2002 Volkswagen Passat Complaint Log

AFTER FILLING MY VEHICLES GAS TANK AND I WAS SMELLING A POTENT GAS ODOR AND IT WENT AWAY AFTER A FEW MILES. WHEN ARRIVED AT MY HOTEL AS I WAS AWAY ON BUSINESS, I PARKED THE VEHICLE FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WOKE UP THERE WAS A LARGE PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDER THE REAR OF MY CAR. I CAN NO LONGER FILL THE TANK MORE THAN HALF WAY OR THIS SAME ISSUE HAPPENS. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL AND I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL BY THE MANUFACTURER, I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE THIS ISSUE RESOLVED WITH NO OUT OF POCKET COSTS TO ME. *TR

CEL 17887 BRAKE BOOSTER FAILURE. THIS CAUSES A COMPLETE BRAKE FAILURE. HARD PEDAL AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT COME TO A STOP. AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FOUND OUT THIS IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THIS MAKE/MODEL/YEAR VEHICLE. THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THE BRAKE BOOSTER FILLS WITH FLUID AND/OR DEBRIS CAUSING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE. THE BRAKE BOOSTER CAN NOT FUNCTION WITHOUT THIS PRESSURE CAUSING BRAKE FAILURE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AT A REPUTABLE DEALER AND THEY VACUUMED OUT APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 GALLONS OF DIRTY LOOKING WATER. THERE IS STILL MORE INSIDE THE PART HOWEVER IT IS FROZEN DUE TO SINGLE DIGIT TEMPERATURES OUTSIDE. AFTER A THOROUGH INSPECTION OF ALL CLAMPS, HOSES AND OTHER PARTS THE MECHANIC ASSURED ME THERE ARE NO CRACKED HOSES, LOOSE OR BROKEN CLAMPS (NO EXPLANATION AS TO WHY THE BOOSTER IS FILLING WITH FLUID OR HOW TO PREVENT IT FROM HAPPENING AGAIN). THE MECHANIC STATES THE FLUID/DEBRIS BUILD UP INSIDE OF THE BOOSTER. THE CEL HAS BEEN RESET AND THE PROBLEM HAS NOT RECURRED (YET). THIS IS MY 18 YEAR OLD SON'S CAR AND EVERY DAY HE DRIVES THE VEHICLE I FEAR THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN SINCE THERE WAS NO EXPLANATION FOR THE OCCURRENCE THE FIRST TIME. REPORTS I HAVE READ FROM OTHER OWNERS STATE THEY HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS MODEL YEAR. WHY ISN'T VW BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS MALFUNCTION? *TR

ON A VERY COLD DAY (BELOW FREEZING) IN JANUARY 2013 WHILE DRIVING DOWN MY LONG DRIVEWAY WITH A 4% GRADE, THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE CAR AND THE CAR ENTERED THE ROAD. THE ROAD HAS A SPEED LIMIT OF 50 MPH AND FORTUNATELY NO CAR WAS ON THE HIGHWAY OR I COULD HAVE BEEN SEVERELY INJURED OR KILLED. ON SUBSEQUENT WARMER DAYS THE BRAKES WORKED FINE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE VW DEALER IN CHARLOTTESVILLE, FLOW VW, WHERE THEY FOUND WATER IN THE BOOSTER PUMP AND "REMOVED COWL DRAINS AND VACUUM WATER OF THE BOOSTER." THIS PROBLEM IS CITED IN A VW SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE THE NHTSA WEBSITE - P 9-66C8. THE INVOICE DID NOT MENTION INSTALLING AN IMPROVED POLLEN FILTER SEAL AS IS DESCRIBED IN THE SERVICE BULLETIN. THE DEALER DID NOT CHARGE ME FOR THIS REPAIR WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT IT WAS DUE A DESIGN FLAW. THIS RESOLVED THE PROBLEM UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN ON ANOTHER COLD DAY BELOW FREEZING THE BRAKES AGAIN FAILED TO STOP THE CAR WHEN DRIVING DOWN MY DRIVEWAY. ON SUBSEQUENT WARM DAYS THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY. I TESTED THEM AGAIN ON A VERY COLD DAY AND THEY AGAIN FAILED. I TOOK CAR BACK TO THE SAME VW DEALER ON A WARM DAY AND THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS WATER IN THE BOOSTER PUMP AND I WOULD HAVE TO REPLACE THE BOOSTER PUMP AT A COST OF ABOUT $800. WHEN I COMPLAINED THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW AS EVIDENCED BY REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS ON WEBSITES INCLUDING NHTSA?S WEBSITE THEY EVENTUALLY OFFERED TO LOWER THE PRICE TO $500. I BELIEVE THIS IS STILL TOO MUCH TO PAY FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A VERY DANGEROUS DESIGN FLAW THAT ALLOWS WATER TO GET INTO THE BRAKE SYSTEM AND THAT THE DEALER HAD FAILED TO REALLY CORRECT LAST YEAR. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER REFUELING, FUEL SPILLED OUT OF THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000. UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ UPDATED 07/11/2013 *JS

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. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FUEL LEAK ON THE FILLER NECK. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V026000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP); HOWEVER AT TIME OF INSPECTION, THERE WAS NO FUEL LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT STATED THAT THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR THE RECALL HAD PASSED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 90,000.

MY DAUGHTER PULLED INTO OUR NEIGHBORHOOD AND NOTICED A FAINT ODOR OF SMOKE. SHE PULLED INTO OUR GARAGE, GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND SAW SMOKE COMING FROM THE HOOD. SHE OPENED THE HOOD AND SAW FLAMES ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE ENGINE BLOCK. SHE WENT TO GET THE FIRE EXTINGUISHER AND UPON HER RETURN THE FLAME WAS OUT AND THE SMOKE SUBSIDED. I HAVE INSPECTED THE AREA AND I CAN'T IDENTIFY SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE FROM THE FIRE. I JUST LEARNED OF A RECENT INVESTIGATION BY NHTSA INTO MY2002 VW PASSAT FOR ENGINE FIRES CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION COIL (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER EA11002 - REPORTED INITIAL AS PE10-027). *TT

I BOUGHT A VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 2002 FROM A LOCAL DEALER. THE VEHICLE CAME WITH NO WARRANTY. THE DAY I GOT THE VEHICLE I FILLED THE CAR WITH FULL TANK OF GASOLINE. I PARKED THE CAR OUTSIDE MY APARTMENT AND NEXT DAY WHEN I CHECKED THERE WAS GAS LEAKING FROM THE CAR. THIS HAPPENED LIKE FOR 4 DAYS AND WHEN THE FUEL IN THE CAR REDUCED TO HALF OF THE FUEL TANK CAPACITY IT STOPPED. I THOUGHT IT SHOULD BE SOME SORT OF LEAK WHICH STOPPED BY ITSELF. BUT NEXT TIME WHEN I DID A FULL TANK RE FILL AGAIN THE GASOLINE STARTED LEAKING. EVEN THIS TIME IT STOPPED AFTER THE FUEL IN THE CAR REDUCED TO HALF THE TANK LEVEL. I CALLED UP VOLKSWAGEN CUSTOMER CARE TO GET THIS FUEL TANK REPLACED AS PER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE08008. THEY TOLD THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED IN JUNE 2011. ITS JUST A YEAR AND AGAIN IT IS HAPPENING THE SAME. THEY DIDN'T GIVE ME THE INFORMATION WERE IT WAS REPLACED AND TOLD IT HAS CROSSED 1 YEAR OF WARRANTY PERIOD AND THEY CANT HELP. BUT HERE IT JUST 11 DAYS FROM JUNE 2011 AND THE FUEL TANK WAS SPOIL YET AGAIN. I REQUEST YOU TO TAKE THIS APPEAL OF MINE AND GET THIS FUEL TANK REPLACED FOR ME. THIS IS A MATTER OF SAFETY. IF IT WAS SOMETHING ELSE I WOULDN'T HAVE WORRIED BUT HERE THIS IS FUEL LEAKING FROM FUEL TANK. SMALL BURST OF FIRE OR SPARK INSIDE OR OUTSIDE THE CAR CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. EVEN THE LEAKING FUEL MITE GET IGNITED WHILE THE CAR IS TRAVELING FOR A LONGER PERIOD IN SUMMER DUE TO HEAT. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. SHE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER 45 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER REPLACED THE REAR CATALYTIC CONVERTOR BUT THE FAILURE CONTINUED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

THIS HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES NOW. MY CAR BEEPS AT ME ABOUT 3-4 TIMES & THE ABS & BRAKE LIGHTS COME ON FOR A FEW SECONDS BEFORE TURNING OFF. FROM EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ONLINE, ITS A PROBLEM WITH THE ABS MODULE & THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM IN THE PASSAT. *TR

WHILE ACCELERATING TO PASS ANOTHER CAR, I FULLY DEPRESSED THE GAS PEDAL AND UPON RELEASING IT, NOTICED IT WAS STUCK IN THE FULLY DEPRESSED POSITION. UPON PUTTING THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND HITTING THE GAS PEDAL WHILE IT WAS IT THE STUCK POSITION, IT BECAME DISLODGED AND WAS FUNCTIONAL AGAIN. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MY CAR WHILE DRIVING IT, THE FIRST TIME BEING IN MID-NOVEMBER 2011. WHEN THE CAR IS OFF AND IN PARK I AM NOW ABLE TO RECREATE THE PEDAL GETTING STUCK, AS IT GETS STUCK ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHEN FULLY DEPRESSED. I HAVE NOT YET HAD A MECHANIC LOOK AT THE PEDAL. *TR

ABS SYSTEM LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED WHILE DRIVING. CAR SENT TO AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT ABS UNIT HAD FAILED. $3000 REPAIR BILL REQUIRED TO BRING CAR BACK TO SPECS, INCLUDING REPLACEMENTS OF UPPER LINKS (8E0407505A), AND ABS UNIT (8E0614111AQ). *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE POWER BEGAN TO SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCE DURING ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE UPWARD AND DOWNWARD OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE MALFUNCTION PERSISTED AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 152,000.

TORQUE CONVERTER FAILED. THE ABS MODULE IS BAD. 02 SENSORS ARE BAD. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS EXTREMELY STIFF AND WOULD NOT RESPOND WHEN DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE PARKING BRAKE AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE BRAKE BOOSTER WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000.

WHEN THE OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE IS BELOW FREEZING, THE BRAKES ON MY 2002 PASSAT WAGON DO NOT WORK. THE BRAKE PEDAL IS HARD, AND WILL NOT DEPRESS. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY A MECHANIC WHO HAS WORKED ON MY CAR FOR THE PAST TEN YEARS THAT THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF WATER IN MY BRAKE LINES. THIS WATER MAY HAVE ENTERED THE BRAKE LINES FROM THE BRAKE BOOSTER IN A MANNER DESCRIBED IN INCIDENT REPORT #PE07018. ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL SO FAR (WATER HAS BEEN DRAINED OUT OF SYSTEM, DRAINS HAVE BEEN CLEARED OF LEAVES AND OTHER DEBRIS, BUT THE PROBLEM RECURS WHEN THE TEMPERATURE DROPS BELOW FREEZING). DOES VW HAVE ANY OTHER SUGGESTIONS HOW TO FIX THIS PROBLEM? WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENS, I DO NOT HAVE FUNCTIONING BRAKES (A RATHER DANGEROUS SITUATION, TO SAY THE LEAST). *TR

DECEMBER 30, 2011, THE ENGINE EMISSIONS LIGHT CAME ON. IN ADDITION, THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND, ESPECIALLY IN QUICK RESPONSE SITUATIONS, I.E. TRAFFIC LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO PEP BOYS FOR A DIAGNOSTIC ON BRAKES/EMISSION. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO PROBLEMS. COST $100. FEBRUARY 10, 2012, THE ENGINE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND ESPECIALLY IN QUICK RESPONSE SITUATIONS, I.E. TRAFFIC LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP. THEY REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS AND CHANGED THE BRAKE FLUID. I STILL EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE PROBLEM DURING COLD WEATHER (BELOW 15 DEGREES AND WIND CHILL). VW SUGGESTED BRINGING THE CAR IN WHEN THE TEMPERATURE WAS THE SAME AS THE TEMPERATURE THAT I EXPERIENCED THE BRAKE PROBLEM. UNFORTUNATELY IT WAS MARCH AND THERE WERE NO FURTHER COLD DAYS. I BEGAN TO THINK THE CAR WAS A WARM WEATHER VEHICLE. COST $776. DECEMBER 14, 2012, THE VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP REPLACED THE REAR BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS. COST $377. DECEMBER 26, 2013, THE ENGINE EMISSION LIGHT CAME ON AND THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND, ESPECIALLY IN QUICK RESPONSE SITUATIONS, I.E. TRAFFIC LIGHT. I TOOK THE CAR TO A VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP. THEY REPLACED HOSE AND VALVE TO CORRECT A VACUUM LEAK (VALVE STUCK). THEY REPLACED THE BRAKE FLUID. COST $376. JANUARY 8, 2014, THE BRAKES WERE SLOW TO RESPOND. I HAD TO USE THE HAND BRAKE TO STOP. I CALLED TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED TO VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP. THE TOW DRIVER STATED IT WAS A BOOSTER PROBLEM. THE VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOP REPLACED BRAKE BOOSTER AND BRAKE FLUID. COST $848. IN ADDITION TO THE BRAKE PROBLEMS, THE BELLY PAN (BELLY SHIELD, SKID PLATE, LOWER ENGINE COVER) CAME OFF TWICE WHILE DRIVING ON MAJOR HIGHWAYS ON APRIL 21, 2012 AND APRIL 12, 2014. I HAD TO PULL OVER AND POP THE PAN BACK UP. I TOOK THE CAR TO VW DEALER/REPAIR SHOPS TO HAVE IT REATTACHED. NO COST. *TR

STARTED CAR 5 AM DURING WINTER MONTHS-CAR BRAKES WERE COMPLETELY DEPRESSED-BRAKES WERE UN USABLE. CAR WAS ABLE TO ACCELERATE HOWEVER BRAKES COULD NOT BE USED AT ANY POINT. THIS IS A SERIOUS AND DANGEROUS ISSUE AS ANY FREEZING TEMPERATURE WILL RENDER THE BRAKES UN USABLE AND POSSIBLY RESULT IN A CRASH. BROUGHT THE CAR TO SEVERAL REPAIR SHOPS AND WAS NOTIFIED THAT A P9 SERVICE WHICH SEALED POLLEN FILTERS TO PREVENT DEBRIS FROM ENTERING THE AREA SURROUNDING THE BRAKE BOOSTER HAD BEEN DONE, BUT DEBRIS STILL ENTERED. *TR

HEATER CORE LET GO AND CREATED A UNCONTROLLABLE FOG IN THE INSIDE OF THE CAR.TRIED TO GET TO SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ALMOST HIT A TRUCK BECAUSE I COULDN'T SEE. SMOKE(OR STEAM) WAS POURING FROM THE CAR EVEN AFTER I STOPPED PLUS THE FACT THAT I INHALED THE COOLANT FUMES. *KB

DRIVER'S SIDE SEATBELT FAILED TO LOCK INTO PLACE. HAD TO BUY A NEW SEATBELT FOR SAFETY REASONS. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTICS WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY 2,000 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SENSOR WOULD NOW HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

IGNITION COILS CAUGHT FIRE WHILE DRIVING. MECHANIC STATES THAT THEY "CATCH FIRE ALL THE TIME". *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED A STRONG FUEL ODOR AROUND THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THERE WAS A LEAK NEAR THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY). THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND WAS REPAIRED BEFORE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

MY FUEL TANK IS LEAKING FOR THE 2ND TIME IN 2 YEARS. IN 2009, I SMELLED FUEL WHEN THE TANK WAS FULL. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THE TANK WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED, WHICH I PAID FOR. IN 2011, THE EXACT SAME THING OCCURRED. THE DEALER IS PAYING FOR THE REPLACEMENT. THIS CONCERNS ME THAT THERE MAY BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL TANKS IN THE 2002 VW PASSAT. I'M NOT SURE IF THIS IS THE SAME ISSUE THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED EARLIER AND SORT OF RECALLED UNDER THE HEAT SHIELD PROBLEM. IF IT IS THE SAME ISSUE AS THAT, I SHOULDN'T HAVE PAID FOR THE REPAIR IN 2009. COULD YOU PLEASE INVESTIGATE THE FUEL TANKS...THE ESCAPE OF FUEL SCARES ME! *KB

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSE THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE A WARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 230,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 277,000.

TRAVELING DOWN THE STREET AND SMELLED SMOKE. SMOKE BEGAN EMITTING FROM UNDER THE DASH AND VEHICLE CUT OFF. FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

I'M THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8T/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH 97,500 MILES WHICH HAD UNDERDASH ELECTRICAL FIRE WHILE RUNNING THE CAR AND NOW IS A TOTAL LOSS. THE CAR WAS IN VERY GOOD CONDITION PRIOR TO THE EVENTS. ELECTRICAL UNDERDASH FIRE STARTED VERY FAST WITH SMOKE COMING FROM DRIVER VENT. AFTER SEARCHING ON THE INTERNET APPEARS THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, AN NOT MANY PEOPLE REALLY REPORT THE CAR FIRE. *TR

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

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. HE SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, AND NOTICED SMOKE RELEASING FROM THE VENTS. WITHIN MOMENTS THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AREA WAS ON FIRE. THE VEHICLE WILL BE TOWED TO THE DEALER. A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE AS 94,000.

IN 2002, I BOUGHT MY PASSAT NEW. AT THE END OF DECEMBER 2010, THE STOP OIL LIGHT CAME ON. TWO WEEKS LATER, A RECALL LETTER ARRIVED. I DROVE TO PASADENA AND BACK TO NORTHERN CALIFORNIA FEBRUARY 2011. AFTER A LITTLE MALFUNCTION ON THE FREEWAY IN LIVERMORE, I PULLED INTO A GAS STATION AND THE PASSAT STARTED TO SOUND LIKE A DIESEL ENGINE. TOWED TO DUBLIN VW. THEY SAY THE ENGINE IS FRIED AND A NEW ONE WOULD COST $6800. ALL THIS DUE TO OIL SLUDGE ISSUE. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE DRIVING WITHOUT INCIDENT; HOWEVER, AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 120,000.

I WAS DRIVING AT NIGHT AND PULLED OVER BECAUSE MY CAR HAD NO OPERATING TAIL LIGHTS (THE HEADLIGHTS AND OTHER FRONT LIGHTS WERE WORKING PROPERLY). TURNING THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON SOLVED THE PROBLEM TEMPORARILY, BUT FURTHER TESTING WHEN I RETURNED HOME REVEALED THAT THE TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT ALWAYS TURNING ON WITH THE REST OF THE LIGHTS. AN INTERNET SEARCH REVEALED THIS IS A RELATIVELY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THESE CARS AND THAT A FAILED HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS THE CULPRIT. REPLACING THE SWITCH SOLVED THE PROBLEM. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE AND WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

EMISSION RELATED ISSUES, SECONDARY AIR PUMP AND COMBI VALVE FOR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THEY ARE INSTALLED IN A SPOT WHERE THEY ARE EXPOSED TO MOISTURE RESULTING IN A FAILURE. *TR

2002 VW PASSAT 2.8 V6 . IGNITION COIL PACK SHORTING OUT( CAN SEE STREAKS OF ELECTRICITY ON ALL THREE COILS AT NIGHT ALONG SIDES OF COILS - - WHEN LOOKING INTO DARK ENGINE COMPARTMENT ) . CAR MISFIRES UPON ACCELERATION AND AT IDLE . IT HAS STALLED TWICE AND SEEMS TO BE VERY UNRELIABLE . I HAVE ORDERED A NEW COIL PACK AND WILL NOT DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I REPLACE THIS COIL PACK . I CALLED THE LOCAL V.W. DEALER AND THEY SAID NO RECALL FOR THE 2.8 V6 30 VALVE ENGINE - CALLED V.W. OF AMERICA AND I WAS TOLD THE SAME THING . I WILL KEEP THE OLD COIL PACK IN HOPE THAT V.W. WILL RE-IMBURSE ME THE PRICE OF MY NEW COIL PACK - IT IS VERY EASY TO CHANGE . *TR

2002 VW PASSAT PLASTIC LENS COVER OVER THE HEAD LIGHTS ARE SO FILMY, CLOUDY CAN HARDLY SEE AT NIGHT..THE LENS COVERS HAVE BEEN CLOUDY FOR YEARS, I NOTICE LOTS OF CARS WITH CLOUDY LENS COVER NOT JUST VW...SHOULD BE SAFETY RECALL..... DO WE WAIT LIKE WE DID ON NO DOC LOANS UNTIL WE ADMIT WE HAVE A PROBLEM.........NO EXACT INCIDENT BUT I'M SURE THEY HAVE HAPPENED. *TR

I HAD A 2002 VW PASSAT WITH 1.8T ENGINE. ITS ORIGINAL ENGINE WAS DEAD DUE TO OIL SLUDGE 3 YEARS AGO; AND ITS REPLACED ENGINE WAS DEAD TODAY AGAIN. I THINK VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD PAY BACK MY MONEY, ABOUT $6000, FOR REPLACING 2 ENGINES; AND RECALL THIS ENGINE IMMEDIATELY. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHEN THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE BRAKE PEDAL, THERE WAS NO RESPONSE AS A RESULT OF A FROZEN BRAKE LINE. THE FAILURE WOULD OCCUR DURING COLD WEATHER TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS AN OPENED AND CLOSED DEFECT INVESTIGATION ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE07018 (SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC: POWER ASSIST: VACUUM). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. IN ADDITION, ON A SEPARATE OCCASION, THE ENGINE STALLED AND EMITTED BLUE SMOKE FROM THE EXHAUST SYSTEM AFTER A RAIN. ALSO THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH WHEN HE HEARD A NOISE COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TO LOSE POWER. AFTER DRIVING AN ADDITIONAL TWO MILES, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO HIS RESIDENCE ABD WAS NEITHER INSPECTED NOR REPAIRED FOR THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG BURNING ODOR OF PLASTIC AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE CONTACT EXITED THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE ERUPTED INTO FLAMES. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THERE WAS NO INJURY. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 103,000.

SINCE EARLY 2009, THERE HAS BEEN AN EVAP SYSTEM PROBLEM WITH MY 2002 VW PASSAT 4MOTION. THIS HAS CAUSED ME ENDLESS HASSLE AND SIGNIFICANT EXPENSE OVER THE LAST 4 YEARS. AFTER 3 FAILED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE PROBLEM DIAGNOSED, A DEALER FINALLY IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM IN 2011 AS A FUEL VAPOR LEAK FROM THE FUEL TANK. NO MENTION WAS MADE OF THE 2008 RECALL (VWOA #25E5/R6, NHTSA #08V156000) COVERING SUCH FUEL LEAKS. AFTER (RE-)DISCOVERING THE RECALL NOTICE IN 2013, I CONTACTED BOTH VW AND TWO SEPARATE DEALERS; ALL INDICATED THAT SINCE MY VEHICLE WAS SERVICED IN 2008 UNDER THE RECALL (THOUGH ONLY THE UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD WAS REPLACED; THE GAS TANK AND RELATED PARTS MAY OR MAY NOT HAVE BEEN "INSPECTED" BUT THE DEALERSHIP NO LONGER HAS THOSE RECORDS NOR DOES VW HAVE THOSE DETAILS), VW WOULD NOT COVER THE FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT. I HAVE SINCE CONTACTED VW AGAIN, WHO HAVE AGREED TO LOOK INTO THE MATTER BUT REQUIRE ME TO PAY TO HAVE THE VEHICLE RE-DIAGNOSED. SINCE THIS IS A SAFETY MATTER (A LEAK AT THE GAS TANK COULD START A FIRE), IT SEEMS CLEAR THAT VW'S RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE MATTER SHOULD NOT BE LIMITED TO MERELY "INSPECTING" THE AFFECTED PARTS ONCE WITH NO OVERSIGHT OR FOLLOW-UP, AS HAS HAPPENED IN THIS CASE. *TR

THIS JUST STARTED HAPPENING TO ME AND I WAS SEARCHING THE WEB AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT'S A PROBLEM FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. ABOUT ONCE EVERY 20 MINUTES WHILE I'M DRIVING MY 2002 PASSAT, THE CAR BEEPS, AND THEN THE ABS LIGHT COMES ON AND THE RED BRAKE LIGHT FLASHES. I LOOSE A LITTLE OF MY BRAKING POWER FOR A FEW SECONDS EVERY TIME IT HAPPENS. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE REAR AXLE BROKE CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO FALL ONTO THE GROUND. THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE DRIVEN; THEREFORE, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT NO REPAIRS COULD BE MADE UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR AXLE COULD HAVE CAUSED A MAJOR CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,000.

AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON IN OUR 2002 VW PASSAT V6 WITH 70,040 MILES. OUR REPAIR SHOP DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY THAT RECEIVES THE BUCKLE WAS NOT REGISTERING THE BUCKLE BEING FASTENED. WE REPLACED THE PART #B0858471KFCN TO RESTORE THE AIRBAG TO OPERATION. WE WERE TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT INFLATE WHILE DRIVING WITH THIS DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY. WE HAVE NOTIFIED VOLKSWAGEN OF THE PROBLEM AND ASKED THEM TO COVER THE $356.35 REPAIR COST. *TR

MY ABS LIGHT ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT RANDOMLY COMES ON SAYING STOP, BRAKE DEFAULT. THERE APPARENTLY IS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY BRAKES. THERE COULD BE A FIX BY REPLACING A $1600 PART. AFTER RESEARCHING THIS, THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE HAVE THIS SAME PROBLEM. MECHANICS SAY NOTHING REALLY WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. IF IT'S INDEED A SENSOR THAT EVERYONE WITH THIS CAR HAS, THEN VW SHOULD REPAIR IT, SO WE ACTUALLY KNOW WHEN SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES!! *TR

2002 VW PASSAT ENGINE FIRE WHILE DRIVING. SHOP SAID IT LOOKS LIKE IT STARTED IN THE WIRING HARNESS. NO INJURIES, VEHICLE TOTAL LOSS. ONE OWNER, WELL CARED FOR. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE NEW, INTENDING TO DRIVE IT A LONG TIME. NOT A GOOD INVESTMENT. *TR

I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. IT HAS STALLED WHILE DRIVING AND UNABLE TO START RIGHT AWAY. IT SOMETIMES FAILS TO START WHEN I GET IN, THEN STARTS AGAIN LATER. THE FUEL PUMP/FUEL LINE FAILURE HAS LEFT ME STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND I HAVE ALSO BEEN STRANDED, WHILE WAITING FOR MY CAR TO START AGAIN. I BELIEVE THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM AND I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT IT IN ORDER TO REMEDY THIS ISSUE W/ MY 2002 PASSAT. *TR

FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN 7/8 TO 8/8 FULL. LEAKING GAS DAMAGES ASPHALT AND POSES A FIRE THREAT. *TR

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. *TR

TURN SIGNAL PRODUCES CONTINUOUS TURN SIGNAL NOISE AFTER USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT DISTRACTION WHILE DRIVING AND DISCOURAGES USE OF THE TURN SIGNAL. THIS HAS BEEN A PERSISTENT PROBLEM. *TR