2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Problems
- Complaints
- 7filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 105,000miles, 7 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 0campaigns on record
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 22 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. The part named most often is brakes, with 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine (2) and air bags (1). 7 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 105,000 miles. Of all complaints, 2 involved a crash, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 111 technical service bulletins for this model year. Brakes complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Brakes3 43%
- Engine2 29%
- Air bags1 14%
- Fuel system1 14%
- Body and structure1 14%
- Tires1 14%
Example complaints
Brakes: “I was driving up somewhat of a hill and had to slow down due to a bit of traffic flow. I had realized I was a little closer than I thought so I braked a little harder than usual. My brakes were grabbing on tightly to the ground like they should but then seemed to have given out at the last couple seconds. My car hit the car in front of me, resulting in both my front airbags going off. The airbag on the passenger side and swung out and hit my right hand, resulting in some minor burns and scrapes. I then started going backwards after the car in front of me was hit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10563783, filed 2014-02, 96,000 milesEngine: “Engine failure, car was driving perfect no problems. All of a sudden it starts vibrating and shaking out of control. Called my mechanic he told me to bring it by, I started on my way to drive to the shop so he could take a look. Car died 1 mile from shop while I was driving in traffic. I was going 45mph wgen it failed, I had to get out the car push it out of traffic by myself. A vw Passat Wagon! Heavy? Yes very much so. Got it towed my mechanic looked at it and said it wasnt gettin enough oil.”
NHTSA complaint #10957389, filed 2017-02, 105,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
0% of the 7 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 105,000 and 135,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Passat Wagon FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 19 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 1.8L 4-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Passat Wagon FWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion 4WD/AWD | 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion 4WD/AWD | 4.0L 8-cyl | 5-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 111 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine cooling. Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Electrical system. Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021Electrical system. This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10175799May 12, 2020Equipment. Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Equipment. Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10164227Aug 14, 2019Body and structure, Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors). Original version accidently archived 8/9/19. Recreate exact content in new format and republish, as warranty policy still relevant to applicable later model years.
- 10161215Jun 12, 2019Equipment. Update vehicle metadata.
Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat Wagon
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 9 | 76,052 | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 2009 | 6 | 75,000 | 2 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2008 | 6 | 115,000 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2007 | 11 | 149,500 | 3 | — | 23 | — | Not enough data |
| 2004 | 6 | 121,962 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 2002 | 7 | 105,000 | 0 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Passat Wagon model years
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have?
NHTSA recorded 7 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is reported most often?
Brakes is named most often, in 3 complaints (43% of the total), followed by engine with 2.
Has the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon been recalled?
NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon get?
The EPA rates the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon (Passat Wagon, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon reported?
Among the 7 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 105,000 miles and the middle half falls between 105,000 and 135,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.