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: electrical system
149 reports, newest first. Show all
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2003
COIL PACK FAILURE, 2COIL PACKS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED ON MY 02 JETTA 1.8T. DEALER SAYS 4-6 WEEKS FOR PARTS. RECALL??????????????????????????????
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2003
THIS WAS THE 2ND FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2002 JETTA 1.8T CAUSING A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOVEMBER WHEN 2 COILS FAILED CAUSING CAR TO BE ALMOST UNDRIVABLE, NO ACCELARATION AND VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN SPEED. SECOND FAILURE, LUCKILY, ONLY HAPPENED A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SAME PROBLEM WITH NO POWER, ETC. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD LEAD TO A RATHER BAD ACCIDENT. THIS PROBEM SEEMS VERY PREVELANT ON THE 2001 AND 2002 VW AND AUDI MODELS WITH THE 1.8 TURBO ENGINE.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
THE COILS IN THE 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T ENGINE ARE FAILING. WHEN THEY FAIL, THIS CREATES A SAFTEY ISSUSE WITH THE CAR STALLING. THIS HAPPENS UNEXPECTLY WITHOUT WARNING, AND COULD HAPPEN WHILE TRAVELING IN A HIGH SPEED LANE. OVER A HALF MILLION CARS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS POORLY DESIGNED PART. AN INDEPTH REPORT APPEARED IN THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE AUTOMOTIVE SECTION (1-26-03) DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. VW CHOSES ONLY TO FIX FAILED COMPONENTS, NOT THE ONES THAT HAVE NOT FAILED. THERE ARE FOUR COILS ON THIS ENGINE, AND THE CONSUMER HAS FOUR CHANCES OF BEING IN A ACCIDENT WHEN THE PART FAILS. VW SHOULD REPLACE ALL FOUR PARTS OF THIS KNOWN PROBLEM, AND NOT WAIT FOR THE ACCIDENTS TO HAPPEN.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
COIL PACK FAILURE ON 2002 VW JETTA, CAR FAILED TO MAKE IT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO REPLACE ONE AND SAID THAT THE OTHERS WILL FAIL ALSO
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED SHAKING. IT WOULD ONLY GO 10 MPH. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND TWO OF THE IGNITION COILS WERE BROKEN. DEALER WOULD ONLY FIX THE BROKEN ONES BECAUSE VW WON'T FIX ALL FOUR, EVEN THOUGH HE ADMITTED THE OTHERS WOULD PROBABLY BREAK.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
VW JETTA EGNITION COILS - ONE FAILED, DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THEM ALL EVEN THOUGH ANOTHER WILL LIKELY MALFUNCTION. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL, THE SITUATION CAN BE DANGEROUS. DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A FATALITY FOR A RECALL?
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2003
IGNITION COIL PACK FAILED UPON INITIAL START UP OF ENGINE TODAY. THIS IS MY THIRD FAILURE TO DATE ON A LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD CAR. THIS FAILURE CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AS YOU IMMEDIATELY LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AT ANYTHING OTHER THAN A CRAWL. WE WILL SEE FATALITIES AND INJURIES EVENTUALLY. PLEASE MAKE VWOA RECALL ALL APPLICABLE 1.8 LITER TURBOCHARGED VEHICLES WHEN THE PARTS AREN'T ON BACK ORDER
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2003
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED SOON AFTER VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER AND JERKING. VEHICLE WAS ON ITS FOURTH REPAIR OF IGNITION COIL PACK, SERVICE DONE BY DEALER. TS. *AK
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2003
IGNITION-COIL PROBLEM
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILURE IN 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2003
WHILE DRIVING ONE OF VEHICLE'S IGNITION COILS FAILED CAUSING CAR TO STALL. THE DEALER ADVISED CONSUMER 1 MORE COIL OUT OF THE FOUR IS BADLY DAMAGED AND WILL SOON FAIL. DEALER WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL COIL FAILS. TS
Electrical system, Jan 23, 2003
VW JETTA 1.8T ABRUPT ENGINE FAILURE STOPPING CAR DEAD IN HEAVY FREEWAY TRAFFIC. WAS TOLD IT WAS KNOWN IGNITION DEFECT FIXED ONE OF FOUR DEFECTIVE "COILS". VWOA WOULD NOT REPLACE OTHER THREE AND SAID THAY WOULD PROBABLY FAIL ALSO BUT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM UNTIL IT FAILS. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS! THIS SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD THROUGHOUT AUDI ANDVW.
Electrical system, Jan 22, 2003
LOSS OF POWER....ROUGH IDLE....CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON.....COIL PACK FAILURE
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2003
BAD COILS! IN OCTOBER OF 2002, MY 2002 JETTA 1.8T BROKE DOWN. I WAS TOLD THAT COIL #3 HAD BURNT OUT. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER WHY THIS OCCURRED, I WAS TOLD IT WAS A FLUKE. I HAD NOT REALIZED THAT I HAD BEEN LIED TO. ON DECEMBER 24, 2002 MY CAR BROKE DOWN AGAIN. NOW COIL #4 HAD BURNT OUT. THIS TIME I WAS TOLD THAT IT IS A REOCCURRING PROBLEM IN 2002 JETTAS WITH 1.8T ENGINES. I ASKED IF ALL COILS COULD BE REPLACED BUT WAS TOLD NO. I WAS TOLD THAT I JUST HAVE TO WAIT FOR MY CAR TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN AND IT PROBABLY WOULD. WHY IS THERE NO RECALL? ACCORDING O VW, THEY DO NOT HAVE ENOUGH PARTS TO HAVE A RECALL. THIS IS ABSURD!
Electrical system, Jan 21, 2003
COIL PACK FAILURE - THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH NEWER VW AND AUDI MODELS WITH THE 1.8T ENGINES. WHILE VW SAYS IT'S NOT A SAFETY ISSUE - WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU'RE ON A HIGHWAY AT 70MPH WITH A TRUCK RIGHT BEHIND YOU AND YOU SUDDENLY STALL OR LOSE POWER? WHAT ABOUT TURNING IN FRONT OF TRAFFIC AND LOSING POWER OR STALLING?
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2003
COIL FAILURE IN 1.8T ENGINE. I HAVE A '02 JETTA 1.8T. ONE OF THE FOUR IGNITION COILS DIED WHILE DRIVING. RESULT WAS COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND SUDDEN STOP WITHOUT BENEFIT OF BRAKE LIGHTS. THE CAR IS THEN UNDRIVABLE AND NEEDS TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS HAD I BEEN MERGING INTO TRAFFIC OR HAD SOMEONE BEEN BEHIND ME, THIS WOULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. VW ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE WAS A FAULTY DESIGN AND HAS SINCE REDESIGNED THE PART. THEY ALSO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT AT SOME POINT EVERY COIL WILL FAIL IN A SIMMILAR MANNER. THEY, HOWEVER, REFUSE TO REPLACE THE OTHER THREE PRE-REVISION COILS WITH THE NEW PART UNTIL EACH OF THEM FAILS ON ITS OWN. THEY FURTHER REFUSE TO EVEN SELL THE PART (AS IT IS EASILY FIXED AND WOULD KEEP SOMEONE FROM BECOMING STRANDED IF THEY HAD A SPARE.) THIS IS ABSOLUTELY TERRIBLE. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW BECAUSE OF THEY WAY THEY HAVE HANDLED THIS ISSUE. I AM AFRAID TO TAKE MY CAR ANYWHERE OUTSIDE OF A FEW MILES BECAUSE I KNOW THAT I WILL END UP STRANDED AT LEAST THREE MORE TIMES. I DID NOT PAY OVER $20,000 FOR AN UNSAFE AND UNRELIABLE CAR.
Electrical system, Jan 20, 2003
2002 VW JETTA WITH 1.8 TURBO. FAULTY IGNITION COIL REQUIRES DEALER REPLACEMENT. 1) PART ON BACK-ORDER, SO CAR REMAINS UNDRIVEABLE AND IN SHOP FOR UP TO 2 WEEKS. 2) VW POLICY IS TO NOT REPLACE OTHER 3 IGNITION COILS DESPITE KNOWN FAILURE RATE. CAR IS UNDER WARRANTY AND DEALER & VW AMERICA ADMIT THAT PART IS DEFECTIVE, BUT CAR IS NO LONGER DEPENDABLE IN LIGHT OF RISK OF FUTURE COIL FAILURE.
Electrical system, Jan 19, 2003
THE ANTI-SLIP RESISTANCE LIGHT COMES ON, INDICATING IT'S NOT ACTIVATED, WHILE DRIVING. CAR JOLTS, WHICH MEANS IT DOES DECELERATION AND SUDDEN ACCELERATION. THE BATTERY LIGHT COMES ON WHILE IN REVERSE. CAR TOTALLY DIES WHEN THIS HAPPENS, DRIVER CAN DO NOTHING EXCEPT BRAKE, IT MEANS NOT STEERING AT ALL.
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING AND VIBRATING AND SHUT OFF. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. TS
Electrical system, Jan 17, 2003
WHILE DRIVING "CHECK ENGINE" STARTED FLASHING, AND THERE WAS A ODOR COMING FROM THE AIR VENTS. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED AFTER THAT THE NUMBER 2 IGNITION COIL HAD BURNT OUT. A MONTH LATER THE NUMBER 1 IGNITION COIL HAD BURNT OUT. REPLACED PART ON BOTH OCCASIONS. PH
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY THE VEHICLE WILL SHAKE AND VIBRATE DUE TO THE IGNITION COIL SPRING. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2003
IGNITION COILS OF A 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T "BURNED OUT" ACCORDING TO THE DEALER. HE INFORMED ME THIS IS A KNOWN AND WIDESPREAD ISSUE. THIS CAUSES THE CAR TO BEHAVE IRRATICALLY, CAUSING MY VEHICLE TO LUNGE FORWARD WHILE IDLING AT A RED LIGHT, AND VIBRATE VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH ON MY RESIDENTIAL STREET. AFTER DOING RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET TALKIGN TO THE TOW TRUCK DRIVER WHO TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND INFORMATION FROM THE DEALERSHIP'S MECHANIC, I HAVE FOUND THAT A LARGE NUMBER OF OTHER OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM WITH THIS PART. VW NORTH AMERICA WILL NOT ISSUE A RECALL VOLUNTARILLY, AND THIS COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS OR FATAL DRIVING CONDITION IF THIS HAPPENS WHEN TRAVELLING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS AND THE CAR BEGINS TO VIOLENTLY SHAKE AND VIBRATE AS IT DID WHEN I WAS DRIVING, AND I FEEL THAT IT WARRANTS FURTHER INVESTIGATION BY THE NHTSA TO SEE IF AN ACROSS THE BOARD RECALL IS NECESSARY TO PROTECT BOTH OWNERS OF THESE VEHILCLES, AS WELL AS THOSE WHO SHARE THE ROAD WITH US. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT DUE TO THE LARGE NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM THAT VOLDWAGEN CANNOT GET ENOUGH OF THESE COILS TO REPLACE IN THOSE OF US WHO NEED THEM, LET ALONE A RECALL DUE TO THE SHEER NUMBERS OF PEOPLE WHO ARE BREAKING DOWN DUE TO THIS... THIS REALLY SHOULD BE LOOKED INTO BEFORE IT KILLS SOMEONE .
Electrical system, Jan 16, 2003
COIL PACK FOR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI (ENGINE: 24V VR6) WENT BAD. CAR NO LONGER ABLE TO BE DRIVEN AND IS AT SERVICE DEALERSHIP FOR INDEFINATE AMOUNT OF TIME BECAUSE REPLACEMENT PARTS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER.
Electrical system, Jan 15, 2003
COIL PACK FAILURE WHILE ACCELERATING TO GET ONTO HIGHWAY. SEEMS TO BE A WIDESPREAD OCCURENCE.
Electrical system, Jan 14, 2003
TWICE NOW, A SINGLE IGNITION COIL HAS FAILED ON MY 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T THIS RESULTS IN IMMEDIATE FAILURE OF THE CAR TO HAVE SUFFICIENT DRIVING POWER, PREVENTING THE CAR FROM BEING DRIVEN ANY FURTHER. THE COMPANY HAS NOT RECALLED THEM _YET_ HOWEVER THOUSANDS OF US ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. MY BIGGEST COMLIANT IS THAT THEY WILL ONLY FIX ONE COIL AT A TIME, VIRTUALLY GUARANTEEING THAT WE WILL BE STRANDED 2 MORE TIMES IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.