2003 Volkswagen EuroVan MV from North America - Comments

Inside door grab handles are 'flaking'. The rubberized material is wearing off. Apparently a common problem fixed under warranty.

Heavy 'anti-rust' coating applied by factory to underside of van makes owner servicing a messy job.

I loved my Vanagon and I love my new Eurovan. It is my first brand new vehicle. I think the Vanagon had more interior space, but the weekender package with the pop-top sleeps my family of 4 just fine.

Very easy to load groceries and kids.

Too bad VW doesn't sell any vans in the USA - until 2006.

I had the same problem with the door handles. The warranty runs out at 50,000 miles. They do not have a permanent fix for it, and they won't. I too have a 2001 Eurovan. The Timing Belt tensioner went out at 90,000 highway miles (3 years old), damaging Cam gears etc. Cost me $2700,00 for repair. Symptom was noise from engine sounding like a sticking valve lifter, and progressively harder to start, until it wouldn't. Also, had small flakes of metal in bottom of the oil filter cap, from the cam gears desintegrating. Other problems I had were back door handle operating mechanism broke inside the door. High beam indicator light on dash stopped working. Oil pressure sending unit went out at 500 miles. Air Conditioning Compressor went out at 80,000 miles, cost $1000.00. Tire in rear keeps cupping and making a wop, wop sound. Sliding door wheel bearing self destructed at 40,000 miles. Pop top mechanism has to be adjusted frequently to stop rattling (caused by pop top expanding and contracting with the heating/cooling its exposed to during the day (Have to keep it adjusted so tight, that it takes a pull so hard on the handle to fasten it, that I am afraid the handle will break off someday. Bottom line is I will not buy another VW product. Other issues are no tilt wheel, seat does not slide back far enough, rear seats interfere with reclining of front seats, cup holders are good only for soda cans, and one next to the floor/right side of bench seat, is useless because the seat gets in the way. The system for dismounting the rear bench seat is too cumbersome and troublesome, refrigerator cools inadequately (slightly better than ambient air temperature), and it stops working after only 10 minutes of parking, even though it has its own battery. Good things are: Handling, gas mileage (around 18-19 overall), can get 21 if driven at 65 on highway and babied on take off etc in town. Roominess, cargo carrying capability. Looks great, get a lot of complements and looks. Could be a great van if someone would just think a little longer on design, and make sure everything works correctly etc.

Like I said in review of my 2000 Eurovan, the fit and finish is poor - after owning it for 3 1/2 years, many interior fixtures have broken off at their respective attachment points.

The rack and pinion always makes a whining sound when turning, other than in a wide arc, and this is after it was replaced under warranty. My proven, expert mechanic says this is a normal aberration.

In the USA, this van is only available with V6/automatic transmission combo - in Europe I believe 2 other motors are available (turbodiesel) with standard transmission.

We have a 2003 Eurovan with 20,000 miles on it. Grab handle peeled a little too. Otherwise has been trouble free. It seems very well made to me. I'd like another one someday if they make them again. We eat out in it more than in a restaurant. Never seen any plain van so well laid out for traveling.

Also, I really like the posistioning of the seats. I have long legs and it is very comfortable to be able to sit upright as in a dining table chair. The long seat depth is great for added support of my legs near the knees. I dislike any automobile where when I sit in it my butt is lower than my knees. Not so with the Eurovan. Overall the Eurovan workmanship surpasses the Big Three easily. I looked long and hard at the Big Three and wanted to buy American made so the money stays in America, but the quality just isn't in the Big Three.