2002 Volkswagen Volkswagen problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train:automatic Transmission (2) · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine (2) · Seat Belts:rear/Other (1)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Volkswagen model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (11)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline 2010-07-01 · SA-28F3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
volkswagen: (revised) vehicles may have ignition coils that could malfunction under certain conditions. if this happens, the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) will illuminated to let you know that vehicle may experience some deterioration in performance. in some cases, a malfunctioning ignition co
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2009-10-28 · SB-28F3 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
volkswagen: vehicles may have ignition coils that could malfunction under certain conditions. if this happens, the malfunction indicator lamp (mil) will illuminated to let you know that the vehicle may experience some deterioration in performance. in some cases, a malfunctioning ignition coil may
Structure:frame And Members:underbody Shields 2008-08-28 · 2015831 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
volkswagen: exhaust heat shield, replacement guidelines. heat shields are to be inspected after completion o any type of repair to the underbody (exhaust system transmission, etc.), and if damaged, replaced. *pe
Electrical System:ignition:module 2004-08-26 · 0104 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnostic trouble codes p0604, p0606, control module defective stored in diagnostic trouble code memory. all 2002 with electronic throttle control. *slc bulletin 0102 replaced previous bulletin 0104 dated aug 9, 2001. as to date, bulletin 04-18 replaces previous bulletin 0104 dated aug 9, 2001.
Power Train:automatic Transmission 2003-07-23 · 0301 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
automatic transmission, slips when shifting from 2nd to 3rd gear. all models with 2.8l vr6 and ag4 automatic transmission. *tt
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine 2003-02-27 · 0302 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
ignition coil, misfire diagnosis. malfunction indicator lamp on/flashing; engine running rough; loss of power; diagnostic trouble codes p0300 and p0330, p0304, p0305, p0306, p0307, p0308 stored. *tt
Showing the 6 most recent of 11 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2007-07-02 · Power Train:automatic Transmission · 59,989 mi“i bought a 2002 in 2005 with 30,000 from a certified used volkswagen dealership. after only driving the car some 29,000 miles the transmission went out. fortunately i had 11 miles left under warranty so the nearby dealership honored the warranty and fixed my car. had it not i would have been out $7-9,000. *tr…”
2007-05-16 · Power Train:automatic Transmission“automatic transmission failed to go into drive and reverse gears. slow to go into gear. contaced repair shop, transmission was slipping needed new one. covered under extended warranty.*ak…”
2006-01-12 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine“oil light came on repeatedly due to oil sludge problem, which is a known defect. vw did not cover, due to expired warranty. *jb…”
2005-10-10 · Engine And Engine Cooling:engine · 40,000 mi“engine sludge diagnosed on passat. *nm…”
2003-03-24 · Electrical System“there was a widespread safety issue of the passat and audi. the volkswagen dealer manufacturer admitted that all 4 ignition coils in these vehicle's were susceptible to failure and are likely to fail unless the part is replaced with non defective coils. despite this admission, neither volkswagen or the consumer's dealer will take the steps to re…”
2003-02-24 · Seat Belts:rear/Other · 20,000 mi“volkswagen weekender van 2002. the rear lap belts failed to latch.*jb…”
2002-02-27 · Power Train:automatic Transmission:park/Neutral Start Interlock Switch · 💥 crash“i had just got my car back from the shop around 4p.m. i had parked my car in the driveway , well about fifteen minutes later my friend was leaveing and she noticed that my car was down the street in my neighbors yard and that the police and fire department were looking for who owned the car. i go running out as the fire department and police were …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.