Skip to content
AnyRecalls

2003 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

7 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2003 Volkswagen Passat. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Volkswagen been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

2003 Volkswagen Passat recalls, newest first

June 13, 2018NHTSA 18V4060002,564 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module

Summary
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 inflator to explode.
Consequence
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 7, 2014NHTSA 14E00700050 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Consequence
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 7, 2008NHTSA 08V156000412,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery

Summary
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 manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8T engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4MOTION/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
Consequence
A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
Remedy
Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8T engines with a precautionary software update. 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. The recall began on June 13, 2008. Owners may contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

August 28, 2007NHTSA 07V37500034,358 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

Summary
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.
Consequence
If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on September 28, 20007. Owners may contact VW at 1-800-222-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834. This recall is a supplement to a previous campaign (please see 06V017).

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 20, 2007NHTSA 07V0630001,002,000 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

Summary
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Consequence
The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Remedy
Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through September 21, 2007. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06V-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the VIN number of the vehicle. Owners may contact VW at 1-800-822-8987.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

January 23, 2006NHTSA 06V01700074,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

Summary
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 to stall.
Consequence
If fuel flow to the engine is interrupted, the vehicle could stall without warning and thus present a potential risk of crash.
Remedy
Dealers will install new fuel pumps free of charge. The recall began on April 10, 2006. Owners may contact VW at 1-800-222-8987 or Audi at 1-800-822-2834.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

January 25, 2002NHTSA 02V026000487,284 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap

Summary
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.
Consequence
Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began June 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 628 complaints about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
14
Fires reported
94
Injuries reported
46
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. Fuel system156
  2. Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump85
  3. Seats › Front assembly › Seat heater/cooler81
  4. Engine and engine cooling63
  5. Electrical system53

Other Volkswagen Passat years

Other 2003 Volkswagen models

Most recalled 2003 vehicles

  1. 2003 Honda Accord (24 recalls)
  2. 2003 Honda Civic (24 recalls)
  3. 2003 Honda Odyssey (15 recalls)
  4. 2003 Subaru Outback (15 recalls)
  5. 2003 Subaru Legacy (15 recalls)
All of 2003’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2003 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
7 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: air bags, engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline, exterior lighting. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2003 Volkswagen Passat recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Volkswagen dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2003 Volkswagen Passat?
628 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.