2002 Volkswagen Passat W8

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/31/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE IGNITION COIL HAS HAS HAD TO BE REPLACED THREE TIMES IN MY 2002 PASSAT. VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BUT DUE A SHORTAGE OF PARTS, THEY WILL ONLY FIX THEM ON A NEEDED BASIS. TS

• 12/31/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EQUIPMENT

  FAILED COIL PACK ON VEHICLE AFTER ONLY 16000 MILES. DEALER SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT VW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM IN ALL 2001 THRU 2003 VW PASSATS WITH 1.8 LITER TURBO ENGINES. SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT VW IS HAVING SO MANY FAILURES ON THIS PRODUCT THAT THE PART HAD TO BE ORDERED THROUGH VIN DIRECT FROM GERMANY. THEY WILL NOT REPLACE ALL FOUR COILS, ONLY THE FAILED ITEMS. VEHICLE FAILED ON HIGHWAY AND BECAME A SAFETY HAZARD TO OTHER MOTORISTS UNTIL I COULD NEGOTIATE TO SAFE AREA TO INVESTIGATE FAILURE. TS

• 12/30/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER STATES HIS VEHICLE STALLS WHILE DRIVING AT 50MPH. DUE TO FAULTY ENGINE COIL. ON NOVEMBER 10, DEALER CHANGED THE ENGINE COIL #4 ON DECEMBER 26, DEALER CHANGED ENGINE COIL #3, CONSUMER ASKED THE DEALER TO CHANGE THE OTHER 4 INOPERABLE COILS AND DEALER REFUSED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

• 12/28/2016· FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

  FUEL LEAK AFTER FILLING GAS TANK. LEAK ON DRIVER SIDE UNDER REAR DOOR. STOPS AFTER GAGE IS BELOW 3/4 FULL.

• 12/28/2009· STRUCTURE

  DURING HEAVY RAINS, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE THROUGH THE SUNROOF, WHICH WAS PROPERLY CLOSED AND LATCHED. OWNER DID NOT KNOW THAT WATER INFILTRATION HAD OCCURRED. UPON DRIVING THE CAR AFTER THE STORM, MULTIPLE WARNINGS APPEARED. CAR SHUTTERED AND WOULD NOT SHIFT GEARS. EVENTUALLY CAR SHIFTED INTO DRIVE. TOOK CAR TO SERVICE STATION, WHICH DIAGNOSED THAT WATER HAD ENTERED VEHICLE AND POOLED IN PASSENGER FLOORBOARD. TRANSMISSION MODULE LOCATED BENEATH PASSENGER FLOORBOARD FLOODED AND FAILED. TRANSMISSION MODULE AND RELATED COMPONENTS HAD TO BE REPLACED. WE CONTACTED MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE AND WERE TOLD THIS WAS NOT A KNOWN PROBLEM, BUT INFORMATION OBTAINED BY OUR INSURANCE COMPANY INDICATES OTHERWISE. *TR

• 12/28/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ENGINE STARTED IDLING ROUGH AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. HAPPENED IN NEIGHBORHOOD, LIMPED CAR HOME AND HAD IT TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED FAULTY COIL PACK. WITHOUT CAR FOR EIGHT DAYS.

• 12/28/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  12/28/02 -- ON START UP, VEHICLE IDLED ROUGHLY AND FELT AS THOUGH IT WERE GOING TO STALL, SO WE TOOK IT TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC WHO SAID THAT 2 IGNITION COILS ARE CERTAINLY BAD. THE VEHICLE HAD PREVIOUSLY GIVEN OFF AN ELECTRICAL BURNING SMELL 2 TIMES THAT WENT AWAY AFTER ONE MINUTE OR SO, AND AT A DIFFERENT TIME IT WAS DIFFICULT TO START AND IDLED ROUGHLY FOR ABOUT A MINUTE OR SO. WE ARE WAITING TO SEE IF ALL THE COILS CAN BE REPLACED AT ONCE INSTEAD OF WAITING UNTIL THEY GO BAD OR CATCH FIRE. GIVEN THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FOR THIS PROBLEM, WE CERTAINLY FEEL THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED BY VOLKSWAGEN IN A TIMELY FASHION AND HOPE THAT THEY WILL DO SO IN OUR CASE. TS

• 12/27/2004· ELECTRICAL SYSTEMFire

  BURNING OF HEAT WARMING WIRE IN DRIVER'S SEAT. *AK

• 12/27/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  IGNITION COIL FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME ON 11/29/02; COILS 1 & 3. WAS TOLD "PARTS WERE ON BACKORDER" AND "IT COULD BE WEEKS" AND "MANY PASSAT OWNERS WERE EXPERIENCING THIS". DEALER ONLY REPAIRED THE COILS THAT FAILED. THE SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 12/26/02--SAME THING; HAD TO HAVE CAR TOWED TO DEALER AGAIN. AGAIN, DESPITE ALL THE KNOWN OCCURRENCES WITH THE COIL PACKS AND PASSATS, ONLY THE COILS THAT FAILED WILL BE REPLACED (AND WHO KNOWS HOW LONG IT WILL TAKE). I AM EXTREMELY WORRIED THAT THE NEXT TIME THIS OCCURS I WILL SUDDENLY LOSE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND END UP BEING IN AN ACCIDENT AS A RESULT AND/OR WILL BE STRANDED ALONE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD....I DO A LOT ( ~300 - 400 MILES/WEEK) OF SOLO DRIVING. TS

• 12/27/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CAR STARTED UP NOT RUNNING ON ALL CYLINDERS. REFUSED TO RUN ON ALL CYLINDERS. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT (MIL) CAME ON. MANUAL AND DEALER SAID TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER IN THIS SITUATION. CAR WENT TO DEALER. BAD IGNITION COIL IS DIAGNOSIS. DEALER SAYS NONE AVAILABLE IN U.S. OR CANADA. DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHEN IT CAN FIX. CAR IS 4 MONTHS OLD WITH 3,800 MILES AND IS UNDRIVEABLE. NO DATE SET FOR WHEN IT WILL BE REPAIRED. TS

• 12/27/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA HAS A KNOWN COMPONENT FAILURE WITH THE IGNITION COILS ON ALL VW AND AUDI 1.8T ENGINES IN ALL 2002 MODELS. THESE COMPONENTS FAIL WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AND/OR LOSE POWER DRAMATICALLY AND CAN CAUSE THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. VW HAS STATED THAT THEY KNOW THE COMPONENTS ARE BAD (4 PER ENGINE) BUT WILL ONLY FIX THESE ITEMS AS THEY FAIL. I PERSONALLY HAVE HAD THIS FAILURE TWICE AND THEY WILL NOT CORRECT ALL OF THE COMPONENTS. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS AND FORCE VW TO RECALL ALL OF THESE VEHICLES AND REPLACE ALL OF THESE KNOW BAD COMPONENTS.

• 12/26/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  THE ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED ON AND OFF AND THE CAR MADE A VIBRATING NOISE ON 12-21-02. THE VEHICLE IS A 4 CYCLINDER 2002 VW PASSAST WITH 5200 MILES WHICH I PURCHASED IN JUNE OF THIS YEAR. I HAD IT TOWED TO FAIRFAX VW IN FAIRFAX, VA ON 12-22-02. THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER ADVISED ME THAT HE HAD TOWED A NUMBER OF PASSATS OVER THE PAST FEW MONTHS THAT HAD BURNED OUT COIL PACKS. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED ON 12-23-02 AND 2 OF THE 4 COIL PACKS HAD BURNED OUT. I WAS TOLD THAT VW WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I ASKED THE DEALER WHY THE OTHER 2 COIL PACKS WERE NOT REPLACED AND THEY ADVISED ME THAT VW WILL ONLY APPROVE THE REPLACEMENT OF THE BURNED OUT ONES. I FEEL THAT IF VW IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM THAT ALL OF THE COIL PACKS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED SINCE THE OTHER TWO MAY EVENTUALLY BURN OUT, TOO. THIS COULD CAUSE SEVERE MECHANICAL DAMAGE IF THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNDER THESE CONDITIONS.

• 12/26/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COIL DEFECT ON 2002 VW PASSAT 1.8 T. THIS CAR HAS 27K MILES ON IT AND 3 COILS HAVE BEEN REPLACED IN THE PAST 2 MONTHS (THERE IS ONE FOR EACH CYLINDER). VW HAS MADE REPAIRS AS NEEDED, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE 4TH COIL. EACH TIME ONE GOES THE CAR HAS TO BE TOWED. WE ARE AT THE POINT WHERE WE DON'T WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR FOR FEAR OF BEING STRANDED.

• 12/24/2010· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 12/23/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CONSUMER WAS PULLING OUT THERE DRIVEWAY, AND VEHICLE STARTED HESITATING TO ACCELERATED, AND THE MIL(MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LIGHT) CAME ON. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT ONE OF IGNITION COIL SPRING HAD BROKE. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS

• 12/22/2009· VISIBILITY

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED. FRAGMENTS OF GLASS FELL ALL OVER OF THE VEHICLE. A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY ARE NOT AWARE OF THIS TYPE OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

• 12/21/2011· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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

• 12/21/2011· SEAT BELTS

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

• 12/20/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COIL PACK ON VW 1.8T ENGINE DEFECTIVE SO MANY BAD ONES DEALER DON'T HAVE REPLACEMENT PART. TS

• 12/19/2017· 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 WAS ORIGINATING, I FOUND IT HAD DEVELOPED A VERY LARGE FUEL LEAK FROM WHICH FUEL COULD BE SEEN DRIPPING ON THE FORWARD, LEFT SIDE OF THE FUEL TANK. AFTER PERFORMING SOME BRIEF RESEARCH, I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE PASSAT 4-MOTIONS, DATED APRIL 2008, IN REGARDS TO A VENTILATION VALVE ON THE FUEL TANK. I PROMPTLY MADE A APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL VW DEALER FOR DEC 4TH. ON DECEMBER 6, 2017, I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP ASKING JAY, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALERSHIP, IF THEY FOUND THE VENT VALVE TO BE LEAKING. I WAS TOLD THAT THE VALVE WAS IN FACT LEAKING AT THE BONDED VALVE POINT. AFTER HEARING NOTHING THE NEXT TWO DAYS, I RECEIVED A PHONE CALL FROM VW STATING THAT THEY FOUND THE UNDER-BODY DAMAGE TO BE THE CAUSE OF THE LEAK. I REQUESTED TO SEE THE PICTURES OF THE DAMAGE SO THAT I COULD EXAMINE THEM MYSELF. ON DECEMBER 11, 2017, I RECEIVED THE PICTURES FROM THE SERVICE MANAGER SHOWING THE HEAT SHIELDS SURROUNDING THE TANK TO HAVE SOME BRUSH MARKS AND TO BE DISFIGURED A BIT. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND, THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE IN THE EARLY 2000'S, AND THE VEHICLE IS NOW 15 YEARS OLD WITH 127,000 MILES ON IT AND THE RECALL HAD BEEN COMPLETED. THIS "DAMAGE" WOULD NOT LEAD TO A FUEL TANK LEAK AS THE FUEL TANK ITSELF WAS NOT DAMAGED. VERY UPSET, I WROTE TO THE REGIONAL CASE MANAGER ON DEC 11, 2017 WITH MY THOUGHTS ON THE DAMAGE AND TO GET MORE DETAILS ON THE CASE. I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE A RESPONSE.

• 12/19/2002· SUSPENSION

  CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE IGNITION COIL SYSTEM. ALSO WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE VEHICLE STALL AND DIED. DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND STATED THAT THE COIL PACKAGE HAD A PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE KNOWLEDGE OF IT BUT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO MORE THEN REPLACE THE ONE THAT IS BAD.TS

• 12/19/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  ONE OF THE COLI PACKS FAILED ON MY CAR AT APPROXIMATELY 4500 MILES. THE CAR RAN VERY ROUGH AND HAD A VERY NOTICABLE LOSS OF POWER. A WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASH BOARD AND THE MANUAL SAID THAT THE CAR SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN AND SHOULD BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP. I WAS AFRAID THAT IF I WAS IN A SITUATION WHERE THE CAR NEEDED TO ACCELERATE QUCIKLY THAT AN ACCIDENT COULD HAVE OCCURED.

• 12/19/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  2002 VW PASSANT. I AM TOLD THAT ALL LATE 2001 AND ALL 2002 MODELS WITH 4 CYLINDER ENGINES WHERE SUPPLIED WITH DEFECTIVE INGITION COILS. THIS HAS RESULTED IN MY CAR BREAKING DOWN THREE TIMES. IT EITHER SPONTANISLY (SP) LOSES POWER OR LOSES ALL POWER AND THE CAR SHAKES. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DEADLY IN HIGH TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. VW NORTH AMERICA IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT REFUSES TO REPLACE ALL 4 COILS. THEY WILL ONLY REPLACE THEM AS THEY FAIL. THIS MEANS THAT FOR THOUSANDS OF OWNERS, THEY EACH HAVE FOUR CHANCES TO BE INVOLVED IN A WRECK WHEN THE ENGINE FAILS.

• 12/19/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ONE OF FOUR COIL PACKS (A.K.A. IGNITION COILS) FAILED IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8L TURBO. UPON PHONING THE DEALERSHIP, I FOUND THAT THEY CURRENTLY HAVE 20 OTHER CARS ON THEIR LOT WITH THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM WAITING FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS THAT ARE ON NATIONAL BACKORDER. IN ORDER TO APPEASE THEIR CUSTOMERS, THE DEALER HAD BEEN PULLING THE PART OUT OF 2003 MODELS, BUT THEY RAN OUT OF CARS TO CANNIBALIZE. I HAVE FURTHER LEARNED THAT THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM IN LATE MODEL VW'S AS WELL AS AUDI'S WITH THE 1.8L ENGINE, AND ALTHOUGH VW IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT, THEY HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED THEIR DEALERS TO REPLACE THE OTHER THREE COIL PACKS. ALSO, WHILE MY CAR COULD POTENTIALLY BREAK DOWN THREE MORE TIMES BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECTIVE PART, THERE IS CURRENTLY NO RECALL SCHEDULED BY VOLKSWAGEN.

• 12/19/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COIL PACK FAILURE. DEALER HAS REPLACED TWO BROKEN COILS ON PREVIOUS INCIDENTS - CURRENTLY AWAITING REPLACEMENT FOR THIRD INCIDENT. VEHICLE UNDRIVEABLE - MUST BE TOWED. SYMPTOMS INDICATED BY FLASHING ENGINE LIGHT ON DASH AND VERY ROUGH IDLING. NO INDICATION OF WHEN REPLACEMENTS WILL BE AVAILABLE - CAR IS IN DEALER SERVICE LOT TWO WEEKS. DEALER HAS REPORTED THAT 17 OTHER PASSATS ARE ALSO AWAITING REPLACEMENT. VW MUST ISSUE A RECALL OR SERVICE ADVISORY TO REPLACE ALL COILS NOT JUST BAD ONES.

• 12/19/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  ENGINE MISSED AND ACCELERATED POORLY. DEALER FOUND CODES P0300 AND P0304 AND REPLACED #4 IGNITION COIL PACK. SINCE THEN THE ENGINE CONTINUES TO ACCELERATE ERRATICALLY AND DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIND PROBLEM.

• 12/18/2014· ENGINE

  TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 185,611.

• 12/18/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COIL PACK FAILED FIVE TIMES. NO ANSWERS FROM VW.

• 12/17/2017· SERVICE BRAKES

  THE ABS BRAKES ARE FAULTY....THEY WORK RANDOMLY. FROM WHAT I HAVE RESEARCH THIS PARTICULAR MODULAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN A FACTORY RECALL.....

• 12/17/2002· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  THE COIL PACK HAS FAILED ON MY VW 2002 PASSAT 1.8T. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO STATED THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN IN ITS CONDITION. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT IT WAS A PART FAILURE AND HE WASN'T SUPRISED. THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF THEM LATELY AND THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER. LATER THAT NIGHT I DID A LITTLE RESEARCH AND I FIND OUT THAT HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WITH THE 2002 1.8T ENGINE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. (VWVORTEX.COM OR GOOGLE.COM "VW COIL PACKS") SOMETHING WITH THE COLD WEATHER AFFECTS THE COIL PACKS. VW SHOULD RECALL THESE PARTS AND REPLACE THEM WITH WORKING COIL PACKS. LUCKILY WHEN MINE WENT I WAS TWO BLOCKS FROM MY APARTMENT. IT DID HAPPEN HOWEVER IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. THE LIGHT TURNED GREEN AND I ACCELERATED. ABOUT 2 SECONDS LATER I EXPERIENCED AN EXTREME LOSS OF POWER AND A RUMBLING FEELING. THE CAR SHUTTERED AND I PULLED OVER TO STOP. SINCE THE DEALER STATED IT WAS NOT DRIVABLE I AM LUCKY I WAS NOT STRANDED ON THE FREEWAY AS I GENERALLY COMMUTE 30 MINUTES TO WORK EVERY DAY. I WORRY THAT MYSELF AND OTHER OWNERS OF THE 1.8T ENGINE WILL EXPERIENCE THE SAME ISSUE ONLY FURTHER FROM A SAFE PLACE CAUSING ACCIDENTS OR BEING STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. SINCE IT IS A KNOWN FAILURE AMONG VW MECHANICS ITS CLEAR THAT A RECALL IS IN ORDER. VW HAS SOLD THE 1.8T AS A QUALITY ENGINE ABOVE OTHERS IN ITS CLASS AND SHOULD STAND BEHIND IT.

• 12/17/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  MY CARS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND RAN VERY ROUGHLY. I MANAGED TO MAKE IT TO AN OFF RAMP BEFORE STOPPING THE CAR. I CALLED THE VW ROAD SIDE ASSISTANCE AND THEY SENT A TOW TRUCK TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I HAD MY WIFE, MY SON, MY SISTER IN LAW, AND MY DOG, SO FINDING A WAY HOME WAS NOT EASY. I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN THIS HAPPENED I WAS STILL WITHIN MY "HOME" AREA, AND WAS ABLE TO FIND A FRIEND WITH A LARGE ENOUGH CAR. AFTER THE DEALER OPENED THE NEXT DAY, THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A COIL PACK THAT HAD GONE BAD AND THE PART WILL TAKE A WEEK OR TWO TO GET. I HAVE A RENTAL THAT IS PAID FOR BY THE DEALER, BUT IT IS NOT THE SAME TYPE OF CAR I BOUGHT, A STATION WAGON. I DID SOME RESEARCH TO SEE WHAT A COIL PACK IS, AND FOUND MANY OWNERS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND THE PROBLEM HAPPENS MORE THAN ONCE. I AM VERRY CONCERNED THAT THIS WILL HAPPEN AGAIN AND I WON'T BE NEAR A FRIEND WHO CAN RESCUE ME AND MY FAMILY.

• 12/16/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  NEED TO REPLACE AT LEAST ONE BANK OF CAM ADJUSTER. SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH PART. COST TO REPLACE @$6,000. NO HELP FROM VW. *TR

• 12/16/2005· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  I OWN A 2002 VW PASSAT V6 GLX WITH 42,700 MILES. WITHIN THE PAST 2 MONTHS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM STARTED WITH VERY STRONG GASOLINE FUMES COMING FROM THE CAR AFTER THE TANK IS FILLED AND THE CAR IS PARKED IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. THE GAS TANK IS FILLED UNTIL THE FIRST CLICK OFF OF THE GAS NOZZLE ( AT SEVERAL DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS). THE GASOLINE FUMES ARE VERY STRONG, REQUIRING THAT THE GARAGE DOORS BE LEFT PARTIALLY OPEN TO REDUCE THE FUMES TO A TOLERABLE LEVEL. NO FUEL DRIPS FROM THE VEHICLE. THE FUMES SEEM TO BE COMING FROM THE RIGHT REAR OF THE CAR. FUMES CAN SOMETIMES BE SMELLED BRIEFLY OUTDOORS WHEN THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK IS FULL. THE FUMES STOP AFTER THE TANK LEVEL IS DOWN TO ABOUT 3/4 TANK. THE PROBLEM RECURS CONSISTENTLY NOW FOR ME EVERYTIME THE VEHICLE IS REFUELED. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE LOCAL VW DEALER ON 11/5/05. THEY PRESSURED TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON AND REPORTED THAT THEY CAN FIND NO FUEL LEAK OR DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM WITH A FULL TANK OF GAS. THE SERVICE MANAGER CONTACTED VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE IN ON 12/15/05 WITH A HALF TANK OF FUEL AS REQUESTED. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS, AS RECOMMENDED BY VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, REMOVED THE GAS TANK AND WEIGHED THE CHARCOAL CANISTER TO DETERMINE IF ADEQUATE CHARCOAL WAS PRESENT. THE CHARCOAL CANISTER WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPECIFICATIONS. THE SERVICE TECHNICIANS REINSTALLED THE SAME PARTS AND THEN FILLED THE GAS TANK. THEY THEN PRESSURE TESTED THE VEHICLE'S FUEL SYSTEM WITH ARGON OVERNIGHT, LEAVING THE VEHICLE IN THE SERVICE BAY. THEY COULD NOT DETECT ANY FUEL LEAKS OR REPRODUCE THE PROBLEM. VW TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE REPORTEDLY TOLD THE TECH'S THAT THEY HAD DONE ALL THAT WAS POSSIBLE AND THAT THERE WAS NOTHING ELSE TO DO. THE SERVICE MANAGER ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEIR SERVICE BAY IS QUITE LARGE AND VENTILATED SO THAT THE CONDITIONS DO NOT DUPLICATE HAVING THE VEHICLE IN A RESIDENTIAL GARAGE. A FIRE RISK AND FUME EXPOSURE REMAIN. *JB

• 12/16/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  COIL PACKS DEFECTIVE IN 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT - DEALER SAID THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY VOLKSWAGEN. BUT VW REFUSED TO REPLACE ALL COIL PACKS EXCEPT THE ONE THAT FAILED, EXPOSING DRIVERS TO FURTHER FAILURES (QUITE POSSIBLY IN A DANGEROUS SITUATION)

• 12/15/2014· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL,ENGINE

  I WAS DRIVING THE CAR ABOUT 30 MINUTES PRIOR TO INCIDENT TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND WITHOUT WARNING OF ANY KIND MY CAR SHUTS OFF AND I ALMOST GOT REAR ENDED . I WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK TRIED STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT STARTED RIGHT AWAY . I DROVE VEHICLE HOME WITHOUT INCIDENT . I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC AND THEY COULDN'T FIND A PROBLEM NO ENGINE CODES WHERE PRESENT . I DROVE THE VEHICLE FOR A WEEK AND THIS SAME SCENARIO PLAYED OUT AGAIN I WASN'T DRIVING THE CAR ANY FURTHER AT THIS POINT BECAUSE AGAIN I HAD MY CHILD IN THE CAR AND AGAIN ALSO GOT REAR ENDED . HAD IT TOWED TO A DIFFERENT MECHANIC AND THEY TO WERE UNABLE TO FIND ANY ENGINE CODES OR PROBLEMS . I HAD MY BOYFRIEND DRIVE THE CAR HOME AND IT STALLED ON HIM AT A RED LIGHT . CAR WOULDN'T RESTART SO HE HAD TO PUSH THE VEHICLE ACROSS A LANE OF TRAFFIC TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD . WHEN THE CAR COOLED DOWN FOR 2 HOURS IT RESTARTED AND DROVE FINE NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR CODES PRESENT .. AFTER A MONTH OF HEADACHES WITH THE CAR WE DISCOVERS IT WAS A FAULTY ENGINE SPEED SENSOR THIS IS A VERY DANGEROUS PART TO FAIL WITHOUT WARNING LEAVING THE CAR POWERLESS IF THIS HAPPENED ON THE FREEWAY I WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN SO LUCKY I IMAGINE. *TR

• 12/14/2006· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILED. THE BRAKE PEDAL COULD NOT BE DEPRESSED. WHEN IT FINALLY RELEASED, THE BRAKES SELF-APPLIED AND RELEASED WITHOUT WARNING AND REPEATED SEVERAL TIMES. THE CONTACT HAD TO STOP THE VEHICLE USING THE HAND BRAKE, BECAUSE THE BRAKE PEDAL DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE SERVICE DEALER BY A PRIVATE WRECKER SERVICE. THE SERVICE DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE BOOSTER. THEY ALSO GAVE HIM THE OLD BOOSTER AND A BAG CONTAINING CHERRY TREE DEBRIS DEPOSITED ON AND AROUND THE OLD BOOSTER. THE REPAIR COST WAS ABOUT $900. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

• 12/13/2010· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  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.

• 12/12/2007· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  1) BOTH FAILURES OCCURRED IN WET CONDITIONS --- ONCE IN POURING RAIN AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN DRIVEN FOR A WHILE, AND ONCE DURING THE FIRST DRIVE ON A COLD MORNING (JUST BELOW FREEZING) AFTER AN INCH OR TWO OF SNOW. 2) IN BOTH CASES, THE BRAKE PEDAL MOVED ONLY A LITTLE (AN INCH OR TWO PERHAPS?) AND THEN BECAME VERY HARD, NOT MOVING ANY FURTHER WITH ADDITIONAL PUSHING, AND PROVIDING VERY LITTLE BRAKING POWER (PERHAPS 5% OF NORMAL BRAKING?). FORTUNATELY BOTH INCIDENTS OCCURRED AT RELATIVELY LOW SPEED, AND THE HAND BRAKE WAS NOT AFFECTED. IN BOTH CASES, THE BRAKES WORKED NORMALLY AGAIN BY THE TIME WE HAD ORGANIZED OURSELVES TO TAKE THE CAR IN FOR SERVICE --- BOTH TIMES, THIS WAS DAYS LATER (THOUGH WE HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CAR); IN THE SECOND INCIDENT, WE LEFT THE CAR ON THE STREET OVERNIGHT BEFORE PUTTING IT IN OUR DRIVEWAY THE NEXT MORNING, AND THE BRAKES WERE STILL NOT WORKING AT THAT TIME. 3) IN THE FIRST INCIDENT (OCCURING IN AUGUST '07?), WE TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR SERVICE AT A SERVICE STATION, LEARNED OF A VW RECALL INVOLVING WATER LEAKING THAT COULD AFFECT THE BRAKES AND LEAK WATER INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT (WHICH WAS ALSO HAPPENING DURING HEAVY RAIN), AND THEN TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP (PIAZZA ACURA/VW OF ARDMORE, PA) FOR SERVICE --- THEY REPAIRED THE LEAK PROBLEM AND CLEANED THE INTERIOR, BUT I AM NOT SURE WHETHER THEY DID ANYTHING ABOUT THE BRAKES (WE MAY NOT HAVE MENTIONED THIS SPECIFICALLY TO THEM, SINCE IT WAS MENTIONED IN THE RECALL). THE CAR SEEMED FINE AFTERWARD. AFTER THE SECOND INCIDENT (ON 12/6/07), WE ARE ONCE AGAIN HAVING THE CAR CHECKED OUT AT OUR REGULAR SERVICE STATION (WE HAVE BEEN IMPRESSED BY THEIR DIAGNOSTIC SKILLS IN THE PAST). SO FAR THEY HAVE NOT IDENTIFIED ANY BRAKE PROBLEM, AND WE PLAN TO TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP NEXT IF OUR REGULAR STATION MECHANICS CANNOT FIND A PROBLEM THAT WOULD EXPLAIN THE BRAKE FAILURE. *TR

• 12/12/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS THE HEAD LIGHTS FAILED. NO WARNING LIGHT ALERTED THE CONTACT OF AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHO REPLACED THE BULBS AND CONNECTORS BUT DID NOT REPAIR ANY WIRING DUE TO HEATING. THE FAILURE HAD OCCURRED ON TWO PREVIOUS OCCASIONS BUT THE DEALERSHIP DID NOT IDENTIFIED THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM TO BE WIRING OVER HEATING. THE HEAD LIGHT FAILURE ALSO OCCURRED BETWEEN THE REPAIRS INTERMITTENTLY CREATING A SAFETY RISK DURING NIGHT DRIVING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OPENED A CASE BUT THERE HAS BEEN NO RESOLUTION YET.

• 12/11/2009· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  WATER IN BRAKE BOOSTER FROZEN, CAUSING BREAKS TO FAIL - NEAR INCIDENT ON THE FREEWAY AT HIGH SPEEDS. FROZEN WATER IS DUE TO KNOWN SERVICE ISSUE WITH 2002 PASSAT. VW WILL NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR FAILURE OF BRAKE BOOSTER EVEN THOUGH MECHANICS INDICATE FAILED AIR PLENUM/FILTER IS ONLY WAY FOR WATER TO ENTER BRAKE BOOSTER. VW WILL NOT TAKE CORRECTIVE ACTION ON BRAKE BOOSTER, A $600 REPAIR. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE IN COLD WEATHER. SEE INVESTIGATION #PE07-018. *TR

• 12/10/2017· SERVICE BRAKES

  I GET AN AUDIO AND VISUAL ALERT ON MY DASH STATING TO 'STOP, BRAKE FAILURE' IT HAS OCCURRED MANY TIMES WHILE DRIVING, TURNING, AND PARKED WITH THE CAR ON. THE CAR'S BRAKES HAVE NEVER FAILED TO BRAKE APPROPRIATELY. I BROUGHT THE CAR INTO MY MECHANIC. THE OBD 2 SCAN SHOWS NO FAULTS AND MY MECHANIC SAYS THE BRAKES ARE FINE AND THESE CARS ARE KNOWN TO HAVE A FAULTY ELECTRONIC BOARD WHICH FALSELY ALERTS OF A BRAKE FAILURE.

• 12/10/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  I WENT TO TURN ON 2002 PASSAT VOLKSWAGEN A COUPLE DAYS AGO AND A FLASHING "STOP" CAME ON. I CALLED MY DEALER AFTER CHECKING THE MANUAL AND THEY SAID IT SOUNDED LIKE A PROBLEM WITH THE OIL PICK UP TUBE AND FOR ME NOT TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON BECAUSE IT COULD RUIN THE ENGINE. SO I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY INFORMED ME THAT IT IS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY IF I CAN SUPPLY THEM WITH EVERY RECEIPT FROM OWNING THE CAR. I HAVE MISPLACED TWO SO NOW THEY WILL NOT COVER THIS AND IS COSTING ME AROUND $950.00 TO GET THIS FIXED. I HAVE ALWAYS CHANGED MY OIL ON TIME. THIS SEEMS TO BE THERE WAY OF SCREWING THERE SO CALLED VALUED CUSTOMERS. I WAS ON A WEB SITE (MYVWLEMON.COM) AND FOUND NUMEROUS OF PASSAT OWNERS WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM AND OUT COME. WHY IS THE CONSUMER RESPONSIBLE FOR A POORLY DESIGNED ENGINE? THE HEAT OF THE 1.8L TURBO IS BREAKING THE OIL DOWN CREATING SLUDGE. THEY OBVIOUSLY KNOW OF THIS PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY ISSUED A WARRANTY EXTENSION. HOWEVER, VW OF AMERICA WILL ONLY COVER THE WARRANTY IF THE OWNER CAN PROVIDE EVERY SINGLE RECEIPT, SOMETHING THEY KNOW THAT VERY FEW PEOPLE CAN DO ESPECIALLY IF SOME CHANGE THEIR OWN OIL. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE DEALT WITH SINCE I BOUGHT BY PASSAT BRAND NEW. CHECKING THE WEBSITE ALSO TELLS ME THIS MAY NOT BE THE LAST OF MY PROBLEMS. *JB

• 12/10/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FAILURE AT 8100 MILES ON 2003 VW PASSAT GLX V6. FAILURE REPORTED BY COMPUTER: BRAKE FAULT, STOP, READ SERVICE MANUAL. DEALER REPORTS THIS IS AN ABS MODULE FAILURE. WWW.PASSATWORLD.COM FORUMS REPORT THIS AS A COMMON FAILURE AMONG PASSATS. PLEASE HOLD VW'S FEET TO THE FIRE ON THIS PROBLEM. *JB

• 12/10/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  I HAVE HAD THIS VEHICLE FOR JUST OVER 12 MONTHS AND I HAVE REPLACED 3 OUT OF 4 IGNITION COILS. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE MANAGER AT THE DEALERSHIP THAT VW MANUFACTURED A BAD BATCH AND NOW THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THEM. I HAVE CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE BUT THEY WILL NOT ADMIT THERE IS A PROBLEM. I AM REQUESTING THAT THEY REPLACE THE 4TH COIL BEFORE IT GOES BAD. WHEN THE COILS GOES BAD THE CAR VIBRATE. I WAS TOLD BU THE DEALER THAT YOU SHOULD NOT DRIVE THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENS. DT

• 12/10/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  CAR WILL BEGIN TO VIBRATE AND RUN POORLY. CYLINDER MISFIRES AND BURNS COIL OUT. THIS HAS HAPPENED THREE TIMES. CAR IS CURRENTLY IN SHOP TO REPLACE COIL AND CONTROL PANEL WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER. DT

• 12/09/2002· FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

  THREE OF FOUR ORIGINAL IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED. TWO OF THE REPLACEMENTS HAVE FAILED. VW AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND THAT A NEW COIL IS AVAILABLE, BUT THEY REFUSE TO REPLACE THE COILS UNTIL THEY FAIL. WHEN THE COILS FAIL, THE CAR RUNS VERY "ROUGH" DOES NOT ENGAGE INTO THE TURBO PHASE AND THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. DT

• 12/09/2002· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT DOWN WILL NOT RESTART. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND THE DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH

• 12/07/2015· ENGINEFire

  VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION, DRIVING UPHILL. NEEDLE ON THERMOSTAT GAUGE SUDDENLY PERKED REALLY FAST TOWARDS HOT. ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON. VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO SIDE OF ROAD AND ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF. SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF FRONT OF ENGINE. DRIVER STEPPED OUT OF CAR. WHILE INSPECTING THE FRONT OF THE CAR, THE DRIVER SAW FLICKERING FLAMES UNDER RIGHT SIDE OF ENGINE (AS SEEN FROM INSIDE). DRIVER TOOK SLEEPING CHILD OUT OF CAR SEAT AND STEPPED AWAY FROM CAR. CAR WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE WITHIN MINUTES AND COMPLETELY BURNT UP.

• 12/07/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  FAILURE OF ABS MODULE. *TR

• 12/07/2008· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

  SPRING 2008, EXPERIENCED WATER IN CABIN DUE TO FAULTY SEALS/DRAINAGE. WINTER 2008, EXPERIENCED BRAKE FAILURE RELATED TO PREVIOUS WATER INTRUSION. *TR