general problems of the 2002 Volkswagen Passat - part 1

When it rains the car gets flooded causing the whole wiring system through the car to get damage. The car will suddenly lose power and die as your driving. Seems to happen. When on highway most. The car will not start or crank. I've had to vacuum the floor boards and trunk, search for damaged wires, change relays as well as camshaft position sensor, and fuel pump. As well as sensors. Trying to get it running again. Also the transmission jerks very hard when trying to go into reverse and most of the time in slips out of gear within1or 2 seconds.

I started my car and proceeded to drive down around city streets for about 5 minutes. I was going speed limit(25-30 mph) during a cool night(f). I stopped at a red light and then my temperature gauge spiked(car was slightly below normal temperature prior(190*f; according to gauge); this gauge spike was followed by a battery indicator light which simultaneously cut off my engine. My car became immobile and I lost brake and steering function. However, my radio and car lights still worked! luckily there was no surrounding cars and my parking brake was functional. I then turned off the car, waited a few minutes and attempted to turn over the engine once more. It did start however I am worried this may happen again under less forgiving circumstances.

Vehicle was in motion, driving uphill. Needle on thermostat gauge suddenly perked really fast towards hot. Engine light went on. Vehicle was driven to side of road and engine was shut off. Smoke was coming out of front of engine. Driver stepped out of car. While inspecting the front of the car, the driver saw flickering flames under right side of engine (as seen from inside). Driver took sleeping child out of car seat and stepped away from car. Car was engulfed in fire within minutes and completely burnt up.

While driving home on a snowy day was going up a steep hill causing the car to slide side to side had to try and ease up the hill, which intern raised he rpm up and the "stop oil pressure light &turn off engine" light came on after researching it seems to be a sludge issue and is going to be costly repair and would most likely have the same issue. Would like to know what I can do on this issue the car has been maintained using synthetic oil on all oil changes since purchased did purchase used but according to the car fax and after contacting the dealers that service the vehicle it has always had synthetic.

My car was turned off and parked when I entered a convenience store. No smoke from underneath the hood or any sign of trouble when I entered the store. I exited the store approximately 3 minutes after entering, and there was a large amount of smoke bellowing from under the hood. Something under the hood had caught fire. The fire ultimately grew large enough where a standard fire extinguisher could not put out the flame and a firefighters were required. The engine was damaged beyond repair. The firefighters on the scene and a mechanic afterwords could not determine the cause of the fire, but believed that it was likely mechanical of some sort.

Tl- the contact owns 2000 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that while driving at 20 mph, the vehicle have an issue with accerlate when slowing down without warning. The vehilce failed to pick up speed while driving. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The faileure mileage was 125,000. Bm.

My daughter pulled into our neighborhood and noticed a faint odor of smoke. She pulled into our garage, got out of the car and saw smoke coming from the hood. She opened the hood and saw flames on the passenger side of the engine block. She went to get the fire extinguisher and upon her return the flame was out and the smoke subsided. I have inspected the area and I can't identify significant damage from the fire. I just learned of a recent investigation by NHTSA into my2002 vw Passat for engine fires caused by a faulty ignition coil (NHTSA action number ea11002 - reported initial as pe10-027).

The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. While the contact was driving approximately 25 mph, the engine power began to significantly reduce during acceleration. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis. The upward and downward oxygen sensors were replaced. The malfunction persisted after the repair was performed. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 152,000.

Ignition coils caught fire while driving. Mechanic states that they "catch fire all the time".

The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 30 mph the contact noticed that the vehicle lost power. He smelled a burning odor, and noticed smoke releasing from the vents. Within moments the glove compartment area was on fire. The vehicle will be towed to the dealer. A fire report was filed. The failure and the current mileage as 94,000.

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 notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.

The contact owns 2002 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 60 mph, the contact smelled a strong burning odor of plastic and pulled over to the side of the road. The contact exited the vehicle. The front of the vehicle erupted into flames. The fire department extinguished the fire. A police report was filed. There was no injury. The vehicle was completely destroyed and towed to an independent mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 103,000.

The 2002 Volkswagen Passat has given a lot of people problems. I called the dealership and spoke to them about the problem with the "stop motor oil pressure". Their exact words to me were" they couldn't do anything, but it was a problem with the car. It is a filter in the engine that keeps getting clogged, and there isn't anything they can do. " I told them that I needed my car and there has to be something, that cars are catching on fire. They said that I could get an engine flush every couple months. Nothing can be done to repair the problem by me. The Volkswagen corp. Needs to fix the problem they messed up to begin with. Thank you.

Engine compartment fire. Started 2002 vw Passat 1. 8t and there was no heater fan or windshield wipers functional. Drove around the block. Let car idle to warm up and engine stopped. Smelled burning and put out small fire. Car towed to dealer.

My Volkswagen Passat 2002 caught on fire. I know you are investigating this so I wanted to inform you.

Need to replace at least one bank of cam adjuster. Seems to be a problem with part. Cost to replace @$6,000. No help from vw.

The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Passat. While the contact was driving approximately 65 mph, a warning chime sounded inside of the vehicle with a "stop" message displayed on the instrument panel. Also, the "oil pressure" and "turn off engine" warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer on two different occasions for the identical failures. The technician informed that the failures were contributed to an oil sludge buildup. The vehicle had repairs performed related to the identical failures two years ago. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired at the time of the complaint. The failure mileage was unavailable.

Was driving on the interstate when the car started sputtering. Then I saw smoke coming up from the hood. Pulled the car over, opened the hood and saw flames. Grabbed my kid out of the car and watched the car become engulfed in fire. Car was in excellent condition with all maintenance up to date.

2002 Passat engine fire. Car began to show cel while being driven on interstate. Left interstate and drove toward home (approx 5 miles). Light smoke smell pulled over 1/2 mile from home shut car off. Smoke increased called 911. Within 3 minutes flames appeared at dashboard. Within 10 minutes car was completely in flames.

2002 Volkswagen Passat has engine problems. The consumer stated the vehicle has not been driven in a year and a half due to the oil sludge and misfiring problems. The catalytic converter failed and the spark plugs and coil packs were constantly being replaced.

I pay $1500 for used 2002 Passat vw two years ago now dealer wants to charge me $ 6700 for new engine. Old engine was damage due to engine sludge. I submitted regular oil change receipts and was denied warranty. My Passat has 84,000 mile and only two years of riding enjoyment. My car sitting at dealership for almost two weeks. Please help car needed for work.

I would like to lodge a complaint regarding the excessive failure of vacuum hoses causing the engine malfunction indicator light to come on repeatedly on the 2002 vw Passat wagon. On August 2, 2006, the vacuum hose failed (replaced with p/n 06b-133-783 bc). The cost of the repair was $271. 63. On September 11, 2006, the vacuum hose was replaced as per vehicle recall (replaced with p/n 06b-103-221p). And on October 18, 2006, the vacuum hose failed (replaced with p/n 1n-020-353-5). The cost of this repair was $137. 93. Also to be considered is the inconvenience of taking the car to a repair facility time after time.

Low engine oil pressure light came on. Turned car off and pulled over. Had it towed to the dealer. Before it was even looked at the dealer tells me that it is going to cost me $2600 and that I am lucky. He said the last person that came in with this problem had to get a new engine, but that he didn't think that my car is that bad. Don't know how he could say that without looking in the engine or turning the engine on. It sounds like a money making scam for the dealer. They know that people don't keep all their receipts so they can deny the warranty claim and the dealer charges people $2600 for this very known issue with many vw's. I was told this is a bunch of hoses that will need replaced. I don't see how or why this would cost $2600.

The vehicle has a safety issue as I cannot see when I put the heater on. The windshield becomes completely covered with steam. I have almost crashed 5 times already. Help! ## VIN passed ## vw Passat 2002 ##.

I have a 2002 volswagen Passat with 39000 miles, on 1/13/2005 the oil pressure stop engine message came on the dash, and the engine started smoking and running rough. I had it towed to the dealer that day. The dealer and vw said they would not even look at it until I provided a service record. I made them a copy of my log which had the exact date and mileage, but that wasn't good enough. They wanted copies of the receipts which I went out and got, but I learned today that wasn't good enough. They wanted name and address of the mech. Which I provided, but vw says I don't have proper documt. Because there is not a specific receipt for the oil filter even though the part # for the filter is on the receipt. It took over 3 weeks and dozens of phone calls to both the dealer and Volkswagen of America to finally get a diagnosis (note: the asm of Volkswagen of amer. Denied my warranty on 02/02/2005 without being able to tell me the problem with the car!!) which appears to be oil sludge buildup.

Four ignition coils defective - replaced defective ignition - key stuck in car for over nine days defective stereo - replaced twice to date defective electrical - windows and locks go up and down while driving, gas cap pops open unexpectedly computer problem - computer blacks out at times defective wheel bearing - replaced at 17,952 miles defective motor blower - replaced defective rear wheel lining - replaced.

Consumer stated that while driving at any speed and without warning the vehicle will shut off causing consumer to pull over. Dealer notified. Ts.

Vehicle's ignition coil has been replaced four times and consumer still has a problem with vehicle. Dealer notified. Please provide additional information. Ph.

Consumer stated that while driving and without warning the vehicle would vibrate then lose power. Dealer notified. Ts.

Owner's wife drove Volkswagen home, parked it in the left bay of a two-car garage. Approximately one hour later, owner was alerted by a smoke alarm/smell of smoke. Owner went out to garage and observed flames coming from the engine compartment of the Volkswagen. Ran back into house and told wife to call 911. Returned to garage and observed Volkswagen almost completely engulfed in flames. Fire destroyed vehicle and house. Cause undetermined.

Consumer was pulling out there driveway, and vehicle started hesitating to accelerated, and the mil(malfunction indicator light) came on. The dealership indicated that one of ignition coil spring had broke. Please provide more details. Ts.

The coil pack has failed on my vw 2002 Passat 1. 8t. I had it towed to the dealer who stated that it should not be driven in its condition. The dealer also stated that it was a part failure and he wasn't suprised. There have been a lot of them lately and the parts are on back order. Later that night I did a little research and I find out that hundreds of other people with the 2002 1. 8t engine are having the same issue. (vwvortex. Com or google. Com "vw coil packs") something with the cold weather affects the coil packs. Vw should recall these parts and replace them with working coil packs. Luckily when mine went I was two blocks from my apartment. It did happen however in the middle of an intersection. The light turned green and I accelerated. About 2 seconds later I experienced an extreme loss of power and a rumbling feeling. The car shuttered and I pulled over to stop. Since the dealer stated it was not drivable I am lucky I was not stranded on the freeway as I generally commute 30 minutes to work every day. I worry that myself and other owners of the 1. 8t engine will experience the same issue only further from a safe place causing accidents or being stranded on the side of the road. Since it is a known failure among vw mechanics its clear that a recall is in order. Vw has sold the 1. 8t as a quality engine above others in its class and should stand behind it.

My 2002 vw Passat has had major problems with engine coils. On 12-1-02, with 7,504 miles on the vehicle, the #2 coil broke and I had to have it towed to gezon motors in grand rapids, mi. I was visiting mi, so I had to borrow a car to return home to ohio. Then, on Jan. 12, 2003, coils #3 and #4 broke so I had to have the car towed to midwestern auto group in dublin, ohio. There were approx. 8500 miles on my car at that time. Because the coils are on backorder, it is possible that the car will not be repaired for two weeks. Considering the number of vw drivers who are experiencing defective coils, there should be a recall on this part. In addition to this problem, my radio suddenly stopped working and had to be replaced in November 2002.

The vehicle engine coil is failing, making the speed very slow. Dealer has been notified. Ph.

2002 volkswagon Passat - ignition coil failed, causing the car to lose much power. We had the same problem less than two weeks ago (December 23, 2002). The vw dealer acknowledged that these have been failing often but refused to replace the other two coils even though they admitted they are more likely to fail than the newer replacement units (old units have part number h, new are j). We have repeatedly contacted the volkswagon national consumer care number and they have lied to us about contacting our dealer (our repair was delayed because they said they called but didn't). We are afraid to drive the vehicle because of the high risk of getting stranded or worse in an accident. (note: incident date is Jan 2 2003 not 2002, but it's not an available option).