Used 2003 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews
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A Very Good Car - Update
Mark-- Boston, 09/02/2007
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
Now > 4 years into ownership and at 108,000 miles, I thought I'd update my review. I still like this car a lot. It remains reasonably reliable with only fair fuel economy ( although I've been getting 24-25 MPG on the highway lately). Cost of maintenance has been relatively high, but I do drive a lot, so I feel it has been quite acceptable. Engine (V6) is running smooth and not burning oil. I'm thinking of driving it until 200K or until the cost of repairs gets too high (I've done the TB and WP at 85K). I'm still overall satisfied with the car and service I've been getting. I've had two electrical problems. Fuel pump died at 60K (recall) and driver's seat heater died (expensive, but needed fix).
Not Bad, but I Won't Buy One Again
Joel Ogden, 09/20/2006
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car's engine has been great. With the manual transmission, I can often get up to 34-35 mpg over longer trips. I have never had any problems with the A/C. The problem is with the electrical system and with oil changes. The stereo cuts in and out (regardless of whether the radio, CD or tape deck is being used), and the dealership doesn't know how to fix it. Oil changes are difficult - Jiffy Lube won't work on my car. There is a skid plate on the bottom that has to be removed prior to changing the oil. Three separate times the skid plate has come undone after a routine oil change (and usually at a speed of 65 mph). The dealership isn't a quick choice for oil changes, and always pushes $1,300 of work.
2003 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
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Another Volkswagen Bust
DDevi, 10/24/2004
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
This is possibly the worst car I have ever driven. At eight months old the vehicle needed a new transmission. Shortly thereafter I have had purge valve problems, a blown speaker, and at twenty two thousand miles the fuel pump went along with the rear brakes (rotors and pads). A completely unreliable vehicle. I will never look at another VW.
I've loved my used Volks
Lilly, 07/07/2010
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I love my 2003 GLX 4-motion Volkswagen. I think it looks great, it drives great, and I love the way it handles. Only problem I have in Salt Lake City, Utah is the dealership is the last place I want to take it after having a problem with a recall on the fuel pump--which they insisted I should have them replace since it was free! and two days later when I was going up a hill, the car stopped on me and I had to be towed. I guess the "new" fuel pump was defective. The dealership in Sandy, UT also told me I needed a new serpentine belt when they had just replaced it within a year. I have found an independent repair shop in SLC now that I trust; otherwise I would never want a Volks in SLC, Ut
Love/Hate Relationship
DG, 02/15/2009
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I ordered a 2003 VW Passat GLX 4Motion Wagon in 2002, direct from VW. Consumer Reports had written a review that said this was the BEST wagon you could buy, so I believed them and switched from my 20-year relationship with Mazda. At first I LOVED this car, and I especially loved the dealership. Over the years, I have never had a car have so many recalls - and in my case, everything that could break did break prior to the recall - so I've had to have these things replaced twice!