RoadVitals

2002 Volkswagen Passat Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
30
Latest Feb 14, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
5%
of 636 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 30 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

The 25 most recent of 30, in the owner's own words

Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 14, 2019

WHEN IT RAINS THE CAR GETS FLOODED CAUSING THE WHOLE WIRING SYSTEM THROUGH THE CAR TO GET DAMAGE. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND DIE AS YOUR DRIVING. SEEMS TO HAPPEN. WHEN ON HIGHWAY MOST. THE CAR WILL NOT START OR CRANK. I'VE HAD TO VACUUM THE FLOOR BOARDS AND TRUNK, SEARCH FOR DAMAGED WIRES, CHANGE RELAYS AS WELL AS CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR, AND FUEL PUMP.AS WELL AS SENSORS. TRYING TO GET IT RUNNING AGAIN. ALSO THE TRANSMISSION JERKS VERY HARD WHEN TRYING TO GO INTO REVERSE AND MOST OF THE TIME IN SLIPS OUT OF GEAR WITHIN1OR 2 SECONDS.

NHTSA ID
11180192
Incident
Dec 15, 2018
Mileage
200,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Sep 17, 2015

WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH OR IN CITY TRAFFIC I GET AN ALARM WARNING THAT MY DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN. TO SHUT THE LOUD WARNING OFF, I MUST OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR WHILE GOING 75MPH OR IN TRAFFIC. EITHER I OPEN THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING OR PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC, I FIND THIS VERY DANGEROUS!!! THIS HAPPENS DAILY THIS IS MY SECOND VW PASSAT THAT THE DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED AND WAS TOLD THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGENS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DANGERS OF HAVING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO RESET THE LATCH ELECTRICAL SWITCHES THAT ARE DEFECTIVE!!!

NHTSA ID
10764641
Incident
Sep 16, 2015
Mileage
122,000 mi
Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed Mar 5, 2011

MY COMPLAINT IS MORE GENERAL IN NATURE. I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT IN 2001. THIS WAS THE FIRST CAR I PURCHASED BRAND NEW. AS I THINK BACK OVER THE TIME THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE AND READING THE COMPLAINTS THAT HAVE BEEN LOGGED IN ON THIS SITE, I CAN'T HELP BUT THINK THAT VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD OFFER SOME TYPE OF SUBSTANTIAL "HARDSHIP" REIMBURSEMENT BESIDES REPAIRS AND SUCH. IN THE TIME THAT I'VE HAD THIS VEHICLE, I'VE HAD THE FOLLOWING INCIDENTS OCCUR: 1. HAVE A CONTROL UNIT REPLACED (HORN NOT WORKING, UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOWS, ETC..) 2. REPLACE IGNITION COIL (STOP MOTOR STATUS LIGHT COMING ON AS I'M DRIVING IN THE MIDST OF TRAFFIC) 3. HAD UNDERSHIELD FALL FORWARD AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE STATE HIGHWAY, PRETTY MUCH SCOOPING UP POTENTIAL DEBRIS FROM THE ROADWAY SURFACE. 4. DAMAGE TO ENGINE FROM OIL SLUDGE AND OIL PUMP REPLACEMENT NO LESS THAN THREE TIMES. (STOP MOTOR LIGHT AGAIN) 5. INTERIOR OF CAR FLOODED AND FROZEN OVER FROM SUNROOF FLAW AND ELECTRONICS ARE AFFECTED... JUST ON MERITS OF BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP OF THE VEHICLE AND SHOWING THAT THESE SERVICES WERE INDEED RENDERED AT A VOLKSWAGEN AUTHORIZED REPAIR FACILITY, I BELIEVE THAT AT MINIMUM, VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD AGREE TO REIMBURSE ALL EXPENSES, NO QUESTIONS ASKED. IT'S BECOME CLEAR THAT THE QUALITY OF THESE VEHICLES WAS SUBSTANTIALLY SUB-PAR AND POORLY DESIGNED ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY IN MY PARENTS DRIVEWAY, AS THE LAST TIME THE OIL PUMP WENT CAUSED SO MANY ISSUES THAT I ENDED UP NOT BEING ABLE TO DRIVE THE CAR (LIVE AND WORK OUT OF STATE NOW AND REGISTRATION EXPIRED THE SAME MONTH THE PUMP WENT THEN COULDN'T AFFORD INSURANCE AFTER REPAIRS). TO ADD INSULT TO INJURY, I DIDN'T RECEIVE THE CLAIM NOTICE ABOUT FIXING THE SUNROOF ISSUE UNTIL A YEAR LATER, AS IT WENT TO MY OLD ADDRESS AND NOW IT'S TOO LATE TO EVEN FILE THE CLAIM. ALL I WANT IS HAVE A RELIABLE CAR TO OPERATE WITHOUT WORRYING ABOUT IF I'M GONNA HAVE SKIP LUNCH BECAUSE I SPENT ALL MY MONEY ON REPAIRS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10386525
Incident
Mar 5, 2011
Body & structureInterior & seats
Filed Feb 8, 2010
1 injury reported

I WAS FILLING UP MY WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID AND WAS TRYING TO PUT THE CAP BACK ON MY 2002 PASSAT WHEN THE HOOD STRUT FAILED AND THE HOOD CRASHED DOWN ON MY FOREARM, PINNING MY ARM BETWEEN THE HOOD AND CAR FRAME. I SCREAMED OUT BOTH IN PAIN AND NOT BEING ABLE TO PULL MY ARM FREE AND HAD SOMEONE RUSH OVER TO ME WITHIN SECONDS. HOWEVER, THE HOOD LATCH HAD ENGAGED BUT WOULD NOT RELEASE SINCE THE HOOD WAS NOT CLOSED ALL THE WAY, MY ARM BLOCKING THIS FROM HAPPENING. THE FIRST GENTLEMAN TRIED TO ALLEVE THE PRESSURE ON MY ARM, WHICH HAD ALREADY STARTED GOING NUMB, WHILE HE CALLED OUT FOR SOMEONE ELSE TO COME AND HELP AND BRING A HEAVY METAL BAR TO PRY ME OUT. THE SECOND GENTLEMAN CAME WITH A LARGE WRENCH AND WAS ABLE TO BEND THE FRAME ENOUGH FOR ME TO PULL MY ARM OUT. MAJOR INDENT OF MY FOREARM HAD ME MAKE AN EMERGENCY ROOM VISIT. XRAYS SHOWED NOTHING WAS BROKEN THOUGH 1 WEEK LATER I AM STILL SWOLLEN AND SORE. ABOUT $1900 BODY DAMAGE TO CAR, AS WELL AS AT LEAST $250 MEDICAL. MY MECHANIC NEVER HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE HOOD STRUT, SO THIS INCIDENT CAME AS A TOTAL SURPRISE TO HIM. HE HAS ORDERED A REPLACEMENT STRUT TO BE INSTALLED TOMMOROW. *CN

NHTSA ID
10307577
Incident
Feb 1, 2010
Mileage
89,500 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 28, 2009

DURING HEAVY RAINS, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, WHICH WAS PROPERLY CLOSED AND LATCHED. OWNER DID NOT KNOW THAT WATER INFILTRATION HAD OCCURRED. UPON DRIVING THE CAR AFTER THE STORM, MULTIPLE WARNINGS APPEARED. CAR SHUTTERED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. EVENTUALLY CAR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE STATION, WHICH DIAGNOSED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED VEHICLE AND POOLED IN PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. TRANSMISSION MODULE LOCATED BENEATH PASSENGER FLOORBOARD FLOODED AND FAILED. TRANSMISSION MODULE AND RELATED COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE AND WERE TOLD THIS WAS NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT INFORMATION OBTAINED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATES OTHERWISE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10297147
Incident
Nov 23, 2009
Mileage
135,000 mi
Body & structureSuspension
Filed Feb 24, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR A RECALL REPAIR AND WAS INFORMED THAT OTHER REPAIRS WERE ALSO NEEDED. PRIOR TO THE RECALL BEING ISSUED, THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME SYMPTOMS STATED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER TO HAVE THE MOTOR MOUNT AND CV BOOT REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, THERE IS A RUBBER COMPONENT THAT NEEDS TO BE REPAIRED. THE CONTACT WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY SHE BEGAN EXPERIENCING SO MANY ISSUES WITH HER VEHICLE AT 15,000 MILES. THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 44,000.

NHTSA ID
10259795
Incident
Feb 13, 2009
Mileage
15,000 mi
Body & structureOther / unspecified
Filed Oct 8, 2008

ON OR ABOUT 2002 I HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING TO VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHENEVER IT RAIN THE BACK FLOOR ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF MY CAR HAVE WATER IN IT. WHILE MY CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY I CARRIED MY CAR INTO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE THEM FIX THE PROBLEM AND THEY NEVER FIXED MY CAR. WHEN MY WARRANTY RAN OUT I STILL COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TO CUSTOMER SERVICE AT VOLKSWAGEN AND NOTHING WAS DONE. I ALSO TOLD VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE THAT I BELIEVED THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAD SOLD ME A LEMON BUT VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE WOULD NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE PROBLEM. YEAR 2007 VOLKSWAGEN USA SENT ME A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT THE PROBLEM WITH THE SUN ROOF ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT, THEY (VOLKSWAGEN) STATED THAT A RECALL ON THE SUN ROOF HAD BEEN RECALLED, AND TO TAKE IT TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER FOR REPAIRS. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL AND I AM STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. AS OF NOW I HAVE RUST DAMAGE ON THE FLOOR OF MY CAR AND I BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN USA SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE 2002, AND I AM STILL HAVING SINCE VOLKSWAGEN USA DID THE RECALL. I HAVE REPEATEDLY CALLED VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY WON'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. I AM HOPING AND PRAYING THAT THIS MESSAGE IS READ BY SOMEONE WHO WILL TAKE THE TIME OUT OF THERE BUSY DAY AND HELP ME WITH THIS PROBLEM. IF I DECIDE TO SELL ME CAR THE PROBLEM WON'T GO AWAY SOME PERSON WHO EVER IT IS WILL END UP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM THAT I HAVE HAD SINCE 2002 AND THAT'S NOT RIGHT. I BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN USA SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE AND RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS PROBLEM NOT JUST TO SELL THIS CAR AND PASS THE PROBLEM ON TO SOME INNOCENT PERSON WHO MIGHT END UP BUYING THIS CAR. PLEASE HELP ME VOLKSWAGEN RECALL ON THIS CAR WAS OCTOBER 2007. *TR

NHTSA ID
10244890
Incident
Oct 16, 2007
Mileage
7,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 17, 2008

AFTER HEAVY RAINFALL, WATER FILLED THE PASSENGER FLOOR WELL. I VACUUMED OUT THE WATER AND MOVED VEHICLE ON A SURFACE THAT IS SLOPED AND ANOTHER 3 GALLONS OF WATER CAME THROUGH THE FRONT PASSENGER KICK PANEL WHERE THERE ARE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS. IN TOTAL, THERE WAS 7 GALLONS OF WATER. NOW ALL THE SERVICE LIGHTS COMES AND REMAINS ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10215229
Incident
Jan 12, 2008
Mileage
39,900 mi
Body & structureTransmission
Filed Sep 14, 2007

2002 PASSAT BEGAN THUMPING AND LURCHING WHILE IN MOTION AND WHILE IDLING. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ACCELERATION WAS ABNORMALLY SLOW. THREE INCHES OF STANDING WATER APPEARED IN RIGHT REAR FOOTWELL. DEALER INFORMED ME ACCELERATION PROBLEM WAS DUE TO WATER IN TCM. TCM SHORT CIRCUITED AND THEN POWERTRAIN DROPPED. WATER DAMAGE WAS DUE TO LEAKING POLLEN FILTER SEAL, WHICH WAS SUBJECT TO P9 RECALL. CAR WAS PAST WARRANTY ON TIME, BUT NOT MILES. THEY FIXED POLLEN FILTER SEAL AND TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE $4,000-$5000 DAMAGE FROM THE LEAKING WATER. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. MY CAR IS PARKED OUTSIDE. WE HAD SEVERAL RAINY DAYS IN THE WEEK BEFORE THE PROBLEM. THE SERVICE MANAGER SUGGESTED I MUST HAVE LEFT THE WINDOW OPEN. I CONTACTED VW CORP AND THEY SUGGESTED I TAKE IT TO A DEALER FOR REPAIR AT MY OWN EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10202969
Incident
Sep 11, 2007
Mileage
45,540 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 4, 2007

WHEN IT RAINS WATER LEAKS INTO THE CAR UNDER THE PASSENGER DASH OVER ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS FOR THE CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10192357
Incident
Jun 4, 2007
Mileage
52,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 6, 2006

FOLLOWING A HEAVY RAIN, ENTIRE FLOORBOARD WET WITH NO EVIDENCE OF OVERHEAD OR SIDE PANEL WETNESS. WATER DRAINED DIRECTLY INTO CAR BUT NOT THROUGH DOOR SEALS OR WINDOWS. DRAIN PLUGS IN UNDERCARRIAGE REMOVED AND WATER STREAMED OUT FOR APPROX. 10 MINUTES. INITIAL ASSESSMENT BY DEALER INDICATES WATER DAMAGED COMFORT MODULE (CONTROLLING ALL POWERED COMPONENTS LIKE WINDOWS, DOOR LOCKS, SUNROOF, CRUISE, SEATS, ETC.) AND TRANSMISSION MODULE AND CONNECTORS. OVER $4500 ESTIMATE (NOT FINISHED TO DATE). SOURCE OF LEAK NOT YET FOUND BY DEALER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10170072
Incident
Sep 9, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Jul 18, 2006

DEBRIS IN COWL AREA CAN CLOG DRAIN HOLE CAUSING WATER TO ENTER VEHICLE SHORTING OUT COMPUTER AND WIRING. *NM

NHTSA ID
10162730
Incident
Jun 28, 2006
Mileage
83,022 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 8, 2006

I CURRENTLY OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IN MAY 2006 AFTER SOME HEAVY RAIN, I NOTICED SOME DAMPNESS AND ODOR EMANATING FROM THE PASSENGER-SIDE FLOORING OF MY VEHICLE. DURING THE LAST TWO MONTHS, THE LEAKAGE HAS DRAMATICALLY INCREASED. AFTER A HEAVY RAIN I HAVE SEEN AS MUCH AS ONE INCH OF STANDING WATER IN THE REAR FOOTWELL. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP TODAY, WHO SUGGESTED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO AN AFTER-MARKET PIECE OF RADIO EQUIPMENT THAT WAS INSTALLED MORE THAN TWO YEARS AGO. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND CAREFULLY EXAMINING ALL OF THE SUNROOF DRAINAGE HOLE, I HAVE DETERMINED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE DRAIN DOES NOT DRAIN TO ITS INTENDED LOCATION. THE WATER SEEPS THROUGH THE REAR DOOR'S CASING/SEAL AND INTO THE FLOOR. THE LEAK HAS CAUSED MY UNDERCARRIAGE TO RUST AND LEAK. MANY OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE AVERAGE COST TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE IS OVER $1000. SOME CONSUMERS HAD ELECTRICAL FAILURES AS THE STANDING WATER OCCURS DIRECTLY OVER ELECTRICAL COMPARTMENTS. THE DEFECT IS NOT UNDER WARRANTY FROM VW, REGARDLESS RF THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE. VW STATES THIS IS A MAINTENANCE ISSUE; HOWEVER, THIS IS NOT MENTIONED IN ANY OWNER'S MANUAL, AND IT IS NOT A PART OF ANY VW SERVICE PLAN. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161889
Incident
Jul 8, 2006
Mileage
58,000 mi
Body & structureElectrical
Filed Jul 6, 2006

WATER LEAKAGE IN 2002 PASSAT 1.8T GLS. AFTER RAIN, WATER SEEPED IN THROUGH FAULTY POLLEN FILTER HOUSING. FRIED ENGINE CLUSTER. AFTER BEING RETURNED, WATER CONTINUED TO SEEP IN. IT CORRODED ELECTRICAL WIRES AND CAUSED MANY PROBLEMS. AFTER 5+ DEALER VISITS, NO ONE WAS ABLE TO FIX IT UNTIL I PERSONALLY STRIPPED ALL CARPETING AND FOUND THE FAULTY WIRE. DEALER HAD TOLD ME FILTER HOUSING WAS SUSCEPTIBLE TO WATER LEAKAGE, AND YET HE DID NO FIX IT... *JB

NHTSA ID
10161626
Incident
Jan 7, 2006
Mileage
47,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jul 4, 2006

1 - HEAVY RAINS - CAR PARKED OUTSIDE IN DRIVEWAY - NO FLOODING. WATER LEAKED INTO 2002 VW PASSAT PASSENGER SIDE REAR FOOT WELL, VIA VENT/AIR FILTER - 3 INCHES OF STANDING WATER ON THE FLOOR. 2 - CARPETING SATURATED - DUE TO INSULATION UNDERNEATH, UNABLE TO DRY WITHOUT REMOVING. VEHICLE COMPUTER SYSTEMS UNDER SAME SIDE CARPETING ALL DAMAGED - IN NEED OF REPLACEMENT - DEALERSHIP ESTIMATES REPAIRS AT OVER $2000. 3 - CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE CENTER - THEY SAID THAT BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY, THEY WILL GIVE NO CONSIDERATION TO HELPING WITH REPAIR COSTS. WILL CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY AND/OR LAWYER. *NM

NHTSA ID
10161411
Incident
Jun 24, 2006
Mileage
29,700 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 26, 2006

1) INTERIOR OF CAR FLOODS (3RD INCIDENT IN 4 YEARS)-FIRST INCIDENT 11/2003 2) DON'T KNOW WHAT IMPACT THE POOLING WATER HAS ON INTEGRITY OF VEHICLE 3) DEALER CLAIMED TO HAVE REPAIRED PROBLEM. *JB

NHTSA ID
10160728
Incident
Nov 1, 2003
Mileage
44,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 25, 2006

SEVERE FLOOD DAMAGE INSIDE THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE FOOT WELL OF MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. FLOODING OCCURRED AFTER A MODERATE RAIN. COULD FIND NO BLOCKED DRAINS IN THE SUN ROOF OF THE POLLEN FILTER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10160716
Incident
Jun 25, 2006
Body & structure
Filed Jun 6, 2006

CLOGGED DRAIN,FOR SUN ROOF,CAUSES WATER BUILD UP ON RT. SIDE FLOOR OF CAR,ELECTRONIC MODULE($800.00),NOT WATER PROOF,CREATES MIXED SIGNALS-AIRBAG FAULT HAVE SERVICED-ENGINE LUBRICATION FAULT "STOP ENGINE"--THERE DEFECT,THEY DON'T PAY DUE TO "WATER EXCLUSION"-CARPETING $1,400.00-"WATER EXCLUSION!!!!!

NHTSA ID
10159155
Incident
May 17, 2006
Mileage
55 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 5, 2006

2002 VW PASSAT: WATER LEAKAGE INTO THE CAR ACCUMULATING IN THE FLOOR WELLS WHEN IT RAINS. NO IMMEDIATE CAUSE DETERMINED. WINDOWS ALL CLOSED. DRAINS FOR SUNROOF OPEN AND CLEAR. HAPPENS REPEATEDLY WHEN RAINING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10149488
Incident
Feb 4, 2006
Mileage
52,800 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 22, 2006

WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STATION WAGON. SEVERAL DAYS AGO, THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON STEADILY & THE CAR WAS ACCELERATING SLUGGISHLY. WE TOOK IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP THE FOLLOWING DAY. THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE POLLEN FILTER HOUSING WHICH HAD ALLOWED RAINWATER TO TRACK INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT, UNDER THE CARPETS. A NUMBER OF KEY ELECTRONIC MODULES ARE IN THIS LOCATION, INCLUDING THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE. THESE UNITS HAD BEEN DESTROYED BY THE POOLING WATER AND WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALERSHIP TELLS US THAT THIS HAS BEEN A COMMON PROBLEM WITH PASSATS; FURTHER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALS A LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO'VE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS (SEE HTTP://WWW.THEAUTOBAHN.COM/FORUM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?T=12789&PAGE=1&PP=10). I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS A SERIOUS DEFECT WITH PASSATS THAT CARRIES RISK TO DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS OF THESE CARS. *NM

NHTSA ID
10148319
Incident
Jan 19, 2006
Mileage
36,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jan 20, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE COWLING DRAINAGE BECAME FILLED WILL DEBRIS CAUSING WATER TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION MODULE. THE VEHICLE LOST PARTIAL POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED THE COWLING DRAINS, REPAIRED THE WIRING AND BATTERY. ADDITIONALLY, THE BRAKE BOOSTER, THE TRANSMISSION MODULE AND THE CARPETING WERE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ID
10148193
Incident
Dec 23, 2005
Mileage
40,264 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 9, 2005

DURING NORMAL DRIVING, MY 2002 PASSAT 1.8T HAS SUFFERED DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE SHIELD TWICE IN THE LAST YEAR. THE SHIELD COMES LOOSE OR TEARS LOOSE FROM ITS MOORINGS AND NEEDED REPLACEMENT. I DO NOT DRIVE OFF ROAD OR USE EXCESSIVE SPEED. MY SECOND APPOINTMENT TO REPLACE THE ENGINE SHIELD IS OCTOBER 13, 2005. AT LITHIA VOLKSWAGEN IN RENO, NEVADA. *NM

NHTSA ID
10139158
Incident
Oct 4, 2005
Mileage
30 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Sep 28, 2005

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT WHEN MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER. I WAS IN NEW YORK AT THE TIME SO I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP, WHICH WAS ROMANO VW IN FAYETVILLE, NY. I HAD DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THE VW HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER. I ASKED THE SERVICE MANAGER OMAR TO CHECK THE FILTER, WHICH IN RETURN HE STATED IT WAS FINE. THE PROBLEM WAS THE OIL PUMP, AND THE COMPUTER. I EVENTUALLY FOUND OUT THAT THE COMPUTER FAILED DO TO A WATER LEAK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR, WHICH IS WHERE THE COMPUTER IS LOCATED. ROMANO VW SAID THERE WAS A WATER LEAK BUT IT WAS NOT CAUSED BY THE FILTER. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING WITH VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY KEEP DENYING MY CLAIM. I EVENTUALLY HAD MY CAR FIXED AND PICKED THE CAR UP AND DROVE HOME. ONCE I GOT HOME THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. I TOOK THE CAR TO PRESTIGE VW IN TURNERSVILLE, NJ AND THEY STATED THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSE FROM THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER. VW CUSTOMER CARE HAS STILL DENIED MY CLAIM. AFTER DOING MORE RESEARCH IT TURNS OUT THE POLLEN HOUSING FILTER IS A MAJOR ISSUE IN THE VOLKSWAGEN, BUT VW THEMSELVES DO NOT AGREE. *NM

NHTSA ID
10138063
Incident
Aug 27, 2005
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structureBrakesHeating & air conditioning+4 more
Filed Apr 20, 2005

2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS WITH PASSENGER SEAT, DOOR PANELS, GLOVE COMPARTMENT, RADIO EQUIPMENT, BUTTONS FOR THE MIRROR EQUIPMENT AND THE VEHICLE KEPT CUTTING OFF.*MR THE CONSUMER STATED WHEN THE PASSENGER SEAT WENT FORWARD IT WOULD NOT STOP, THE HEATED SEATS BURNED THE CONSUMERS CHILDREN, HOWEVER HE DID NOT STATE HOW MANY CHILDREN. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE ALIGNED. THE DOOR PANELS AND ARM REST WERE PEELING. THE HEADLIGHTS WERE ALWAYS GOING OUT. THE BRAKES SQUEAKED. THE BATTERY, GENERATOR AND GROUND WIRE WERE REPLACED DUE TO VEHICLE STALLING. *JB

NHTSA ID
10119227
Incident
Apr 10, 2002
Body & structureDriver assistanceElectrical+2 more
Filed Nov 30, 2004

THERE WERE NUMEROUS PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. THE FILTER AND CARPET ON THE BACK PASSENGER SIDE WAS REPLACED. THE MLP LIGHT HAD COME ON AND THE DEALER INSTALLED A NEW VACUUM HOSE. THE RADIO DID NOT WORK, STANDING WATER WAS FOUND IN THE BACK RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNDER THE FRONT SEAT, THE POLLEN FILTER WAS CLOGGED AND THE AIR POLLEN FILTER WAS CRACKED DUE TO THE FACTORY, THE BACK DOOR LOCKS REFUSED TO OPEN AND COULD NOT BE OPENED FROM THE INSIDE OR OUT, A BUMPING NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE REVVED, THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED AT RAPID SPEED ALL WHILE THE BRAKES WERE PUMPED WITH NO RESPONSE. THE VEHICLE HIT A CURB DOING OVER 50 MPH ALL WHILE PUMPING THE BRAKES UNTIL IT FINALLY STOPPED 20-30 YARDS INTO A FIELD DAMAGING TIRES, RIMS AND THE BUMPER. *SC *JB

NHTSA ID
10105199
Incident
Mar 5, 2002

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .