Model year record

2002 Volkswagen Passat

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 773 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V156000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 412,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2008-04-07
Owners notified: 2008-06-13

Defect description

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

Safety risk

A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V154000

Tires

Component: Tires
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 11
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-04-22
Owners notified: 2003-09-19

Defect description

CERTAIN SEDANS AND STATION WAGONS EQUIPPED WITH 4.0L W8 ENGINES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS." THE AFFECTED VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH TIRES OF THE MAXIMUM LOAD RATING INDEX 93H; HOWEVER, THEY SHOULD HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH TIRES WITH THE LOAD RATING INDEX 97H.

Safety risk

THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH TIRES HAVING THE LOAD RATING INDEX 97H.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE ALL FOUR TIRES WITH THE PROPER SIZE TIRES. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN SEPTEMBER 19, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V026000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 487,284
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-01-25
Owners notified: 2003-06-13

Defect description

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Electrical system: ignition	134	11,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	56	68,000 mi
Electrical system	52	50,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	45	54,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	28	91,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	24	68,000 mi
Unknown or other	18	11,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	17	28,000 mi
Structure	17	45,540 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	16	118,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module	15	11,567 mi
Service brakes	15	120,000 mi
Engine	13	128,800 mi
Vehicle speed control	12	80,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler	11	30,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	10	66,082 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	9	29,000 mi
Air bags	8	78,000 mi
Exterior lighting	8	68,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	8	89,735 mi
Tires	8	38,800 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	8	52,107 mi
Electrical system: wiring	7	54,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	7	34,750 mi
Structure: body	7	39,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	6	43,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	6	12,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	6	100,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	6	57,000 mi
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs	6	7,000 mi
Equipment	5	7,548 mi
Power train	5	116,470 mi
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint	5	40,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	5	44,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	5	22,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	4	52,250 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	4	68,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	4	28,897 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	4	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	4	41,970 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	4	81,150 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	4	1,000 mi
Seat belts	4	68,000 mi
Seats	4	78,221 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum	4	100,640 mi
Visibility	4	30,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	4	52,250 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	4	5,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: fan	3	8,372 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	3	13,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	3	54,552 mi
Structure: frame and members	3	47,000 mi
Structure: frame and members: underbody shields	3	15,000 mi
Suspension	3	15,000 mi
Suspension: front	3	72,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt	3	10,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	3	29,555 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	3	17,952 mi
Visibility: windshield	3	4,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	70,040 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	2	500 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch	2	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	2	62,500 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	2	135,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger	2	5,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe	2	41,926 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch	2	50,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights: concealment devices	2	32,000 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit	2	50,058 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	2	21,000 mi
Fuel system, other	2	15,700 mi
Interior lighting	2	61,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages	2	89,500 mi
Power train: axle assembly	2	65,253 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft: seal	2	41,854 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads	2	22,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	2	34,500 mi
Tires: sidewall	2	15,000 mi
Air bags: side/window	1	29,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	1	5,327 mi
Electrical system: horn	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	21,511 mi
Equipment: electrical	1	17,952 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	34,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer	1	7,000 mi
Exterior lighting: fog lights	1	—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch	1	50,058 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal	1	105,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank	1	136,618 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system	1	15,700 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: tank assembly: pressure relief devices	1	—
Latches/locks/linkages: hood: latch	1	41,854 mi
Parking brake	1	—
Power train: clutch assembly	1	—
Power train: driveline: differential unit	1	—
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	1	1 mi
Power train: driveline: universal joint	1	66,810 mi
Power train: manual transmission	1	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	127,100 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust	1	—
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper	1	40,891 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: pads	1	40,891 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	1	40,891 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	21,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	54,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic	1	41,000 mi
Steering	1	26,786 mi
Structure: body: roof and pillars	1	55 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	1	70,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle	1	53,995 mi
Suspension: rear: axle: spindle	1	15,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs	1	—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	500 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	4,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear	1	—
Wheels	1	17,952 mi
Wheels: rim	1	10,000 mi

The 2001 model has about 1.5 times as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.