10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 8
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,488 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Feb 272003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,000 miles

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

Due to the defective ignition coils, the engine lost power unexpectedly, while driving. Luckily, the person behind me was alert enough to stop quickly. The dealer will not replace all the ignition coils, and according to VW all have the potential to become defective, leaving a very dangerous situation for all drivers, not just the owners of VW's. I do not want to drive my car, I am so scared that the next time I will not be so lucky. Please help all drivers and advise VW to fix all ignition coils before fatalities occur.

- Mineola, NY, USA

problem #11

Feb 152003

Passat 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 11,254 miles
Inoperative climatic control, cruise control, homelink visor, steering wheel button lights & controls. Number 5 fuse has blown a second time. Suspected cause is faulty homevisor link (remote control) on driver's side visor. Several complaints have been noted through vwvortex.com on the 2002 Passat model. Both times the fuse blew were in cold weather. Will attempt to get dealership to investigate and/or replace homevisor link. Other reports in the complaint of NHTSA section have reported that this also occurs during hot weather. First suspect of this occuring is that the climatic control (heating & ac) is not operational. When the climatic control is off, it should say "off" on the digital screen. When this issue occured the second time it was while on the highway which caused my windows to fog up do to the heating system fan not operational for heat and defog...had to roll down windows with temps in the teens to help clear windows. Very "unsafe" thing to happen while driving.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #10

Dec 102002

Passat

  • 2,000 miles
One of the four ignition coils failed, which caused the engine light to flicker on and off.

- Jamaica Plain, MA, USA

problem #9

Jan 262003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,800 miles

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

The ignition coils needed to be replaced.

- Needham, MA, USA

problem #8

Dec 012002

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 14,590 miles
The dealer replaced the faulty coil, however it failed two weeks later. The dealer refused to change the other three coils.. the manufacturer refused to authorize the replacement of the other 3 coils.

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

problem #7

Jan 202003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 25,500 miles
I own a volkswagon Passat 2002 1.8 turbo model.. the coils on the engine are defective. Volkswagon know this and has improved the coil and replaces it with a new design. I have a 4 cylinder engine. That means I have one coil on each cylinder. I have 3 coils go bad. When they go bad when you are driving you lose power to the car and are unable to drive at your current speed. I had one coil go bad in November of 2002, December of 2002, and today my 3rd coil went bad. I have filed a compliant with volkswagon but they won't replace all the coils until they break. I have only one more to fix but they won't fix it. It is dangerous to drive the car or to take long trips with the car due to the fact you never know when the coil will break. I filed a compliant over the phone for the federal department of transportation in December. I was supposed to recieve information from you to fill out and return.. I called twice and have never recieved it. My car broke down today for the third time. The dealership is closed and I had to rent a car again. Could someone investigate this. I can not be the only person in America with this problem.

- Groveport, OH, USA

problem #6

Jan 122003

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles

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

While driving, ignition coil failed without warning which caused vehicle to stall. Dealer advised that manfacturer was aware of problem, but would only replace remaining coils after they have failed.

- Pitman, NJ, USA

problem #5

Jan 132003

(reported on)

Passat

  • miles
Consumer is having problems with the ignition coil pack. Also consumer stated the engine stopped running while driving. Dealer was contacted and will only replace one at the time.

- Clovis, CA, USA

problem #4

Dec 112002

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 21,511 miles
The ignition coil continued to break which caused vehicle to lose power while driving. The dealer was notified. The left front headlight had burned out, and the left speaker had gone out. The ignition coil was replaced and the mechanic reprogrammed the ECU in order to correct the misfires.

- Avon Lake, OH, USA

problem #3

Dec 042002

Passat

  • miles
Consumer stated while driving, the malfunction indicator light illuminated, consumer stated the ignition coil had failed. Dealer notified.

- El Cerrito, CA, USA

problem #2

Oct 062002

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
There seems to be a long wait for coilpacks everywhere. I had that problem in my Passat earlier this year, and got it fixed. But I know I have 3 faulty ones left in my car, and only time will make them malfunction again, leaving me stranded.

- Trumbull, CT, USA

problem #1

Jul 032002

Passat

  • miles
The consumers right rear tire of the vehicle became flat so the consumer immediately pulled over to the side of the highway. There were flames shooting out from underneath the vehicle. (cause was unknown) but the fire report mentioned that there were fireworks in the trunk, but the consumers daughter says that there was kitty litter in the trunk.

- Portsmouth, RI, USA

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