2002 Volkswagen Passat Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 27about this part
- Share
- 4%of 636 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 46,500miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 27 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat, 4% of the 636 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 46,500 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“2002 vw Passat plastic lens cover over the head lights are so filmy, cloudy can hardly see at night..the lens covers have been cloudy for years, I notice lots of cars with cloudy lens cover not just vw...should be safety recall..... Do we wait like we did on no doc loans until we admit we have a problem.........no exact incident but I'm sure they have happened.”
NHTSA complaint #10410358, filed 2011-07, 30,000 miles“The vehicle has a safety issue as I cannot see when I put the heater on. The windshield becomes completely covered with steam. I have almost crashed 5 times already. Help!”
NHTSA complaint #10447359, filed 2012-02, 68,000 miles“This is the second time that the window regulator has gone out on my 2002 vw Passat 4motion glx. The first time this happened the drivers window regulator failed due to a corroded cable in the assembly. The most recent just happened to the rear passenger regulator, but this time the plastic assembly that holds the glass window broke and and the window fell down in traffic. I am very mechanically inclined and have fixed both of these problems on my own time, at my own expense. Just wondering if anyone else is experiencing these problematic issues. Thank you, darin.”
NHTSA complaint #10221375, filed 2008-03, 90,000 miles“Car is 3 1/2 years old. 52,500 miles. (2500 miles out of warranty) engine coolant flushed/replaced at 40,000 miles as required. Heater core just failed while on the freeway, blowing vapor into the cabin and steaming up the windows to the point the car was barely drivable. Vw america would not assist with the repair citing the age of the vehicle. I guess vw considers a car that's less than 4 years old to have significant problems. Repair cost is close to $1300. I will never buy a vw again, and I have already dissuaded a colleague at work from buying one as he was in the market for a new car.”
NHTSA complaint #10151654, filed 2006-03, 52,250 miles“Water leakage from sunroof to floor boards. The sunroof has drainage tubes, that can and will become clogged. Water on floorboard can lead to transmission problems. Tubes had to be unclogged, located on front door frames.”
NHTSA complaint #10300174, filed 2010-01, 75,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10123011Jul 22, 2015Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary…
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10122911Apr 20, 2015Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor operates but the…
- 10242998Dec 22, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242997Dec 15, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239541Sep 24, 2014Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239534Apr 18, 2014HVAC, Unpleasant Odor
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 5% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 7% |
| 2000 | 26 | 5% |
| 1999 | 33 | 5% |
| 1998 | 27 | 8% |
| 1997 | 16 | 43% |
| 1996 | 12 | 30% |
| 1995 | 20 | 22% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 17 | 25% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 6 | 25% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat
220 complaintsEngine cooling
135 complaintsFuel system
73 complaintsBrakes
72 complaintsExterior lighting
32 complaintsBody and structure
30 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 30, 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