2002 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 643 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (30% of complaints); the 2004 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 643 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 immediately turned off the car and the gas stopped pouring out from under the car. I was lucky the car, my house or I did not go up in flames.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2023
“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”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“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 wires, change relays as well as camshaft position sensor, and fuel pump.as well as sensors. Trying to get it running again. Also the transmission jerks very hard when trying to go into reverse and most of the time in slips out of gear within1or 2 seconds.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“The ABS light came on and brake light is flashing red. The ABS module seems to be bad. The vehicle has these lights when its moving and stationary”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2018
“I get an audio and visual alert on my dash stating to 'stop, brake failure' it has occurred many times while driving, turning, and parked with the car on. The car's brakes have never failed to brake appropriately. I brought the car into my mechanic. The obd 2 scan shows no faults and my mechanic says the brakes are fine and these cars are known to have a faulty electronic board which falsely alerts of a brake failure.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2017
“The gas tank is leaking on the upper side behind the rear seats when is full. I think volkswagen recalled some vehicles for the same problem in the past.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2017
“The ABS brakes are faulty....they work randomly. From what I have research this particular modular should have been a factory recall.....”Owner report · Service Brakes · May 2017
“Engine failure, car was driving perfect no problems. All of a sudden it starts vibrating and shaking out of control. Called my mechanic he told me to bring it by, I started on my way to drive to the shop so he could take a look. Car died 1 mile from shop while I was driving in traffic. I was going 45mph wgen it failed, I had to get out the car push it out of traffic by myself. A vw passat wagon! Heavy? Yes very much so. Got it towed my mechanic looked at it and said it wasnt gettin enough oil.”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2017
“Periodically, when driving, the "ABS", "brake", and the "anti slip regulation" lights will flash with an alarm sound that lasts around three seconds and the lights go off. This happens when the car is running and has happened on the highway and while stopped. There is no difference in the way the car handles, drives, or brakes during and after this occurs. On one instance the "anti slip regulation" light stayed on and I had to stop and shut the car off. When I started it again, the light was extinguished. This has been going on for 3-4 months and only happens about once a week.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Nov 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a fuel leak. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel leak originated near the rear of the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a fuel leak in the vehicle coming from the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 12 of these complaints and injuries in 19 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2002 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 643 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is electrical system (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,058 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.