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exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (3)
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
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.
Risk and remedy
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 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.
Tires
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: 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.
Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly
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 and remedy
Risk: 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.
Canadian recalls (2)
Show 2 Canadian recalls
Fuel system
2008-04-09 · campaign 2008-119
On certain Passat and Passat Four Motion vehicles equipped with an automatic transmission, an underbody heat shield may become damaged. If this occurs, the heat shield may contact the exhaust system, which can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, the affected vehicles may have a fuel line (1.8T engine only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion / all-wheel drive vehicles only) that may leak due to fracture. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source can result in a vehicle fire. Correction: Dealers will affect repairs.
Tires
2003-04-17 · campaign 2003-106 · 1 vehicles
Does not comply with CMVSS 110. This vehicle is equipped with tires of the maximum load rating index 93H; however, it should have been equipped with tires with the load rating index 97H. Correction: Dealer will replace all four (4) tires.
Owner complaints (636)
Owners filed 636 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat (10 crashes, 46 fires, 19 injuries, 2 deaths reported). Among 33 model years of this model, it ranks #3 for the most complaints (median 146).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Electrical system | 220 | |
| Engine and engine cooling | 135 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 55 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 47 | |
| Exterior lighting | 32 | |
| Structure | 30 | |
| Visibility | 27 | |
| Power train | 25 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2002 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SAB | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2002 Volkswagen Passat version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Passat 1.8 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| Passat 1.8 L Automatic (S5) | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Passat 2.8 L Manual 5-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Passat 2.8 L Automatic (S5) | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Passat 4motion 2.8 L Automatic (S5) | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Passat 4motion 4.0 L Automatic (S5) | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
| Passat Wagon 1.8 L Manual 5-spd | 19 | 28 | 23 | $3,550 |
| Passat Wagon 1.8 L Automatic (S5) | 19 | 28 | 22 | $3,750 |
| Passat Wagon 2.8 L Manual 5-spd | 18 | 26 | 21 | $3,900 |
| Passat Wagon 2.8 L Automatic (S5) | 17 | 25 | 20 | $4,100 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion 2.8 L Automatic (S5) | 17 | 24 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Passat Wagon 4motion 4.0 L Automatic (S5) | 16 | 23 | 18 | $4,550 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.