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Research · Midsize Cars · 2 NHTSA variants

2002 Volkswagen PassatRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls and 650 owner complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat. Most complaints involve electrical system (221) and engine and engine cooling (137). The EPA rates it 18–23 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–23mpg
EPA · 12 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
4campaigns
Latest Mar 2014
Owner complaints
650
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$3,350est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

4 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 7, 2014NHTSA 14E007000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 7, 2008NHTSA 08V156000

Tires

Free remedy

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.

TiresReported Apr 22, 2003NHTSA 03V154000
See all 4 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

650 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2001 – Jan 2026
  1. Electrical system221
  2. Engine and engine cooling137
  3. Fuel system, gasoline55
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic47
  5. Exterior lighting32
  6. Structure31
  7. Power train28
  8. Visibility27
  9. Equipment25

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Passat model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996151
199776
1998330
1999664
2000518
2001441
2002650
2003641
2004283
2005148
2006576
2007273
2008174
2009152
2010172
2012484
2013749
2014594
2015244
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
20210
202213
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
46
Injuries reported
19
Deaths reported
2
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Electrical system

221 reports2 crashes17 fires
“WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH OR IN CITY TRAFFIC I GET AN ALARM WARNING THAT MY DRIVER'S DOOR IS OPEN. TO SHUT THE LOUD WARNING OFF, I MUST OPEN AND CLOSE THE DOOR WHILE GOING 75MPH OR IN TRAFFIC. EITHER I OPEN THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING OR PULL OVER ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH TRAFFIC, I FIND THIS VERY DANGEROUS!!! THIS HAPPENS DAILY THIS IS MY SECOND VW PASSAT THAT THE DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED AND WAS TOLD THIS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGENS THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL BECAUSE OF THE DANGERS OF HAVING TO OPEN THE DOOR TO RESET THE LATCH ELECTRICAL SWITCHES THAT ARE DEFECTIVE!!!”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 17, 2015Electrical system, StructureODI 10764641

Engine and engine cooling

137 reports2 crashes18 fires
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 21, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Service brakesODI 10583913

Fuel system, gasoline

55 reports3 fires
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LEAKED FUEL WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V156000 (FUEL SYSTEM), BUT THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VENTILATION VALVE WAS FRACTURED AND CAUSED FUEL TO LEAK. ALSO, THE TANK ONLY LEAKED WHEN IT WAS MORE THAN HALF FULL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000. UPDATED 01/25/17*LJ *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 15, 2016Fuel system, gasolineODI 10896086
All 2002 Passat problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

12 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons, Compact Cars
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 2.8L 6-cyl · 4.0L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic (S5)
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Passat
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192823$3,350386
Passat Wagon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192823$3,350386
Passat
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500404
Passat Wagon
Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
192822$3,500404
Passat
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
Passat Wagon
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
Passat
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850444
Passat Wagon
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
172520$3,850444
Passat 4motion
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172419$4,050468
Passat Wagon 4motion
Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
172419$4,050468
Passat 4motion
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
Passat Wagon 4motion
Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
162318$4,300494
  • Passat
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,350/yr
    23
    mpg comb.
  • Passat
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Auto (S5), 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    19 city · 28 hwy · $3,500/yr
    22
    mpg comb.
  • Passat
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Passat
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 25 hwy · $3,850/yr
    20
    mpg comb.
  • Passat 4motion
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon 4motion
    Auto (S5), 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    17 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Passat 4motion
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon 4motion
    Auto (S5), 8 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4617Vehicle 4513
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Passat questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat have?

4 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Volkswagen Passat problems?

Owners filed 650 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (221), engine and engine cooling (137), fuel system, gasoline (55). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Volkswagen Passat at 18–23 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (12 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026