2002 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems

Filed Jan 7, 2026 · Fuel system · NY

To Whom It May Concern, I am submitting this letter as a formal complaint regarding an authorized automobile dealer’s refusal to perform an open safety recall on my vehicle. Vehicle information: * Year/Make/Model: 2002 Volkswagen Passat 1.8T GLS * VIN: [XXX] I contacted Platinum Volkswagen, of Hicksville, New York, an authorized Volkswagen dealer, on January 7, 2026, to schedule a repair for an open safety recall applicable to my vehicle. I was advised by the service manager that the owner of the dealership refused to perform the recall repair solely based on the age of the vehicle. He advised me to request service at another authorized dealership. The service manager confirmed that the parts for the recall were available or could have been ordered and that the decision was based solely on the individual VW franchise owner's discretion not to service older vehicles. My understanding of federal motor vehicle safety law is that open safety recalls do not expire due to vehicle age, and that manufacturers and their authorized dealers are required to remedy such recalls at no cost to the owner. The dealer did not cite recall closure, lack of available parts, or any condition that would make the repair unsafe or infeasible. I am requesting that the federal safety agency review this matter and determine whether the dealer’s refusal is consistent with federal safety recall requirements. Please let me know if additional documentation or information is required. Thank you for your time and attention. Sincerely, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Jul 26, 2023 · Fuel system · GA

I was letting my car run for a couple of minutes for the AC to cool down the car and I went into my house. When I came out about 2 minutes later, there was a large puddle of gas under the car in front of the right rear wheel and gas was running down the driveway all the way to the street. I immediately turned off the car and the gas stopped pouring out from under the car. I was lucky the car, my house or I did not go up in flames.

Filed Aug 28, 2018 · Fuel system, Lights · 174,000 miles · SC

Headlight pigtails have melted ,fuel pump has gone ,and the plastic reservoir peice from my coolant pump has melted off driver side wiper arm bar has malfunctioned

Filed Dec 19, 2017 · Fuel system · 126,000 miles · MD

I purchased a 2002 passat w8 4-motion, having only 126,000 miles on the odometer, in october 2017 often after refueling the vehicle, I would notice the faint scent of gasoline. Upon investigating where the gasoline smell was originating, I found it had developed a very large fuel leak from which fuel could be seen dripping on the forward, left side of the fuel tank. After performing some brief research, I found that there was a recall on the passat 4-motions, dated april 2008, in regards to a ventilation valve on the fuel tank. I promptly made a appointment with my local vw dealer for dec 4th. On december 6, 2017, I contacted the dealership asking jay, the service manager at the vw dealership, if they found the vent valve to be leaking. I was told that the valve was in fact leaking at the bonded valve point. After hearing nothing the next two days, I received a phone call from vw stating that they found the under-body damage to be the cause of the leak. I requested to see the pictures of the damage so that I could examine them myself. On december 11, 2017, I received the pictures from the service manager showing the heat shields surrounding the tank to have some brush marks and to be disfigured a bit. Please keep in mind, this was a known issue in the early 2000's, and the vehicle is now 15 years old with 127,000 miles on it and the recall had been completed. This "damage" would not lead to a fuel tank leak as the fuel tank itself was not damaged. Very upset, I wrote to the regional case manager on dec 11, 2017 with my thoughts on the damage and to get more details on the case. I have yet to receive a response.

Filed Jun 4, 2017 · Fuel system · 118,000 miles · FL

When fuel tank has approximately 8 gallons or more, fuel pours out from under the rear driver's side about two feet from the outer kick panel. Noticed there was a recall and vwoa said that my VIN does not qualify for the recall despite my explaining that the problem is identical to other complaints on vehicles that were recalled. This was at 118k miles and it happened to the previous owner arround 80k.

Filed May 10, 2017 · Fuel system · 104,750 miles · MA

The gas tank is leaking on the upper side behind the rear seats when is full. I think volkswagen recalled some vehicles for the same problem in the past.

Filed Dec 28, 2016 · Fuel system · 93,000 miles · FL

Fuel leak after filling gas tank. Leak on driver side under rear door. Stops after gage is below 3/4 full.

Filed Aug 15, 2016 · Fuel system · 110,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat the contact stated that the vehicle leaked fuel without warning. The vehicle was serviced per the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system), but the remedy failed to repair the vehicle. The contact stated that the ventilation valve was fractured and caused fuel to leak. Also, the tank only leaked when it was more than half full. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000. Updated 01/25/17*lj

Filed Aug 8, 2016 · Fuel system · 130,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the vehicle experienced a fuel leak. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the fuel leak originated near the rear of the exhaust. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was confirmed that there was a fuel leak in the vehicle coming from the top of the fuel tank. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Jul 27, 2016 · Fuel system · 128,000 miles · VA

Report receipt date: apr 07, 2008 the federal safety agency campaign number: 08v156000 component(s): fuel system, gasoline when fuel tank is more than 3/4 fuel a fuel smell appears inside the vehicle. A prior recall was done for a heat shield, fuel line and 4motion fuel tank vent valve for inspection and replace as needed. These seem to fail again. Most dealers mark recall as performed without a leak and when the leak actually occurs they try to deny the issue as performed already. This needs to be addressed so that owners of lower mileage vehicles ( under 150000) can get the repair fixed under a recall that has been on the vehicle prior.