18 of the
772 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat are about the
equipment — 2% of everything
reported for this model year.
Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before
12,400 miles.
B
18
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
1
Injuries
Exactly what failed
Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc.
633.3%
Equipment
527.8%
AIR Conditioner
422.2%
Accessory Scissor/Screw/Bottle Jack/Lift
15.6%
Electrical
15.6%
Recreational Vehicle/Trailer
15.6%
What owners said
Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.
Saint Augustine, FL
EQUIPMENT
2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO BEING TOLD THE RECALL TO REPAIR THE FAULTY EQUIPMENT ON HER VEHICLE WAS TO OUTDATED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS AT HER EXPENSE. *TGW THE CONSUMER REFERENCED PLENUM DRAIN SUNROOF DRAIN. THE CONSUMER STATED WATER DAMAGED THE HEADLINER AND OTHER COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE COLLECTS 1-2 INCHES OF WATER, EVERY TIME IT RAINED OR WHEN SHE WASHED THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10638946 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 44,000 milesBeverly, MA
EQUIPMENT
2002 VW PASSAT CAR JACK (OEM) FAILED UNDER NORMAL LIFTING OPERATION TO REMOVE TIRE. JACK ASSEMBLY TWISTED AND BENT DURING LIFTING PROCESS. IT THEN BECAME NECESSARY TO USE AN ALTERNATE JACK TO LIFT THE VEHICLE TO REMOVE THIS OEM JACK FROM UNDER THE VEHICLE. OWNER CONTACTED VW OF AMERICA TO ALERT MANUFACTURER OF THE SAFETY CONCERN AND TO REQUEST A REPLACEMENT JACK AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10349140 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesHampton, VA
EQUIPMENT:RECREATIONAL VEHICLE/TRAILER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10244890 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Boca Raton, FL
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
DT: THERE WAS MOLD IN THE AIR CONDITIONER AND HAS BEEN THERE SINCE JANUARY 2003. THE DEALERSHIP CLEANED IT OUT TWICE. THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACED THE EVAPORATOR. THE FOURTH TIME THERE WAS A SLIGHT ODOR. CONSUMER SAID THAT THE ODOR WAS THERE IN THE MORNING AND AFTER THE VEHICLE SET FOR AWHILE. CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, THEY TOLD HER TO TAKE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER TO BE CLEANED. *AK
NHTSA complaint #10131980 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Houston, TX
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10119227 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 12,400 milesWashington, DC
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
RADIO WENT COMPLETELY DARK. TOOK IT IN, THEY UNPLUGGED AND RECONNECTED IT. WENT DEAD AGAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER. THIS TIME, IT DRAINED THE BATTERY COMPLETELY WHILE IT WAS "DEAD" SO I HAD TO GET A JUMP. TOOK IT IN AND THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY'D HAD SEVERAL VEHICLES, MOSTLY PASSATS BUT ALSO JETTAS, WHERE THE RADIOS WERE GOING BAD AND DRAINING BATTERIES THROUGH THE COMFORT CONTROL MODULE. THEY HAD TO REPLACE BOTH THE RADIO AND THE BATTERY. CAR ONLY HAS 12,000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10112529 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Columbia, SCCrash
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
NUMBEROUS PROBLEMS WITH VEHICLE. AFTER BUMPING NOISE, ENGINE REVVED, CAR LURCHED FORWARD AND ACCELERATED TO A RAPID SPEED. *BF THE MLP LIGHT CAM ON SEVERAL TIMES. THE RADIO DID NOT WORK. THE RADIO WAS REPAIRED AND BROKE AGAIN THEN WAS REPLACED. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT SHE FOUND STANDING WATER IN THE CAR ON THE BACK RIGHT SIDE UNDER THE FRONT SEAT. THE AIR POLLEN FILTER WAS CRACKED . FILTER AND CARPET WAS REPLACED. THE BACK DOOR LOCKS REFUSED TO UNLOCK THEREFORE THE CONSUMER COULD NOT OPEN EITHER BACK DOOR FROM INSIDE OR OUT. THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED OUT OF CONTROL OF THE DRIVER AND HIT A CURB AT 50 MILES AN HOUR. THE CONSUMER CONTINUED TO PUMP THE BRAKES FINALLY GETTING THE VEHICLE TO STOP. THE VEHICLE HAD 4 FLAT TIRES AS A RESULT OF HITTING THE CURB HEAD ON WITH RIMS BENT AS WELL. THE BUMPER CAME OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10103353 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TIRE JACK ROTATED ON SOLID LEVEL GROUND AND KICKED OUT RESULTING IN THE CAR COLLAPSING ON THE SPARE WHICH WAS NOT YET ATTACHED. THE RESULTING IMPACT RESULTED IN NEEDING TO REPLACE THE FRONT BUMPER COVER, RIGHT FRONT FENDER, AND RIGHT ROCKER PLATE. THE FENDER WAS TORN FROM THE CAR. APPROXIMATE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE WAS $1500. AT THE POINT OF THE COLLAPSE, THE OWNERS HAND WAS ON THE SIDE OF THE TIRE RESULTING IN A PINCH INJURY THAT CAUSED BRUSING AND SWELLING, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE EMERGENCY CARE. I STILL HAVE POSSESSION OF THE FAULTY JACK. VWOA WAS CONTACTED, BUT SAID BECAUSE THE 2002 VW PASSAT JACK HAD NOT BEEN RECALLED, THEY WERE NOT LIABLE FOR THE DAMAGE. THEY HAVE RECEIVED OTHER REPORTS OF THE SAME TYPE OF JACK FAILURE.
NHTSA complaint #10100791 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 35,000 milesWheeling, WV
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
IGNITION COILS FAILED TWO TIMES, RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER AND CAUSING VEHICLE TO SHUDDER. COILS WERE SUPPOSEDLY REPLACED. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION (FOLLOWING THE COIL REPAIR) VEHICLE COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN ON THE INTERSTATE- GOING FROM 80 TO 0 MPH IN THE MATTER OF SECONDS. I HAD ALREADY BEEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER AN HOUR. I LOST ALL POWER AND WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SHOULDER. PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS BAD GAS (NOT POSSIBLY THE COIL). IN ADDITION, MY REAR DOOR QUIT CLOSING, HEADLIGHTS HAVE BURNT OUT, FILTERS HAVE GONE BAD CAUSING FRONT OF CAR TO BECOME FLOODED, VACUUM HOSE DEFECTIVE, REAR BRAKES WENT BAD, AND RADIO QUIT WORKING. PARTS WERE REPLACED EITHER UNDER THE WARRANTY OR OUT OF MY POCKET. VW REFUSES TO ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE APPROXIMATELY 40000 MILES ON IT.
NHTSA complaint #10080545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,000 milesNEW Haven, CT
EQUIPMENT
NAR 3-10-03 WITH THE CONSUMER VEHICLE HAVING LESS THAN 7000 MILES, MANY PROBLEMS OCCURRED, THE FRONT AND REAR WINDOWS FROZE FROM THE INSIDE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL, THE IGNITION COIL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT FLOODED WHEN IT RAINED OR SNOWED, ALSO THE CARPETS AND POLLEN FILTER WERE DAMAGED DUE TO THE FLOOD. THE CONSUMERS WAS VERY DISAPPOINTED AND SUGGESTED THAT A FULL REFUND BE GIVEN OR HAVE VOLVO TO GIVE THEM A NEW 2003 PASSAT, EQUALLY EQUIPPED AS THE 2002 AT THE SAME PURCHASE PRICE. *CB
NHTSA complaint #10011776 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 17,952 milesRosemount, MN
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL
FOUR IGNITION COILS DEFECTIVE - REPLACED DEFECTIVE IGNITION - KEY STUCK IN CAR FOR OVER NINE DAYS DEFECTIVE STEREO - REPLACED TWICE TO DATE DEFECTIVE ELECTRICAL - WINDOWS AND LOCKS GO UP AND DOWN WHILE DRIVING, GAS CAP POPS OPEN UNEXPECTEDLY COMPUTER PROBLEM - COMPUTER BLACKS OUT AT TIMES DEFECTIVE WHEEL BEARING - REPLACED AT 17,952 MILES DEFECTIVE MOTOR BLOWER - REPLACED DEFECTIVE REAR WHEEL LINING - REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #10070843 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webster, TX
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
WHEN DRIVING AIR CONDITIONER/RADIO FAILED. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10059828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Webster, TX
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
WHEN DRIVING AIR CONDITIONER/RADIO FAILED. CONSUMER STATED THAT VEHICLE HAD AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10059828 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 8,100 milesANN Arbor, MI
EQUIPMENT
RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD PLAYER FAILED ON A 10 MONTH OLD CAR. REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY.
NHTSA complaint #10013874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 7,548 milesPittsburgh, PA
EQUIPMENT
THE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8T AR ABOUT TO FAIL FOR THE THIRD TIME. THE CAR WAS BOUGHT IN MAY OF 2002. THE FIRST INCIDENT OCCURED IN DECEMBER, THE SECOND IN JANUARY, AND NOW IT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN AGAIN NOW IN FEBRUARY. EACH INCIDENT IS PRELUDED BY A SLIGHT JOLT IN THE CAR UPON START UP FOLLOWED BU ROUGH IDLEING. EVERY TIME WE TAKE IT AND AND ARE TOLD IT IS FIXED AND THEN SURE ENOUGH A MONTH LATER I AM BACK THERE AGAIN. I DO NOT SEE THIS PROBLEM GETTING ANY BETTER. IN ADDITION THE MACH RSTEREO SYSTEM HAS BEEN FIXED, THEN REPLACED. THE REPLACEMENT UNIT'S QULAITY IS POOR IN COMPARISON TO THE ORIGINAL. THIS CAR HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.
NHTSA complaint #10007848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamazoo, MI
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
ONLY 1 MONTH AFTER FIXING THE SAME PROBLEM, THE SYSTEM SHORTED OUT AGAIN, LEAVING THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM, THE CRUISE CONTROL, GARAGE DOOR OPENER, AND OTHER ITEMS INOPERATIVE.
NHTSA complaint #765454 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Arvada, CO
EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.
THE ENTIRE STEREO AND RADIO (MONSOON SYSTEMS) HAS FAILED, THE CONSUMER IS CURRENTLY AWAITING THE 5TH SYSTEM TO COME INTO THE DEALER AND BE INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE. NLM
NHTSA complaint #786025 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kalamazoo, MI
EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER
AFTER STARTING CAR, THE CLIMATE CONTROL SYSTEM WAS INOPERATIVE. IT WAS A HOT SUMMER DAY. NO AIR CONDITIONING OR FAN. ALSO FOUND THE CRUISE CONTROL WOULD NOT "SET". DROVE IMMEDIATELY TO DEALER WHO WOULD NOT EVEN LOOK AT THE 8 MONTH OLD CAR FOR 2 WEEKS.
NHTSA complaint #763356 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.