9.2

really awful
Typical Repair Cost:
No data
Average Mileage:
109,700 miles
Total Complaints:
5 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (5 reports)
2002 Volkswagen Passat AC / heater problems

AC / heater problem

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2002 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #5

Dec 132015

Passat ELX 2.1L

  • CVT transmission
  • 206,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I am a single mother of a 16 & 11 yr old. I wanted to purchase my oldest son a car for Christmas. We were lied to by the seller and upon trying to solve the heating issue, amongst others-we soon realized that I purchased a great looking car, with multiple issues. Luckily I have an extremely knowledgeable boyfriend that owns Audi's and has done extensive work to repair certain issues on his cars.

He has now spent 3 weeks, all day long, trying to fix ALL of the problems with this VW Passat (it has the same body and engine as his Audi & he's never had these issues!) We put as much time, energy, and money into it as we could prior to Christmas...I had a big red bow on the car, and it was spotless looking! In pictures it looks like my son got an AWESOME gift. Reality is that it's been HELL! We purchased a computer system ($130) to diagnose issues for this specific car.

Today is Jan. 01, 2016-STILL NO HEAT & engine sounds like sh*t. I realize that I am the 2nd owner, but Volkswagen should take some responsibility for all of the faulty sh*t that I believe would be repaired/recalled if it were an "American Made" car...but basically we are the ones "re-making" it. It will be perfect, but there is no price to put on ALL of the time and money we've spent, but we do not give up. There are so many things going on with this car that I will not let my son drive it, we could sell this beautiful car all day long, but we aren't those type of people.

Long story shorter, If anyone can figure out the cause for no heat when the car is not throwing codes anymore, every possible thing has been done correctly, please let all of us know! This is my sons dream car & I actually love to drive it too, even though I have a brand new American made SUV. Too bad there are so many problems and the company can not admit their negligence.

- aman6784, Hastings, MI, US

problem #4

Jan 092011

Passat 1.8L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 83,000 miles

I took my car into the dealer and told them that the heater was blowing out cool air. The car would get semi-warm as long as I kept the blower on high continuously. The thermostat would never move up to the middle where it should have been. When I accelerated, I felt a difference in the temperature level. The dealer replaced my thermostat, said it wasn't opening & closing as it should. It was covered by an extended warranty so it only cost me $100. I drove home and the heat was blowing out hot to the point I had to turn it off. While driving home my dash lit up and said turn car off immediately, oil pressure sensor. I pulled over for a few minutes and turned the car off. After a few minutes I was able to drive home. In the morning when I drove the car, I had no heat. Took it back to the dealer, and now they said the heater core is clogged. (Why didn't they see that the 1st day I took it in.) It will cost me another $100 deductible for them misdiagnosing the car. I think that they should cover the $100.I mentioned to them about the oil pressure sensor notification, and they stated that they would have to diagnose the car to a tune of $250. Usually it costs $80 to diagnose your car. I asked about the oil sludge notification I received which stated that if you provided all oil change receipts (which I have) 2001-2004 models VW is providing an extended warranty for 10 years or 120,000 miles. They told me that is not what the letter stated it said 8 years, and my car didn't qualify. Then they told me that it was still in court, and that they could look at it because it might be something else that is causing the problem. They would have my car for one week, and wouldn't give me a loaner. They previously told me when asking for a loaner, that they only gave loaners if the car was there over night. Then they told me that the right outer CV Boot was torn. They just replaced that boot, why is it constantly having problems? As much as I used to love this car, they are making me sorry I ever bought it. The dealership does NOT stand behind their products, and truly Volkswagen does not care about their customers at all.

- eaststar634, Chicago, IL, US

problem #3

Nov 012008

Passat GLX 4 Motion 6 cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 85,000 miles

I have a 2002 VW Passat, and having a heater that blows cold air is not a problem one should have when living in the Upper Midwest. It's a good thing I have heated seats to keep me warm . . kind of!!!

- Linda B., Osseo, WI, US

problem #2

Feb 022009

Passat V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 80,400 miles

I had my 80, 000 miles routine service on my car which cost me $557. Exactly, 1 and a half weeks later. While going to work I noticed that the heater was blowing out cool air. I immediately called the dealership when I got to work. They told me to bring it in for a diagnostic test. After checking the car out they told me I had a clogged heater core. Needless to say I was pissed. I thought they should have caught something like this during the 80,000 miles check. I am expecting them to fix it free of charge, big mistake. Not happening, they told me they could flush it and see if it works for $150 or replace it for $1600. I opted for the former for financial reasons, but still very upset. It worked that day and has not since. Cool air is all I get. I thought that it was ironic that it happened after service, did someone pull a fast one or did they not do the work that they should have. I am very disappointed up until this point, I had been completely satisfied. And to get online and research this and find that others have this same problem, I am astonished and think that VW should recall these obviously bad parts and replace them free of charge. Their defect should not be our problem.

- Brenda B., Warner Robins, GA, US

problem #1

Oct 222007

(reported on)

Passat GL 1.8t

  • Automatic transmission
  • 94,000 miles

Took car to the dealer and they could not out why the heater was not working properly. Is there anyone out there who can help me out?

- J C., Camden, NJ, US

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