2002 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Passat years
- Far more complaints than other years 3rd of 28 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 636 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat. That ranks 3rd out of 28 Passat model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (220 complaints, 35%), typically at around 14,590 miles. Complaints mention 10 crashes, 46 fires, 19 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 9 defect investigations involving it.
- 636owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 9NHTSA investigations
- 10complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2002 Volkswagen Passat problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System problems | 220 | 35% | 14,590 | “ignition coil” (34%) | $1,050 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 135 | 21% | 55,224 | “oil sludge” (18%) | $4,400 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline problems | 55 | 9% | 80,500 | “fuel tank” (40%) | $2,800 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 47 | 7% | 54,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 32 | 5% | 54,900 | — | — |
| Structure | 30 | 5% | 44,800 | — | — |
| Visibility | 27 | 4% | 46,500 | — | — |
| Power Train | 25 | 4% | 61,127 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 18 | 3% | 11,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 17 | 3% | 12,400 | — | — |
| Suspension | 16 | 3% | 53,995 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 16 | 3% | 55,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 15 | 2% | 118,000 | — | — |
| Seats | 15 | 2% | 49,108 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 15 | 2% | 121,562 | — | — |
| Engine | 13 | 2% | 131,400 | — | — |
| Tires | 13 | 2% | 25,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 11 | 2% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 8 | 1% | 89,735 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 6 | 1% | 63,427 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 5 | 1% | 69,020 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 3 | 0% | 47,850 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 0% | 162,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 2 | 0% | 70,000 | — | — |
| Wheels | 2 | 0% | 13,976 | — | — |
| Parking Brake | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | 40,891 | — | — |
| Steering | 1 | 0% | 26,786 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2002 Volkswagen Passat recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Tires
Problem: Certain sedans and station wagons equipped with 4.0l w8 engines fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, "tire selection and rims." the affected vehicles are equipped with tires of the maximum load rating index 93h; however, they should have been equipped with tires with the load rating index 97h.
Risk: These vehicles should have been equipped with tires having the load rating index 97h.
Fix: Dealers will replace all four tires with the proper size tires. Owner notification began september 19, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, gasoline:storage:tank assembly:filler pipe and cap
Problem: On some passenger vehicles, the fuel tank filler neck can suffer abrasion damage if the rear tire goes flat and the vehicle is driven until the tire disintegrates.
Risk: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
Fix: Dealers will fit passat vehicles with a new wheel house liner that will better protect the car's filler neck. Jetta vehicles will be fitted with a different metal shield designed to enhance abrasion protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began june 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine Compartment Fire (EA11002) — opened Jan 26, 2011, closed Feb 17, 2012.
- Engine Compartment Fire (PE10027) — opened Jul 26, 2010, closed Feb 7, 2011.
- Fuel tank leak (PE08008) — opened Jan 31, 2008, closed May 30, 2008, led to recall 08V156000.
- Passenger engine compartment fires (EA07014) — opened Sep 28, 2007, closed Jul 7, 2008, led to recall 08V156000.
- Passenger/engine compartment fires (PE07024) — opened May 10, 2007, closed Sep 28, 2007.
- Water/ice in brake booster (PE07018) — opened Apr 3, 2007, closed Sep 4, 2007.
- Engine stalling (DP05004) — opened Aug 11, 2005, closed Dec 8, 2005.
- Passenger air bag lid failure (EA03020) — opened Oct 7, 2003, closed Apr 23, 2004.
- Passenger sir door mounting stud failure (PE03021) — opened May 23, 2003, closed Oct 7, 2003.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this letter as a formal complaint regarding an authorized automobile dealerâs refusal to perform an open safety recall on my vehicle. Vehicle information: * Year/Make/Model: 2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T GLS * VIN: [XXX] I contacted Platinum Volkswagen, of…
I was letting my car run for a couple of minutes for the AC to cool down the car and I went into my house. When I came out about 2 minutes later, there was a large puddle of gas under the car in front of the right rear wheel and gas was running down the driveway all the way to the street. I…
While driving into the mall parking lot at speed of 20 mph all airbags exploded except the steering wheel airbag and my daughter suffered from arm and air injuries
When it rains the car gets flooded causing the whole wiring system through the car to get damage. The car will suddenly lose power and die as your driving. Seems to happen. When on highway most. The car will not start or crank. I've had to vacuum the floor boards and trunk, search for damaged…
Headlight pigtails have melted ,fuel pump has gone ,and the plastic reservoir peice from my coolant pump has melted off driver side wiper arm bar has malfunctioned
Other Volkswagen Passat years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 13 | 0 |
| 2021 Passat | 18 | 1 |
| 2020 Passat | 18 | 3 |
| 2019 Passat | 12 | 1 |
| 2018 Passat | 46 | 4 |
| 2017 Passat | 110 | 7 |
| 2016 Passat | 106 | 5 |
| 2015 Passat | 243 | 7 |
| 2014 Passat | 594 | 10 |
| 2013 Passat | 748 | 9 |
| 2012 Passat | 484 | 11 |
| 2011 Passat | 16 | 0 |
| 2010 Passat | 163 | 4 |
| 2009 Passat | 146 | 4 |
| 2008 Passat | 168 | 4 |
| 2007 Passat | 262 | 7 |
| 2006 Passat | 576 | 7 |
| 2005 Passat | 148 | 3 |
| 2004 Passat | 279 | 3 |
| 2003 Passat | 628 | 6 |
| 2002 | 636 | 3 |
| 2001 Passat | 430 | 3 |
| 2000 Passat | 507 | 3 |
| 1999 Passat | 664 | 5 |
| 1998 Passat | 331 | 4 |
| 1997 Passat | 37 | 0 |
| 1996 Passat | 40 | 1 |
| 1995 Passat | 93 | 1 |
See all Volkswagen Passat problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Passat?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine and engine cooling, fuel system, gasoline problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 220 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2002 Volkswagen Passat a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Passat model years, the 2002 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.