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 31 through 40 of 588.00-
Comfort (Yes): Dependable (No) - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Yvette - September 10 - 6:56 amI love the feel and ride of the Passat. The ride is comfortable, smooth and quiet. It would be a great car if it were dependable and VW would stand behind the "Warranty". If VW could match the dependibility with the style and comfort of the Passat VW would be unmatched.
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Its a great car when it runs - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By jd-nmi - August 23 - 2:00 amThis wagon drives like a sports car when it runs. VW has had ignition coil troubles with all of the 1.8L V6 and W8 engines. Car has failed 2 times and is still at shop. No parts available- 1000s of VWs all in shop with the same problem. VW will only fix the broken componets so it will be back to the shop when the next two coils fail or cashed in under the Lemon Law. VW customer service is the worst in the industry.
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questionable reliability - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Jafrizz - August 6 - 10:00 amThis car is sporty, looks pretty, nice pick up but has not been the most reliable, I would not reccomend this vehicle to others right now, it has broken down and left me stranded, broke down and left me stranded for a second time alone - it has recall after recall and I pay alot to lease it and cannot wait to give it back - I cannot reley on the vehicle, I wish I can give it back now but VW will not let me - I worry when I get in it everyday!
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problem after problem - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By j - July 16 - 1:56 pmI bought this car brand new and each yer I have had to pay out at least 2,000 or more a year for repairs, now my car needs a new engine. My car stayed in the shop for 4 mths at a time I have had to put my car in the shop at least 3 time a year
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VW Quality - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By joeM - February 28 - 2:00 amI had 6 japanese cars prior to the Passat, the Passat does not come remotely close in regards to reliability. First 5 months had to go for repair of Homelink twice, Tire had a slow leak due to counterweight installed to close to valve stem. last weekend got stuck 250 miles from home with a problem known to VW for a while, had to be towed and repair took 6 hours to replace a defective coil. There is a VW advisory out on these coils, but they still refused to replace the other 3 in my car. the comment from the Corporate office is that I have to break down again for the second time before they replace the remaining defective parts.
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Looking for something reliable? AVOID AT ALL COST - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By cliney - September 22 - 5:21 pmWe bought our 2003 Passat GLS 1.8T wagon with a little over 70k miles on it, which I guess is high mileage for a VW. If youre a real enthusiast or VERY handy with a wrench, then by all means get one of these. Otherwise, be advised to stay the hell away from these pieces of cr*p. Every year is thousands of $$$ to keep it on the road. The car has a complicated and involved service procedure, so anything under the hood will be expensive to replace. Two shops quoted me $500 just for the valve cover gasket, and most of that was labor. German engineering = myth.
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some pluses; some minuses - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By leonard bloom - August 24 - 10:00 amI purchased a VW Passat V6 sedan two weeks ago, even though my first choice was the Infiniti G35. Honda Accords were also in the original mix. So far, the Passat has performed well but there are certain caveats; e.g., no key lock for trunk; the homelink remote transmitter does not light up in the dark; small door handles; gear shifts do not light up;fairly noisy engine.
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Look elsewhere - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By Steve Martin - July 19 - 10:00 amMy Passat has been in the shop for 20 days and they dont know whats wrong. This is the fourth time for the same thing. The battery goes dead every night. The first two times they said nothing was wrong, according to their computer. VW refuses to honor Utahs Lemon Law, claiming the vehicle must be fixed first, at which time the BBB and Consumer Protection Agency will no longer be interested in my dispute. To VWs credit, they have provided me a 4 cylinder Ford Focus while they service my car. My warranty entitles me up to $25 per day for a rental, which is enough for a Ford Focus or a moped.
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Disappointed - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By jsmith - June 27 - 4:46 pmI love the look, style, and power of my Passat. I was so excited to own a VW Passat. Two months after buying my used Passat, I noticed fluid leaking from underneath the car and smoke coming from the exhaust when I started the car. Transmission fluid was leaking and so was oil from the turbo. Before I could get the turbo fixed my car left me stranded on Christmas Eve. I ended up replacing the engine and turbo, which took 2 1/2 months to find an engine and turbo in good shape. Now a year after buying my car and putting in a new engine and turbo the transmission is slipping and the AC stopped working. I can not wait to get rid of this car!
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2003 VW Passat GLS 1.8T - 2003 Volkswagen Passat
By vw2003passat - February 14 - 10:03 amI purchased this vehicle new in 2003. Its still with me: 149,500 miles later. I appreciate a car thats made it this far, and is fun to drive, but the VW Passat exacts a price: lots of problems and plenty of expensive maintenance. Ive had a bad radio, bad brake light switch, malfunctioning seat heaters, bad airbag light, three replaced CV boots, a bad oil cooler, and the check engine light is on so much Im surprised the bulb hasnt burned out. Add to this $40 wipers, $70 oil changes, and VW dealerships who are terribly nice while they rattle off a long list of questionable repairs. If youre considering this car or any VW, I highly recommend you stay far, far away.
