Faults:

Engine camshaft problems.

Dirty valves had to be cleaned.

Bad catalytic converter.

Suspension failed.

Lots of other problems that I can't think of at the moment.

Bad turbo chip.

Bad injectors.

General Comments:

Car handles great and has a very nice ride.

Service is AWFUL. Catalytic converter was under warranty and dealers said that it "wasn't broken enough". Instead they charged me for other repairs. Brought the car back several times until it was broken enough. incredibly frustrating and a waste of time.

Very nice standard features.

Good looking.

Never has left me stranded.

Faults:

CV joint failed at 40.000 miles.

Second CV joint failed at 51,000 miles.

Coolant leak from a coolant connection at the back of the motor at 70,000 miles.

Secondary air pump line failed at 65,000 miles causing the check engine light to come on.

A/C failed because of a bad realy at 71,000 miles.

A/C failed again at 88,000 miles.

Engine is overheating at 88,000 miles.

Rubberized interior trim pieces began peeling at 25,000 miles.

Things just fall off for example: 1. Rear door trim came lose so that when the door was opened it scraped/scratched the front door and the trim piece had to be replaced.

2. the trim piece surrounding the Home link controls on the visor fell off because the clips that hold it on had broken off even though I never touch it and rarely use the visor. Cost to repair is over $500 because you cannot buy the part and must replace the entire visor. (I glued it back)

3. decorative interior trim around the back door came unglued and was hanging loose.

Engine mounts struts have failed. Identified at 70,000 miles.

General Comments:

The car drives and handles great. However, I would NEVER own another Volkswagen. This is the second one I have owned and the second time I have dealt with the terrible reliability. the first car was a new Beetle and had so many problems in the first thirty thousand miles the I was going to use the lemon law to make the company buy it back. Instead we worked out a deal where they took it on trade and gave me an additional credit toward another car. I bought the Passat hoping it would prove to be more reliable. It has not and, in fact, has been the most unreliable car I have ever owned or have ever heard of.

Faults:

Two things with the car after I picked it up. The cruise control failed and the tires were always out of balance. The computer was replaced for the cruise,& no problem since then. This car was a showroom model for a year before I bought it and I think the tires were "flat spotted" from sitting for that long. I replaced them (Continentals) at 25000 miles with Michelin's and had no problems since.

General Comments:

The car is quick, responsive and a great road car. I work for an airline, but prefer to drive this car for trips within 300 miles. I was worried about the W8, dual cams/bank, crank balance, etc. and the 2002 being the first year in service, but it has been smooth and flawless. The accelerator takes a little getting used to. It's real touchy after a rolling stop and seems to have a hard time deciding which gear it should be in when you want to go. Use the tip-tronic or be more firm with the pedal resolves it. The problem is the latter relies on human touch which may vary depending on your rider's conversation on the tunes on the box.

I guess the only thing I don't like is the "aero wipers" as they are expensive for wipers and the cup holders are small up front. I'm looking at a new passat now and will keep those issues in mind.