MYRModel Year Report

2002 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
636
Recalls
4

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
9

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

35% of complaints

Complaints per year

1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 636 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 636 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022
1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1992 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1994 1995: 94 complaints 1996: 142 complaints 1996 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1998 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 636 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2004 2005: 148 complaints 2006: 576 complaints 2006 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2008 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 484 complaints 2012 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2014 2015: 243 complaints 2016: 106 complaints 2016 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 46 complaints 2018 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 18 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 13 complaints 2022

2002: 636 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19880
19890
199034
199124
199240
199368
199425
199594
1996142
199770
1998331
1999664
2000507
2001430
2002636
2003629
2004279
2005148
2006576
2007262
2008168
2009146
2010163
201116
2012484
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
202118
202213

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Electrical system

35% · 222 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and module.

CRASHFIREDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle had been in for an oil change about 8 days ago. Vehicle was sitting in garage, when it caught on fire. House could have burned down. Please provide any further information.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-16

At approximately 9 pm on 8/31/02, a fire starting beneath the hood destroyed the vehicle as it sat in the driveway of our home.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-09-10

Fire in engine compartment (Approximately 2"-3" High 6"-12" Inches wide) no action taken by factory after 10 days of having the car in the dealer.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-10-02

Engine and engine cooling

22% · 137 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASHFIREINJURY

Service brakes

12% · 76 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The ABS brakes are faulty....they work randomly. From what I have research this particular modular should have been a factory recall.....

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-17

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2017-12-10

Fuel system, gasoline

9% · 59 reports

Most commonly citing tank assembly and delivery.

FIREINJURY

Exterior lighting

5% · 34 reports

Most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASHFIREDEATH

Safety timeline

4 recalls · 9 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 636 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2003-05-23Preliminary evaluationClosed 2003-10-07 Passenger sir door mounting stud failure
  3. R
    2003-06-13Fuel system, gasoline02V026000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2003-09-19Tires03V154000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2003-10-07Engineering analysisClosed 2004-04-23 Passenger air bag lid failure
  6. I
    2005-08-11Defect petitionClosed 2005-12-08 Engine stalling
  7. I
    2007-04-03Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-09-04 Water/ice in brake booster
  8. I
    2007-05-10Preliminary evaluationClosed 2007-09-28 Passenger/engine compartment fires
  9. I
    2007-09-28Engineering analysisClosed 2008-07-07 Passenger engine compartment fires
  10. I
    2008-01-31Preliminary evaluationClosed 2008-05-30 Fuel tank leak
  11. R
    2008-06-13Fuel system, gasoline08V156000 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…

    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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2010-07-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2011-02-07 Engine Compartment Fire
  13. I
    2011-01-26Engineering analysisClosed 2012-02-17 Engine Compartment Fire
  14. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 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...

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 222 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 137 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 76 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V026000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 03V154000 · Tires
  • Recall 08V156000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Volkswagen Passat is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 35% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat have?
4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.