Skip to main content

Used 2003 Volkswagen Passat Sedan Consumer Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
441 reviews

See Edmunds pricing data

Has Your Car's Value Changed?

Used car values are constantly changing. Edmunds lets you track your vehicle's value over time so you can decide when to sell or trade in.

Price history graph example

Trending topics in reviews

Pros
Cons
1.88 out of 5 stars

passat

marlene2, 01/13/2012
2003 Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
7 of 15 people found this review helpful

the worst car nothing but trouble after 3 years

Report Abuse

4.25 out of 5 stars

High Maintenance

Fuller, 07/12/2008
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

I really liked the look of the Passat. It drives well, handles good, and gets pretty good gas mileage (24 on average). The brake system is terrible. I have had to have the rotors and the brakes changed every year and most of my daily drive is highway. You have to go to the dealership for every thing (head light replacements, wiper blades, etc.). I've had to take it to the dealer at least 5 times for recalls. The kicker is the car requires high octane gas. It won't perform well on regular gas.

Report Abuse
2003 Volkswagen Passat for sale near you
Showing 3 of 18 listings
See all 18 listings

3 out of 5 stars

Owning 2003 VW Passat V6 on a stick and regret

Alex, 05/25/2018
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

The only reliable parts of the car are manual transmission and Body Paint. The rest sucks. Change interior bulbs, fuse in port 14 and 6 burned out and CCM may need to be replaced. The engine leaks in every single hole so even if you replace head cover gaskets and cranshafts, still leaking. If you close a driver door (in my case) too hard, you may damage a lock and you wont be able to close the door (not lock it up, but simple close) so will have to drive with the open door either holding in place or use a seat belt to hold it. The floor under driver seat is always wet and who knows why.. That's all happen within less then a week of owning a car but it was just fine before the purchase. The car is old and it needs to be understood in the first place. I would defensively suggest to avoid this purchase

Safety
4 out of 5 stars
Technology
4 out of 5 stars
Performance
5 out of 5 stars
Interior
3 out of 5 stars
Comfort
3 out of 5 stars
Reliability
1 out of 5 stars
Value
2 out of 5 stars
Report Abuse

4.75 out of 5 stars

Great Car

vwownerx2, 10/03/2011
2003 Volkswagen Passat GL Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful

We bought our Passat 1.8T this year with 124,000 for $4000 from a private owner. The car drives like it is brand new;however, we have had to replace the water pump at 135,000 miles and the timing belt. The interior components are top notch, lots of room, just a joy to own and drive. Yes, maintenance is expensive but the car drives and rides like a brand new car. I can do basic stuff like brakes etc... We just bought a 1999 Passat VR6 as a third car and hope we are as lucky. When you buy used cars with high mileage, you have to expect it is like rolling the dice.

Report Abuse

4.75 out of 5 stars

Great Car

Victor, 01/14/2006
2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful

The 2003 Volkswagen Passat GLS V6 besides being very reliable, is a lot of fun to drive, and looks very smart. VW did a beautiful job with the Passat and my next car will be another one.

Report Abuse
Items per page:
5