Used 2003 Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M) Consumer Reviews
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Lot of Miles
gary McGinn, 07/07/2006
Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I do a lot of 'trips'.... me and my dog... Never have had any major issues with my Passat. After reading all this stuff I probably would have been paranoid... yah small stuff...lights, door lock, etc. Only Lexus is bullet proof... but the Passat's ride quality, and fuel economy overrides that. I get an honest 30 mpg when I cruise at 65 / 70 mph. And I am in the market now for '07 model. I really looked around, Edmunds.com and all that and considered a BMW, Audi, even a Lexus SUV, but will probably go with the Passat Wagon.
Ok car but expensive ongoing maintenance
spomps, Fall River, MA, 03/22/2014
Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Bought new in 2003, still going with 172,000 miles. Comfortable and great handling car but it comes at the price of expensive, ongoing maintenance. The check engine light has been on for at least 1/2 its life and I just ignore it. Sometimes it goes off, sometimes it doesn't. Have had to deal with it every 2 years to pass state emissions though. Dash lights stopped working at 107k miles and had a wire meltdown. Required a new wire harness ($3,500) so I just use a clip on book light to illuminate the dash at night. If it weren't for the expensive and ongoing need for repairs, I'd highly recommend this car, but can't.
2003 Volkswagen Passat
j wilson, Los Angeles, CA, 11/07/2015
Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
18 of 23 people found this review helpful
This car is a complete lemon. You fix one thing three things break. Repairs include 2 water pumps, vacuum system failure. Sludge in the motor. Very expensive parts. Turbocharger failure. Antenna broke. Seatbelt buckle broke which is hooked to airbag. Don't buy a Volkswagen. I have paid more in repairs than I paid for the car.
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What will fail next?
FoolMeOnce, 10/30/2005
Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
How many electrical problems can one car have? My Passat's history: tail light stuck on, trunk light out, headlight out (times 2), heated seat burned hole through fabric, visor light out (times 2), remote key failure, speaker failure, brake lights nonfunctional, CD player frozen. And one non-electrical problem, a broken glove box latch. All this with only 38,000 miles on the odometer. All items were covered by warranty, but the hassle factor outweighs the fun of driving this car. Nearly every VW owner I talk with has had similar problems. What will fail next? Rather than paying to extend the warranty, I am trading in this lemon for a Honda.
Would not recommend this vehicle
deck3, Redmond, WA, 05/21/2012
Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
7 of 10 people found this review helpful
My 2003 Passat had 91,000 miles when the engine sludged; a known problem with this engine. This car has been more stress than the $14,000 purchase price. The original sludged engine had to be replaced with a new engine ($3,695), installed and the engine reset ($977 + $252), as well as the cost of a replacement car ($900). Stress and towing not included. VW's CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT regarding the Sludging of its Passat vehicles has been anything but easy. VW had multiple hoops to jump through. The Oil Sludge Settlement Administrator group had told me on more than one occasion that I would be "reimbursed 100% of the above expenses", but I just received a reimbursement check barely large enough to cover the cost of the engine ($3991.98). What a shame. This engine had problems, VW was aware of these problems, and VW was taken to court and made to reimburse those who purchased these problems. This company, Volkswagen, is not a reputable company to deal with based on my dealings with them. Both their product and business handlings have been of poor caliber. I would not recommend doing business with Volkswagen.
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