Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS/FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
- Summary
- 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.
VW/FMVSS 110/LOAD RATING/TIRES
- Summary
- 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.
VW/FILLER NECK/TIRE ABRASION
- Summary
- 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.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (643)
643 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 643 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 220 | 34.2% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 135 | 21% |
| Service brakes | 74 | 11.5% |
| Fuel system | 58 | 9% |
| Exterior lighting | 32 | 5% |
| Structure | 31 | 4.8% |
| Visibility | 27 | 4.2% |
| Power train | 25 | 3.9% |
| Unknown or other | 18 | 2.8% |
| Equipment | 17 | 2.6% |
How 2002 compares with other Passat years
Best and worst Passat years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 331 | 4 |
| 1999 | 664 | 5 |
| 2000 | 507 | 3 |
| 2001 | 432 | 3 |
| 2002 | 643 | 3 |
| 2003 | 631 | 6 |
| 2004 | 285 | 3 |
| 2005 | 148 | 3 |
| 2006 | 576 | 7 |
| 2007 | 273 | 7 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 23 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 386 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 23 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2002 Passat for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2002 Volkswagen Passat FAQ
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 08V156000 (fuel system), 03V154000 (tire), 02V026000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2002 Volkswagen Passat problems?
Owners filed 643 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (220), Engine and engine cooling (135), Service brakes (74) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates the 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 28 highway and 23 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2002 Passat compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 Volkswagen Passat model years at least five years old, the 2005 drew the fewest complaints (148) and the 1999 the most (664). The 2002 drew 643. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.