Overview & Reviews

For 2003, a base GL sedan and wagon are available. Think of the GL as a GLS 1.8T for buyers who don't require any extras like alloy wheels, leather upholstery, seat heaters or a sunroof. Meanwhile, alloy wheels and sunroof are now standard on GLS models. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system will not be offered on GLS V6 models, forcing interested buyers to cross the 30-grand line; however, VW has made stability control (ESP) optional on all Passats (except the W8, which has this standard). Also this year, you'll be able to get W8 sedans and wagons with a six-speed manual transmission and a sport package that includes a firmer suspension and the requisite 17-inch wheels. Lastly, the standard stereo head unit gets backlighting for the buttons.

• Fun to drive, excellent value in GL or GLS trim, roomy interior with upscale feel, outstanding build and materials quality, available all-wheel drive.

User Reviews:

Showing 11 through 20 of 588.00

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  This is a Bug Mobile - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By VW Lady - September 20 - 10:00 am

  This car replaces the Beetle as the new BUG, as it is so buggy. The electric seats stopped working a week after I bought the damn this. Now the fuel gauge also gave out. What junk.

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  Dont buy if you drive a lot - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By R.S. - June 21 - 1:33 am

  I got exactly what I wanted with this car. Comfort and good quality. Its quiet as well, and designed well inside. From the outside its boring (which is fine with me, but bad if you drive to impress). But the build quality is excellent. The finish resists minor bumps and scratches. I had a minor fender bender and it didnt even scratch the bumper. It has three really bad points, though. First, it has terrible mileage (14 miles/gallon around town, which gets pricey when you also have to use 91 octane fuel ). Second, the fuel tank is small, so I only get 190 miles per tank. Last, the steering wheel takes a lot of effort to turn. Thats fine with me, but my wife wont drive it.

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  Horrible quality - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed - May 26 - 10:00 am

  German engineering and quality at some point in time was stellar. Not so with this vehicle. In the shop more than on the road and finally have had enough. 7 years of ownership and real pain all along. Great vehicle when it works, but a very expensive experience. Now changing and looking at Asian brands exclusively. How times have changed when a Kia is more appealling quality wise then a VW.

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  I miss my Honda Civic - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Carpentier - March 27 - 10:00 am

  I have four separate rattles. I can hear two rattles in the dash idling at a stop light from the engine vibration even with the stereo on. The transmission has a mind of its own. Shifting is often rough. I averaged only 16 mpg for the first 600 miles.

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  UnGermanlike Engineering - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Brian - February 14 - 5:20 am

  Worst car we have had for frequent & expensive repairs. Now at 73,000 miles. Since 60,000 we have spent a ridiculous $6,000 on repairs. AC compressor and evaporator $3000,timing belt repair $1400. Brakes $800. Our air bag warning light is now on $400 to fix. VW service told us that after warranty "Its your problem." Mercedes repairs are same or less-less labor charges since better design.

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  Eight years later. - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By dbcooper13 - September 13 - 6:46 am

  I bought my 03 Passat new. I got it because Edmunds and others loved it. And at the time, everyone and their brother had an Accord or Camry. Eight years later, the transmissions gone. Rather than fix it, my mechanic told me to junk it. Im not hard on cars. But cleaning out my glove compartment, I found all my receipts from work to the car over the years. Totaled approx. $7,400. The car was fine for 4 years, then turned into an absolute lemon. I would not buy another VW. Ever.

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  Love your mechanic, youll see him a lot! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Steve A - April 4 - 3:26 pm

  The car has had repeated issues with brakes (5 incidents). Electrical problems with doors, set heaters, fuel pump issue. Repeated Check Engine Light warnings with repeated assurances that it was a computer "glitch". Only after the car was out of warranty did they agree to change the charcoal cannister (at my expense) which resolved the issue that plagued me for a year! I wasted too much time on this car. Would not buy another VW product based on service experience. Rear brakes are too thin and the fuel economy is appalling.

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  DEFINITELY NOT A HONDA!!!!! - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By ejb - January 1 - 10:00 am

  I have owned 2 Hondas in the past and instead of buying another Honda or Acura, I decided to try another "reliable" automaker. What a mistake that was. If the daytime running lights burning out within six months of owning the car wasnt enough; (I had to pay to replace them), 2 of the coils were defective. Since it was Volkswagens policy to replace the only the first bad coil, I had to make a second trip in order to get all the coils replaced. Never again!

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  not thrilled @ 1st but its growing on me - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Lori & Tom - November 24 - 2:00 am

  Sporty, gives us a confident feeling in snow & bad weather. Getting baby in & out out of the back is impressive, as the rear doors open very wide making access amazingly painless! The turbo acceleration takes a while to get used to, theres a measurable hesitation when you really need it. Door locking system, seems to think. If I pull the hatch release button, then dont open it for a few minutes, it thinks I didnt want it to open, thereby, locking it again! The remote buttons are hard to push with big fingers,& even harder in cold weather. Its been in the shop 3 times for various problems, making us leary on its reliability.

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  Dont buy it - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
  By Michael McKaig - October 25 - 12:20 am

  I bought my Passat new in 2003. This car was fine until 30,000 miles then it began falling apart. The interior flooded at 40,000 miles from body leaks requiring an entirely new carpet etc. It was put back together wrong, cracking the windshield with crossed wiring in the dash. It is now in the shop again for the flooding problem at 46,000 miles. Also, it needs an entirely rebuilt brake system at 46,000 miles. German engineering???? Spend your money elsewhere.