Vehicle Data Hub

2003 Volkswagen Passat lighting problems

45 complaints about lighting have been filed for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, which is 6% of all its NHTSA complaints.

At a glance

Complaints
45 6% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
47,000 miles 33 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 0
Injuries and deaths
4 and 0

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When lighting problems show up

Lighting complaints by mileage, 2003 Volkswagen Passat Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 47,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 6 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 7 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 7 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 7 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 3 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 1 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 2 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 0 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 0 complaints 200k+ miles: 0 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 47,000 miles
Based on 33 complaints that include mileage. 61% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles6
20k to 40k miles7
40k to 60k miles7
60k to 80k miles7
80k to 100k miles3
100k to 120k miles1
120k to 140k miles2
140k to 160k miles0
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles0
200k+ miles0

What the data shows

Of the 33 lighting complaints that report mileage, the median is about 47,000 miles, and 61% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 4 injuries.

What owners wrote

Brake failure light appears even after multiple brake repairs. Driver?s side rear upper brake light replaced for 29th time in less than 2 yrs. Multiple coolant leaks still present even after repair and water pump replacement. Radio/amplifier not functioning even after replacement (radio was only used twice in vehicle?s lifetime). Diagnostics show airbag malfunction. Regulator pin on rear passenger side window keeps breaking (3rd replacement since 2003). Engine cover below car keeps falling off due to rusted bolts.

Reported at 2,300 miles, August 2003 Injury

Driving at night, 65MPH, interstate hwy. Low beam headlights went out. High beams did work. Replaced both headlight bulbs. Did not fix. Cost $95. Replace headlight relay. Did not fix. Cost in excess of $200. Recall for later year passat for same problem caused by "hood slam?"

Reported at 108,000 miles, October 2015

Other problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat

Lighting problems in other years

  • 2022
  • 2021
  • 2020
  • 2019
  • 2018
  • 2017
  • 2016
  • 2015
  • 2014
  • 2013
  • 2012
  • 2011
  • 2010
  • 2009
  • 2008
  • 2007
  • 2006
  • 2005
  • 2004
  • 2003
  • 2002
  • 2001
  • 2000
  • 1999
  • 1998
  • 1997
  • 1996
  • 1995
  • 1994
  • 1993
  • 1992
  • 1991
  • 1990

Lighting problems across all Volkswagen models