2002 Volkswagen Passat Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 17about this part
- Share
- 3%of 636 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 12,400miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the equipment of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat, 3% of the 636 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 12,400 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Radio went completely dark. Took it in, they unplugged and reconnected it. Went dead again a few weeks later. This time, it drained the battery completely while it was dead so I had to get a jump. Took it in and the dealer told me they'd had several vehicles, mostly passats but also jettas, where the radios were going bad and draining batteries through the comfort control module. They had to replace both the radio and the battery. Car only has 12,000 miles on it.”
NHTSA complaint #10112529, filed 2005-03, 12,400 miles“Ignition coils failed two times, resulting in loss of power and causing vehicle to shudder. Coils were supposedly replaced. On a separate occasion (following the coil repair) vehicle completely shut down on the interstate- going from 80 to 0 MPH in the matter of seconds. I had already been driving the vehicle for over an hour. I lost all power and was barely able to get the car to the shoulder. Problem was diagnosed as bad gas (not possibly the coil). …”
NHTSA complaint #10080545, filed 2004-07, 35,000 miles“The ignition coils on my 2002 vw Passat 1.8t ar about to fail for the third time. The car was bought in may of 2002. The first incident occured in december, the second in january, and now it is about to happen again now in february. Each incident is preluded by a slight jolt in the car upon start up followed bu rough idleing. Every time we take it and and are told it is fixed and then sure enough a month later I am back there again. I do not see this problem getting any better. In addition the mach rstereo system has been fixed, then replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10007848, filed 2003-02, 7,548 miles“2002 vw Passat car jack (oem) failed under normal lifting operation to remove tire. Jack assembly twisted and bent during lifting process. It then became necessary to use an alternate jack to lift the vehicle to remove this oem jack from under the vehicle. Owner contacted vw of america to alert manufacturer of the safety concern and to request a replacement jack and was informed that the vehicle was no longer under warranty.”
NHTSA complaint #10349140, filed 2010-08, 44,000 miles“Nar 3-10-03 with the consumer vehicle having less than 7000 miles, many problems occurred, the front and rear windows froze from the inside, the vehicle began to stall, the ignition coil needed to be replaced, the glove compartment flooded when it rained or snowed, also the carpets and pollen filter were damaged due to the flood. The consumers was very disappointed and suggested that a full refund be given or have volvo to give them a new 2003 Passat, equally equipped as the 2002 at the same purchase price.”
NHTSA complaint #10011776, filed 2003-03, 7,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10175799May 12, 2020Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10161215Jun 12, 2019Update vehicle metadata.
- 10159010Mar 27, 2019The part number listed in the document is to be returned if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10161475Nov 13, 2018Update vehicle metadata.
- 10149868Aug 20, 2018To include an additional model year applicability.
- 10157306Sep 19, 2017Update to model year applicability.
- 10157302Sep 14, 2017Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 8 | 1% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1991 | 1 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat
220 complaintsEngine cooling
135 complaintsFuel system
73 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsBody and structure
30 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
27 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
25 complaintsOther or unknown
18 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