2002 Volkswagen Passat from North America - Comments

There have been a lot of problems with this car. It's going to be hard to remember all of them, but I'll do my best!

Initially, the coils (the car has one for each cylinder) went bad, meaning the car would not start. Rather than replacing all the coils, the dealership replaced them one at a time, meaning that the problem happened twice before the recall forced them to replace the others.

Next, the trunk stopped opening. I am still not sure why this happened, but the release stopped working and the dealership charged a lot to fix it.

A very loud squeal developed after about 5,000 miles, and the dealership attributed it to 'brake dust' and stated that such noises were normal. I've been driving for 30 years, such noises are not normal. When the noise continued to intensify, we brought it in again (maybe 3,000 miles later) and they replaced the brakes and discs. At 8,000 miles!

The volume on the radio never really worked right: if you turned it down, the sound went off and you would have to turn it off and back on to get sound back. Even then, it wasn't guaranteed to work.

After about a year, the battery randomly went dead. The dealership handled this well, simply giving us a new battery for free.

Recently, the pollen filter seal broke, allowing a lot of water into the car. Also resulting from this, the brake booster and brake lines had water enter them, which caused the brakes to stick on cold mornings. Just yesterday, the brakes starting smoking. All the dealership did initially was replace the front brakes- it was only after repeatedly returning with the problem that they decided to drain the booster and lines, and that solved the problem.

First, I'll address the positives of this car:

The engine in this car (the 1.8 liter turbo) was extremely sporty and, combined with the suspension, the car was very fun to drive.

If I could do it over again, I would definitely go with a manual transmission- it's not as much fun having a fast car with an automatic.

The interior of the car was very comfortable, the lighting on the dash and console was very, very cool.

However:

This was by far the most unreliable car I have ever owned. My son's 14-year-old Volvo with 175,000 miles has had to be repaired once since I bought the VW which, in contrast, has had to go in more than ten times.

The dealership was horrible when it came to fixing the car- to replace the brakes, they took four days... and that didn't even solve the problem!

Driving it anywhere away from home is taking a risk. It has had to be towed from our driveway five times because it wouldn't start, and once because the brakes wouldn't work.

I bought a Volkswagen expecting, at the very least, excellent quality and reliability. Instead, everything that can go wrong in a car (besides the engine blowing up) has. It has spent far too much of its life in the shop, burning through my wallet.

In case you still own this vehicle. Since the coils failed, expect the catalytic converter to prematurely fail too.

Go after Volkswagen for the cost of the repair, and don't take "NO" for an answer.(Approximately $1600. for the converter!!!) as they know this is a result of the coil failure. (Of course they are reluctant to admit it).

I have a 2003 Passat and I love it. Never a problem, very fun to drive, the stereo kicks butt!!! It is by far the best car I have ever owned.

I have a 2003 GL Wagon that was built in August 2002. At 27,000 miles, the only thing that broke was the glove compartment latch. The rest of the car seems very well put together and I am a long time Toyota Camry owner for comparison. With all the technological sophistication and complex electronics and wiring, I expect there will be more to fix on the Passat than the Camry. Toyota tends to avoid Turbos and I think their engine controls are less complex and more reliable.

I still love the way the Passat rides and handles and so far I think the extra cost is worth it. It sounds like the dealer's attitude can really make a difference. I have been getting good service from Mitchell VW in Canton, Connecticut.

Brake squeal can normally be cured by disassembly of the calipers and lubricating rubbing components (brake pads apart) with copper-based grease.

If this is not done with new calipers the problem will recur.

I agree that the passat (i have the manual) is very fun to drive. I would like to point out that the drivetrain fell out twice while drive within the first year. Once was factory error the other was dealer.

OMG! Sounds just like my car to the T except my catalytic converter did go out already. I have a 2003 passat. Well along with replacing the battery twice, fuel pump, replacing brake disc twice, CV boot, brake lights staying on, and heater seats burning my leg and hole in my seats and now the catalytic converter went out. I know they finally recalled the heat shield that is near the catalytic converter but does this mean they are going to fix the converter? I am so sick of this car I paid good money and I got a piece of junk. Every year I spend 5000 in repairs and the dealerships are rude and unhelpful. So if anyone knows anything please write back. Thanks to all!

I own a 2002 VW Passat. I have owned this car for about 7 months now. I went to VW for my first newer car for reliability and good gas mileage.

But let me tell you, since I have had this car it has been nothing but problems. The very first day I bought this car right after signing the papers I drove it home about an hour away from the dealer. It had over heated and was towed to the shop for the water pump. The cost was just under (900 dollars), but it was covered by an advantage warranty.

Other than that, right now I am sitting on TWENTY NINE! pages of problems that I have had with this car.

Although I do like some of the features this car has, like the turbo which makes it nice and sporty.

But I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS CAR. NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS.

I own a 2003 Passat which I purchased new in July 2002.

In 2003, the regulator pin in the rear passenger side window kept falling out and still does even after multiple repairs by the dealership.

In 2005, both catalytic converters had to be replaced ($3500) as a result of a faulty coil.

Since 2003, I've had the driver's side upper brake light replaced 28 times and the brake light switch replaced 4 times ($110/each time)!

After taking my vehicle into a VW dealership to diagnose a radio problem, they charged me over $1800 to repair the ECU unit - this created more problems (no radio, A/C and heater out, Homelink system damaged, airbag malfunction, and horn no longer functioning, along with other electrical problems).

I had a new alternator ($800) installed, relay switch ($155) replaced, new spark plugs and wires ($384), new serpentine belt ($95), new fuses installed, new ECU unit ($1800), A/C compressor switch replaced ($767), and new battery and cables ($110).

My car still sounds like a loud vacuum when running, my rear passenger side window will not roll down, the driver's side rear brake light is still out, there is no radio, no A/C, no heat, heated seats still out even after recall, horn doesn't work, there is a smell of burning rubber coming from the engine, and the vehicle needs to be jump started ever 3 months.

Please do not take your vehicle into a VW dealership. Many independent mechanics know more about VWs and have saved customers hundreds of dollars worth in repairs. I've found them to be more honest about their limitations in fixing my vehicle.

I have a 2002 1.8T Passat. I've had no troubles as you've described whatsoever. I bought it used from a Chevy dealer over 2 and a half years ago and I still love it!!! That turbo zippyness and awesome stereo and suspension that seems to be gripping the asphalt with sharp teeth make it very fun to drive!!! It's excellent in the snow too. Many times I've had to drive in a blizzard or icy conditions and had no trouble, meanwhile I saw many four wheel drive SUV's that had spun off the road. Guess I'm just lucky to have gotten one of the good 02 Passats :-)

I have a 2003 Passat 1.9 TDi 100bhp, I have been very lucky so far, never been let down, and always keep on top of servicing with correct oil and parts. The only thing was water leaking into the passenger footwell from below the windscreen run off, that's been sorted with lots of silocone, bad design flaw.

Just passed 150,000 miles and 4th gear is starting to whine, I can get it repaired for 300 euro, otherwise it's pulling well and clutch is still strong. The aircon pump is getting abit noisy, but to be expected after 6yrs and 150,000 mls.

I have a friend that works in a VW garage and he says the 01 to 05 Passat's are better than the newer ones for reliability.

Am very happy with this car especially now it has 4 new Bilsteins, 4 new brake discs and original VW Road America Alloys.

John (Ireland)