10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
30,262 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 drivetrain problems

drivetrain problem

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2002 Volkswagen Passat Owner Comments

problem #5

Jul 262002

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 500 miles

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

The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that her vehicle was a lemon when she purchased it in 2002. Water enters the vehicle from the sun roof whenever it rains. She received a recall notice, but the vehicle was not repaired according to the recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer more than fifteen times, but it has never been repaired. The failure mileage was 500 miles. Updated 8/24/09 the consumer was told the water leak was coming from the after market speaker. The headlight tail light and fog light bulbs were replaced. The check engine light illuminated and the coolant bottle had a hairline crack. The heat in the vehicle was not working properly. The technician discovered the heater core had a blockage. The water pump was leaking. Both outer cv boots were replaced. There was a large evap leak at the purge valve which was replaced. The cruise control light was on. The right side valve cover gasket was leaking oil and the alternator was replaced. Updated 08/26/09.

- Hampton, VA, USA

problem #4

Sep 192006

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
I had the check engine light on and took it to the dealer. He said there was problem with combi valve, vacuum hose and secondary air pump which costs a total of >1200$ in total. Luckily, I had the extended warranty and I have to pay 700$. the car is 2002 VW Passat gls (1.8) and have only 40K on it. This is the second major repair and the previous one was some kind of cv joint issue. All this problems seems to be a common problem for all Passat owners and I wonder why there is not even a recall for this. May be they know this problem and want people to go and pay money. One thing is sure. This will be my first and last VW. I don't recommend any one to buy VW, but better buy cheap Japanese cars like mitsubhishi which runs for years and years without any problem.

- Richardson, TX, USA

problem #3

Oct 032005

Passat 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 44,000 miles
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. Since September, I've been having problems with the ABS light coming on and staying on. Twice, I've also had "brake fault" warnings to stop the vehicle. It's been in for service four times since October 3 to fix the problem. The cv joint was replaced yesterday, which was supposed to fix the problem. First thing this morning, the ABS light is on again. I have a fifth service appointment with bachman Volkswagen on Monday. I've been reading about quite a few ABS problems on various online forums, so I don't seem to be alone with this particular problem.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #2

Oct 072002

Passat 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 66,810 miles
My 2002 Passat has had the turbo replaced twice, the comfort control module replaced twice, and numerous other recalls. Thursday, 10/7/04 my car was at the dealer to replace the comfort control module for the second time. I drove home (8 miles, low speed). The next morning while driving to a meeting I noticed a strong petroleum smell, I thought it was the truck ahead of me. Sunday 10/10/04 I noticed spots on the side of my car, and after crawling under it I noticed that my cv joint boot had split. This is after 67000 miles. I feel that this is very premature and think that VW should absorb the cost for repair. I am currently fighting with VW for this correction.

- Elkridge, MD, USA

problem #1

Sep 292001

Passat

  • miles
This was pretty straightforward. I heard a grinding noise whenever I turned right in my Passat. With less than 800 miles on my car, I drove it back to the dealer. Within an hour they determined that the cv joint was "bad". what surprised me was there nonchalance. No offer of a loaner car (they're paying for the rental of a much cheaper car), no attempt to rush delivery on the needed part (at the earliest, it will arrive 4 days after it was ordered), not even the simpliest apology.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

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