2003 Buick Regal vs 2003 Volkswagen Passat
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 8, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2003 Buick Regal | 2003 Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 101 | 628 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 6 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 426 | 213 |
| Investigations | 0 | 6 |
| Crash reports | 5 | 14 |
| Fire reports | 14 | 94 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 19–20 | 20–23 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 96,258 mi | 59,200 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Buick Regal | Volkswagen Passat |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 10 | 131 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 137 |
| Electrical System | 35 | 90 |
| Seats | 2 | 97 |
| Engine | 26 | 23 |
| Exterior Lighting | 5 | 39 |
| Power Train | 7 | 35 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 28 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Stalling | 15 | 75 |
| Rust / corrosion | 5 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 29 |
| Loss of power | 0 | 24 |
| Vibration / shaking | 0 | 18 |
| Overheating | 0 | 18 |
| Hesitation / surging | 0 | 13 |
| Water leaks | 0 | 11 |
2003 Buick Regal
2003 Volkswagen Passat
Compare all Buick Regal vs Volkswagen Passat years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.