Owners have filed 21 complaints
about the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan with NHTSA between 2003 and 2020.
The largest single group is the engine & cooling.
Across this model's run it ranks 5 of 7 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 27
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Eurovan. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 100
38.1% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 10
6% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
How 2003 compares with every other Volkswagen Eurovan
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Engine & Cooling
419.0%
Median failure at 61,500 miles
Seat Belts
314.3%
Median failure at 150,000 miles
Other & Unspecified
29.5%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 122,500 mi
Doors, Latches & Locks
29.5%
Median failure at 70,800 miles
Seats
29.5%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 126,660 mi
Body & Structure
29.5%
Median failure at 70,800 miles
Electrical System
29.5%
0 crashes, 2 fires · median 112,500 mi
Equipment & Accessories
14.8%
Wheels
14.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 62,500 mi
Suspension
14.8%
0 crashes, 1 fires · median 62,500 mi
Transmission & Drivetrain
14.8%
Median failure at 40,000 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
15.9%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
15.9%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
635.3%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
15.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
635.3%
150,000+ miles
211.8%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Jan 2003peak 2Oct 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
EA08002Opened 4 Jan 2008Closed 14 Mar 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE BUILT ON A VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS AND ARE CLASS C MOTOR HOMES. ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2007, THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AS RQ 07-002 AFTER RECEIVING FOUR CONSUMER REPORTS OF FAN BLADE FAILURE ON MODEL YEAR 2002 WINNEBAGO RIALTA AND VISTA VEHICLES.AS A RESULT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION RECEIVED FROM VOLKSWAGEN IN RESPONSE TO RQ 07-002, THE INVESTIGATION WAS UPGRADED TO ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA) 08-002.THE SCOPE OF THE EA INVESTIGATION WAS ALSO EXPANDED TO COVER MODEL YEARS 2001 THROUGH 2004 RIALTA AND VISTA, 2002 THROUGH 2004 SUNSTAR,...
RQ07002Opened 5 Sep 2007Closed 4 Jan 2008ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:FAN
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON FOUR REPORTSALLEGING FAILURE OF AN ENGINE COOLING FAN IN THE SUBJECT VEHICLES.THREE OF THE COMPLAINANTS ALLEGED THE FAN DISINTEGRATED AND TWO OF THE THREE ALLEGED THE RADIATOR WAS DAMAGED AS A RESULT.THE FOURTH COMPLAINANT ALLEGED THAT HIS VEHICLE EXPERIENCED VIOLENT SHAKING AND OVERHEATING.WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED, IT WAS NOTED THAT PIECES OF THE FAN WERE MISSING.ALL FOUR VEHICLES WERE CLASS C MOTOR HOMES BUILT ON A VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN CHASSIS.TWO OF THE VEHICLES ARE RIALTA MODELS AND TWO ARE VISTA MODELS.BASED...
Recalls on the 2003 Volkswagen Eurovan
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2018316368 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag could explode if the vehicle is involved in a collision that warrants an airbag deployment. If this occurs, sharp metal fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, which would increase the risk of injury. Correction: Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 62,500 milesGreen BAY, WIFire
WHEELS
HIT A POT HOLE ON HI-WAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH CAUSING RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY DAMAGE. THE WHEEL BEARING OVERHEATED AND STARTED FIRE ALONG SIDE OF ROAD. THE REAR HUB ASSY. AND WHEEL WHERE NEVER RECOVERED. CLARE FIRE DEPT. AT 207 W. FIFTH ST., CLARE, MICHIGAN 48617 INCIDENT REPORT #19-000168 WAS FILED ABOUT AUGUST 22 2019
NHTSA complaint #11362894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,500 milesGreen BAY, WIFire
SUSPENSION
HIT A POT HOLE ON HI-WAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH CAUSING RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY DAMAGE. THE WHEEL BEARING OVERHEATED AND STARTED FIRE ALONG SIDE OF ROAD. THE REAR HUB ASSY. AND WHEEL WHERE NEVER RECOVERED. CLARE FIRE DEPT. AT 207 W. FIFTH ST., CLARE, MICHIGAN 48617 INCIDENT REPORT #19-000168 WAS FILED ABOUT AUGUST 22 2019
NHTSA complaint #11362894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesTempleton, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WHICH HEAT THE SEAT WHEN TURNED ON (SEAT HEATERS) CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, ALMOST BURNING MY BACKSIDE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. WARMING UP THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES IN THE MORNING BEFORE DRIVING TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10995746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesTempleton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WHICH HEAT THE SEAT WHEN TURNED ON (SEAT HEATERS) CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, ALMOST BURNING MY BACKSIDE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. WARMING UP THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES IN THE MORNING BEFORE DRIVING TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10995746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,321 milesBozeman, MTFire1 injured
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER CAUGHT THE SEAT ON FIRE BURNING SEAT COVER, AND PASSENGER'S COAT, FLEECE VEST AND SCALDING BACK OF PASSENGER. THERE WAS NOT A CRASH, BUT THIS EVENT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE IF IT HAD BEEN THE DRIVER OR IF MORE SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO PASSENGER. WE WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS EVENT BECAUSE OF SAFETY AND LOSS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AND INJURY. WE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED OUR LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHO TOOK PHOTOS AND COMMENTED THAT "THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF AGE OF OUR VEHICLE AND WE WILL ADDRESS THIS RIGHT AWAY". WE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN'S ONLINE CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE VIA EMAIL AS ADVISED BY OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. AFTER A FEW EMAIL EXCHANGES, VOLKSWAGEN FINALLY COMMENTED THAT THIS EVENT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. WE ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN COMMENTED THAT THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY A WARRANTY ISSUE AND CONSIDERING THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE ARE NO APPLICABLE WARRANTIES. VOLKSWAGEN COMMENTED FURTHER THAT IF WE WANT TO ENSURE SAFETY OF THE SEAT HEATERS OR OTHER ASPECTS OF THE VAN, WE MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTICS AND ALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10552791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesRockwall, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY SEAT HEATER IN DRIVERS SEAT CAUSED FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. IT WAS WARMING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME BECAUSE OF RECENT ICE STORM. WE MANAGED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AND IT WAS CONTAINED TO THE ONE SEAT BUT THE SEAT IS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE INTERIOR OF VAN SMELL OF BURNED WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #10383060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 62,500 milesGreen BAY, WIFire
WHEELS
HIT A POT HOLE ON HI-WAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH CAUSING RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY DAMAGE. THE WHEEL BEARING OVERHEATED AND STARTED FIRE ALONG SIDE OF ROAD. THE REAR HUB ASSY. AND WHEEL WHERE NEVER RECOVERED. CLARE FIRE DEPT. AT 207 W. FIFTH ST., CLARE, MICHIGAN 48617 INCIDENT REPORT #19-000168 WAS FILED ABOUT AUGUST 22 2019
NHTSA complaint #11362894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,500 milesGreen BAY, WIFire
SUSPENSION
HIT A POT HOLE ON HI-WAY AT APPROX. 70 MPH CAUSING RIGHT REAR WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY DAMAGE. THE WHEEL BEARING OVERHEATED AND STARTED FIRE ALONG SIDE OF ROAD. THE REAR HUB ASSY. AND WHEEL WHERE NEVER RECOVERED. CLARE FIRE DEPT. AT 207 W. FIFTH ST., CLARE, MICHIGAN 48617 INCIDENT REPORT #19-000168 WAS FILED ABOUT AUGUST 22 2019
NHTSA complaint #11362894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesTempleton, CAFire
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WHICH HEAT THE SEAT WHEN TURNED ON (SEAT HEATERS) CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, ALMOST BURNING MY BACKSIDE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. WARMING UP THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES IN THE MORNING BEFORE DRIVING TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10995746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 100,000 milesTempleton, CAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN THE SEAT WHICH HEAT THE SEAT WHEN TURNED ON (SEAT HEATERS) CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, ALMOST BURNING MY BACKSIDE. CAR WAS STATIONARY. WARMING UP THE ENGINE FOR ABOUT 8 MINUTES IN THE MORNING BEFORE DRIVING TO WORK.
NHTSA complaint #10995746 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 92,000 milesGoleta, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:MANIFOLD/HEADER/MUFFLER/TAIL PIPE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR IDLING, THERE WAS A STRONG ODOR. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A LEAK IN THE MANIFOLD, WHICH CAUSED EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE AIR INTAKE. THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 92,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. ..UPDATED 08/22/17 *BF
NHTSA complaint #10939525 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesMontgomery Center, VT
ENGINE
DRIVING ABOUT 30 MPH, STRAIGHT AND LEVEL DOWN MAIN STREET IN WOODLAND PARK , CO AND EXPERIENCED A LOUD POP, NOISE AND VIBRATION. ENGINE LURCHED TO A STOP. HARD TO CONTROL VEHICLE. WE STOPPED IMMEDIATELY. WE THOUGHT WE HAD HIT SOMETHING. TURNED OUT THE COOLING SYSTEM FAN BLADES DISINTEGRATED. PIECES (SCHRAPNEL) PUNCTURED RADIATOR, HOSES AND BELTS. FIRE AND POLICE HAD TO RESPOND DUE TO POSSIBLE FIRE AND FLUID LEAKING. VEHICLE TOWED TO GARAGE. SAME PROBLEM AS EARLIER RECALLS 1998-2000 AND 2013 (?). VW REFUSES TO PAY FOR REPAIR.
NHTSA complaint #10892856 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 145,000 milesCorte Madera, CA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
THE COVER OF THE COMPONENTS UNDERNEATH THE STEERING WHEEL FELL OFF WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY. IT LANDED RIGHT ON TOP OF THE BRAKE PEDAL AND GAS PEDAL. AT FIRST I DIDN'T REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED, I JUST BECAME AWARE THAT SOMETHING WAS BLOCKING MY FOOT FROM REACHING THE BRAKE PEDAL. FORTUNATELY THIS DID NOT RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT, THANKS TO A FRONT SEAT PASSENGER WHO WAS ABLE TO LOOK DOWN AT MY FEET TO SEE WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND PULL THE COVER AWAY. BUT IF IT HAD HAPPENED AT A TIME WHEN I NEEDED IMMEDIATE BRAKE ACCESS, I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP. PLEASE SEE PHOTO OF THE COVER. THIS PHOTO WAS TAKEN AFTER I WAS ABLE TO STOP. THE COVER IS SITTING ON A SEAT; IT IS NOT IN ITS NORMAL INSTALLED OPSITION.
NHTSA complaint #10820699 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 128,321 milesBozeman, MTFire1 injured
SEATS
WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREET, THE PASSENGER SEAT HEATER CAUGHT THE SEAT ON FIRE BURNING SEAT COVER, AND PASSENGER'S COAT, FLEECE VEST AND SCALDING BACK OF PASSENGER. THERE WAS NOT A CRASH, BUT THIS EVENT COULD HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE IF IT HAD BEEN THE DRIVER OR IF MORE SIGNIFICANT INJURY TO PASSENGER. WE WERE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THIS EVENT BECAUSE OF SAFETY AND LOSS OF PERSONAL PROPERTY AND INJURY. WE IMMEDIATELY CONTACTED OUR LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHO TOOK PHOTOS AND COMMENTED THAT "THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN REGARDLESS OF AGE OF OUR VEHICLE AND WE WILL ADDRESS THIS RIGHT AWAY". WE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN'S ONLINE CUSTOMER CARE SERVICE VIA EMAIL AS ADVISED BY OUR LOCAL DEALERSHIP. AFTER A FEW EMAIL EXCHANGES, VOLKSWAGEN FINALLY COMMENTED THAT THIS EVENT IS NOT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY BECAUSE OF THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE. WE ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF THE VEHICLE. VOLKSWAGEN COMMENTED THAT THIS EVENT IS STRICTLY A WARRANTY ISSUE AND CONSIDERING THE AGE AND MILEAGE OF THE VEHICLE, THERE ARE NO APPLICABLE WARRANTIES. VOLKSWAGEN COMMENTED FURTHER THAT IF WE WANT TO ENSURE SAFETY OF THE SEAT HEATERS OR OTHER ASPECTS OF THE VAN, WE MUST SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALER AND WE WILL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTICS AND ALL REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10552791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steamboat Springs, CO
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
THE SIDE DOOR LATCH WON'T LATCH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. SO THE DOOR, WHICH IS ON SLIDERS, WILL JUST SWING OPEN WHILE DRIVING UNLESS YOU HAVE IT BUNGEE-CORDED. IT WILL ONLY LATCH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES OR AFTER YOU PARK IT IN A HEATED GARAGE. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN OWNERS - AT LEAST THAT SEEMS APPARENT AFTER READING BLOGS ON THE INTERNET. NO ONE AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS I TALK TO SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM THOUGH THEY SEEM FAMILIAR WITH IT. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS AND LAME THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ONLY IN THE PAST TWO WINTERS - BEFORE THAT, WE ONLY DROVE THE CAR IN THE SUMMER. NOW IT IS SO BAD IT'S PRETTY MUCH NEVER CLOSED NOW THAT IS WINTER. AND NO ON WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO CAN FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10445672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Steamboat Springs, CO
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
THE SIDE DOOR LATCH WON'T LATCH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING. SO THE DOOR, WHICH IS ON SLIDERS, WILL JUST SWING OPEN WHILE DRIVING UNLESS YOU HAVE IT BUNGEE-CORDED. IT WILL ONLY LATCH WHEN THE TEMPERATURE RISES OR AFTER YOU PARK IT IN A HEATED GARAGE. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN OWNERS - AT LEAST THAT SEEMS APPARENT AFTER READING BLOGS ON THE INTERNET. NO ONE AT THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS I TALK TO SEEM TO KNOW HOW TO FIX THE PROBLEM THOUGH THEY SEEM FAMILIAR WITH IT. IT IS REALLY DANGEROUS AND LAME THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ONLY IN THE PAST TWO WINTERS - BEFORE THAT, WE ONLY DROVE THE CAR IN THE SUMMER. NOW IT IS SO BAD IT'S PRETTY MUCH NEVER CLOSED NOW THAT IS WINTER. AND NO ON WE HAVE BROUGHT THE CAR TO CAN FIX IT.
NHTSA complaint #10445672 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,000 milesNewcastle, CA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
I HAVE A 2003 RIALTA QD. TWO DAYS AGO IN A VERY REMOTE AREA MY RADIATOR FAN EXPLODED AND TORE UP THE SHROUD, RADIATOR, HOSES AND BELT. I UNDERSTAND THESE FANS HAVE BEEN A PROBLEM AND ARE ON BACKORDER AROUND THE COUNTRY. I GUESS THIS IS A VW PROBLEM. THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL ON PRIOR YEARS BUT WHY HASN'T THERE BEEN A RECALL ON OTHER MODEL YEARS AS IT APPEARS THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM? IF I HAD OPENED THE HOOD IT IS VERY POSSIBLE THAT I COULD HAVE BEEN BURNED, BLINDED OR WORSE.
NHTSA complaint #10421889 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesRockwall, TXFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
FAULTY SEAT HEATER IN DRIVERS SEAT CAUSED FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. IT WAS WARMING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME BECAUSE OF RECENT ICE STORM. WE MANAGED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AND IT WAS CONTAINED TO THE ONE SEAT BUT THE SEAT IS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE INTERIOR OF VAN SMELL OF BURNED WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #10383060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 125,000 milesRockwall, TXFire
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER
FAULTY SEAT HEATER IN DRIVERS SEAT CAUSED FIRE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. IT IS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. IT WAS WARMING IN THE DRIVEWAY OF OUR HOME BECAUSE OF RECENT ICE STORM. WE MANAGED TO PUT THE FIRE OUT AND IT WAS CONTAINED TO THE ONE SEAT BUT THE SEAT IS BADLY DAMAGED AND THE INTERIOR OF VAN SMELL OF BURNED WIRING.
NHTSA complaint #10383060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,800 milesPhiladelphia, PA
STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR
PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT LATCH FULLY, AND MAY NOT LOCK/UNLOCK, OR LATCH, AT ALL, AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. EXTERIOR HANDLE STICKS AND DOES NOT OPERATE AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THIS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR TO A LESSER DEGREE AT TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 40 DEGREES. THIS PRESENTS A HAZARD OF THEFT/VANDALISM FOR PARKED CARS, AND MAY ENDANGER CHILD PASSENGERS, OR OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO OBJECTS FALLING FROM AN OPENED (UNLATCHED) DOOR. DOCUMENTATION OF EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS DEFECT MAY BE FOUND AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?2967817.
NHTSA complaint #10379669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 70,800 milesPhiladelphia, PA
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
PASSENGER SIDE SLIDING DOOR DOES NOT LATCH FULLY, AND MAY NOT LOCK/UNLOCK, OR LATCH, AT ALL, AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. EXTERIOR HANDLE STICKS AND DOES NOT OPERATE AT TEMPERATURES BELOW 30 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. THIS PROBLEM MAY OCCUR TO A LESSER DEGREE AT TEMPERATURES AS HIGH AS 40 DEGREES. THIS PRESENTS A HAZARD OF THEFT/VANDALISM FOR PARKED CARS, AND MAY ENDANGER CHILD PASSENGERS, OR OTHER VEHICLES DUE TO OBJECTS FALLING FROM AN OPENED (UNLATCHED) DOOR. DOCUMENTATION OF EXTENSIVE COMMUNITY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS DEFECT MAY BE FOUND AT HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?2967817.
NHTSA complaint #10379669 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesNampa, ID
SEAT BELTS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR, MIDDLE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD BROKEN INTO SEVERAL PIECES. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT CONNECT TO THE BASE BUCKLE HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150000.
NHTSA complaint #10329143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 150,000 milesNampa, ID
SEAT BELTS: REAR/OTHER:BUCKLE ASSEMBLY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE REAR, MIDDLE SEAT BELT BUCKLE HAD BROKEN INTO SEVERAL PIECES. IN ADDITION, THE REAR DRIVERS SEAT BELT WOULD NOT CONNECT TO THE BASE BUCKLE HOUSING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 150000.
NHTSA complaint #10329143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 40,000 milesSeattle, WA
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 VOLKSWAGEN EUROVAN. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED WITHIN SIX YEARS AT 40,000 BY THE DEALER PER THE WARRANTY. THE SECOND TRANSMISSION WAS NOT WARRANTED AND VOLKSWAGEN WANTS HER TO PAY FOR $5,300. THERE WERE NO RELATED RECALLS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 119,000.
NHTSA complaint #10294363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Pataskala, OH
SEAT BELTS
THE PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKS UP AND DOES NOT EXTEND ONCE LOCKED UP. ONE HAS TO UNDO AND REEL IT BACK IN AND TRY AGAIN TO PULL IT OUT. IF IT MAKES A WHIRRING SOUND AS IT IS PULLED OUT, IT WILL LOCK UP AGAIN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO TWO OF OUR VW EUROVANS - A 1999 AND A 2003 - SO I AM ASSUMING IT MIGHT BE A COMMON PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10251675 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Akron, OH
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS
NO CERTIFICATION LABELS AND INSTRUCTIONS ON AIR PRESSURE FOR THE FRONT AND REAR TIRES. DEALER STATED ,CALL THE MANUFACTURER, BUT AT THE SAME TIME CAN INFLATE FRONT TIRES AT 28 POUNDS, AND REAR TIRES AT 32 POUNDS.
NHTSA complaint #10034569 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 900 milesRedmond, WA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
ON 01/09/03 I PURCHASED A 2003 VW EUROVAN & ON 01/18/09 MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON 01/20/03 I WAS TOLD I HAD FAULTY COILS. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TWO COILS THAT FAILED WERE GOING TO BE REPLACED, BUT WITH THAT CAME A WARNING THAT I HAVE A TOTAL OF 6 COILS. WHEN I PICKED UP MY PARTIALY FIXED VAN I WAS TOLD " HOPEFULLY WE CAN REPLACE ALL YOUR COILS BEFORE THIS HAPPENS TO YOU AGAIN." WHEN I CONTACTED VW DIRECTLY THEY INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS A LARGE PROBLEM THEY WERE HAVING COMPANY WIDE & AT THIS TIME THEY WERE ONLY REPLACING THE FAILED FAULITY COILS. AT THE DEALERSHIP WHEN I ASKED IF THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE DAMAGE I WAS TOLD "IT COULD".I WAS SOLD A NEW CAR WITHOUT THE KNOWLADGE OF SERIOUS FAULTY PROBLEMS THAT VW CLEARLY KNEW ABOUT. I WOULD LIKE MY NEW CAR TO NOT HAVE ANY KNOWN DEFECTS. ALL 6 COILS SHOULD BE REPLACE, FOR THE SAFTY OF MY CHILDREN, MY HUSBAND, & MYSELF.
NHTSA complaint #10003274 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.