5.2

fairly significant
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
18,738 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 miscellaneous problems

miscellaneous problem

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2002 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #18

May 092017

Passat

  • 104,750 miles

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

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.

- Stockbridge, MA, USA

problem #17

Jul 302007

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 53,600 miles
We purchased a used 2002 Passat and during a storm, the passenger floor became filled with water, coming through the glove compartment. Dealer could not locate entry of water from hose at dealership so we changed to another 2002. On July 21, during a storm, the passenger side filled with rain on the floor but not through the glove compartment. On July 30, the driver floor was filled with water from a storm. But the passenger side was dry. Since this car is only a few years old, is this a defect?

- Hudson Oaks, TX, USA

problem #16

Jun 272006

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 38,000 miles
I bought a 2002 Passat wagon glx certified used at lindsay VW in sterling va. I have only had the car 10 months. I had my car washed the week before June 27th, my car is garage kept day and night. We had bad rain storms in the Washington DC area which I did not drive in the first day... the second day I did get caught in a rain storm but it was not unusually hard and I did not go through and large puddles. When I got home I noticed a ton of water had collected on the floor of the drivers side of the car. The lights began to flicker and go on and off... the electrical system was not working... so I called the dealer who informed me this was the case with a lot of their customers and could be a backed up drain from the sunroof. He said to have to car towed in... which I did. I then heard from the dealer two days later who said there were some leaves in the windshield wiper catch and that was what caused the water to pool into the car... it was not covered under warranty essentially my fault and the repair consisted of gutting the interior replacement of carpet and electrical boxes under drivers side etc. That is would be expensive.. parts alone estimated over 1K. I was shaken... he said he had to break the news to a lot of customers... I have checked message boards and this seems to be a very common and costly problem for a lot of Passat VW owners. This seems that if so many people are having a problem there must be a design flaw. I am still trying to appeal the fact I have to pay with the dealer.. have not yet heard from them in 3 days. VW needs to pay or recall and fix these problems. Thank your for your help.

- Poolesville, MD, USA

problem #15

Jun 252006

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Severe flood damage inside the rear passenger side foot well of my 2002 Volkswagen Passat. Flooding occurred after a moderate rain. Could find no blocked drains in the sun roof of the pollen filter.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #14

Jun 122006

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81,924 miles
Following recent heavy rains my 2002 VW Passat wagon engine light came on and engine ran a bit rough at times. $1989 repairs are traced to a "cracked pollen filter housing" that allowed water to enter cabin and throw off control modules located under the front seats.

- Milton, MA, USA

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problem #13

May 172006

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 55 miles
Clogged drain, for sun roof, causes water build up on rt. Side floor of car, electronic module($800),not water proof, creates mixed signals-airbag fault have serviced-engine lubrication fault "stop engine"--there defect, they don't pay due to "water exclusion"-carpeting $1,400-"water exclusion!!!!!

- Charleston S.C., SC, USA

problem #12

Dec 012005

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles

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

Every time it rains, rear passenger floor is filled with water. Dealer tried to repair line from sun roof, but problem is not fixed.

- Ashburn, VA, USA

problem #11

Apr 012005

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer inquiring on how to gain information regarding 2002 Volkswagen Passat. The dealership where the vehicle was purchased no longer exist.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #10

Nov 282001

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I purchased my 2002 volks Passat gls. I have had nothing but problems with this vehicle. My radio quit, I had the speakers replaced twice, I had the heater blower motor replaced, I had the ignition coils replaced 3 times (recall), wv campaign (recall), sludge in the engine (recall), the right wheel tire hull reinforced (recall). I have talked with Volkswagen corporate office and have an active complaint number. Their customer service is terrible both at the corporate and dealer level. The Volkswagen dealer in auburn, wa is inept and has put the wrong oil in the my car 2 times. I would like volkwagen to buy-back my car or give me a life-time warranty on the car. Any ideas? there have been too many incidents to list just one. It has been an ongoing problem.

- Des Moines, WA, USA

problem #9

Sep 152003

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 17,952 miles
Four ignition coils defective - replaced defective ignition - key stuck in car for over nine days defective stereo - replaced twice to date defective electrical - windows and locks go up and down while driving, gas cap pops open unexpectedly computer problem - computer blacks out at times defective wheel bearing - replaced at 17,952 miles defective motor blower - replaced defective rear wheel lining - replaced

- Rosemount, MN, USA

problem #8

Jan 132003

(reported on)

Passat

  • 8,000 miles

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

2002 Volkswagen Passat. **dimsii IVOQ entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis**770842

- Stamford, CT, USA

problem #7

Jan 062003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 12,000 miles
Loss of vehicle power for the third time due to faulty manufacturer's engine coils. Resulting in another tow to the dealership.

- Bristol, RI, USA

problem #6

Dec 102002

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,500 miles
Brand new 2002 VW Passat with 2,500 miles - ignition coil failed. Car was towed to dealership and was not repaired for 21 days. Only one coil was replaced even though they stated all 4 coils are defective. I offered to pay out of pocket to replace all the coils and they refused stating they did not have enough to go around. This car should not be driven long distances and certainly not on the highway knowing full well the other 3 coils are defective and are expected to break -- by tully volkswagon of nashua New Hampshire's own admission. There should be a total recall on this vehicle immediately. Only 3,000 miles accumulated so far and I'm concerned about highway driving! ridiculous.

- Westford, MA, USA

problem #5

Jan 252003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,500 miles
My 2002 Passat is less than 6 mths old (5,500 miles) and a coil malfunctioned. My car was towed to the VW dealer where I was told they will replace the failed coil, but none of the others, even though they admit that they will most likely fail. I will now be driving around waiting for my car to breakdown. As a single female, I don't find this to be a safe alternative.

- Everett, MA, USA

problem #4

Jan 172003

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
I purchased my 2002 VW Passat on August 21, 2002. After less than 3000 miles, I had to have one of the ignition coils replaced. Today, at 5146 miles, I had to have another ignition coil replaced. That is two times in less than 2 months that I have had to take my car in for repairs. The repairperson informed me that VW has been having this problem on all of the 1.8 turbos and that it is not really a matter of if the next one goes out, but when.

- Spring, TX, USA

problem #3

Jan 132003

Passat

  • Automatic transmission
  • 11,000 miles
Ignition coil failure after 7 months and 11000 miles.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #2

Aug 072002

Passat 4WD

  • miles
Only 1 month after fixing the same problem, the system shorted out again, leaving the climate control system, the cruise control, garage door opener, and other items inoperative.

- Kalamazoo, MI, USA

problem #1

Apr 202002

Passat

  • miles
Vehicle has had the check engine warning light on three times. The dealer states that Volkswagen has a problem with 2002 computer in Passats. Dealer states Volkswagen must write new computer code to remedy this problem. I have been told that this will take up to two weeks. I was not informed at the time of purchase that a problem existed in 2002 Passat software.

- Toledo, OH, USA

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