MYRModel Year Report

2002 Volkswagen Passat

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Volkswagen Passat
BUILT 2026-09-02

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen Passat Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1990: 34 complaints 1990 1991: 24 complaints 1992: 40 complaints 1993: 68 complaints 1994: 25 complaints 1995: 94 complaints 1995 1996: 142 complaints 1997: 70 complaints 1998: 331 complaints 1999: 664 complaints 2000: 507 complaints 2000 2001: 430 complaints 2002: 636 complaints 2002 2003: 629 complaints 2004: 279 complaints 2005: 148 complaints 2005 2006: 576 complaints 2007: 262 complaints 2008: 168 complaints 2009: 146 complaints 2010: 163 complaints 2010 2011: 16 complaints 2012: 483 complaints 2013: 748 complaints 2014: 594 complaints 2015: 243 complaints 2015 2016: 106 complaints 2017: 110 complaints 2018: 45 complaints 2019: 12 complaints 2020: 17 complaints 2020 2021: 18 complaints 2022: 12 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
2012483
2013748
2014594
2015243
2016106
2017110
201845
201912
202017
202118
202212

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 35%

35% of complaints: electrical system — 222 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing ignition and module.

CRASH FIRE DEATH
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.*AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20020916

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, 20020910

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, 20011002

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 22%

22% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 137 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
SERVICE BRAKES 12%

12% of complaints: service brakes — 76 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and electric.

CRASH FIRE
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, 20171217

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, 20171210

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 9%

9% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 59 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and delivery.

FIRE INJURY
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 5%

5% of complaints: exterior lighting — 34 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing headlights and switch.

CRASH FIRE DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 636
I 20030523 — PE (closed 20031007)

PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE

R 20030613 — fuel system, gasoline

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 ABRASION

Campaign 02V026000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20030919 — tires

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 VEHICLES

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 DATE

Campaign 03V154000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20031007 — EA (closed 20040423)

PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE

I 20050811 — DP (closed 20051208)

ENGINE STALLING

I 20070403 — PE (closed 20070904)

WATER/ICE IN BRAKE BOOSTER

I 20070510 — PE (closed 20070928)

PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20070928 — EA (closed 20080707)

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES

I 20080131 — PE (closed 20080530)

FUEL TANK LEAK

R 20080613 — fuel system, gasoline

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 SHIELD

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. DEA

Campaign 08V156000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20100726 — PE (closed 20110207)

Engine Compartment Fire

I 20110126 — EA (closed 20120217)

Engine Compartment Fire

R 20140501 — engine and engine cooling

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.

Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (222 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (137 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for service brakes issues (76 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 03V154000 (tires) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 1990 ▲ 1992 ▲ 2018

WORST YEARS

■ 2013 ■ 1999 ■ 2003

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.