2003 Volkswagen Passat transmission problems
21 complaints about transmission have been filed for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat, which is 3% of all its NHTSA complaints.
At a glance
- Complaints
- 21 3% of this year's complaints
- Typical mileage
- 38,000 miles 15 complaints with mileage
- Crashes and fires
- 0 and 0
- Injuries and deaths
- 2 and 0
Source: NHTSA owner complaints
When transmission problems show up
View the numbers
| Mileage | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 0k to 20k miles | 3 |
| 20k to 40k miles | 5 |
| 40k to 60k miles | 4 |
| 60k to 80k miles | 0 |
| 80k to 100k miles | 3 |
| 100k to 120k miles | 0 |
| 120k to 140k miles | 0 |
| 140k to 160k miles | 0 |
| 160k to 180k miles | 0 |
| 180k to 200k miles | 0 |
| 200k+ miles | 0 |
What the data shows
Of the 15 transmission complaints that report mileage, the median is about 38,000 miles, and 80% were reported before 60,000 miles.
These complaints mention 2 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.
I've spent over $8000 towards VW dealership attempts at fixing the horn, radio, homelink, climate control (A/C and heat) rear passenger side window, heated seats, dashboard panel lights, and defroster flap. VW replaced ABS and brake light module, but only fixed the horn. VW stated they are not responsible even after I paid for them to fix the above problems and they are still unable to determine the cause of the problems. I request reimbursement from volkswagen for the repair attempts and related expenses.
Other problems reported for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
- Fuel system 180 complaints
- Engine 147 complaints
- Seats 98 complaints
- Electrical system 95 complaints
- Air conditioning & heating 83 complaints
- Brakes 46 complaints
- Lighting 45 complaints
- Body & structure 30 complaints