Overview & Reviews

The arrival of the 270-horsepower, all-wheel-drive W8 sedan and wagon disturbs the tranquility of the Passat lineup. Standard features in the W8 cars build upon the already impressive GLX equipment list, adding Electronic Stabilization Program with BrakeAssist, vented disc brakes all around (as opposed to solid discs in rear) xenon headlights with washers, wider 215/55R16 tires, an upgraded trip computer and extra chrome throughout the cabin. The rest of the Passats receive only minor upgrades for 2002, including a trunk escape release for the sedan, a cruise control indicator light and an on/off switch for the electrochromic mirror. In addition, all-new Volkswagens come standard with an improved four-year/50,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty, up from two years/24,000 miles. In addition, Volkswagen will offer a fully transferable limited powertrain warranty that covers five years or 60,000 miles.

• Fun to drive, roomy/comfortable interior, solid build quality, available all-wheel drive, powerful W8 engine.

• Some confusing interior controls, price goes up quickly with options.

User Reviews:

Showing 1 through 10 of 458.00

• 

  GLX Passatt - Review After Four Years - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed Owner - November 2 - 1:10 pm

  The Passat is not a reliable / dependable car. Mine is on its third set of new REAR rotors and fourth set of pads in 37,000 miles. The first three times were under warranty (dealership asked NO questions). They made it seem like it was a problem with that year of car. Now, after the warranty is expired, they are refusing to accommodate us with new back brakes and are claiming that we always paid for the pads (which wasnt the case). The radio stopped working and was replaced (no questions asked). You cannot change your taillights and headlights. Ours burned out about seven times! Also, this car has had problems with its electrical system, throttle lag (which is dangerous), and its serpentine belt has already been replaced - tires too.

• 

  Do NOT buy a VW - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By egrace - October 10 - 2:00 am

  VW of USA customer service is the worst. Dealerships (both Ive been to) are the worst. Reliability is not great. A lemon. Cant wait to sell.

• 

  Electrical issues - poor reliability - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Christian - July 1 - 12:56 am

  My first passat (1998 model) was replaced through the "lemon law" because engine would stall suddenly and the dealer could never solve the problem. This happened a half dozen times, every couple thousand miles on average. I thought I was unlucky, and gave another chance to this second passat. Now, Im well on my way to going to the lemon law again, because of an oil pressure problem that the dealer cannot fix (after three attempts...). This is too much to be a coincidence.

• 

  forgot the passengers - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By comfort? - June 21 - 2:00 am

  This is the most uncomfortable drivers seat I ever sat in. 1 hour driving and my legs are sore. The seat is too narrow and the side humps are too high. Half my leg is on the flat part of the seat and the other half is on the hump. Very uncomforatble. Also, when turning the side of the seat collapses. The seat does not keep the hips motionless in a turn. The range of tilt and telescopic wheel is poor. The gas and brake pedals are too far into the passenger compartment so when I move the seat back to make room for my legs I have to stretch to reach the steering wheel.

• 

  Same issues EVERYONE has... - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disappointed - June 12 - 5:16 pm

  Bought "certified used" ran great for the extended warranty period. Heater stopped working 1yr after purchase, brought it to the dealer only to be told it was working fine, charged $200 for the "labor". Heater still blew cool air but I couldnt pay more money so I just made do. 3 yrs later, check oil pressure warnings consistently 1k-2k miles before the suggested oil service. I put so much oil into this piece I have to keep 5qt jugs in the trunk, NO LEAKS! Where is it going?! All 4 ignition coils burnt out! Never got recall notices but after calling THEM was told I qualify. Thermostat stuck open, clogged heater core. Headlamps constantly burn out, replaced all of them nearly twice a year!

• 

  Never Again - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Disgruntled Sucker - May 13 - 10:00 am

  Bought new and had vehicle for over 2 years. Will never buy a VW - new or used - again. Poor, condescending dealer service; ignition coils failed one at a time - dealer replaced them one at a time (prior to VWs recalling all 02s); transmission failed & had to be replaced; impossible to smootly accelerate from stop due to poorly engineered transmission. Extremely unreliable car; the worst Ive owned since 1966.

• 

  my vw is a lemon - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By McJJrod - March 28 - 2:00 am

  I only had my passat for 6 months, where 60 days from this time the car was in service. For this time Iv driven the entire fleet of cars from local rental shop. Did I buy a new car or a waranty- lifetime rental?

• 

  Buyers Beware!! - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By Peter - December 30 - 7:50 pm

  I bought my 2002 vw used in 2005 from a dealer with and purchased a 5 yrs/100000 miles extended warranty and it was a "certified used vehicle". At 72000 miles (2007), the engine was replaced and at 75000 miles (2007) the transmission failed becasue a bolt which hold the transmission to the engine was missing!?? Dealer said the warranty has expired on Jan.2007? Came to find out that the extended warranty that vw offered covers not 5 years from the date of the purchase, but 5 years from the model year 2002- 2007!?

• 

  Drivers wanted?? Make a car that drives. - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By DrMos - December 22 - 10:00 am

  This car has been nothing but a nightmare, as has been dealer and VW corporate service. Ignition coils failed on 3 separate occasions because they wont fix them all at once even with the recall. Dealer wont fix for 10 days. Placing a new car seat in a family car should not wear through the fabric in months. Now a new recall to prevent a fuel line fire if you get a flat tire.

• 

  Poor Reliability - 2002 Volkswagen Passat
  By misty - April 1 - 9:40 pm

  Have had nothing but problems with my 2002 Volkswagen Passat since it was bought new. The engine light comes on at least four times a winter with evap issues, I had to replace glove box door, the shifter, and a pump. My Saturn was more reliable than this. Too bad it is so fun to drive.