Volkswagen / Passat / 2002
2002 Volkswagen Passat problems
Owners have filed 772 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat with NHTSA. Electrical system accounts for 28.9% of them — the clear leader, ahead of engine and engine cooling at 17.7%.
Complaints772
Crashes15
Fires53
Injuries23
Deaths4
What owners report breaking
Electrical system 28.9% · 223
Engine and engine cooling 17.7% · 137
Fuel system, gasoline 7.6% · 59
Service brakes, hydraulic 6.5% · 50
Exterior lighting 4.4% · 34
Structure 4.0% · 31
Visibility 3.6% · 28
Power train 3.2% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 15 describe a crash, 53 describe a fire, 23 report an injury and 4 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 22 model years of the Volkswagen Passat in this data, 2002 sits 6th by complaint volume. 2013 draws the most.
Filings have fallen off, 6 in the last three years against 22 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 50,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Ltr from consumer referencing defective front right daytime running lamp constantly failing on his 2002 vw Passat, reply directly to constituent. *Ts the light has failed three times in the last three years. Each time the vehicle was taken to the dealer who explained that the light burn out frequently because they were on all the time. The driver's side daytime running lamp has never failed. Electrical system
Car is approx 8 months old. Car was running rough and shaking and mil light came on. Pulled over and had car towed to dealership. They said they had to replace a faulty ignition coil. A week later problem repeats late night. Had to have the car towed again. Dealer says it is the same problem and they will have to replace all coils. Not sure I feel safe driving this car any more. Ts Electrical system · reported at 5,090 miles
Fuel system failed. The car ran like a tractor, misfiring and emitting explosive like sounds. The dashboard warning light came on and stayed on. We limped to the next vw dealer who found it necessary to replace the ignition coils. The coils were already once replaced under warranty on july 23, 20003. Why do we have to pay $200.44 Plus tax for these obviously unreliable parts? Electrical system · reported at 41,970 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…
Other Volkswagen Passat years
1999 854 complaints · 22.7% service brakes, hydraulic 2000 625 complaints · 26.4% service brakes, hydraulic 2001 558 complaints · 17.0% engine and engine cooling 2003 823 complaints · 17.7% fuel system, gasoline 2004 348 complaints · 17.8% engine and engine cooling 2005 172 complaints · 29.7% engine and engine cooling