Service bulletins for the 2003 Volkswagen Passat
A bulletin is a manufacturer's communication to its dealers, as NHTSA indexes it. The summary is NHTSA's. The document is the manufacturer's: read it at NHTSA. A bulletin is not a recall, and listing a model year does not mean every vehicle of it is concerned.
227 on file from NHTSA, as of 2026-10-19.
By type
By component
By trouble code
| V011408 2014815 | 2017-12-05. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Technical Bulletin The use of contaminated gasoline, seasonal fuel changes (summer/winter fuel) or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or more of the following conditions: -Excessive accumulation of deposits on intake valves, intake manifold, fuel injectors and combustion chambers. -Engine runs rough after cold start. -Excessive engine cranking time. -Stumbles while driving. -Rough engine idle. -Loss of engine performance. -Poor fuel economy. This document informs of the procedure for the vehicle if it is diagnoised with poor quality gas |
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| V871401 2005566 | 2017-12-05. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER. Technical Bulletin (HVAC, Unpleasant Odor): Unpleasant odor is coming from Heating and Ventilation system. Odor mainly occurs after vehicle has been sitting (unused) at least 5 hours and within 20 to 60 seconds after vehicle is first started. Condensation is a normal characteristic in all A/C systems. If odor is noticeable continue to follow this document. Contaminants are effectively neutralized using the AIRCOMATIC? II Ultrasonic Climate System Cleaner (VAS 6189A) or AIRCOMATIC? III Ultrasonic Climate System Cleaner (VAS 6189B) and AIRCO-CLEAN? Ultrasonic HVAC Treatment (30208). All other cleaning methods are no longer permitted. This document discusses the "Fault Codes" necessary to diagnosis, and potential remedy of the issue. The fault codes for checking warranty coverage for servicing the vehicle are also available. |
| V941402 2011521 | 2017-12-05. Service bulletin. EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): Exterior light assemblies (headlights, taillights, fog lights, turn signals) are vented and may collect moisture on their inner surfaces, depending on humidity and other climatic changes. This document discusses necessary to diagnosis, and potential remedy of the issue. |
| V871506 2019947 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Technical Bulletin (Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)): In cases where an air conditioning system component (such as a compressor or other system component) has failed and debris from the compressor or component is circulated throughout the refrigerant circuit, the refrigerant circuit must be cleaned of any and all debris or damage to the replacement components will result. This document contains information on how to diagnose, and service this issue. |
| V871508 2005566 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT; ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING. Technical Bulletin (HVAC, Unpleasant Odor): Unpleasant odor is coming from Heating and Ventilation system. Odor mainly occurs after vehicle has been sitting (unused) at least 5 hours and within 20 to 60 seconds after vehicle is first started. This document contains information on how to diagnose, and service this issue. |
| V921502 2026253 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY. Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary replacement of wiper blades, the condition and cleanliness of the windshield, rear window and wiper blades, should be checked first. This document contains information on how to diagnose, and service this issue. |
| TT 64-14-02 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS; VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. |
| V641502 2039887 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR. Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor operates but the glass does not move. This document contains the fault codes, and procedure to service these issues |
| TT 00-14-03 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE. Tech Tips (SVM Update Instructions): This document informs when performing SVM updates, the scan tool should be hardwired to the vehicle and the Bluetooth physically turned off. A hard wired internet connection is also recommended. |
| V501401 2038981 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. WHEELS; STRUCTURE:BODY. Technical Bulletin (Front Fender - Corrosion on Wheel Arch): The wheel liner touches the arch area of the fender and rubs off the paint in the contact area. The corrosion is caused by dirt accumulations and movements of the wheel liner. The document informs how to identify affected parts. It then gives direction on servicing the issue |
| TT 64-14-02 | 2017-11-08. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM:REAR WINDOW. Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. This document informs of how to diagnose the issue and tips on servicing the issue |
| TT 20-13-01 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM. Tech Tips (ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear): This document informs to clear static ECM fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low", add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not allow fault to clear. |
| V271503 2016076 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. Technical Bulletin: Battery, Discharged, Diagnosis for Excessive Static Current Draw |
| V641501 2039887 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR. Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative issue diagnosis): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor operates but the glass does not move |
| V941501 2011521 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL; EXTERIOR LIGHTING. Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document |
| V011503 2014815 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Discusses the issues associated with using contaiminated gasoline. There are recommendations to use top tier gasoline retailers |
| V271501 2011894 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY. Technical Bulletin: Battery, Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161, MCR340V, InCharge 940, or GRX3000VAS Charger |
| V501604 2014370 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY. Technical Bulletin about Paint Finish, Reducing Swirl Marks and Fine Scratches New vehicles (prior to Retail Delivery) with swirl marks and or fine scratches from polishing or cleaning. The document also have infromation about where to find warrenty coverage for the service |
| V011602 2014815 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE. Technical tips on what to do if improper gasoline has been added to the vehicle. |
| V501603 2038981 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. WHEELS. Document discusses issues with The wheel liner touches the arch area of the fender and rubs off the paint in the contact area. The corrosion is caused by dirt accumulations and movements of the wheel liner. It discusses how to service the corrosion issue, and how to document it |
| V531601 2040536 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. STRUCTURE:BODY:BUMPERS. The document refers to Corrosion being found where the rear bumper cover meets the quarter panel. It discusses how it can happen, and where to find warranty coverage to service the parts |
| V551603 2039446 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY. Document discusses Corrosion that may be found on the folded edge of the hood. The corrosion may be found on this edge anywhere around the hood. It discusses how to service it, and document that service. It discusses where to find what applies to warranties that offer coverage for the service |
| V551601 2038993 | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. VISIBILITY:REAR WINDOW WIPER/WASHER:SWITCH/WIRING. Discussion on Corrosion on Rear Lid at Rear Window Area When the rear window heater is switched ON, power is transmitted to the outer sealing lip of the rear window. In some places the window sealer makes contact with the bus bar of the rear window heater. Contains examples on making claims for repair work |
| Elsa Newsletter | 2017-10-31. Service bulletin. WHEELS. Summary of Technical Bulletin to include additional model and model year applicability. Corrosion, Front Fenders, at Upper Wheel Opening (U.S. Only) |
| V171404 2012855 | 2017-10-21. Service bulletin. ENGINE. Technical Bulletin (Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard): This document informs of a sample list of products generally available in the North American market that meet the Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard |
The summaries are NHTSA's. Each bulletin's page links NHTSA's copy of the manufacturer's document.