| 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 4 |
2003 Volkswagen Passat repairs by problem area
Engine (52%)
Transmission and Drivetrain (14%)
Brakes and Traction Control (6%)
Suspension and Steering (7%)
Electrical and Air Conditioning (16%)
Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)
Other (3%)
Select a problem area
- Engine
- Transmission and Drivetrain
- Brakes and Traction Control
- Suspension and Steering
- Electrical and Air Conditioning
- Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim
- Other
Chart based on 463 repairs.
2003 Volkswagen Passat electrical repair cost distribution
$2500+ (2%)
$1000 - $2499 (8%)
$500 - $999 (19%)
$100 - $499 (35%)
< $100 (35%)
Chart based on 62 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.
2003 Volkswagen Passat
Engine not specified
| 172000 mi US $200 |
heater core replacement |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 163000 mi US $120 |
Alternator failed. Removed and replaced. |
| 119700 mi US $350 |
Had check engine light on and the car was running rough when idling. Found vacuum leak due to cracked pipes and valves which were fixed. |
| 54000 mi US $134 |
Temperature cooling sensor required replacement. Temp. not functioning. |
| 70500 mi US $15 |
Replaced low beam headlight. Done by owner with no labor costs. |
| 95359 mi US $148 |
System tested and recharged with addition of Ultraviolet dye to help check for leaks. |
| 97000 mi US $1527 |
Headlight and 3 running lights replaced |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Wagon
turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 50000 mi US $600 |
Illumination for HVAC controls went out. Bulb replaced. |
| 60760 mi C $250 |
Signal indicator would continue "clicking" or "click" sporadically even without lights flashing. Replaced turn signal lever (faulty contacts). |
| 75640 mi | Passenger seat heater stopped working, switch was replaced for 2nd time (original warranty recall). |
| 83080 mi | Seat heater does not work, replaced switch, still does not work |
| 132060 mi C $1200 |
Electronic unit in drivers door controlling power mirrors, interior lights, lights on chimes, etc stopped working |
| 71600 mi $50 |
Right horn (low-pitch tone) died |
| 159960 mi | Brake lights switch contacts cleaning |
| 159960 mi $16 |
Brake lights switch (brake lights were not lighting up) Recharge of the AC System with R134a DIY kit. Last recharge was in 2009. |
| 115320 mi C $344 |
Replaced both low beam headlight bulbs (1 burnt out). |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Wagon
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 181000 mi US $1000 |
Replace alternator, belts. |
| 200000 mi US $300 |
Replaced rear turn signal electrical connectors. |
| 52000 mi US $434 |
Wire to memory seat buttons had gotten crimped and you had to hold the button while seat adjusted rather than push and release the button. Door lock sensor was bad so remote would lock all doors at one time, unlock drivers door, unlock rear hatch, but would not unlock all four doors and hatch at one time. Also caused warning bell to not sound when opening door with headlights still on. |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Wagon
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| 162000 mi US $500 |
Starter replaced |
| 185565 mi US $700 |
Replace faulty alternator |
| 82000 mi US $150 |
Rear power window acctuator |
| 98000 mi US $500 |
Power Window Actuator Oil and filter change |
| 128000 mi US $950 |
Alternator. Required car to be put into 'Service Position' (remove entire front end) to replace altenator. |
| 127300 mi US $27 |
Blown headlight bulb. Passenger side again. Seems to need one every 18 months or so. Driver's is fine. |
| 113600 mi US $187 |
Loose connection at starter produced intermittent no start. |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 218000 mi US $80 |
clicking sound from dashboard for turn signal. Sound continues after turn signal stalk disengages. |
| 228000 mi US $450 |
alternator replaced |
| 45000 mi | replaced heater in front passenger seat. This was a recall item and so was for no cost. |
| 146900 mi US $250 |
3 brake light in back |
| 138000 mi US $500 |
Blower motor turns on and off sporatically |
| 141000 mi US $170 |
Blower motor went out, no heat |
| 84000 mi US $600 |
All rear exterior bulbs out-taillights, rear trunk license plate, etc. Told it was a wiring harness problem that needed replacing. Dealer replaced wiring and all bulbs. |
| 88000 mi US $800 |
Drivers side window fell and shattered inside door. Motor, clips, and glass replaced. |
| 94000 mi US $900 |
Heater core and control flap replaced. Core was leaking and fogging windows. |
| 96000 mi US $100 |
Monsoon Radio dead. Need to purchase new head unit. Will find one on eBay. Pulling fuse fixed this temporarily but dealer says head unit now needs replacing. |
| 112000 mi | Trunk will not open using release or keyfob. Dealer wants to replace entire release mechanism for 800.00. Will try to find a good independent. |
| 113000 mi | Replaced head unit. |
| 115000 mi | Car sold with trunk release not repaired. |
| 49000 mi | The drivers side heated seat stuck on high, even with engine and key off, causing dead battery. Dealer repaired under warranty (on Saturday morning). |
| 55000 mi US $71 |
repaired driver's side seat heater per recall, but passenger side quit working. driver side mirror defroster stopped working. while in shop for recall repair had it diagnosed ($39.00 charge). ordered part for future repair. scheduled trip to both repair passenger seat heater and repair driver sideview mirror defroster; was told element was "in" by service. was not in and will need to return (25 miles) for final repair. repair driver sideview mirror defroster; cost to repair $71, plus $39 for diagnosis. |
| 55000 mi | this was follow up (third trip) to correct an earlier recall problem with seat heater. the problem appears to be corrected. |
| 101000 mi US $795 |
Alternator replacement. |
| 52000 mi US $234 |
Replaced a/c panel bulb. |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
turbocharged 170hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| 142000 mi | Windshield washer fluid sensor was stuck on low fluid warning. Replaced sensor. |
| 58000 mi US $450 |
Rear window won't go down. Needs new regulator. |
| 83000 mi US $1350 |
Drivers side rear window would not go down. Had to have entire regulator assembly replaced. |
| 155300 mi US $14 |
Replaced the left headlight bulb (low beam H-7) |
| 184000 mi US $280 |
Replace power window regulator, driver door. |
| 83000 mi US $1 |
High mount LED brake light stopped working. It turned out that there was a protective diode inside the assembly that went out. Instead of buying a new part ($100) the diode was replaced ($1 at Radioshack) within half an hour. |
| 129700 mi | Brake switch stopped working. Had an outstanding recall for the brake switch. Dealer did the replacement for free. |
| 133000 mi US $125 |
Driver door ajar switch stopped working. Replaced the whole door latch assembly with OEM unit. Found DIY online. |
| 138300 mi US $75 |
Turn signal relay started clicking on its own. This is, in most cases, not the relay fault. This is caused by dirty turn signal switch which causes current leakage that triggers the relay. Instead of cleaning, I decided to replace the switch |
| 173000 mi US $120 |
Battery died. Car won't start. Battery is replaced with OEM unit. |
| 82000 mi US $400 |
Low voltage output from Alt, battery voltage below spec, too. Replaced alternator with rebuilt unit & installed new battery. |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| 36977 mi | Replace blower motor. |
| 43180 mi | Replace vent motors. |
| 80000 mi US $700 |
Alternator |
| 58000 mi US $450 |
Alternator failure & serpentine belt replaced. |
| 238080 mi C $2013 |
driver window regulator |
| 29500 mi US $3000 |
AC replacement, engine bolts replaced due to vibration |
2003 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed manual FWD
| 127720 mi C $900 |
Car shuts down, does not start upon turning key. Take several times. |
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