There are no safety recalls for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon, but owners have filed 7 complaints with NHTSA.
2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems reported by owners
| Problem area | Reports | |
|---|
| Service Brakes | 3 | |
| Engine | 2 | |
| Tires | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 1 | |
| Structure | 1 | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 1 | |
Most reported parts
Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 105,000 miles (median of owner reports).
Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.
Recent 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon complaints
Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.
Engine · at 105,000 miles · reported Mar 6, 2017
Didnt explain fully the first time, so here goes. My vw has engine failure, vw had a lawsuit against them some years back because of a engine sludge problem. The engine ran hot because it was a turbo powered engine, plus not having enough oil to keep it cool. Causing the oil to breakdown and make sludge which clogged up the oil pump and starved the engine of oil leading to engine failure. This is what im experencing right now, I have engine failure due to sludge. Vw lost that lawsuit and still wont acknowledge the design flaw, im still making payments on my car, it ran perfect. All maintenance…
Engine · at 105,000 miles · reported Feb 27, 2017
Engine failure, car was driving perfect no problems. All of a sudden it starts vibrating and shaking out of control. Called my mechanic he told me to bring it by, I started on my way to drive to the shop so he could take a look. Car died 1 mile from shop while I was driving in traffic. I was going 45mph wgen it failed, I had to get out the car push it out of traffic by myself. A vw passat wagon! Heavy? Yes very much so. Got it towed my mechanic looked at it and said it wasnt gettin enough oil.
Air Bags · at 96,000 miles · reported Feb 10, 2014
I was driving up somewhat of a hill and had to slow down due to a bit of traffic flow. I had realized I was a little closer than I thought so I braked a little harder than usual. My brakes were grabbing on tightly to the ground like they should but then seemed to have given out at the last couple seconds. My car hit the car in front of me, resulting in both my front airbags going off. The airbag on the passenger side and swung out and hit my right hand, resulting in some minor burns and scrapes. I then started going backwards after the car in front of me was hit. I hit my brakes to stop my car…
Service Brakes · at 151,000 miles · reported Apr 29, 2013
The contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat wagon. The contact stated that while driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and failed to respond. The emergency brake was engaged in order to slow down; however, the vehicle then crashed into the rear of another vehicle. There were no personal injuries. A police report was filed of the incident. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where no repairs were performed. The manufacturer was not notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 151,000.
Tires · at 103,000 miles · reported Sep 4, 2012
Left rear tire completely separated at the sidewalls , leaving 2 rubber rings at each side of the rim, 3 inch wide. Car was going 65 MPH with no load, except driver. No prior problems or visible cracking. Air pressure was checked before trip and found in compliance with car spec.
Frequently asked questions
Does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have any recalls?
No. NHTSA has no safety recalls for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon as of this update. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the latest status.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Volkswagen Passat Wagon?
Owners report service brakes problems most often (3 reports), followed by engine (2). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 105,000 miles.
Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?
Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.