2002 Volkswagen Passat Problems and Repair Histories
2002 Volkswagen Passat problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Volkswagen Passat
2002 Volkswagen Passats for which no problems have been reported are not displayed. So the 2002 Volkswagen Passat problems and repair histories you see here should not be used to infer car problem frequency.
For 2002 Volkswagen Passat problem frequency, check the Car Reliability Survey result. For the problems behind the score, check the 2002 Volkswagen Passat problems and repair histories that follow it.
Volkswagen Passat Reliability through December 31, 2012
General NotesModels and statistics marked with an asterisk (*) have very low sample sizes. These results, visible only to logged-in members, provide only a rough estimate of car reliability.Any result under 20 repair trips per 100 cars is likely a result of the small sample size, and should be expected to increase to 20 or so in future updates.
New models often start out with high repair rates, and then improve as the manufacturer identifies and addresses common problems. MethodologyOnly successfully completed repairs are currently included in the analysis. Routine maintenance, most wear items, recalls, and problems fixed with just a reflash or warning light reset are not included.
| Year | Make/Model | Trips/Year/100 Cars | Compared to all models for the same year | |
| 2002 | Volkswagen Passat | 42 Passats, 9.2 months of data per Passat, average 106900 miles 103 |
Fewest Trips
Most Trips
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see reported repairs |
Non-members can see only ten 2002 Volkswagen Passat problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
Repair costs are in local units.
2002 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Wagon
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Volkswagen Passat in North Dakota, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2008 | 99000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2008 | 99000 | 414 | Left wheel bearing was slowly going out. The shop replaced it and there are no further issues. Replaced both drive axles when I discovered the CV boots were torn. |
| Jan | 2010 | 117000 | 100 | Rear windshield washer hose fitting broke off. |
| Mar | 2013 | 145000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Wagon
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Volkswagen Passat in Idaho, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2007 | 64000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2009 | 81000 | 1050 | replaced timing belt, tensioner and water pump before manufacturer's mileage on advice of shop due to observing belt failure as early as 85K |
| Dec | 2012 | 107000 | 90 | Replace both cam plugs at rear of engine. |
| Mar | 2013 | 110000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Passat in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 100000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 101000 | 1000 | Timing belt and water pump replaced according to advised maintainence interval (100,000 miles) Nozzle for the rear window washer replaced. |
| Dec | 2009 | 104000 | 600 | 4 brake pads & rotors replaced due to normal wear. |
| Apr | 2010 | 106000 | 650 | The light bulbs inside the head light assemblies are loose. As a result the entire head light assemblies had to be replaced. |
| Mar | 2011 | 113000 | 200 | Windshield wiper fluid tank leaking. Repaired at a mechanics. Passenger side door handle broke. Ordered parts and fixed. |
| Oct | 2011 | 115700 | 50 | |
| Mar | 2013 | 128000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Passat in Maine, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2006 | 42000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2007 | 48000 | 650 | Rear pads & rotors and front pads |
| Feb | 2007 | 48000 | 125 | All warning lights came on including stop engine after driving over 325 miles in extremely cold temperatures. Vehicle would not accelerate but rpms went up while depressing accelerator. |
| Jun | 2008 | 59000 | 0 | Left low bean headlight bulb replaced. |
| May | 2009 | 72000 | 60 | All warning lights came on simultaneously. STOP ENGINE/low oil pressure. Stopped engine/retarted/ Loud clunk/then all lights reappeared/tach fluctuation/drove to shop.Reset all mods per computer analysis/Car runs poorly with airbag default light on |
| Jul | 2009 | 73000 | 288 | Air bag default warning came on, engine lost acceleration, all warning lights came on. Restarted engine, drove to shop with default light on and uneven acceleration. They reset the computer and the airbag default light went out. After unlocking the door and getting in, you must quickly start the engine or door will automatically lock and the theft alarm may sound until you turn the key. The door does not know it has been unlocked, opened and closed! For now we're living with it. |
| Jun | 2011 | 85000 | 115 | Stabilizer bar bolt worn out. Was replaced. |
| Mar | 2012 | 93000 | 600 | The Passat went in for service to have one oxygen sensor replaced and it also needed the temp sensor for the computer replaced in order to clear the check engine light. |
| Aug | 2012 | 99300 | 115 | tighten left front wheel - adjusted sway bar brackets |
| Mar | 2013 | 103000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Passat in Michigan, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jul | 2011 | 96000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2011 | 101000 | 215 | Replaced leaking motor mounts |
| Dec | 2011 | 101000 | 400 | Changed Timing belt, water pump, thermostat. |
| Mar | 2013 | 113000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Passat in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2011 | 142600 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2011 | 143840 | 245 | Alternator replacement after alternator workshop warning, and gradual loss of drivability over 3 day period |
| Volkswagen Passat in Florida, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2007 | 70000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2007 | 70000 | 200 | ac fan replaced |
| Feb | 2008 | 80000 | 0 | Brake pads. |
| May | 2008 | 83000 | 0 | Tail light bulb replaced. You have to remove this whole panel and it seemed too complicated for me so I had it done at the VW dealership. |
| Jun | 2008 | 89000 | 800 | The car was in for a recall notice and also was smelling like burning oil. Was discovered that valve cover gasket is in need of replacement....seems very expensive. $1200 unless my extended warranty still applies... Update: warranty partially covered. |
| Jan | 2009 | 91000 | 700 | Engine reseal which I felt could have been done back when gasket was replaced so they gave me a discount from 1200 to 700 dollars. I paid the whole 700 because my extended warranty is expired. |
| Aug | 2009 | 95000 | 800 | the transmission was found to be leaking because it needed a new prop shaft seal or something on the transmission...it was pretty expensive between the diagnostic and the repair..almost 600 dollars. |
| Nov | 2009 | 96000 | 1000 | cooling system |
| Apr | 2010 | 100000 | 850 | The car went in for the 100 000 mile maintenance and they found that the rear brakes needed to be replaced...the cost came to 550 for that...the rest of what they did I believe is maintenance and wear items... Engine light was coming on and it ended up being a thermostat/some kind of sensor...it was replaced. |
| Jul | 2010 | 101000 | 760 | transmission slipping and interior shifter mechanism loose...they repaired the shifting mechanism but it still feels like the gears are slipping.. |
| Aug | 2010 | 101000 | 760 | the tranmission still sounds funny...a guy who had a VW Passat in the past told me that his did the same thing and it turned out to be an electrical harness or something rather than the actual transmision. I am looking further into this |
2002 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Wagon
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Passat in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2008 | 51000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2012 | 70000 | 900 | waterpump |
2002 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Volkswagen Passat in Illinois, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2007 | 1350 | all oil leaked out of engine during extreme cold. after 45 min of driving, stop error came on and there was zero oil in engine and it was all over the front of it. It was negative 20 degrees in chicago. Camshaft seal, valvecover gasket, oil line, and pump | |
2002 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Volkswagen Passat in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2010 | 67000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2012 | 90000 | 0 | Cranking problem |
| Mar | 2013 | 92000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Passat in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2007 | 86000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2008 | 103000 | 450 | Very satisfied with 3rd party parts + repair. Pads and rotors replaced. |
| Nov | 2008 | 107000 | 400 | Valve cover leaked, ignition cables damaged, 2 plugs cracked, all replaced and engine tune up peformed. Running great now. |
| Apr | 2009 | 115000 | 600 | Radiator replaced due to slow leak. |
| Nov | 2009 | 127000 | 0 | cat codes |
| May | 2010 | 134000 | 285 | Immobilizer failed. "Coil" or antenna unit inside dash replaced by dealer. This is my 2nd replacement! |
| Apr | 2011 | 154000 | 0 | Both rear springs broken, replaced along with rear struts. |
| Oct | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen Passat in Utah, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2007 | 49000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2009 | 65000 | 210 | Replaced worn Rt side front wheel bearing. |
| May | 2009 | 67000 | 160 | Rear brake pads and rotors worn. Pads needed replacing, rotors were replaced out of convenience. |
| Oct | 2010 | 80000 | 600 | Inner and outer tie rods replaced. |
| Aug | 2011 | 88000 | 120 | Engine Speed Sender (Sporadic), Removed and replaced. |
| May | 2012 | 96000 | 2220 | R&R'd Springs, shocks, control arms, and tranny and motor mounts. |
| Mar | 2013 | 110000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Passat in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2010 | 71000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2010 | 71000 | 4700 | Transmission was discovered to be burned out. Discovered leak in A/C compressor. |
| Aug | 2010 | 71000 | 595 | Rainwater leak, unsuccessfully addressed by recall, soaked transmission control module. Corroded exhaust flex pipe. Rebuilt transmission went back into limp mode. Transmission is okay. Unclear whether the problem is the electronic TCM or the connections to it: the TCM checked out okay, the connections were already repaired and checked twice. Rainwater still leaking into car. Replaced windshield cowl. |
| Sep | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Passat in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2012 | 124000 | First odometer entry | |
| Sep | 2012 | 124000 | 1800 | Failed compressor |
2001.5 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Volkswagen Passat in Ohio, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2006 | 67000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2007 | 76000 | 900 | In for routine oil/filter/lube, tire rotation. Check engine light on. Needed new O2 sensor. Replace rear brake pads/rotors. Cam seals leaking, water pump leaking. |
| Apr | 2009 | 111000 | 750 | replace timing belt |
| Nov | 2009 | 116000 | 380 | Replaced oxygen sensor and vacuum hose |
| Dec | 2009 | 118000 | 80 | Brake pad sensor light came on. Inspection revealed damage to wire connected to sensor. Repaired wire, brake pads did not have excessive wear. |
| Jan | 2010 | 119000 | 575 | Cam seal adjusters leaking oil. Dripping on manifold and creating burning smell. |
| Dec | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen Passat in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2007 | 75000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2008 | 78000 | 50 | Radio mast antenna rubber boot rotted, exposing some connector area. Replaced mast antenna. |
| Dec | 2008 | 87000 | 950 | Fuel tank level sender failed (leading to incorrect fuel level readings). Fuel tank sensor replaced. CV boot on one front wheel was torn. Replaced CV boot. |
| Apr | 2009 | 90000 | 1400 | Prophylactic replacement of timing belt (on this car, includes also replacing water pump) - due between 85,000 and 100,000 miles |
| Jun | 2009 | 91000 | 120 | Sunroof drains plugged, leading to leak. |
| Feb | 2010 | 96000 | 0 | Sun-roof drain lines clogged and causing minor leak - flushed out and working properly after repair |
| Jan | 2011 | 106000 | 85 | Radiator expansion tank valve was leaking, allowing coolant to drain. Expansion tank valve replaced. |
| Feb | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen Passat in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2001 | 0 | Check high-pitched sputtering noise when revving up. No fault found. | |
| Oct | 2001 | 0 | Weird sputtering noise ... still present, went again to check it out. No fault found. | |
| Nov | 2001 | 0 | Driver seat knocks when braking. Removed, lubricated, reinstalled. Repeated my sputtering noise concerns - no fault found. | |
| May | 2002 | 0 | Replaced seat and backrest frame. That solved the problem. | |
| Jun | 2002 | 0 | Sputtering still bothered me... and still no fault found. | |
| Jul | 2002 | 0 | Turn signals acting up. Replaced the turn signal switch and remove and install emergency light switch. | |
| Apr | 2003 | 172 | Shift knob cracked - replaced. Wheel alignment performed. | |
| May | 2004 | 416 | DOT Inspection. White dust still there on the carpet - they claim it is salt, but it is only coming from the vents under the driver's seat ... and lots of it! Replaced rear discs/rotors. | |
| Sep | 2004 | 0 | Oil leaks on the right side - removed and installed camshaft adjuster and camshaft ($0, in warranty). Also 48,000 km / 36 months service. Car pulls to the right. Recommended new tires. Not sure that was it, though. | |
| Oct | 2004 | 0 | Oil leak. Removed and installed ATF pan and gasket. | |
| Feb | 2007 | 3565 | Oil leak - replaced gasket sets and camshaft adjuster seals. Realignment (slid into a ditch after avoiding crash on ice). New rim (bent). Replaced deffective ECT sensor. Also Type 3 maintenance. Replaced timing belt and tensioner. | |
| Mar | 2008 | 1065 | Type 2 maintenance + driver power window not working (faulty lifter replaced). Replaced left and right outer CV boots due. | |
| Dec | 2008 | 1311 | Hazard switch clicking randomly while driving (replaced). Coolant flushed, pollen filter replaced, licence plate lights replaced, fan belts replaced. Rear pads and rotors. Brake fluid flushed. Checked burning smell (nothing found). | |
| Feb | 2009 | 378 | 136,000km service. Burning smell still reported (replaced vacuum hose but did not help). Engine light - possibly oxygen sensors (reset only). | |
| May | 2009 | 987 | Front and rear brake replacement. ASR light comes on highway off ramps only (dry pavement) - found to be caused by one front tire (of 4 brand new ones) being smaller than the other 3. Oil change. Smell still present. Oxygen sensors needed. | |
| Jun | 2009 | 439 | Turn signal switch ticking again. This time this is a switch under the drivers steering wheel air bag... very expensive to fix. | |
| Jul | 2009 | 197 | Replacing both oxygen sensors and air filter. Engine light day after car was repaired. Replaced purge valve and clip. | |
| Sep | 2009 | 1504 | Slurping noise during acceleration after cold start. Water pump, thermostat and housing needed to be replaced. While we are at it, timing belt was replaced, too. This finally fixed the burning smell. So what for did I pay before for years? | |
| Apr | 2010 | 1378 | Engine light... again. They stated that catalytic converters needed to be replaced. Next-day exhaust test proved that cats were just fine. Oil was leaking again... replaced both side valve cover gaskets and chain tensioner gaskets. | |
| Jan | 2011 | 111600 | 2 | Rear licence plate light casing rusted and cracked and one of two light bulbs burned out. I paid for the light bulb, but the dealer installed a new casing they found available for free. |
| Feb | 2011 | 111600 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001.5 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed shiftable automatic AWD
| Volkswagen Passat in Tennessee, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 81000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2010 | 105000 | 1000 | Timing Belt |
| Jul | 2011 | 111000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2001.5 Volkswagen Passat 4dr Sedan
190-horsepower 2.8L V6 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Passat in Wyoming, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2011 | 169000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jan | 2012 | 169000 | 75 | Coolant sensor change; Leaking WP gasket, filled with Bars leak; Tail light changes *2 |
| Feb | 2012 | 169000 | 410 | Water screwed up the connections of the gas pedal. Replaced. |
| Apr | 2012 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 2002 Volkswagen Passat Repair Advice
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