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: engine and engine cooling
106 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 22, 2003
INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING AT 70 MPH SUDDENLY SPEED DECREASED TO 25 MPH FOR 10 SECONDS. DEALER HAD INSPECTED VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES, BUT PROBLEM STILL OCCURRING. THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 20, 2003
OIL CONSUMPTION. VOLKSWAGEN SAYS "YOUR OIL SHOULD BE CHANGED EVERY 5000 MILES" WELL I HAVE A JETTA AND HAVE RUN OUT OF OIL COMPLETELY EMPTY 3 TIMES UNDER 3000. I AM CURRENTLY UNDERGOING AN OIL CONSUMPTION WITH VOLKSWAGON. AT THIS POINT I AM AT 3000 MILES AND I AM 2 1/2 QUARTS LOW AND STILL HAVE 2000 MILES TILL I HAVE AN OIL CHANGE. THERE ARE NO LEAKS, NO OIL ON THE ENGINE. IT IS BASICALLY JUST DISAPPEARING ON ME. IF I HAD NOT CAUGHT ON TO THIS, I COULD HAVE BLOWN THE ENGINE AND IT WOULD HAVE BEEN MY FAULT. ONCE VOLKSWAGON STUDIES MY OIL CONSUPTION STUDY THEY WILL DETERMINE WHAT THEY ARE GOING TO DO WITH IT. I HAVE HAD IT WITH VOLKSWAGON. I FEEL AS IF I LIVE THERE. I AM THERE MORE THAN I AM AT HOME WITH ALL KINDS OF PROBLEMS. (SLAMMING OF THE TRANSMISSION, FEELS AS IF BREAKS WON'T CATCH TO STOP, BROKEN CONSULT, RIP IN SEAT SEAMS, REPLACEMENT OF SIDE DOOR PANELS BECAUSE OF PEELING, BROKEN BACK ASHTRAY, PIECE OF SUN ROOF BROKEN OFF HIT ME IN HEAD). *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2003
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. HIS IS MY SECOND NEW JETTA THAT BURNS ENGINE OIL. THE CAR CONSUMES 1 QT OF OIL PER 2000 MI. TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THIS CAR HAD 7 MILES WHEN I LEASE IT, AND I DRIVE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THIS ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, FOR ME, IS TOTALLY UNREASONABLE. IF I WOULD NOT REFILL THE ENGINE OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGE INTERVALS (5000 MI), THE CAR WOULD CONSUME 55% OF ITS TOTAL ENGINE OIL, POSSIBLY BURNING ITS ENGINE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Structure, Jul 11, 2003
I PURCHASED THE 2002 1.8T VOLKSWAGEN JETTA ON 1/09/02. MY SERVICE RECORD BEGINS ON 1/23/02. FROM DAY ONE, I HAVE POINTED OUT THAT THIS CAR LEAKS/HAS WIND NOISE FROM DOORS/WINDOWS. SEALS WERE REPLACED ON DRIVERS SIDE DOORS ON 6/27/02. LEAKAGE/MOISTURE TO DATE, IS AN ISSUE. NOW THERE IS VISIBLE WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD GROWING ALONG DRIVERS SIDE. ISSUE- POOR QUALITY PRODUCT. DANGEROUS MOLD GROWING-HEALTH FACTOR! IGNITION COIL FAILURE TWICE! RADIO HAS BLOWN TWICE- FAULTY WIRING! CAR LUNGES WHEN STARTED OR HARD TO STOP ONCE RUNNING. MY SITUATION IS NOT "SPECIAL". THERE ARE MANY OTHERS THAT HAVE PURCHASED THIS PRODUCT AND HAVE THEIR SAFETY COMPROMISED. IGNITION COIL IS A SUPPOSE TO BE A RECALL, BUT ONLY WHEN THEY FAIL. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WILL NOT REPLACE UNTIL YOU ARE STRANDED! THIS IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE. MOLD GROWING IN MY CAR IS A SEVERE SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING CONSUMER CAN STRONGLY SMELL FUMES INSIDE THE VEHICLE . DEALER NOTIFIED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Equipment, May 17, 2003
I HAD BOTH THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW AND THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW FALL INTO THE DOOR FRAME WITHIN A MATTER OF MONTHS. BOTH TIMES THE WINDOWS WERE FIXED, HOWEVER, THEY WERE RELUCTANT TO FIX THE PROBLEM AS IF IT HAD BEEN MY FAULT. I HAVE A SMALL CHILD AND I DON'T THINK HE APPRECIATES ASPHYXIATION FROM SO MUCH WIND IN HIS FACE ON THE LONG DRIVES TO THE DEALER TO BE REPLACED. THIS IS JUST ONE OF THE PROBLEMS ON THIS CAR, THE CLUTCH GETS STUCK (REPAIRED TWICE), THE SUNROOF TRIM BROKE OFF AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, THE ENGINE MAKES A RATTLING NOISE WHEN SHIFTING (FIXED TWICE), STEREO SYSTEM SWALLOWED MY CD (TWICE BEFORE NEW SYSTEM INSTALLED), AND AIR CONDITIONING RELEASES AN AWFUL MOLDY SMELL WHEN TURNED ON WHICH DEALER REFUSES TO ATTEMPT TO FIX. BOUGHT CAR IN VALENCIA VOLKSWAGEN IN VALENCIA, CA. SOLUTION SIMPLE, TRADED IN MY 1YR OLD CAR FOR A BETTER CAR, ONE THAT WORKS! *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 28, 2003
WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY DECREASED IN SPEED. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 23, 2003
I HAVE BEEN GOING TO BOARD WALK VOLKSWAGEN DEALER IN RICHARDSON AND RUSTY WALLACE VOLKSWAGEN IN GARLAND, TEXAS FOR MY REPAIR FOR MY CAR FOR MORE THAN 8 TIMES. THE CAR IS STILL NOT REPAIRED AND I AM VERY FRUSTRATED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHEN I START MY CAR, IT SHAKES REALLY BAD I WOULD HAVE TO WARM IT UP FOR 5 MINUTES. SOMETIMES THE CAR DIES WHILE I AM DRIVING. I WROTE A COMPLAINT LETTER TO THE RUSTY WALLACE BECAUSE I PURCHASED MY VEHICLE THERE AND THE SERVICE MANAGER (DAN TURK) SEEMS TO BE AVOIDING MY PHONE CALLS. I NEED HELP!! I WOULD LIKE TO ATTACH MY LETTER OF COMPLAINT (THAT I SENT TO THE DEALER) IF I COULD. THANK YOU. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 18, 2003
THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, THE DEALER STATED THE IGNITION COIL WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE OVER HEATED, AND THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A RUPTURED COOLANT PUMP. *TS *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 6, 2003
THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED INTERMITTENT STALLING. *AK *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 20, 2003
WHEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FROM A STOP, THE VEHICLE STALLED MOMENTARILY AND THEN ACCELERATED. THERE WAS APPROXIMATELY A 3-5 SECOND DELAY IN ACCELERATION. DEALER WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE PROBLEM.*JB *TS
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 7, 2003
VW JETTA & AUDI TURBO ENGINES HAVE BEEN FOUND TO HAVE DEFECTIVE COILS. PH
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2003
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE WELL KNOWN VW 1.8T IGNITION COIL PROBLEM
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2003
DEALER CHANGE THE FAULTY COIL PACK BUT HAPPEN AGAIN AND DEALER REFUSED TO CHANGE THE OTHER TWO COIL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2003
VEHICLE IGNITION COIL IS FAULTY AND DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE COIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2003
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSS ENGINE POWER AND CAN NOT BE DRIVEN. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2003
I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS WHERE AN ENGINE COILPACK IN MY 2002 VW JETTA 1.8L TURBO FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. IN EACH CASE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER AND THE CAR BEGINS TO SHUDDER. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED (1/25/2003), I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT ~45 MPH AND WAS NEARLY HIT BY ANOTHER CAR DUE TO MY SUDDEN ENGINE TROUBLE. VW CONTINUES TO REPLACE THE COILPACKS BUT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY ARE PRONE TO FAILING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE LAST TIME ONE FAILED, IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE NEWLY DESIGNED COILPACK WHICH WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE FAILURE-PRONE. I ASKED THAT EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL COILPACKS (4 TOTAL) BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE OLDER ONES WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE BUT WAS TOLD THAT VW WOULD ONLY REPLACE THEM AS THEY FAILED. THIS TIME, THE NEWLY DESIGNED COILPACK FAILED, AS WELL AS ONE OF THE OTHER, OLDER ONES. I AM AWAITING 2 REPLACEMENT COILPACKS; HOWEVER, THEY ARE THE SAME DESIGN AS THE 2 WHICH JUST FAILED. FRANKLY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 27, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND VERY HEAVY VIBRATIONS ARE FELT COMING FROM THE ENGINE, IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS SHAKING APART. AFTER FIRST OCCURRENCE VW REPAIRED CAR AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY COIL PACK. TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND VERY HEAVY VIBRATIONS ARE FELT FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT REPAIRED AGAIN.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2003
WHEN VEHICLE WAS AT AN IDLE, IT STARTED SHAKING AND THE ENGINE LIGHT WAS FLASHING. CONSUMER HAD VEHICLE TOWED. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY THE CYLINDER COIL GOING BAD. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE DETAILS. TS
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2003
ENGINE FAILURE DUE TO COMPLETE FAILURE OF 2 IGNITION COILS. CAR DOES NOT GET POWER, OPERATES AT DANGEROUSLY LOW SPEEDS, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU'RE ON THE HIGHWAY. ACKNOWLEDGED BY DEALER AS A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH 2002 1.8TURBO VW/AUDI ENGINES. MANUFACTURER DEFECT BUT WILL ONLY PERMIT REPLACEMENT OF COILS THAT ARE "BAD" EVEN THOUGH THEY KNOW THE OTHERS MAY GO TOO.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 20, 2003
PROBLEM WITH COIL PACKS ON 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T. PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND INCAPACITATES VEHICLE. PRESENTS A DANGER TO THE SAFETY OF ANYONE DRIVING THE CAR ON MAJOR PUBLIC HIGHWAYS. PROBLEM IS WIDESPREAD AND A MANUFACTURER RECALL MUST BE MADE!!!
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 19, 2003
COILPACK FAILURE ON THE ENGINE. THE PARTIAL ENGINE FAILURE CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY WHILE DRIVING. IT WAS DIFFICULT TO BRING THE CAR OVER 25 MILES PER HOUR, EVEN ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER A FEW MINUTES, THE CAR WAS SMOKING AND SMELLED BAD. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER TOLD US THAT LOTS OF CARS, PARTICULARLY THE ONES WITH 1.8T ENGINES, ARE HAVING THIS FAILURE. HE SAID THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT THAT THE PART IS ON A NATIONAL BACKORDER. OUR CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST THREE WEEKS.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 14, 2003
WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING ENGINE CHECK LIGHT WOULD COME ON; THEN, VEHICLE WOULD SHUT OFF. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS...*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 13, 2003
WHILE TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING, VEHICLE SHUT DOWN AND WOULDN'T RESTART. PLEASE FURNISH ADDITIONAL INFORMATION DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM.*JB