2002 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 72about this part
- Share
- 11%of 636 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 72 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat, 11% of the 636 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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. I brought the car into my mechanic. The obd 2 scan shows no faults and my mechanic says the brakes are fine and these cars are known to have a faulty electronic board which falsely alerts of a brake failure.”
NHTSA complaint #11053751, filed 2017-12, 75,000 miles“Car beeps and displays the ABS light and the brake light. At first they appear and then disappear. On 6/12/2014 the ABS is on each time I start the vehicle plus the brake light flashes throughout the duration of the drive. On two occurrences the traction control off light came on and remained on. The fear is that I have lost ABS and traction control, and also that the e-brake or brakes will engage while in motion. …”
NHTSA complaint #10597963, filed 2014-06, 135,000 miles“This just started happening to me and I was searching the web and it seems like it's a problem for a lot of people. About once every 20 minutes while I'm driving my 2002 Passat, the car beeps, and then the ABS light comes on and the red brake light flashes. I loose a little of my braking power for a few seconds every time it happens.”
NHTSA complaint #10356069, filed 2010-09, 150,000 miles“This has happened 3 times now. My car beeps at me about 3-4 times & the ABS & brake lights come on for a few seconds before turning off. From everything I have read online, its a problem with the ABS module & this is a common problem in the Passat.”
NHTSA complaint #10459763, filed 2012-05, 68,000 miles“Abs light flashes on and off. Dealer says that it would cost over $1000. I just can't believe that such a safety system can I have such defects within it. Has anyone investigated this problem because I've seen numerous complaints about this online.”
NHTSA complaint #10336422, filed 2010-06, 89,735 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10238963Nov 7, 2014Fault code 02543 000 ?Brake Vacuum Sensor no Display? may be encountered in the ABS module. This may be caused by the hydraulic brake boost function (HBV) in adaptation value 61…
- 10238568Sep 12, 2014For long crank/ difficulty starting with the engine hot: Before replacing any components for this complaint, drain the fuel from the vehicle and replace with known good diesel…
- 10238566Jun 18, 2013If mechanical damage is found to the turbocharger (e.g. damaged compression wheel, loose or broken shaft), it is not enough to just replace the turbocharger.
- 10238966May 31, 2013After replacing a Bosch 5.7 ABS module, refer to the table below to determine correct module coding value based on vehicle PR codes. Listed login code must be entered under…
- 10070775May 31, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10238620Dec 16, 2012To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding value from the tables below. Note that the first table is only applicable to 2.8L…
- 10157760Nov 16, 2012Tech Tips (Bosch 5.3 ABS Control Module ? ABS Coding Tables): This document informs To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding…
- 10156161Nov 16, 2012Tech Tips (Bosch 5.3 ABS Control Module ? ABS Coding Tables): This document informs To code a Bosch 5.3 ABS control module, use Vehicle Self-diagnosis to enter the correct coding…
- 10070773Nov 16, 2012Summary to be provided on a future date.
- 10051242Nov 16, 2012Volkswagen: update to information. Providing correct coding values for abs control modules on certain vehicles without can-bus. Models 1998-2002 passat.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 25% |
| 2018 | 13 | 28% |
| 2017 | 17 | 15% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 28 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 16 | 6% |
| 2006 | 49 | 9% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 42 | 7% |
| 2002 | 72 | 11% |
| 2001 | 63 | 15% |
| 2000 | 207 | 41% |
| 1999 | 233 | 35% |
| 1998 | 90 | 27% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat
220 complaintsEngine cooling
135 complaintsFuel system
73 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
18 complaintsEquipment
17 complaintsSuspension
16 complaintsVehicle speed control
16 complaintsSeats
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology