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, Apr 22, 2005
WHILE DRIVING ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY WITH MY GIRLFRIEND IN THE PASS SEAT, THE DRIVER'S SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS NO IMPACT OR POTHOLE HIT. I WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND GET OFF TO THE SHOULDER. I RECEIVED BURNS AND DEEP BRUISES ON MY UPPER LEFT ARM AND LEFT SIDE RIBCAGE. CAR WAS DRIVEABLE FROM THERE, HOWEVER THE PRE-TENSIONERS FOR THE SEAT BELT ALSO FIRED AND COULD NOT USE THE SEAT BELT. UPON TALKING WITH A LOCAL VW DEALER, THEY ADVISED THAT THIS WOULD BE AN INSURANCE CLAIM, AS THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT JUST GO OFF, AND THEY MENTIONED THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO INSTANCES OF RANDOM DEPLOYMENT...ALL HAVE BEEN DUE TO SOMETHING CAUSING THE DEPLOYMENT.?. I COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR, AND THINGS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. STILL DEALING WITH THE MEDICAL. *JB
Air bags, Mar 30, 2005
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. CONSUMER AVOIDED A CRASH BY PULLING TO THE SIDE OF ROAD. *AK *NM
Air bags, Mar 7, 2005
I HAVE 2002 JETTA WHILE DRIVING DOWN INTERSTATE HIT SMALL OBJECT IN ROAD WITH PASSENGER FRONT TIRE THIS CAUSED BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAG TO DEPLOY. IMPACT WAS NOT ENOUGH TO BLOW FRONT TIRE OR CAUSE ME TO LOOSE CONTROL OF VECHILE. WAS TOLD BY INSURANCE COMPANY THEY HAVE SEEN THIS BEFORE HAVE CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN AND HAVE APPOINTMENT TO GET ESTIMATE ON REPAIR COST AND IF THEY WILL COVER OR INSURANCE WILL HAVE TO COVER.*AK
Air bags, Feb 24, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE FRONT/REAR SIDE AIR BAGS INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. THE CAUSE WAS NOT DETERMINED. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION. *NM
Air bags, Feb 22, 2005
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Feb 16, 2005
VEHICLE WAS ON THE ROAD AT 5 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED ON ITS OWN. MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BY THE CONSUMER.*AK
Air bags, Feb 9, 2005
MY AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT WENT ON JUST PRIOR TO MY 80000 MILE SERVICE. I INFORMED MY VW SERVICE DEPT OF THIS. WHEN I PICKED UP MY CAR I WAS INFORMED THAT TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM WOULD COST $800-$900. THIS IS EQUIPMENT THAT HAS NO MOVING IS FACTORY INSTALLED. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IS THIS COMMON? WHAT ARE MY OPTIONS? DO I HAVE ANY RECOURSE?*JB
Air bags, Feb 8, 2005
I AM VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE REPORTS I HAVE READ ABOUT SUDDEN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FOR NO REASON ON VOLKSWAGEN MODELS JETTA, GTI AND GOLF, YEAR 2001-2003. AS A 2002 JETTA OWNER, I DO NOT WISH TO SUFFER FROM AIRBAG INJURY FROM INAPPROPRIATE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER FOR THE CONSUMERS BEHALF AND RECALL IF NECESSARY. THANK YOU.*AK
Air bags, Tires, Feb 7, 2005, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS EXITING I-4 ONTO I-95 IN DAYTONA BEACH, FL. SHE WAS TRAVELING ABOUT 45 MPH, WHEN THE MICHILEN TIRE ON THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF. THIS CAUSED HER TO LOSE CONTROL OF THE 2002 VW JETTA (30,000 MILES) AND ROLL THE VEHICLE. SHE WAS INJURED AND THE ONLY CAR INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE SIDE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED LESSENING HER INJURIES, AS HER HEAD HIT THE SIDE OF THE CAR AND HAS CAUSED GREAT PROBLEMS. *JB
Air bags, Dec 29, 2004
I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY AT AROUND 2:00P.M. IN THE AFTERNOON AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT AIR BAG,SIDE SEAT AIR BAG AND THE REAR AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY COLLISION. MY CAR WAS NOT DAMAGED AT ALL. THE SUPERVISOR TECHNICIAN AT TRANS OCEAN VW REFUSED TO COVER THE COST TO REPAIR THREE OF THE AIRBAGS EVEN THOUGH MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY CLAIMED THAT THE COMPUTER SENSOR DETECTED AN IMPACT WHICH TRIGGERED THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS. IT WAS LUCKY THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAGS WASN'T ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE, OTHERWISE, I WOULD HAVE LOST MY CONTROL ON THE STEERING WHEEL LEADING TO MORE SERIOUS CONSEQUENCES. I WAS JUST IN SHOCK AT THAT TIME BUT THE HIGHWAY PATROL WAS MANAGED TO GUIDE ME OFF THE FREEWAY. AT LAST I CLAIMED MY INSURANCE AND PAID $500 DEDUCTIBLE FROM MY POCKET TO FIX THE AIRBAGS. THE INSURANCE PREMIUM INCREASED A LOT AFTER THIS SO-CALLED "ACCIDENT". I HEREBY ASK VW OF AMERICA TO RECALL ALL DEFECTIVE VEHICLES TO PREVENT FUTURE ACCIDENTS FROM HAPPENING. *NM
Air bags, Sep 3, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. AFTER BEING INSPECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS CRASH DAMAGE. HOWEVER, VEHICLE WAS NOT DAMAGED. INSURANCE COMPANY INSPECTED VEHICLE, AND STATED THERE WAS NO DAMAGE, BUT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE AIR BAGS.*AK
Air bags, Aug 20, 2004
CURTAIN AIRBAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE, SEAT AIRBAG ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE , AND THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG COVER FELL OFF. DEALER REFUSED TO REPAIR IT. *AK WHILE DRIVIGN THE CONSUMER HEARD ALOUD BANG. THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED ALTHOUGH THERE WAS NO IMPPACT. NO INJURIES WERE STATED. *NM
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 17, 2004
AFTER I WAS PULLED OUT OF A PARKING SPOT, THE DOORS CLICKED AS IF THEY WERE GOING TO LOCK AUTOMATICALLY AS THEY NORMALLY DO AT 10 MPH. THE CLICK SOUNDED FUNNY, SO I LOOKED AT THE DOOR LOCKS AND NOTICED THAT THEY HADN'T LOCKED. SOON THEREAFTER, THE BATTERY ON THE CAR STOPPED, WHICH I NOTICED BECAUSE I COULDN'T ACCELERATE AND I COULDN'T TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. I STARTED THE CAR AGAIN, WITHOUT A PROBLEM. THE AIRBAG LIGHT WENT ON AND STAYED ON AND I NOTICED THAT THE LIGHTS IN THE BACK SEAT OVER THE DOORS STAYED ON THOUGH. I TRAVELED TO MY NEXT STOP AND THE LIGHTS IN THE BACK SEAT WENT OUT. I THEN STARTED TOWARD MY NEXT STOP AND HAD REACHED 25 MPH WHEN THE SIDE AIRBAG IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT EXPLODED. I CALLED THE DEALER TO SEE IF THE CAR WAS SAFE TO DRIVE, THEY SAID IT WAS. I THEN STARTED DRIVING TO THE DEALER WHEN THE BATTERY CUT OUT AGAIN; I COULD TELL BECAUSE I COULD NOT STEER AND I COULD NOT ACCELERATE. I PULLED OVER TO A SAFE SPOT AND CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. WHILE I WAS SITTING IN THE PARKED CAR WITH THE A/C ON WAITING FOR THE TOW TO ARRIVE, THE PASSENGER-SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE CAR IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALER SO THEY CAN INVESTIGATE IF THERE WAS A MALFUNCTION. NO, I'M NOT KIDDING, THAT'S WHAT THEY SAID. *JB
Air bags, Aug 10, 2004
I WAS DRIVING ALONG HIGHWAY 50 AND ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PASSENGER SIDE, DOOR AND SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE ELK GROVE VOLKSWAGON DEALERSHIP IS ACCUSING ME OF RUNNING OVER SOMETHING AND I KNOW THAT I DIDN'T. I WAS GOING 65 MPH AND IF I WOULD HAVE RAN OVER SOMETHING TO JOLT MY CAR ENOUGH TO DEPLOY MY AIRBAGS, I'M SURE ALL OF THEM WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED, AS WELL AS, I WOULD HAVE BEEN AWARE OF SOME TYPE OF COLLISION.
Air bags, Aug 9, 2004
AIRBAG UNIT LIGHT CAME ON FOR A THIRD TIME. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON TWO OCCASIONS FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Air bags, Equipment, Jul 22, 2004, crash
WAS IN AN AUTOMOBILE ACCIDENT AND WAS HIT SQUARE IN THE SIDE OF THE CAR AT 45 MPH. DAMAGE WAS DONE TO ENTIRE LEFT SIDE OF VEHICLE. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. I HAVE FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS. CALLED VOLKSWAGEN TO DETERMINE WHERE SENSORS ARE, AND THE SENSOR ON THE SIDE IS WHERE I WAS HIT. I DID SOME RESEARCH THROUGH NHTSA REPORTS ON VOLKSWAGEN, SEEMS THERE ARE A SUFFICIENT AMOUNT OF CONSUMER COMPLAINTS WITH THE AIRBAGS, MANY OF WHICH STATE VOLKSWAGEN DIDN'T WANT TO DISCUSS OR TAKE CARE OF. I AM CONCERNED WITH FOR MY OWN SAFETY WHILE DRIVING THIS VOLKSWAGEN. *JB
Air bags, Jul 13, 2004
PROBLEMS WITH AIR BAG SYSTEM RESULTED IN UNNECESSARY DEPLOYMENTS. *MR VW REFUSED TO DISCUSS THE MATTER WITH THE DEALER OR THE CONSUMER. THERE WAS AN INTERMITTENT AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT OF THE HEAD AND SIDE PASSENGER AIR BAGS DURING NORMAL TRAVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER DISCOVERED THAT 40 OTHER 2002 JETTA OWNERS EXPERIENCED THIS SAME PROBLEM. *SC *JB
Air bags, May 20, 2004
PASSENGER SIDE/WINDOW AIRBAG DEPLOYED. DEALER STATED THAT COMPUTER WAS READING CRASH DAMAGE. CONSUMER INDICATED VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN A CRASH. *AK THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER PULLED DATA OFF THE COMPUTER THAT INDICATED THAT THERE WAS A CRASH AND DAMAGE TO THE RIGHT FRONT WHEEL. DUE TO THEIR FINDINGS THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO COVER ANY REPAIRS UNDER WARRANTY. THE CONSUMER'S INSURANCE COMPANY ALSO PERFORMED AN INVESTIGATION AND THEY CONCLUDED THAT THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A CRASH. THE INSURANCE COMPANY AND MANUFACTURER ARE TRYING TO SCHEDULE A TIME TO GET TOGETHER AND TAKE THE AIR BAGS APART TO DETERMINE WHAT CAUSED THEM TO DEPLOY. *NM
Air bags, May 14, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING BETWEEN 30 AND 35 MPH CONSUMER HIT A POT HOLE AND FRONT PASSENGER AND SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Air bags, Apr 1, 2004
WHILE ACCELERATING FROM A STOP AT 10 MPH THE SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS ON THE PASSENGER SIDE INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED. THE DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Air bags, Mar 31, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. *AK
Air bags, Mar 13, 2004
UNINTENDED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG AT 55 MPH. NO CRASH INVOLVED. *AK
Air bags, Mar 8, 2004
WHILE DRIVE MY 2002 JETTA ABOUT 55-60MPH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. I DROVE MY CAR RIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS TO TELL ME THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM STATES THAT THE CAR WAS IN A COLLISION, I DO NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE ON MY CAR AND I WAS NOT IS AN ACCIDENT. THEY (CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN) OR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WILL NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE.*AK
Air bags, Jan 13, 2004, crash
I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI. THE REASON I PURCHASED THE CAR WAS BECAUSE OF HOW SAFE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO BE. THEY HAVE AIRBAGS THAT COME FROM THE SIDES OF THE SEATS, DOWN FROM THE HEADLINER, AND FROM THE DASH. I HIT A CEMENT WALL AND TOTALED MY CAR, AND NONE OF THE AIRBAGS WENT OFF. NOBODY WAS INJURED, BUT THE AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE STILL DEPLOYED.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Air bags, Jan 6, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH DRIVER APPLIED BRAKES AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SKID INTO A TREE. BOTH AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK