2003 VW Passat

2003 VW Passat questions and answers

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Q: How much should it cost to replace serpentine belt on VW Passat 2003?
The dealer wants $1000 !

A: Sounds like the timing belt price. Shouldn't be more than $100 for a serpentine belt.

Q: What is the best, safest and least expensive wheel cleaner for 2003 VW Passat V6?


A: you get what you pay for

Q: 2003 VW Passat what do u think?
I'm looking at buying a 2003 VW Passat fully loaded and was wondering what current/previous owners think of this car

A: owner reviews: Cons: Expensive to repair, unreliable, things that shouldn't break do, ability to self-destruct at 50,000 miles, annoying daytime running lights Overall Review: This was my wife's car. Caused nothing but problems for years. Such as: breaking down on the highway suddenly (air stopped getting to the engine due to faulty equipment), headlights constantly shorting out, rear door lock stopped working, then started working again, then stopped working along with the power window, clicking noises coming from the rear of the vehicle (didn't even care to bring it to the dealer at this point) Funny, I have a 2000 Nissan Maxima with over 100,000 miles, and my wife's newer 2003 Passat with half the mileage was the one we had to keep bringing in for repairs. I was quite happy to finally get rid of the Passat and trade it in for a Honda Accord! Cons: The reliability is not good, and the dealer's service was poor from the 2 VW dealers I used. They always seem to blame the problems with the car on the driver, or they cant seem to duplicate the problem. I went through 3 sets of rear brakes and rotors and 2 sets of front brakes in less than 30,000 miles, and the dealer told me this is normal. The trunk was difficult to open and the dealer told me that I needed new hinges which they had to order and paint. When I brought it back for the repair, they told me there was nothing wrong with the hinges. The front axle began to go bad at 33000 miles. This was my 3rd and last VW. Overall Review: I loved this car when I purchased it new, and by the time I sold it, I did not like it at all, and I hated to bring it in to the inept dealership.Although I purchased an extended warranty for it, the regular warranty was about to expire and I would have to bring it back to the original dealership where I purchased it. I vowed that I would never step foot in that place again. Since trading it in a month ago it has been recalled twice- ignition coil failure which could result in fire, and the heated seat which could result in burns. They are also prone to engine sludge, for which the repair is a new engine. Passats need frequent and expensive maintenance and premium fuel. I did not feel that this car was worth the money. Before purchasing a used one, search the internet for the many sites dedicated to the poor reliability, poor dealer service and lack of support from Volkswagen of America Cons: I don't know whats more frustrating dealing with the profound mechanical problems or the absolutely terrible customer service. I now know why VW is rated last in customer service. We have owned this car for about four months and its been back to the dealer five times due to massive oil consumption problems with no resolution in sight and only 40,000 miles Overall Review: Knowing what we know now, we should have purchased a donkey, a horse ,a couple of pairs of roller skates anything but this vehicle. This vehicle is such an exercise in aggravation we returned it to the dealer and demanded that they take it back. If you are considering making a similar purchase, do yourself a favor DON"T

Q: What is the minimum speed front airbags will deploy in front end collision for 2003 VW Passat?


A: Here is a complaint I found posted on a website that you may be interested in. Complaints Summary Make: VOLKSWAGEN Model: PASSAT Type: PASSENGER CAR Year: 2003 Complaint Number: 10146226 Summary: DRIVING A 2003 VW PASSAT GLX WAGON ON A ROAD UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO APPARENT REASON. LUCKILY, THIS SHOCKING INCIDENT DIDN'T CAUSE US TO GET IN AN ACCIDENT, BUT IT DID FILL THE CAR WITH SMOKE AND WE HAD TO PULL OVER IMMEDIATELY AND GET OUR 2 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER OUT OF HER CAR SEAT. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO A VW DEALERSHIP (KING VOLKSWAGEN, GAITHERSBURG, MD) AND THEY CHARGED ME $100 TO LOOK AT IT AND THEN TOLD ME THAT THE CAR SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE UNDERCARRIAGE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAR PROBABLY HIT A CURB AT 35 MPH AND CAME TO A SUDDEN STOP. I WAS A PASSENGER IN THE CAR AT THE TIME AND I KNOW THAT THE CAR WAS NOT SLOWED DOWN AT ALL, AND WE DIDN'T EVEN NOTICE HITTING ANYTHING. BECAUSE THIS ROAD WAS UNDER CONSTRUCTION WE MAY HAVE BRUSHED A MAN HOLE COVER THAT WAS STICKING UP INTO THE ROAD, BUT NOT HARD ENOUGH TO SLOW THE CAR DOWN OR TO CAUSE ANY SERIOUS DAMAGE. I LOOKED AT THE IMPACT POINT IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND IT IS JUST A SMALL DENT TO A METAL CUP. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND HE WAS SHOCKED THAT THIS SMALL DENT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO BLOW. THE CAR DOES NOT REQUIRE ANY REPAIRS EXCEPT FOR THE REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. I COMPLAINED TO VW CORPORATE AND THEY HAD ME BRING THE CAR BACK TO THE DEALER TO TAKE PICTURES AND READINGS FROM THE AIRBAG SENSOR. THEY SENT THAT INFORMATION TO VW CORPORATE AND CORPORATE CALLED ME BACK AND SAID THAT THIS WAS CONSIDERED TO BE AN ACCIDENT THAT WAS MY FAULT. *NM According to the dealership in the complaint is that if you substain damage at 35 mph and come to a sudden stop the air bags could deploy. Even if the damage is under the car.

Q: I need an axle replacement because of a CV boot failure on a 2003 VW Passat. Any thoughts on how much $$$?


A: If it's just the CV boot it'll be around 50 bucks for the boot itself and 50-200 bucks for the labor depending on how the shop charges. If it's the actually axle then I don't know but I'd hazard a guess that it'll be much much more.

Q: Will 87 octane gas damage the motor in my 2003 VW passat v6 motor?


A: yes but it will raddle. the vdubs were designed to run on 93 octne not 87.

Q: 2003 VW Passat stop engine low oil pressure is displayed - replaced sending unit but no fix?


A: Which sender did you replacee, the one on the head that reads pressure for the camshaft or the lower sender that is located near the filter. I am assumeing that you have the 2.0 l motor but don't have enough info to tell you about there oiling systems

Q: Common repairs on 2003 VW Passat.?
I'm looking at a 2003 VW Passat, 35,000 miles. The CARFAX report lists several electrical and suspension services. Are these needed, common, expensive? What about other repairs? I would also have to drive it 100 miles for most repairs. Would it be worth it??

A: I USE to own a VW. The higher the miles the more things go wrong. Anything you think of will happen. The list is endless.

Q: 2003 vw passat i replaced the right cv joint and now i cannot get the abs light to shut off?
after replacing the drive shaft cv joint i left the battery disconnected for 10-15 minutes and still the abs and ! light stayed on. what now? the sensor for the abs looks like its in good condition. how do i remove that sensor is it a pressed fit or is there something holding it in from the inside?

A: sensor are not press in .soak it with wd 40 and removed 5mm hex screw it should come off . some time the cv axle does not come with pulser ring at the end of outer cv joint . you have to swap your old one on to the new one . i don't think it's your sensor -sensor don't just go bad from changing cv joint unless it was damage .

Q: can 18'' rims fit a 2003 VW passat?
can 18'' rims fit a 2003 VW passat?

A: yeah, they will fit with the proper tire size. you might need to get low profile tires to reduce the chances of rubbing that could occur btwn ur tires and wheel well/fenders. your car will also sit differently due to the proportion of the wheel gap and the rim size, making ur car sit a little higher. handling will also be slightly compromised.