2002 Volkswagen Passat: sudden loss of power

Filed Feb 14, 2019 · Body, Engine · 200,000 miles · WA

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.

Filed Feb 15, 2011 · Engine · 94,000 miles · VA · fire

Tl*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.

Filed Feb 8, 2011 · Engine · 80,000 miles · KY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. The contact was driving approximately 25-30 MPH when he heard a noise coming from the engine and the vehicle immediately began to lose power. After driving an additional two miles, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the check engine warning light. The vehicle was towed to his residence abd was neither inspected nor repaired for the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Feb 2, 2011 · Engine · 140,000 miles · KS · fire

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 notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Feb 10, 2010 · Fuel system · 155,000 miles · VA

While driving home last night, my 2002 vw passat began to lose power and cut off. I was able to let it coast to the side of the road but in the lane of an exit ramp for traffic exiting the highway. I engaged my flashers and called 911 and a tow truck. I tried starting the car again and it would not crank. Once the police came, he pushed my car into safety and awaited the tow truck. My car was towed to the vw dealer. This morning, I received a call from the dealer who said the fuel flow to the engine was interrupted and caused by a inoperative fuel pump. My complaint is when I checked online for recalls, I found a recall that was posted in sept 2002 for the same issue I am having with my car. My car was purchased in feb 2002 and the recall is for 2003 models. I called vw of america and explained the issue with them and the only offer they gave me was $1000 towards a new vw. Unbelievable! Because the recall was for 2003 models, they could not assist me because my vehicle is a 2002. Even though I am having the same issues with my vehicle as the 2003 recall. The dealer quoted $589 for the repair. This stall could have been worse than it was due to the inclement weather, night time and the exit ramp. This should be included in a safety recall because there is no warning before the vehicle cuts off which causes a potential for a crash, which is what I was faced with last night. I am not asking to be singled out, but to look into this 6-month gap of the recall in sept 2002 and the purchase date of my vehicle feb 2002. I was also told at vw of america that they could only assist me with my issue if my VIN number matched the recalls. So my question, what if the stall of my vehicle caused an accident and serious injuries or fatalities were involved, would vw look into the 2002 recall then or just tell the families, sorry, you didn't have a 2003.

Filed Apr 23, 2009 · Engine · 73,000 miles · PA · crash · 1 injury

My car had been hit on the driver side so I took it to the auto body shop to be repaired, being paid for by the person insurance co that hit me. When I went to pick the car up about 3 weeks later I drive 2 blocks and then lights started flashing (warning oil pressure) stop car immediately. I called the auto body shop so I could take the car back to them because the car was in excellent working order when I took it there no lights were on or flashing only the door was damaged. Few days later the auto body said they would have to have it towed to a dealer wynn because they don't know why the lights are on. Wynn dealer gave diagnoses of oil sludge for the lights flashing and the auto body had replaced the door with the wrong door. I was told this would cost me 2300 dollars, 2300 dollars. I was told by the deal that this is the problem and removal of the sludge will fix the problem. They had the car for a month repairs to replace the door and the oil sludge. Month later when I went to pick up the car at that time there was an engine light came on, had the manager check why. He hook up a computer and said it may be a bad cylinder he reset the light and I drove it for 2 weeks maybe and now excessive amount of smoke was coming from the car and it was losing power . I took it back to dealer stating you told me the problem was fixed I was told that now it has a turbo charger problem had been damaged which would be covered by my warranty. So I left it there for repairs. Picked it up a week later and was told everything was fine now drove it for not even a day and the car was still losing power and now shaking out of control. I had to take it back to the dealer and now was told I had a bad engine coil so the best they could do for now is replace it with a used one. In the mean time I had called volkswagen customer service and they told me I had to take it back to them for diagnose. Because when they replaced the coil it still didn't.

Filed Mar 29, 2009 · Electrical · 93,000 miles · NY · fire

Loss of engine power check engine light comes on I shut engine off one ignition coil starts to smoke and start on fire along with coil electrical lead.

Filed Mar 20, 2009 · Suspension · MA

We have a 2002 1.8l passat that was affected by the defective coils in the 2003/2004 recall. Now less than 5 years later, 2 coils failed at once with complete loss of power and all 4 need to be replaced. Luckily we were driving were we could safely get out of traffic but if it had happened on the highway, we could have been killed. I wonder if the replacement coils were also defective.

Filed Feb 15, 2005 · Brakes · 34,500 miles · VA

The brake booster on my 2002 volkswagen passat started acting up in freezing weather on numerous occasions. When this happened, I lost all power assist for the brakes and braking performance was severely degraded. On several occasions this also LED, for reasons unknown to me, to the front brakes locking up, immobilizing the vehicle. The problem was eventually fixed by the volkswagen dealer, who replaced the brake booster unit under warranty. I think there is a class problem with the brake booster system in at least 2002 passats and no effort has been made by volkswagen of america (voa) to communicate this to owners of these vehicles. I learned from the dealer that they had experienced many similar instances with the brake booster system on passats. If not a formal recall, at least some communication to owners from volkswagen should be forced as this is serious safety issue. I have talked to voa customer service by phone and their response was that they do not issue voluntary recalls. This is done, according to the voa rep, only when ordered by the government. If true, this seems a sad commentary. So I am working this issue through the federal safety agency asd my only recourse.

Filed Jul 7, 2004 · Brakes, Electrical · 35,000 miles · WV

Ignition coils failed two times, resulting in loss of power and causing vehicle to shudder. Coils were supposedly replaced. On a separate occasion (following the coil repair) vehicle completely shut down on the interstate- going from 80 to 0 MPH in the matter of seconds. I had already been driving the vehicle for over an hour. I lost all power and was barely able to get the car to the shoulder. Problem was diagnosed as bad gas (not possibly the coil). In addition, my rear door quit closing, headlights have burnt out, filters have gone bad causing front of car to become flooded, vacuum hose defective, rear brakes went bad, and radio quit working. Parts were replaced either under the warranty or out of my pocket. Vw refuses to admit there is a problem with this car. I have approximately 40000 miles on it.

Filed Feb 20, 2004 · Electrical · 19,700 miles · OH

My 2002 vw passat suffered another coilpack failure including a loss of power on a busy city street. The failed coils had already been replaced under vw's coilpack recall. Looks like the new coils do not fix the problem.

Filed Mar 27, 2003 · Electrical, Transmission · CA

I purchased a brand new vw passat gls 2002, on june 18, 2002 at commonwealth vw audi, 1450 auto mall drive, santa ana ca 92705. Unfortunately, the vw passat gls 2002 has not held up to its promise of being a well-engineered car. After less than 9 months of ownership, I had to bring the car to the dealership for repairs 3 times, which is a far drive from my present residence in highland, ca. I purchased a brand new car with the intention of having a reliable mode of transportation for the two-hour trip back and fourth from tustin to ontario on a daily basis for work. I had confidence in volkswagen because of its prestigious reputation. Having successive car problems has made me reluctant to drive this car. The first breakdown was in oct. 2002, the mil (malfunction indicator lamp) light came on, the car started to shake, and it lost power on my way to work. I was able to make it and I had the car towed to the dealership. The dealership replaced the defective ignition coil, and set the readiness code. I did not get a loaner car, and the car was left at the dealership for two days. The second time, was in dec. 2003. The exact same problem arose. This time they had replaced all four ignition coils, set the readiness code, and supplied me with a vw rental. The car was in the shop for two days as well. I had lost all confidence in the passat I purchased. The third occasion, as I exited the freeway to get to work, the mil light came on again. I was at a complete stop. When I pressed on the gas, the car jerked two times. I made it to the parking lot of my job, and had the car towed yet another time. This was march 18, 2003. The dealership removed and installed the automatic transmission fluid pan, the transmission speed sender, and the vehicle speed sensor. They supplied me with a 3-day loaner car. The passat stayed in the shop for 4 days.