT FOR THE "PART TO ARRIVE." I HAVE CALLED A WRITTEN VW ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP, ALL I GET IS - "IT'S ON ORDER." *NM

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IT WAS COASTED OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT INCIDENT AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP. UPON INSPECTION, A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WAS DISCOVERED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE GASOLINE FUEL SYSTEM; FUEL PUMP. THE MANUFACTURER WAS ALERTED AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Mileage: 51,700

2003 VW PASSAT 4-DOOR WITH 1.8T MOTOR. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE WHICH CAUSES A VEHICLE TO DIE WITHOUT WARNING ON A CALIFORNIA FREEWAY TO NOT BE A DEFECT. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PART, BUT IT JUST SO HAPPENS MY VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH UP. JUST BECAUSE THE VIN # DOES NOT MATCH UP, DOES NOT MEAN THERE STILL IS NOT A DEFECT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW HOW I COULD RESEARCH THIS FURTHER, SO THAT I DON'T GET STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY AGAIN. *JB

Mileage: 62,195

I WAS DRIVING ALONG WHEN MY 2003 VW PASSAT LOST POWER AND STOPPED. I HAD IT TOWED TO A VW DEALERSHIP IN TOWN. THEY SAID THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED REPLACING. I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL ON THIS MAKE AND MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM, HOWEVER, VW REFUSES TO COVER THE COST. *NM

Mileage: 64,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED OFF THE ROAD AND LATER TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO DETERMINED THE FUEL PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000, REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL.

Mileage: 64,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING ON A NORMAL ROAD CONDITION AT 45 MPH THE VEHICLE DECELERATED UNTIL IT COMPLETELY STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP BUT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CONSUMER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AT HIS EXPENSE. UPDATED 09/12/06. *JB

Mileage: 70,000

ON THIS DATE I WAS DRIVING AT 65 MILES PER HOUR ON THE INTERSTATE. AS A CAR PULLED ON TO THE DRIVING LANE IN FRONT OF ME FROM THE ENTRANCE RAMP, I ACCELERATED AND PULLED LEFT INTO THE PASSING LANE. SUDDENLY I HAD NO POWER, AND MANAGED TO COAST ABOUT 3/4 OF A MILE, THROUGH TRAFFIC, TO THE RIGHT HAND SHOULDER WHERE I COULD GET OFF THE ROAD. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS FEW MINUTES WHICH FORTUNATELY DID NOT RESULT IN ANY COLLISION. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHERE THE FUEL PUMP WAS FOUND TO HAVE FAILED. IT WAS REPLACED AT A COST OF $589.80. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THE INCIDENT WAS 63, 661 MILES. *NM

Mileage: 63,661

2003 PASSAT BROKE DOWN BECAUSE OF A BROKEN FUEL PUMP. CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE REIMBURSED. *KB THE DEALER REFUSED TO COVER THE FAILED PART BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAD OVER 50000 MILES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL GARAGE FOR REPAIR. *NM

Mileage: 51,858

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE HAVE NOT BEEN ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, A NHTSA RECALL, #06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP WAS RECEIVED IN APRIL 2006. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE PARTS FINALLY ARRIVED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. UPDATED 07/03/06. *JB

Mileage: 23,800

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A RECALL LETTER WAS RECEIVED IN MARCH 2006; THE VEHICLE IS NOT HAVING ANY PROBLEMS AS INDICATED IN THE RECALL. THE DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED AT LEAST ONCE A WEEK SINCE RECEIVING THE LETTER. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, # 06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE.

Mileage: 32,000

AFTER RECEIVING A LETTER, DATED MARCH 2006, STATING A RECALL WAS NEEDED FOR MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE TO GET THE ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF. I HAVE A FRIEND WITH THE SAME CAR AND LEARNED OF THE IMPORTANCE OF THE RECALL AFTER HER CAR CUT OFF ON HER WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING. THIS COULD BE A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. I WAS CALLED ROUGHLY A DAY BEFORE MY APPOINTMENT TO LET ME KNOW THAT THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER AND THEY WOULD NEED TO MOVE MY APPOINTMENT BACK 2 WEEKS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP BACK WITH CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND ASKED IF THERE WAS A RENTAL CAR AVAILABLE UNTIL THE PART CAME IN. THEY INFORMED ME THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO GIVE ME A RENTAL CAR BUT I COULD CALL VOLKSWAGEN AND SPEAK WITH THEM ABOUT IT. I GUESS THEY DIDN'T FEEL MY SAFETY WAS AN ISSUE, THEREFORE THEY DID NOT GIVE ME A RENTAL, BUT THEY DID OFFER TO CALL AROUND AND SEE IF I COULD BE SEEN SOONER. THAT DIDN'T WORK OUT BECAUSE EVERYONE WAS ON BACK ORDER FOR THE SAME PART. I KEPT MY APPOINTMENT FOR TODAY AT 8AM, TOOK OFF WORK, DROVE CLEAR ACROSS TOWN, CHECKED IN WITH THEM, THEY TOOK MY KEY, AND I HEADED TO THE CUSTOMER WAITING AREA. I WAS CALLED BACK DOWN TO THE DESK 5 MINUTES LATER FOR THEM TO TELL ME THAT THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE THE PART AND WOULD HAVE TO CALL ME WHEN IT CAME IN. I COULD NOT BELIEVE THAT NO ONE CALLED TO INFORM ME OF THIS INSTEAD OF HAVING ME DRIVE ALL THE WAY TO THE DEALERSHIP! I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS NOT MORE CONCERNED REGARDING THE SAFETY OF THEIR CUSTOMERS TO PLAN AHEAD. MAKES ME NEVER WANT TO BUY A VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN! *JB

WE OWN A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. TWICE THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF HWY. 29 IN NAPA. THE FIRST TIME THE FUEL PUMP WENT OUT THE CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME IT WENT OUT, YESTERDAY, THE CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY AND WE WERE CHARGED $441 TO HAVE IT FIXED. VOLKSWAGEN DENIES THAT OUR MODEL HAS ANY PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP EVEN THOUGH OTHER PASSAT MODELS ARE UNDER RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE SECOND FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN LAST JANUARY, ABOUT 16 MONTHS AGO. NOW ANOTHER FUEL PUMP WAS PUT IN YESTERDAY, APRIL 27, 2006. BOTH TIMES THE FUEL PUMP HAS GONE OUT WITHOUT WARNING ON HIGHWAY 29 IN NAPA. *JB

Mileage: 72,000

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE COULD CAUSE IT TO STALL. THERE IS A NHTSA RECALL, #06V017000 ON THE VEHICLE REGARDING THE FUEL SYSTEM GASOLINE DELIVERY FUEL PUMP. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT INDICATED THAT ON APRIL 14, 2006 THE DEALER WAS SUPPOSED TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP PER VOLKSWAGEN SAFETY RECALL M7, BUT THE WORK WAS CANCELED DUE TO NO REPLACEMENT PARTS. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO INQUIRE FROM THE LOCAL DEALER WHEN THE REPLACEMENT PART WOULD BE AVAILABLE, BUT DID NOT RECEIVE A DEFINITIVE ANSWER. THE CONTACT CONTACTED A DEALER 60 MILES AWAY AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO HAVE THE WORK DONE THERE. IT TOOK SEVERAL TRIPS BY CONTACT UNTIL THE REPLACEMENT WORK WAS COMPLETED. THE CONTACT WAS UNHAPPY BY VOLKSWAGEN UNCARING ATTITUDE AND LACK OF ASSISTANCE AND SERVICE BY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS. *AK

Mileage: 20,600

RECALLED FUEL PUMP IS NOT AVAILABLE. DEALER SAYS PUMP IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER. *JB

Mileage: 32,048

FUEL PUMP FAILED WITH NO WARNING AND ACCELERATION CAPABILITY WAS INSTANTLY LOST. THIS OCCURRED IN THE MIDDLE LANE OF AN EXTREMELY BUSY FREEWAY WITH LARGE TRUCKS ON EITHER SIDE. THROUGH SHEER LUCK, I WAS ABLE TO STEER THE VEHICLE TO THE SHOULDER WITH NO POWER WITHOUT BEING HIT BY THE FAST-MOVING TRAFFIC. THIS COULD EASILY HAVE RESULTED IN SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH. *NM

Mileage: 28,150

2003 PASSAT CARBON BUILT UP ON THE INJECTORS OF THE FUEL SYSTEM. *TS ***NAR*** AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTED REPAIRS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE WAS RUNNING ROUGH. *JB

FUEL PUMP FAILED IN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT CALLED VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT THE RECALL AND THEY TOLD ME THERE IS NO RECALL YET AND WILL NOT BE COVERED THE ALL OCCURRED ON 3/27/03. *JB

Mileage: 51,400

2003 VW PASSAT, BUILT 11/2002, FUEL PUMP FAILED 12/2004, AT 52695K MILES. NOW THERE IS A FUEL PUMP RECALL FOR 2003 VW PASSAT BUILT BETWEEN 09/01/2002-03/31/2003 WITH A RANGE OF VIN NUMBERS, THAT MINE APPEARS TO FALL IN, AND I AM BEING TOLD MY CAR SHOWS NO PENDING RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH MY VIN. *NM

Mileage: 52,695

THE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT SUDDENLY WOULD NOT START. WITH ONLY 54000 MILES IT COMPLETELY FAILED TO START ON ACCOUNT OF A SUDDEN AND COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. *NM

Mileage: 54,000

I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE JUST DIED WITHOUT ANY WARNING, THE ENGINE JUST STOPPED BEING RESPONSIVE TO THE GAS PUMP. I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO CRUISE THE CAR OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT AND/OR INJURY CONSIDERING I HAD CARS IN FRONT OF ME, BEHIND ME, AND ON THE SIDE OF ME, ALL MOVING AT SPEEDS 50-60 MPH. IN OVER 27 YEARS OF DRIVING I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM OCCURRING WITHOUT ANY TYPE OF WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON, OR FUNNY SOUNDS BY THE ENGINE. THE CAR HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN SERVICED REGULARLY. *AK

Mileage: 47,000

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE I65 FROM BIRMINGHAM, AL TO HUNTSVILLE, AL MID MORNING ON THE 27 JANUARY 2006. NEARING THE END OF JOURNEY TO THE HUNTSVILLE TURNED OFF ON I65 AND VOLKSWAGEN (VW) PASSAT 2003 LOST COMPLETE POWER. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT HAD HAPPENED TO THE CAR, AND WAS FRANTICALLY TRYING TO FIND WHAT WAS WRONG WHILE TRYING TO CONTROL THE CAR TO A STOP AND GET OFF THE HIGHWAY. UPON CALLING ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP, LOCATED IN HUNTSVILLE, AL. DURING INITIAL INVESTIGATION LED THEM TO BELIEVE THE BATTERY WAS DEAD AND REPLACED IT AT A COST OF $200. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION THEY SAID MY FUEL PUMP WAS DEAD AND NEEDED REPLACING, THIS IS WHAT CAUSED THE CAR TO STOP AS NO PETROL COULD BE PUMPED INTO THE ENGINE. I DID NOT KNOW WHY I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE BATTERY AS I HAD POWER IN THE CAR. CURRENTLY, CAR WILL NOT BE FIXED UNTIL NEXT TUESDAY AT A COST OF $600 TO ME. I READ ONLINE AT PASSATWORLD.COM FORUM THAT THEIR HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING FUEL PUMP PROBLEMS. THEY EXPECT THIS PROBLEM TO BE DOCUMENTED A LOT MORE IN THE NEAR FUTURE AS OUR 2003 YEAR VW PASSAT COME OUT OF WARRANTY AND THE SUSPECTED YEAR WITH THE FAULTY FUEL PUMP. I DO NOT SEE HOW THIS FUEL PUMP COULD FAIL UPON ANY DOING OF MY OWN AS I HAVE ALWAYS RUN THE CAR WITH A FULL TANK AND ON 93 OCTANE. VW NEED TO MAKE A RECALL ON THIS PART AS THERE IS AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF VW OWNERS EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS PART NEEDS TO BE RECALLED, CAUSING A CAR TO LOSE POWER ON A HIGHWAY IMMEDIATELY IS LIFE THREATENING AND WILL CAUSE AN OLDER AGE DRIVER TO NOT KNOW WHAT IS HAPPENING TO THE CAR AND CRASH. CAR IS VW PASSAT GLS 2003, 60,000 MILES ON IT, I BOUGHT IT NEW.*AK

Mileage: 59,982

PASSAT 2003 GLX WITH 40437 MILES. WAS DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING FOR 1-2 SECONDS. THE ENGINE THEN INSTANTLY SHUTDOWN. I COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR. HAD IT TOWED TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. THE NEXT DAY IT WAS REPORTED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE, AND REPAIRED IT UNDER WARRANTY.*AK

Mileage: 40,437

BOUGHT A 2003 VW PASSAT 1.8T IN MAY 2005. SINCE THEN, I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR 4 TIMES NOW. THE CAR WILL ALL OF THE SUDDEN START RUNNING VERY ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE FIRST TIME, THEY REPLACED A "DEFECTIVE" SPARK PLUG. WITHIN A FEW DAYS OF GETTING IT BACK, IT HAPPENED AGAIN. THEY DECIDED TO REPLACE ALL THE SPARK PLUGS THAT TIME. IT HAPPENED A THIRD TIME AND THEY DID NOT TELL ME WHAT THEY HAD DONE TO THE CAR, BUT KEPT THE CAR FOR A WEEK. IT IS CURRENTLY IN THE SHOP AGAIN (NOW FOR A WEEK AGAIN) BECAUSE IT BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH, DEVELOPED A SLOW OIL LEAK, AND DOES NOT ALWAYS START ON THE FIRST ATTEMPT. I HAVE NOT YET HEARD FROM THE DEALERSHIP WHAT IS CAUSING THE PROBLEMS. I ASKED THEM TO CHECK EVERYTHING ON THE CAR. I HAVE ALSO LODGED A COMPLAINT WITH VW OF AMERICA. *JB

Mileage: 17,000

ENGINE STOPPED RUNNING WHILE DRIVING. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. AFTER COASTING DOWN A HILL APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION, I EASED INTO THE ACCELERATOR TO CROSS INTERSECTION, ONLY TO EXPERIENCE A TOTAL LOSS OF ENGINE POWER. VW DEALER DIAGNOSED ENGINE LOSS DUE TO FAILURE OF FUEL PUMP. DEALER REPLACED FUEL PUMP AND SAVED OLD PUMP AT MY REQUEST. OLD PUMP IS AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I CONSIDER ENGINE LOSS TO BE A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MOST CARS THESE DAYS HAVE STEERING AND BRAKES THAT ARE POWERED BY THE ENGINE. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO KEEP CONTROL OF THE CAR AND BRING IT TO A SAFE STOP. *NM

Mileage: 58,830

ENGINE STOPPED WHILE IN MOTION WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING POWER STEERING TO FAIL. DIAGNOSED AS FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ALSO, IN 2004 OIL PUMP FAILED DUE TO SLUDGE. REPAIR NOT COVERED DUE TO INABILITY TO PRODUCE SERVICE RECORDS. *NM

FUEL PUMP FAILED AT 44385 MILES. *JB

Mileage: 44,385

INSTANT FUEL PUMP FAILURE. LATE SATURDAY NIGHT WITH 9 WEEK OLD CHILD IN THE CAR. CAR SIMPLY STOPS RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY. DOES NOT RESTART. DID MANAGE TO GET BABY INTO WARM VEHICLE AND HOME. CAR HAD TO BE TOWED. *JB

Mileage: 57,782

WITHOUT WARNING, MY 2003 PASSAT STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY INTERSECTION AND WOULD NOT START AGAIN. THANKFULLY THE POLICE WERE QUICK TO ARRIVE AND HELPED DIRECT TRAFFIC SO THAT I COULD BE PUSHED OFF THE ROAD. THE CAR WAS TOWED AND THE VW DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A PREMATURELY FAILED FUEL PUMP. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP FREE OF CHARGE, BUT THEY ARE DENYING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM OR DEFECT ACROSS THE BOARD. I HAVE READ MANY REPORTS OF OTHER VW PASSAT OWNERS HAVING SIMILAR PROBLEMS. THIS COULD BE A DANGEROUS FAILURE DEPENDING ON WHEN THE PUMP STOPS WORKING (THERE ARE NO WARNING SIGNS), AND I THINK VW SHOULD ADDRESS THIS. *JB

Mileage: 38,500

EARLY FUEL PUMP FAILURE. 22,000 MILES (VOLKSWAGEN). THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STOPPED BLOCKING THE ROADWAY. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED DUE TO FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMP. THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE DEALER COMMENTED THAT IT HAS BEEN COMMON FOR 2003 PASSAT TO HAVE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. *AK UPDATED 12/01/05. *JB

Mileage: 22,000

WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER 2003 PASSAT BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE DIED. *TS THE DEALER DID A PRESSURE TEST AND DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. *NM

Mileage: 35,981

FUEL PUMP FAILED WHILE TRAVELING ON MERRITT PARKWAY IN WILTON, CT. THE PUMP FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. WHILE TRAVELING ON THE PARKWAY, THE ENGINE SPUTTERED AND DIED, AND I MANAGED TO HAVE ENOUGH FORWARD MOMENTUM TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE. NO WARNINGS AT ALL. THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT 1/4 FULL. THE ENGINE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. I DIAGNOSED AND REPLACED THE PART BY THE NEXT DAY. I DISASSEMBLED THE OLD PUMP AND DISCOVERED THAT THE BRUSHES IN THE MOTOR HAD WORN EXCESSIVELY- THE VEHICLE HAS ONLY 58200 MILES. I AN KEEPING THE OLD PART IN MY CUSTODY. THE NEW FUEL PUMP PART NO. IS 8E0906087D. RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE ON INTERNET DISCUSSION FORUMS ON VW ENTHUSIAST WEB SITES REVEALS THAT THE FAILURES APPEAR ON A HIGHER-THAN-NORMAL RATE ON '03 MODEL YEAR VW PASSATS. DISCUSSIONS HERE: HTTP://WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM/FORUMS/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=188629 HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1982739&POSTID=22264430#22264430 AS YOU CAN IMAGINE, HAVING THE FUEL PUMP FAIL AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS CAN HAVE CATASTROPHIC RESULTS. *JB

Mileage: 58,189

CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 65 MPH. CAR JUST STARTED SLOWING DOWN, LUCKILY I WAS IN THE RIGHT HAND LANE AND ABLE TO PULL OVER ONTO THE SHOULDER. DANGEROUS PROBLEM. TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. CAR HAD 53000 MILES ON IT. *JB

PROBLEM WITH 2003 PASSAT GLX FUEL PUMPS. THERE ARE AN ENORMOUS AMOUNT OF FUEL PUMPS THAT FAIL ON THE PASSAT MODEL. VW HAS HAD A RECALL FOR THE FUEL PUMP, BUT ONLY ON THE GOLF, NEW BETTLE AND JETTA, NOT THE PASSATS. VW HAS AN ADMITTED PROBLEM, BUT IS NOT WILLING TO COVER ALL MODELS AFFECTED. *NM

DT: 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE STALLED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS THAT CAME ON BEFORE THIS OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED OVER, AND IT STARTED UP IMMEDIATELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY HAD IT FOR 77 DAYS. THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONTACT TWICE. THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A COIL PACK, SPARK PLUGS, AND FOUR BRAKE LIGHT BULBS. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE WAS READY, HE PICKED IT UP AND DROVE 3 MILES AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. HE IMMEDIATELY TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY CONTACTED TECHNICAL SUPPORT, WHO TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR THE ELECTRICAL GROUNDS. THE DEALERSHIP THEN TOOK THE VEHICLE ON A TEST DRIVE AND IT STALLED AGAIN. THE FACTORY SERVICE ENGINEERS SAID TO PUT EVERY ELECTRICAL WIRE ON THE CAR THROUGH AN OHM TEST. ALL OF THE WIRES CHECKED OUT, AND NO OUT OF TOLERANCE RATINGS WERE FOUND. THEY TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO CHECK THE IGNITION KEY ADAPTATION, AND THE SECURITY SYSTEM FOR PROPER FUNCTION. NO PROBLEMS WERE FOUND. THEY FOUND NOTHING DEFINITIVE AT THAT POINT. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD THE DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE THE ENGINE WIRE HARNESS THAT WAS REPLACED AUGUST 8, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN PICKED UP ON AUGUST 10, 2005. THE CONTACT WENT ON VACATION, AND 175 MILES LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN ON THE INTERSTATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP; THEY FOUND 20 FAULT CODES IN THE ENGINE COMPUTER. THEY REPLACED THE VACUUM PUMP ON AUGUST 25, 2005. THEY ROAD TESTED IT AND IT STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS TRYING TO GET VOLKSWAGEN TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK. THE VEHICLE IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY ARE STILL WORKING ON IT. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW GOING TO REPLACE CYLINDER HEADS. *AK IT WAS FINALLY DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS THE PROBLEM AND THE REASON WHY THE DEALER COULD NOT DETERMINE THE PROBLEM THE FIRST SEVEN TIMES WAS BECAUSE THEY WERE RELYING ON THE COMPUTER TO DISPLAY CODES. UPDATED 01/11/06.*JB

Mileage: 30,000

I HAVE 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT GLX V6. WITH 35310 MILES ON THE DASH & DRIVING ON A LOCAL ROAD IN NJ GOING 4O MILES A HOUR MY CAR JUST LOSS POWER & CUT OFF. I WAS ABLE TO TURN MY WHEEL HARD & PULLED OFF ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD SAFELY. MY FUEL PUMP FAILED & WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. HOWEVER, IF I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY, I AM NOT SURE WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED. THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT & WOULD HATE THIS HAPPEN TO OTHERS. *NM

Mileage: 35,310

HAVE OWNED CAR ABOUT 10 MONTHS. BOUGHT WITH WARRANTY INTACT FROM A DEALER. WAS DRIVING, GOING ALONG AT 50 MPH WHEN CAR BEGAN DRAMATICALLY SLOWING DOWN. I HAD NO CONTROL OVER ENGINE SPEED, AND WAS FORCED TO SHIFT DOWN TO AVOID STALLING. CAR EVENTUALLY DIED AND WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART IT, IT WOULD ATTEMPT TO TURN OVER BUT WOULD THEN QUIT SUDDENLY AGAIN AFTER JUST A FEW SECONDS. I ENDED UP BEING TOWED, AND DIDN'T HAVE CAR FOR WEEK PLUS. TURNED OUT TO BE AN FUEL PUMP. UNDER WARRANTY, THIS WAS FREE, BUT HAD WE BEEN JUST A FEW THOUSAND MILES MORE WE WOULD HAVE HAD TO PAY 500 DOLLARS FOR THIS REPAIR. I BELIEVE IT IS TOTALLY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A FUEL PUMP TO GO AT 48,000 MILES, AND I CAN SEE THAT ON THIS WEB SITE ALONE THIS IS CLEARLY AN ISSUE! THIS SAME THING HAPPENED IMMEDIATELY AFTER WE BOUGHT THE CAR TOO BUT THAT TIME IT RESTARTED AFTER A FEW MINUTES. I FEEL VERY, VERY FORTUNATE THAT I WAS NOT IN TRAFFIC AT EITHER TIME!*JB

Mileage: 47,500

HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH THIS LEMON. * 500 MILES CRUISE CONTROL FAILS, HAS TO BE REPLACED. * 16,000 MILES IGNITION COIL FAILS, REPLACED COIL AND MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. * 28,000 MILES FAN IN DASH DIAGNOSED AS FAULTY AND NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. PARTS ORDERED, NEVER INSTALLED. * 40,000 MILES OIL PUMP AND OIL HOSES ARE REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. * 44,159 MILES OIL PRESSURE SWITCH REPLACED DUE TO OIL PRESSURE FAILURES. * 46,000 MILES FUEL PUMP FAILURE, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CAR BROKE DOWN ON ROAD. VOLKSWAGEN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS AND "OIL SLUDGE". VW REFUSES TO FIX MY CAR UNDER WARRANTY. LAST WORD WAS "WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE ANY WARRANY CLAIM, REGARDLESS OF DOCUMENTATION OF OIL CHANGES." I'VE TALKED TO SEVERAL DEALERSHIPS AND IT'S A #1 PROBLEM WITH THESE CARS COMMING IN FOR RUINED ENGINES AND OIL SLUDGE. VW IS REFUSING TO PAY FOR FIXING THE PROBLEMS IN MOST CASES. I'VE GOT ALL DOCUMENTATION, ORIGINAL PAPERWORK WHEN PURCHASED, ETC. *JB

Mileage: 40,000

CAR STOPPED RUNNING WHILE TRAVELING ON A BUSY HIGHWAY DOING 70 MPH. TOWED TO VW DEALERSHIP AND FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. CAR HAD 59000 MILES ON IT. *JB

Mileage: 59,200

WHILE MY HUSBAND WAS DRIVING HIS 2003 VW PASSAT THE ENGINE WITHOUT WARNING STALLED. HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART IT, BUT 3 MILES DOWN THE ROAD IT DIED AGAIN. HE WAS TRAVELING DURING RUSH HOUR ON A BUSY FREEWAY. WE SUSPECT IT IS A FAULTY FUEL PUMP. WE HAVE READ OF SEVERAL OTHERS HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND I BELIEVE THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS MORE CARS OF THIS YEAR GAIN MORE MILEAGE. THE CAR HAS ABOUT 58,000 MILES ON IT. *JB

Mileage: 58,000

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN MY 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT ENGINE TURNED OFF. THE FUEL PUMP HAD STOPPED FUNCTIONING, SO THE ENGINE WAS NO LONGER RECEIVING FUEL. MY CAR IS ONLY 2 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS OLD WITH 60,000 MILES. I HAVE TALKED TO NUMEROUS OTHER 2003 PASSAT OWNERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED A SIMILAR FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THIS IS A $700 SERVICE JOB. FROM TALKING TO OTHER 2003 PASSAT OWNERS, THIS SEEMS LIKE IT IS A FREQUENT PROBLEM THAT VW SHOULD OFFER TO FIX. THIS PROBLEM IS VERY DANGEROUS SINCE THE CAR JUST STOPS WORKING WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING, THERE IS NO WARNING IT IS GOING TO HAPPEN OR NOTHING YOU CAN DO TO PREVENT IT. *JB

Mileage: 60,000

NO WARNING BEFORE FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES. MY WIFE WAS STRANDED AND HAD TO GET A TOW. THE PART WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE TOWING COST IS SUPPOSED TO BE REIMBURSED BY VW. I HAVE NO COMPLAINT AGAINST THE DEALER BUT A FUEL PUMP FAILURE AT 37,000 MILES IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JB

Mileage: 37,001

I PURCHASE A NEW 2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT FROM BURLINGTON VOLKSWAGEN 2 YEARS AGO AND HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AT LEAST 7 TIMES SINCE THEN FOR A MYRIAD OF PROBLEMS, FROM AIRBAG LIGHTS COMING ON TO CHECK ENGINGE LIGHT TO THE LATEST OF THE CAR SHUTTING OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD.

Mileage: 47,000

VW PASSAT MAINLY 2003 EXPERIENCE FUEL PUMP FAILURE WITHOUT ANY WARNING . THE CAR BECOMES UNMANAGEABLE, SHUTS DOWN AND STOPS. THIS COULD BE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS IN THE HIGHER DENSITY TRAFFIC RESULTING IN PROPERTY DAMAGES AND INJURIES.

Mileage: 59,300

PASSAT STATION WAGON ENGINE STOPPED AND FAILED TO RESTART.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED***. *MR THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED FUEL PUMP. *JB *SC

Mileage: 32,247

CONCERNS REGARDING ENGINE FAILURE ON THE PASSAT STATION WAGON.***NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *MR THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND DID NOT RESTART. THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO FUEL PUMP FAILURE. THE CONSUMER WOULD LIKE TO BE INFORMED OF THE NUMBER OF THESE FAILURES THAT HAVE OCCURRED WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. *SC *JB

Mileage: 32,247

WHILE CRUISING ON A CALIFORNIA HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE JUST DIED; NO LIGHTS COME ON, NO DRIVAILITY PROBLEM OR NOISE BEFORE THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE RESTARTED. THE FUEL TANK WAS ABOUT HALF-FULL. THE DEALER WORK ORDER INDICATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED.*AK

Mileage: 41,000

1. COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP MORE THAN ONCE THAT VEHICLE STALLED, RAN ROUGH. DEALER COULD NOT FIND PROBLEM, UNRESOLVED. 2. ENGINE STOPPED, DIED, QUIT RUNNING WHILE VEHICLE IN MOTION. THE ONLY REASON I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IS THE VEHICLE HAS A MANUAL TRANSMISSION, I DISENGAGED THE DRIVETRAIN, AND WAS ABLE TO PULL OFF THE ROAD WITHOUT POWER. 3. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALERSHIP, DETERMINED FUEL PUMP FAILED. REPLACED FUEL PUMP, DO NOT HAVE OLD PART. *JB

Mileage: 51,814

WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM PERTAINED TO THE ENGINE CYLINDER. *AK THE VEHICLE STALLED AT THE STOP SIGN 3-4 TIMES. THE IGNITION COIL WAS REPLACED BUT THE VEHICLE STALLED THE NEXT DAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE EC MODULE/FUEL PUMP RELAY WAS REPLACED. *SC *JB

Mileage: 86,000

2003 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT W6 2.8L CAR WILL NOT START OR FAILS TO RUN PROPERLY DUE TO IGNITION MISFIRE OR EXCESSIVE FUEL FLOODING ENGINE. VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT REPAIR. CAR HAS BEEN SEVICED WITH THE BEST SYNTHETIC LUBRICANTS AND HAS HAD EXTREMELY GOOD CARE. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD US THE REASON THE CAR WOULD NOT RUN WAS BECAUSE THE OIL NEEDED CHANGING DUE TO IT BEING LOADED WITH GASOLINE. THE OIL HAD BEEN CHECKED 3 DAYS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENTS AND WAS AT SATISFACTORY LEVELS AND CLEAN. THE CAR HAD 6700 MILES ON THE SYNTHETIC OIL CHANGE AND WAS NOT DUE FOR A 3RD OIL CHANGE. THE CAR HAS 11813 MILES ON IT. THE RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGE INTERVAL BY THE DEALER WAS 10000 MILES ON THE SYNTHETIC OIL. IF THE CAR IS FAILING TO RUN AND HAS ALLOWS SEVERE GASOLINE CONTAMINATION OF THE OIL THERE ARE MAJOR PROBLEMS. THERE SEEMS TO BE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE RELIABILITY OF THESE CARS AVAILABLE THROUGH OTHER WEB SITES. THE ENGINE FAILING TO MAINTAIN OPERATION OR MISFIRING WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY OR IF IT FAILS TO OPERATE IN AN UNSAFE ENVIRONMENT PROVES THIS VEHICLE TO BE A FAILURE IN ENGINEERING, AND RELIABILITY.*AK

Mileage: 10,500

2003 PASSAT GLX WITH 2,500 MILES HAD A PROBLEM WHERE THE CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN FOR NO REASON WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING IT. TOOK TO DEALER ONCE, NO ERROR CODE, TOOK CAR HOME AND HAD PROBLEM HAPPENA AGAIN. DEALER KEEPT CAR FOR ONE WEEK, PUT 200 MILES ON IT TO FIND BAD RELAY. DEALER SAID RELAY WAS THEN REPLACED FROM ONE OFF A NEW CAR.

Mileage: 2,500

DEFECTIVE COILS ON EACH CYLINDER

Mileage: 4,500