2002 Volkswagen Jetta
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 711 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 3rd highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.
Of the 2002 reports, 32 involved a crash and 71 involved a fire. 75 people were injured and 10 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 07V063000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMay 24, 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.
THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 06V183000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchDec 16, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.
THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V584000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V096000 on NHTSA.gov
Service brakes, hydraulic, antilock/traction control/electronic limited slipJan 31, 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 02V031000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: air bags
108 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Jan 18, 2023
I was driving on the freeway and the airbags deployed. No one hit me and I don't hit anyone.
Air bags, Sep 14, 2017, crash
SIMPLY WANTED TO LET YOU KNOW THAT MY DAUGHTER REAR ENDED ANOTHER CAR AT 40MPH AND COMPLETELY CRUNCHED IN HER FRONT END (CAR IS TOTALED), BUT THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. WE DIDN'T THINK ANYTHING OF IT UNTIL THE STATE FARM AGENT MENTIONED THAT SHE HAD AIRBAGS ON THE CAR.
Air bags, Jun 10, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,706. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ *CN
Air bags, Engine, Nov 24, 2015
OIL LIGHT IS BLINKING, I WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL MECHANICS THAT JETTAS AS WELL AS VOLKSWAGENS IN GENERAL ARE KNOWN FOR HAVING TERRIBLE SLUDGE ISSUES. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY CHARGED ME OVER $150 TO DIAGNOSE MY CAR, AFTER DIAGNOSING IT THEY SAID THAT THE ENGINE NEEDS NEW OIL BEARINGS DUE TO SLUDGE ISSUES, THEY SAID THAT THE OILS PRESSURE IS FLUCTUATING AND THAT SOON MY ENGINE WILL BLOW UP, THEY SAID THAT THIS WAS NOT COVERED UNDER SIMILAR RECALLS THAT THEY'VE HAD ON OTHER MODELS OF THEIRS AND THAT TO FIX MY PROBLEM I WOULD NEED A NEW ENGINE WHICH WOULD COST ME OVER SEVEN THOUSAND DOLLARS. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT THIS IS A VERY WELL KNOWN PROBLEM FOR VW, THEY'VE KNOWN ABOUT IT FOR YEARS BUT JUST LIKE THE PROBLEM THEY'RE HAVING RIGHT NOW WITH THE SOFTWARE, THEY'VE KEPT THIS QUIET.
Air bags, Seats, Oct 7, 2015
WHILE DRIVING OUR JETTA AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH THE DRIVERS SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND SIDE SEAT AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO IMPACT. THERE WAS NO POTHOLE. IT WAS THE ONLY CAR ON THE ROAD. GOING STRAIGHT.
Electrical system, Air bags, Engine, Sep 19, 2014
I PURCHASED A CERTIFIED USED VEHICLE IN 2006 FROM A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN VIRGINIA (VOLKSWAGEN OF DULLES). TWO MONTHS AFTER THE VEHICLE PURCHASE, WE NOTICED THE CAR ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN WHILE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN IN RESTON, VA. THE LOCAL DEALER ATTRIBUTED IT TO A FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEM AND CHARGED US FOR A THROTTLE BODY CLEANING.? OVER THE COURSE OF TWO YEARS, WE HAD MULTIPLE ELECTRICAL SHUTDOWNS, SOME AT HIGH SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY AT NIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLE'S HEADLIGHTS WOULD GO OUT AND THE ENGINE WOULD DIE. AT ONE POINT THE DEALER REPORTED A ??LOOSE IGNITION SWITCH?? AND REPLACED THAT SWITCH. AFTER SEVERAL MORE SCARY EVENTS, I EMAILED VW AMERICA WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE PROBLEM AND OUR FEARS ABOUT THE VEHICLE BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE. IN MARCH 2009 I CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND TALKED TO A REGIONAL CASE MANAGER. ON THAT DAY, THE CAR HAD SHUT DOWN IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION NARROWLY AVOIDING A COLLISION. VW REPLACED THE ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY. THREE MONTHS LATER, DRIVING ON MEMORIAL PARKWAY (RT. 66) AT NIGHT WHEN THE VEHICLES LIGHTS FAILED, THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SHUT DOWN AND THE ENGINE DIED. I ONCE AGAIN CALLED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS RETURNED A CALL FROM A REPRESENTATIVE WHO SAID THEY WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE PROBLEM FURTHER, THAT THE WARRANTY ON THE VEHICLE WAS OVER AND THAT I HAD NO RECOURSE WITH VOLKSWAGEN FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION OF THE PROBLEM. I RECENTLY ASKED VW AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE FOR COPIES OF THEIR RECORDS RELATING THE CASE. THEY REFUSED TO GIVE THEM TO ME, SAYING THEY WERE PROPRIETARY.? *TR
Air bags, Jul 11, 2014
STOPPED AT A LIGHT, WHEN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED. SUBSEQUENTLY PUT ON FLASHERS, AND PULLED OVER TO A CURB. PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AIRBAG THEN DEPLOYED (APPROXIMATELY 1 MINUTE LATER AFTER THE FIRST). SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT RESULTED IN ABRASIONS ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER. CHECKED THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR, BUT THERE WAS NO DAMAGE. APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AND A HALF LATER, THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS ON BOTH SIDES SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED WHILE AGAIN STOPPED AT ANOTHER RED LIGHT. THIRD PASSENGER IN REAR WAS UNINJURED DURING INCIDENTS. *TR
Steering, Air bags, Wheels, Jan 4, 2014, crash
I WAS LEAVING A PARKING LOT THAT HAD A SLIGHT CURVE AND I HIT SOME BLACK ICE. THE CAR WENT STRAIGHT INTO THE CURB AND WITH THE IMPACT, WHICH IN MY OPINION, WAS NOT A GREAT AMOUNT, CAUSED THE SIDE CURTAIN AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. WITH HOW THE WHEEL HIT THE CURB, IT ALSO DAMAGED THE ALIGNMENT OF THE WHEELS. *TR
Air bags, Seat belts, May 6, 2013
TRAVELING AT 70MPH UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS ON INTERSTATE THE ROOF AND SEAT AIRBAGS AND SEATBELT LOCKDOWN ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED CAUSING TEMPORARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND NECK STRAIN. REPAIRS TO FIX AIRBAGS COST OVER $4,000. VOLKSWAGON INVESTIGATED AND WERE NO HELP. GAVE NO REASON FOR SPONTANEOUS AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. VERY UNSAFE EXPERIENCE! *TR
Air bags, Jul 5, 2012, crash
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 35 MPH AND CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A PRECEDING VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES AS A RESULT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND WAS NOT INSPECTED FOR THE FAILURE NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Electrical system, Air bags, Apr 19, 2012
WHEN BACKING OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY MY DRIVERS SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I DIDN'T HIT ANYTHING. NOW THE ENGINE STARTS THEN STALLS. ALL DASH LIGHTS ARE NOW OUT. *JS
Air bags, Jan 1, 2011
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VW JETTA, MY 6 YEAR OLD WAS RIDING IN THE BACKSEAT IN THE PASSENGER SIDE WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS SPONTANEOUSLY WENT OFF!!! IT SOUNDED LIKE A SHOT GUN WENT OFF IN THE CAR, SCARED BOTH OF US!! I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING, ANYONE, NO ONE WAS EVEN DRIVING AROUND ME! IT WAS CRAZY! I THOUGHT THE CAR WAS ON FIRE DUE TO THE SMOKE COMING OUT OF THE AIRBAG.... NO ON WAS HURT BUT IT WAS TERRIFYING AND IT COULD HAVE BEEN A LOT WORSE!! I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THE CAR, BOUGHT IT NEW IN 2002. IT'S BEEN A GREAT CAR, I'VE OWNED VW'S FOR YEARS AND OVER ALL, THEY ARE GREAT VEHICLES BUT THIS HAS REALLY FREAKED ME OUT! I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY RAN A DIAGNOSTIC, TURNS OUT THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR SAID THERE WAS A CRASH - THIS IS NO PHYSICAL EVIDENCE OF ANY DAMAGE ON THE CAR TO JUSTIFY THIS HAPPENING! THE COST TO REPAIR IT IS 5300.00!!! THE CARE LIKELY ISN'T EVEN WORTH THAT. THE NEXT STEP IS TO CONTACT VWOA. I JUST READ OF SOME OTHER INSTANCES THIS HAPPENED AND LOOKS LIKE VW DID REPAIR THE AIRBAG AT NO CHARGE. I'M HOPING THEY DO IT FOR ME, OTHERWISE, I'M OUT OF A VEHICLE. THERE'S NO WAY I CAN SELL IT LIKE THAT, I'VE JUST LOST WHAT EVER MONEY I MIGHT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SELL THAT CAR FOR..... HOW MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN FILED PERTAINING TO THIS ISSUE?? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Air bags, Dec 21, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG FAULT WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY, FOLLOWED BY A BEEPING NOISE. BOTH THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,500. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 32,400.
Air bags, Oct 18, 2010, crash
TL-THE DRIVER OWNED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A MULTI VEHICLE CRASH IN WHICH ONLY THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED. THE POLICE APPEARED ON THE SCENE AND THE DRIVER WAS INJURED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED TO AN INSURANCE COMPANY LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXAMINED FOR THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AND WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS INFORMED THAT WHENEVER THE SEAT BELT WAS HELD INTACT THE AIR BAG WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 50,000. SM.
Air bags, Jul 26, 2010
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS IN A 2002 VW JETTA DEPLOYED AFTER HITTING A POTHOLE ON A CITY STREET AT APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH. THE ADULT IN THE PASSENGER SEAT RECEIVED BRUISES ON HIS ARM FROM THE DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Air bags, Jun 28, 2010
WAS DRIVING ALONG A GRADED DIRT ROAD WHEN PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED SUDDENLY. THERE WAS NO SIDE IMPACT WHATSOEVER, AND WAS NOT ABLE TO DETERMINE ANY CAUSE OF AIRBAG DEPLOYING. TWO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR SUFFERED TEMPORARY RINGING IN THEIR EARS AND HEADACHES, BUT NO SIGNIFICANT INJURIES OCCURRED, THANK GOODNESS. HAVE CONTACTED DEALER FOR INFORMATION ABOUT REPAIRS, BUT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX IT YET. *TR
Air bags, Dec 8, 2009
SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE DRIVING AT 35-40 MPH. NO DAMAGE TO THE CAR OTHER THAN THAT CAUSED BY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYING. NO POTHOLES IN THE SMOOTH PAVED ROAD NEAR THE INTERSECTION OF FL SR70 AND US301. NO DEBRIS IN THE ROAD OR ANY REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. DRIVER RECEIVED WELT AND BRUISES ON THE RIBS FROM THE SEAT AIRBAG. *TR
Air bags, Aug 3, 2009, crash
2002 VW SEDAN WA BROAD SIDED BY A MOTORCYCLE. IT HIT THE RIGHT FRONT DOOR AND BUCKLED THE CENTER POST AND BENT THE ROOF AND THE DASH WAS PUSHED IN. THE VW HAS FRONT AND SIDE AIRBAGS. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. MY SON WAS COVERED WITH GLASS AND THE RIGHT HAND MIRROR JUST MISSED HIM. *TR
Air bags, Equipment, Jul 28, 2009
I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA THIS MORNING WHILE DRIVING MY CAR TO WORK IN HOUSTON TEXAS ON INTERSTATE 59 SOUTH MY DRIVERSIDE WINDOW AIRBAG DEPLOYED AS WELL AS THE SEAT AIRBAG. AFTER GETTING TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MY CAR CRANKED BACK UP AND I GOT OUT TO INSPECT IF THERE WAS ANY DAMAGES. I FOUND NO DAMAGES ON THE CAR AND THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. I AM LUCKY I DID NOT SWERVE OR THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN A HUGE WRECK. I BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON ALL OF THESE 2002 JETTA SINCE THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY OCCURRENCES OF THIS HAPPENING. *TR
Air bags, Feb 16, 2009
I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. ON FEBRUARY 15TH I WAS DRIVING JUST OUTSIDE OF MADISON, WI ON 1-94 HEADING EAST AND HIT A DISK SIZE PIECE (ABOUT THE SIZE OF A HOCKEY PUCK) OF DEBRIS WHICH FLEW UP INTO THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF MY CAR. AT THE SAME TIME, MY SIDE CURTAIN AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE TO THE EXTERIOR OF MY CAR AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. UPON INSPECTION THERE IS NO APPARENT DAMAGE OR MARKINGS TO THE UNDER CARRIAGE, BODY - BOTH METAL AND PLASTIC. IN RESEARCHING AIRBAG RECALLS, I CAME ACROSS THE NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE04081. THIS DESCRIPTION MOST ACCURATELY DESCRIBES THIS INCIDENT. OF THE 499 VEHICLES WHO EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEMS I AM HAVING NOW - NO NOTICE OF RECALL OR NOTICE OF POTENTIAL DEFECT WERE PROVIDED. I FEEL THIS MATTER SHOULD BE REOPENED FOR THOSE VEHICLES WHO CONTINUE TO HAVE UNINTENTIONAL AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. MOST NOTABLE IS THE BODY STYLE FOR THIS VEHICLE HAS REMAINED UNCHANGED FROM MODEL YEARS 1999.5 - 2005. YET ONLY 2001 - 2003 VEHICLES SEEM TO BE AFFECTED. THIS WOULD INDICATE THAT SOME MANUFACTURING TREND IS THE CAUSATIVE FACTOR IN THESE UNINTENTIONAL DEPLOYMENTS. *TR
Air bags, Jan 19, 2009
WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 30 MPH THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS AND THE SEAT AIRBAGS WRONGFULLY DEPLOYED. THERE WAS NO REASON WHATSOEVER FOR THIS TO HAPPEN. *TR
Air bags, Sep 15, 2008
CAR INFORMATION: 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA #: WHILE EXITING DRIVEWAY, REAR TIRE BECAME CAUGHT ON CURB. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON PASSENGER SIDE (SIDE CURTAIN PROTECTION AIRBAG AND BACKREST SIDE AIRBAG). NO COLLISION HAD OCCURRED. CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED IN STREET BUT LATER STARTED. CONTACTED INSURANCE COMPANY, AS WELL AS VW DEALER. *TR
Air bags, Sep 10, 2008
2002 VW JETTA,HUSBAND RAN OVER POTHOLE, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HAD TO TOW CAR AND GET RENTAL. NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT. WAITING FOR VW TO LOOK AT CAR. AM SURE THEY WILL SAY IT'S OUR FAULT JUST FROM WHAT I'M SEEING ON WEB. HOW CAN GOVERNMENT HAVE 499 PLUS INCIDENTS OF INVESTIGATION AND NOT MAKE VW RECALL?? MAYBE NOT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES AND THEY GET SUED. *TR
Air bags, Jul 23, 2008
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD CAUSING MY PASSENGER, SIDE AND HEAD AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT. MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HIT THE POT HOLE. THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND PROBABLY MANY MORE SINCE THEN. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL MADE, AND IF NOT, WHY NOT? YES, THESE ARE GOOD IF A REAL CRASH OCCURRED, BUT DANGEROUS TO NO CRASH OCCURRENCES. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE AND I, NOR ANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN OWNER, SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. THANK YOU. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04081 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : N/A MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: VOLKSWAGEN / GOLF 2001-2003 VOLKSWAGEN / GTI 2001-2003 VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA 2001-2003 MANUFACTURER : VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC COMPONENT : AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED : DECEMBER 16, 2004 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED : APRIL 1, 2005 THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS). THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM'S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS. *TR
Air bags, Apr 15, 2008
WAS DRIVING DOWN THE STREET AND MY SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOY FOR NO REASON. I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING THERE IS NO DAMAGE DONE TO MY CAR NOR BEEN IN A ACCIDENT. WENT TO VW SOUTHERN STATES AND WAS TOLD THAT MY CAR ONLY HAS A 50,000 MILE WARRANTY AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR THE CAR TO GET FIXED. ABOUT 3,000 DOLLARS HE SAID..... *TR