2002 Volkswagen Passat
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Electrical
Electrical leads by volume: 221 of 636 complaints (35%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 430 in 2001 to 636 in 2002.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | vs. 2002 Midsize Station Wagons |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,250–4,300 | 3,350–4,300 | 3,350–4,300 | 3,350–4,300 | 3,300–4,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 18–24 | 18–23 | 18–23 | 18–23 | 18–27 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–21 / 22–29 | 15–20 / 22–29 | 16–19 / 23–28 | 15–19 / 22–28 | 15–23 / 22–34 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 370–494 | 386–494 | 386–494 | 386–494 | 377–494 | |
| Complaints filed | 507 | 430 | 636 | 628 | 279 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 14 | 10 | 14 | 9 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 25 | 14 | 46 | 94 | 25 | |
| Injuries reported | 12 | 11 | 19 | 46 | 23 | |
| Deaths reported | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 10 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat?
Electrical: 221 of 636 NHTSA complaints (35%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates it 18–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2002 Volkswagen Passat?
EPA estimates $3,350–$4,300 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (12)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S5) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Cars | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 386 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic (S5) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 19 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 22 mpg | $3,500 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 18 mpg | 26 mpg | 21 mpg | $3,700 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 25 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,900 | 444 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 2.8L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 17 mpg | 24 mpg | 19 mpg | $4,100 | 468 g/mi |
| Configuration 11 | Automatic (S5) | 8 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 12 | Automatic (S5) | 8 | 4.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Midsize Station Wagons | 16 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 18 mpg (low) | $4,300 (high) | 494 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 148 | 2 | 22 | 6 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 25 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 73 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 221 | 2 | 17 | 0 | 2 |
| Brakes | 73 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 31 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 15 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 48 | 1 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 57 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Other | 33 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 14E007000 · Mar 12, 2014
Defect: 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.
Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY · Campaign 08V156000 · Apr 7, 2008
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
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.
TIRES · Campaign 03V154000 · Apr 24, 2003
Defect: 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.
Consequence: THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH TIRES HAVING THE LOAD RATING INDEX 97H.
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.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP · Campaign 02V026000 · Jan 26, 2002
Defect: 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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
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.