2002 Volkswagen Passat: misfire or rough idle

Filed Jan 21, 2014 · Brakes, Electrical · 128,800 miles · NJ

In august of 2013, while backing out of a driveway, I experienced a total loss of braking. After examining the car, I discovered that the plenum that holds the battery and brake booster was nearly filled with rain water. It was necessary for me to remove one of the duck-billed drain plugs in the plenum as all were clogged with debris, preventing water from draining out. The flooded plenum appears to have resulted in water being drawn through the vacuum lines when attempting to brake. This, in turn, caused a significant amount of water to be drawn into the crankcase. Water was also drawn into the cylinders resulting in misfiring. After removing at least one drain plug in the plenum for proper drainage, and double flushing the contaminated oil in the crankcase, I experienced no further braking problems until freezing weather in november 2013. In november, while braking near the bottom of a hill, I again experienced a hard pedal with no depression and almost no braking ability, resulting in the car going into the intersection before fully stopping. The car was towed to the volkswagen dealership for repair. Two weeks later, there was again the symptom of a hard pedal? With no depression and near loss of all braking. The car was again returned to the volkswagen dealership for repair. This time, the vacuum booster, the vacuum pipes, and their related items were replaced. As noted in the dealership invoice, evidence of water was found in the replaced vacuum booster. The dealership acknowledged that the plenum had a significant high-water pollen line, indicating flooding of the plenum. It was believed by their service department staff that the brake failures in november and december 2013 were likely the result of residual water freezing in the vacuum booster, causing the booster to be inoperative. Also, the ignition coils were replaced. Updated 01/30/14 the consumer stated the insufficient fix during the 2008 campaign did not resolve the problem. It allowed for continued flooding of the plenum compartment a

Filed Jan 9, 2011 · Electrical · 159,056 miles · CO

2002 vw passat 2.8 v6 . Ignition coil pack shorting out( can see streaks of electricity on all three coils at night along sides of coils - - when looking into dark engine compartment ) . Car misfires upon acceleration and at idle . It has stalled twice and seems to be very unreliable . I have ordered a new coil pack and will not drive the car until I replace this coil pack . I called the local v.w. Dealer and they said no recall for the 2.8 v6 30 valve engine - called v.w. Of america and I was told the same thing . I will keep the old coil pack in hope that v.w. Will re-imburse me the price of my new coil pack - it is very easy to change .

Filed Sep 14, 2009 · Electrical, Engine · NY

2002 volkswagen passat has engine problems. *nj 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.

Filed Oct 7, 2007 · Electrical, Fuel system · 41,970 miles · NJ

Fuel system failed. The car ran like a tractor, misfiring and emitting explosive like sounds. The dashboard warning light came on and stayed on. We limped to the next vw dealer who found it necessary to replace the ignition coils. The coils were already once replaced under warranty on july 23, 20003. Why do we have to pay $200.44 plus tax for these obviously unreliable parts?

Filed Oct 6, 2006 · Electrical · 42,000 miles · MD

The engine sputters and appears to misfire after the car has been sitting or driven in the rain. Preceding and after this event the check engine light comes on. This happened twice during the week of september 11, 2006. The dealership could not identify the problem and said the car was safe to drive, but suggested we get a tune up, including getting the spark plugs changed (the car didn't need it!). On a rainy october 6 at 5:00 a.m., the car stalled in the middle of a 2-lane state road. When we attempted to restart the car, it sputtered a bit and then died. The car would not restart and had to be pushed off the road. We are going to ask the dealership to inspect the ignition coil.

Filed Feb 20, 2003 · Electrical · 7,548 miles · PA

The ignition coils on my 2002 vw passat 1.8t ar about to fail for the third time. The car was bought in may of 2002. The first incident occured in december, the second in january, and now it is about to happen again now in february. Each incident is preluded by a slight jolt in the car upon start up followed bu rough idleing. Every time we take it and and are told it is fixed and then sure enough a month later I am back there again. I do not see this problem getting any better. In addition the mach rstereo system has been fixed, then replaced. The replacement unit's qulaity is poor in comparison to the original. This car has been a nightmare.

Filed Feb 3, 2003 · Electrical · 15,000 miles · NH

The check engine light had illuminated. The vehicle started to misfire and shake. The dealer replaced one of the ignition coils. Mr scc

Filed Jan 19, 2003 · Electrical · 6,400 miles · MI

Sudden rough idling and loss of power. Check engine light turns on. Dealer guesses the problem without looking at the car. Later confirms an ignition coil pack failure. Common problem with vw passat, jetta, audis. Will take over two weeks to replace since parts are on back order. Dealer has approximately 15 cars waiting for the same part. They will not replace all of them, though all of them are likely to fail soon. Potential danger of sudden loss of power on highway. Please get vw to issue a recall on these *before* the part failure causes a crash.

Filed Jan 17, 2003 · Engine · OH

My 2002 volkswagen passat has an ignition coil problem that causes it to misfire and lose power. The car was in a vw service center for more than 2 weeks. After receiving the car back from the dealer the problem has exhibited itself again. Vw can't guarantee the problem will be permanently fixed. Ts

Filed Jan 13, 2003 · Electrical, Engine · 21,511 miles · OH

The ignition coil continued to break which caused vehicle to lose power while driving. The dealer was notified. *jb the left front headlight had burned out, and the left speaker had gone out. The ignition coil was replaced and the mechanic reprogrammed the ecu in order to correct the misfires.

Filed Jan 4, 2003 · Electrical · 18,000 miles · CT

Ignition coil pack failure (s) caused sudden loss of power and lurching of vehicle when attempting to accelerate out of driveway onto road. No accident occurred and vehicle was driven slowly back to parking. Power was not recovered and engine vibration was severe. No prior warning was given. Check engine light came on after failure. Followed a cold night while car was parked for 12+ hours. After parking car overnight again, failure recurred upon start up and vehicle was flat bedded at no cost to vw old skybrook,ct, where it was determined that according to ecu all 4 coil packs misfired. Car has been awaiting parts for 4 weeks and has not been returned to service as of 1/4/03. ******dims 11 ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis***** 770817. *ak

Filed Dec 19, 2002 · Electrical · 11,567 miles · NY

Coil pack failure. Dealer has replaced two broken coils on previous incidents - currently awaiting replacement for third incident. Vehicle undriveable - must be towed. Symptoms indicated by flashing engine light on dash and very rough idling. No indication of when replacements will be available - car is in dealer service lot two weeks. Dealer has reported that 17 other passats are also awaiting replacement. Vw must issue a recall or service advisory to replace all coils not just bad ones.