Model year
2003 Volkswagen Passat
NHTSA lists 6 recalls and 628 complaints for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 0 recalls and 3 complaints under PASSAT WAGON. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP (85), SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER (81), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (63). NHTSA lists 6 investigations. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,550–$4,550, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 507 complaints
- 2001 430 complaints
- 2002 636 complaints
- 2003 628 complaints
- 2004 279 complaints
- 2005 148 complaints
- 2006 576 complaints
- 2007 262 complaints
- 2008 168 complaints
- 2009 146 complaints
- 2010 163 complaints
- 2012 484 complaints
- 2013 749 complaints
- 2014 594 complaints
- 2015 243 complaints
- 2016 106 complaints
- 2017 110 complaints
- 2018 46 complaints
- 2019 12 complaints
- 2020 18 complaints
- 2021 18 complaints
- 2022 13 complaints
Recalls
18V406000 · Jun 13, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the…
08V156000 · Apr 7, 2008
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR…
07V375000 · Aug 28, 2007
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON 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 INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT TO STALL.
07V063000 · Feb 20, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
06V017000 · Jan 23, 2006
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON 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 IN THE FUEL PUMP CAN LEAD TO AN INOPERATIVE FUEL PUMP AND, ULTIMATELY, STOPPAGE OF FUEL SUPPLY TO THE ENGINE CAUSING IT…
02V026000 · Jan 25, 2002
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP
ON 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 DISINTEGRATES.
Complaints
628 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 14, fire flag on 94, injury field 46, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| PASSAT WAGON | 0 | 3 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP05004 | ENGINE STALLING · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE | Aug 11, 2005 | Dec 8, 2005 |
| PE07024 | PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION | May 10, 2007 | Sep 28, 2007 |
| EA07014 | PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | Sep 28, 2007 | Jul 7, 2008 |
| PE08008 | FUEL TANK LEAK · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:PRESSURE RELIEF DEVICES | Jan 31, 2008 | May 30, 2008 |
| PE10027 | Engine Compartment Fire · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Jul 26, 2010 | Feb 7, 2011 |
| EA11002 | Engine Compartment Fire · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING | Jan 26, 2011 | Feb 17, 2012 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat 4motion · 2.8L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Passat 4motion · 4L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
| Passat · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Passat · 1.8L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| Passat · 2.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Passat · 2.8L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Passat Wagon · 1.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
| Passat Wagon · 1.8L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 19 | 28 | 22 | — | — | $3,750 |
| Passat Wagon · 2.8L · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 26 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Passat Wagon · 2.8L · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 25 | 20 | — | — | $4,100 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion · 2.8L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 17 | 24 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion · 4L · Automatic (S5) · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 18 | — | — | $4,550 |
2 more configurations are in the EPA file and are not listed in this table. The fuel-cost calculator lists every configuration.
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2003 Volkswagen Passat at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.