VehicleVerdict

2002 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

The 2002 Volkswagen Passat has 150 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 19% of the year's total, and up sharply from the prior model year.

150

Engine complaints

19%

Share of year

2

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Passat engine complaints by model year156 complaints1990: 13 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 20 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 21 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 14 complaints1998: 46 complaints1999: 92 complaints2000: 109 complaints2001: 100 complaints2002: 150 complaints2003: 156 complaints2004: 80 complaints2005: 63 complaints2006: 131 complaints2007: 60 complaints2008: 53 complaints2009: 64 complaints2010: 41 complaints2011: 6 complaints2012: 44 complaints2013: 109 complaints2014: 81 complaints2015: 55 complaints2016: 19 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 11 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 3 complaints
Passat engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

14E007000EngineMarch 7, 2014 · 50 units

Defect

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

What owners report

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE BEGAN EMITTING SMOKE AND WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · January 8, 2011 · fire

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2002 Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA has 150 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Passat engine — 19% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2002 Volkswagen Passat engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 14E007000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.