2003 Volkswagen eurovan
Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Volkswagen eurovan is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 2 on record.
2003 Volkswagen eurovan at a glance
Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.
2003 Volkswagen eurovan recalls 1
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2003 Volkswagen Passat sedan, Jetta, Jetta wagon, Golf, EuroVan, EuroVan Camper Van and EuroVan Chassis vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69X3.
Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.
2003 Volkswagen eurovan common problems
The most-reported problem areas across all 19 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.
2003 Volkswagen eurovan MPG & running costs
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov.
Estimated 5-year cost to own
A rough guide to what running a 2003 Volkswagen eurovan costs over five years and 75,000 miles.
How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.
Dimensions & weight
Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2003 Volkswagen eurovan — ranges cover the 2 body / drivetrain versions on record. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.
Investigations & service bulletins
NHTSA defect investigations 2
ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE Closed
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 W…
NHTSA #EA08002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Jan 2008 · closed Mar 2008ENGINE COOLING FAN BLADE FRACTURE Closed
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION BASED ON FOUR REPORTS ALLEGING 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…
NHTSA #RQ07002 · Engine And Engine Cooling · opened Sep 2007 · closed Jan 2008An investigation means NHTSA is examining a possible defect — it is not a recall, and many close without one.
Manufacturer service bulletins 131
Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 131.
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
Bulletin V171901201285565 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Bulletin V171901201285562 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2023Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Bulletin V171901201285560 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2023Update model year applicability to include 2023.
Bulletin V941901201152119 · Equipment · Dec 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
Bulletin V271901201189422 · Electrical System · Dec 2022This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
Bulletin A002155201173212 · Electrical System · Dec 2021Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
Bulletin V171901201285534 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2021Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
Bulletin V871806201994714 · Equipment · May 2020Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
Bulletin V941901201152115 · Equipment · Apr 2020Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon.
Bulletin V011812_2014603 · Electrical System · Jul 2019Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the EUROVAN. Model-year data, not specific to one car.
Canadian recalls 1
Transport Canada recall campaigns for the 2003 Volkswagen eurovan. Relevant if the car was first sold in, or imported from, 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.
Transport Canada #2018316 · Jun 2018Source: Transport Canada Motor Vehicle Safety Recalls Database.
About the Volkswagen eurovan
The Volkswagen Transporter (T4), marketed in North America as the Volkswagen EuroVan, is a van produced by the German manufacturer Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles between 1990 and 2004, succeeding the Volkswagen Type 2 (T3) and superseded by the Volkswagen Transporter (T5).
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.