Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit.
Owners have filed 652 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat, and it carries 4 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 181 | 28% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 111 | 17% |
| Fuel system | 47 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 37 | 6% |
| Visibility | 18 | 3% |
| Power train | 17 | 3% |
| Structure | 16 | 2% |
| Service brakes | 15 | 2% |
| Exterior lighting | 14 | 2% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 13 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this letter as a formal complaint regarding an authorized automobile dealer’s refusal to perform an open safety recall on my vehicle. Vehicle information: * Year/Make/Model: 2002
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I was letting my car run for a couple of minutes for the AC to cool down the car and I went into my house. When I came out about 2 minutes later, there was a large puddle of gas under the car in front of the right rear
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
WHILE DRIVING INTO THE MALL PARKING LOT AT SPEED OF 20 MPH ALL AIRBAGS EXPLODED EXCEPT THE STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG AND MY DAUGHTER SUFFERED FROM ARM AND AIR INJURIES
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
WHEN IT RAINS THE CAR GETS FLOODED CAUSING THE WHOLE WIRING SYSTEM THROUGH THE CAR TO GET DAMAGE. THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER AND DIE AS YOUR DRIVING. SEEMS TO HAPPEN. WHEN ON HIGHWAY MOST. THE CAR WILL NOT START OR
NHTSA complaint: Power train
HEADLIGHT PIGTAILS HAVE MELTED ,FUEL PUMP HAS GONE ,AND THE PLASTIC RESERVOIR PEICE FROM MY COOLANT PUMP HAS MELTED OFF DRIVER SIDE WIPER ARM BAR HAS MALFUNCTIONED
NHTSA complaint: Suspension
THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND BRAKE LIGHT IS FLASHING RED. THE ABS MODULE SEEMS TO BE BAD. THE VEHICLE HAS THESE LIGHTS WHEN ITS MOVING AND STATIONARY
NHTSA complaint: Service brakes
FUEL LEAKING FROM FITTING ON TOP OF TANK NEAR FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
I PURCHASED A 2002 PASSAT W8 4-MOTION, HAVING ONLY 126,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, IN OCTOBER 2017 OFTEN AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, I WOULD NOTICE THE FAINT SCENT OF GASOLINE. UPON INVESTIGATING WHERE THE GASOLINE SMELL
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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/s
Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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.
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
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 LE
Fix: 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. DEA
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 EQUIPP
Risk: THESE VEHICLES SHOULD HAVE BEEN EQUIPPED WITH TIRES HAVING THE LOAD RATING INDEX 97H.
Fix: 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
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.
Risk: FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.
Fix: 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
| Reliability raw | 62 | average |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 69 | good |
| Maintenance | 76 | good |
| Depreciation | 97 | excellent |
| Performance | 52 | average |
| Efficiency | 37 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other midsize & large cars in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 652 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and electrical system is the most reported area with 181 of them (28%). There are 4 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 62/100 (average) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 69/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2002 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: be careful, because the numbers are mixed and the complaint record is worth reading before you commit. Its overall ownership score is 68/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.