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.

Complaints by model year
  1. 711

Of the 2002 reports, 32 involved a crash and 71 involved a fire. 75 people were injured and 10 people died.

Primary concernElectrical system149 reports · 21% of complaints
Owner complaints711Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship7 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Electrical system149
  2. Air bags108
  3. Power train108
  4. Engine and engine cooling106
  5. Seats101
  6. Exterior lighting50
  7. Service brakes50
  8. Hydraulic46

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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: power train

108 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Power train, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, May 12, 2021

    WHILE GOING 55 CAR DROPPED TORQUE AND GEARED DOWN FORCING CAR REV VERY HIGH RPMS, NOSE DIP. JERK ME INTO ON COMING LANE. LUCKILY NOTHING WAS COMING.

  2. Power train, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 21, 2021

    ONE DAY WAS RUNNING 75 TODAY WON'T SHIFT OUT OF 2ND GEAR TRANSMISSION HOLDBACK FEELS LIKE

  3. Power train, Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Sep 26, 2018

    WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT "JERKS" OR MAKES A SHAKING MOVEMENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT STAYS ON ALTHOUGH ALL DOORS HAVE BEEN OPENED AND CLOSED. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON. THE REAR MIDDLE PASSENGER SEATBELT IS NOT USEABLE. THE DRIVER'S DOOR REMAINS UNLOCKED AFTER PRESSING THE "LOCK DOORS" BUTTON.

  4. Power train, May 9, 2017

    THE SHIFTER FIRST LOCKED UP IN HEAVY TRAFFIC, THEN LATER CAME COMPLETELY LOOSE IN TRAFFIC. THE VW PARTS DEPARTMENTS SAID THIS PROBLEM HAS HAPPENED SO MUCH THAT NO ONE WITHIN 200 MILES HAD THE PARTS IN STOCK AS THEY WERE SOLD OUT. VW REFUSED TO COOPERATE WITH THE BETTER BUSINESS BUREAU IN RESOLUTION. THE BBB TOLD ME TO REPORT TO THE NHTSA>

  5. Power train, Apr 22, 2014

    AFTER SITTING IN TRAFFIC AND DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR SUDDENLY WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR. THE ENGINE RACES AND I AM STUCK IN FIRST. I HAVE TO CONTINUE TO DRIVE AT HIGH RPMS IN 1ST JUST TO GET HOME. IT HAPPENED INTERMITTENTLY AT FIRST, BUT NOW IT HAPPENS DAILY IN TRAFFIC. I TOOK IT VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAY NOTHING IS WRONG. TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY SAY THE TRANSMISSION MUST BE REBUILT FOR $6000. IF I TURN THE CAR OFF AND IT COOLS DOWN, I CAN SOMETIMES GET IT TO STAY IN GEAR. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES WHILE ACCELERATING ONTO A FREEWAY NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE I HAD TO QUICKLY PULL OFF THE ROADWAY. UNREAL THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS "UNAWARE" OF THIS ISSUE AND CAN'T SEEM TO REPAIR IT. PLEASE RECALL! *TR

  6. Power train, Electrical system, Engine, Apr 18, 2014

    ENGINE ABRUPTLY LOST ALL POWER AND TURNED OFF WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE STREET. NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON, AND THE CAR RESTARTED AND RAN NORMALLY FOR 6 MONTHS. THE SAME THING HAPPENED ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER. 10 MINUTES AFTER THE SECOND EPISODE, MECHANIC WASN'T ABLE TO FIND A FAULT CODE AND DROVE IT WITHOUT THE STALL RECURRING. *TR

  7. Power train, Jul 11, 2012

    AFTER STARTING THE CAR AND LETTING IT WARM UP. I DROVE OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY TO THE STOP SIGN. MADE A RIGHT TURN AND THEN A QUICK LEFT. AFTER TURNING THE CAR COULD NOT GO INTO GEAR,THE RPMS KEPT RACING UP. BUT THE GEAR WOULD NOT ENGAGE. PULLED INTO A STORE PARKING LOT AND DROVE AROUND IN CIRCLES AT THIS LOW SPEED. UNTIL FINALLY THE CAR JUMPED INTO GEAR AND I TOOK OFF. CAR WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING A BAD MOTHER BOARD TO THE CARS COMPUTER. IT DROVE FINE FOR A FEW DAYS THEN AT A STOP LIGHT IT JUMPED OFF AGAIN. (CAR WAS WARM BECAUSE I HAD DRIVEN A DISTANCE). TODAY I HAD THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND CHANGED. NO IMPROVEMENT AGAIN. USUALLY THE CAR WILL DRIVE STRAIGHT AFTER IT'S REAL WARM. BUT IF I MAKE A SHARP TURN THE CAR JERKS AND REVS UP THE RPMS JUST AS IF IT WAS COLD. THE VW FOLKS KEPT MISDIAGNOSING AND GIVING ME THE WRONG PARTS (THESE MUST BE THE SAME PEOPLE THAT MADE THE TRANSMISSION. THEY'VE BEEN A NIGHTMARE FOR ASSISTANCE VERY UNKNOWLEDGEABLE. I HAVE BEEN BUYING VOLKSWAGENS SINCE 1974. I HAVE NEVER HAD SUCH A CRAPPY PIECE OF A CAR(ALSO MY FIRST TIME OWNING A CAR WITH A AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND MY LAST). IT DRIVES BEAUTIFULLY (WHEN IT'S WORKING) BUT HAS ALL PLASTIC CRAP FOR PARTS.(WHILE STILL UNDER WARRANTY I HAD MOST OF THAT REPLACED). BUT TO FIND THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS FAULTY I DEMAND A RECALL ON THIS 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T. I PROMISE I'LL NEVER BUY ANOTHER VW OR WILL I LET ANY ONE I KNOW OR CONTACT THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA PURCHASE A VW. I CAN ACTUALLY SAY WE HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BY VW WITH THEIR LOW STANDARDS FOR A CAR. THESE CARS USED TO LAST FOREVER WHAT A WAY TO RIP OFF THE PUBLIC FORM FOR MONEY! JUST LIKE TOYOTA HAD A RECALL VOLKSWAGEN YOU NEED TO RECALL THIS UNREPAIRABLE CAR NO AND SAVE YOUR ADVERTISEMENT FEES, BECAUSE BAD NEWS TRAVEL FASTER.. *TR

  8. Power train, Jan 24, 2012

    TRANSMISSION FAILURE RESULTING IN INABILITY TO SHIFT ABOVE THIRD GEAR WITHOUT ALLOWING THE CAR TO WARM UP FOR 20+ MINUTES. SOMETIMES THE TRANSMISSION WILL SLIP OUT OF GEAR AND THE CAR WILL LOSE ALL POWER FROM THE ENGINE. (RPMS DROP TO 0, CAR WILL COAST). *TR

  9. Power train, Jan 24, 2012

    I HAVE A 2002 JETTA & IN NOVEMBER 2011, I BEGAN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. IT ONLY OCCURS WHEN THE CAR IS COLD & AFTER WARMING UP, THE ISSUES GO AWAY. UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CAR SHIFTS HARD BETWEEN THE 1ST, 2ND & 3RD GEARS. IT REVS UP BETWEEN EACH GEAR THEN JUMPS TO THE NEXT GEAR. I TOOK IT INTO ONE VW DEALER SERVICE SHOP WHO TOLD ME THAT THERE WERE SEVERAL ISSUES, THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING, I HAD A VACUUM LEAK & THE CB BOOT IS SPLIT. THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REPLACED COSTING ME $5811.56 (PARTS AND LABOR). THE CAR HAS 103,508 MILES. I TOOK THE CAR TO ANOTHER VW DEALER SHOP TO GET A SECOND OPINION AND THEY RAN TEST AND SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. FRUSTRATED WITH THE VW SERVICE SHOPS, I DECIDED TO TAKE IT TO A TRANSMISSION REPAIR - THEY STATED THAT SINCE THIS WAS A SEALED TRANSMISSION I WOULD NEED TO HAVE IT REBUILT WHICH WOULD COST $2,500-$3,500. WHO KNOWS IF THIS WILL ACTUALLY CORRECT THE ISSUE SINCE NOBODY CAN PINPOINT WHAT IS WRONG OR DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE! I RESEARCHED IT ONLINE, AND COUNTLESS '02 JETTA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT ISSUES. THERE ARE SEVERAL FORUMS AND COMPLAINT BOARDS REGARDING VW AND THEIR HANDLING OF THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM = HTTP://GETSATISFACTION.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/TOPICS/JETTA_2002_MAJOR_TRANSMISSION_ISSUES_ANYONE_ELSE AND ALSO MANY ON NHTSA. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE TO GET VW TO ADMIT THAT THEY HAVE A FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THEIR 2002 JETTAS. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. I LOVED MY CAR UP UNTIL NOW, BUT THE SERVICE AND THEIR ATTENTION TO THE CUSTOMERS ISSUES IS MAKING ME SECOND GUESS EVER OWNING A VOLKSWAGEN. IT FRUSTRATES ME THAT NOBODY FROM THIS HUGE CORPORATION WILL ADMIT THAT THEY'VE SOMEHOW DROPPED THE BALL WITH THE TRANSMISSION. THIS DESERVES TO BE RECALLED SINCE IT IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT AND IS IN NOT FAULT OF THE OWNER. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS! *TR

  10. Power train, Jan 21, 2012

    THE CAR BEGAN TO SLIP OUT OF GEAR. EVEN THOUGH THE GAS PEDAL WAS PRESSED, THE CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE MECHANIC SAYS THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS BURNT OUT WHICH INDICATES AN INTERNAL TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. REPAIR ESTIMATES BETWEEN 3500 AND 4000. *TR

  11. Power train, Jan 18, 2012

    AT A COLD START, CAR IS SLUGGISH GOING INTO 2ND GEAR. SOUNDS LIKE THE ENGINE IS REVVING UP AT ACCELERATION, BUT IT WILL GO NO FASTER THAN 10 MPH!! ALSO I CANNOT REVERSE! THE CAR MUST BE WARM (190 TEMP) IN ORDER TO REVERSE AND SHIFT PROPERLY! IVE READ OF OTHER VWS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TT

  12. Power train, Jan 4, 2012

    ON COOL DAYS (APPROXIMATELY 40 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT AND BELOW), THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STARTS OUT IN EMERGENCY RUNNING MODE IN THIRD GEAR. IF CAR WARMS UP SUFFICIENTLY, THE IGNITION CAN BE TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED TO GET THE TRANSMISSION TO WORK CORRECTLY. I HAVE READ MANY BOARDS WHERE PROBLEMS VERY SIMILAR TO THIS SEEM WIDESPREAD AND MANY HAVE BEEN FORCED TO DO COSTLY REPAIRS. A RECALL MAY BE NECESSARY FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR

  13. Power train, Dec 30, 2011

    THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND SHIFTING HARD BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD. THIS OCCURRENCE IS DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT AND TRANSMISSION SOLENOID. IF NOT PROPERLY TAKEN CARE OF THIS MIGHT CAUSE A TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY A TRANSMISSION CRASH. THIS MEANS A NEW TRANSMISSION AND THE COST CAN RANGE FROM 3000-7000 DOLLARS. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY VW OWNERS. ESPECIALLY VOLKSWAGENS BETWEEN 2001-2003. *KB

  14. Power train, Dec 4, 2011

    MY 2002 VW JETTA GLX (AUTOMATIC) HAS SEVERE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. WHEN ACCELERATING, IT HESITATES AND THEN POPS INTO GEAR JERKING THE CAR. THIS IS VERY ALARMING AND DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM ON THE ROAD WITH OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. I ALMOST HAD SEVERAL ACCIDENTS DUE TO TRYING TO PULL OUT IN TRAFFIC BUT THE TRANSMISSION IS SO UNRELIABLE AND SLIPS THEREBY CAUSING ME TO STALL IN ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THEN, TODAY THE CAR WOULD NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR NEUTRAL AT ALL. I'VE SEEN SO MANY TRANSMISSION COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS YEAR'S MODEL AND IT IS SO UNFAIR FOR THE CONSUMER TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS EXPENSIVE REPAIR. *TR

  15. Power train, Nov 21, 2011

    THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION-WHEN SHIFTED INTO D-LAGS FOR A FEW SECONDS AND THEN THE CAR LUNGES FORWARD-TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IN AN ODD MANNER-CAR ONLY HAS 43000 MILES ON IT-ORIGINAL MILES-. *TR

  16. Power train, Vehicle speed control, Nov 19, 2011

    WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT 35MPH THE TACHOMETER WILL INCREASE AND DECEASE AT 2000RPM'S AND CAR WILL SLIGHTLY INCREASE AND THEN DECREASE IN SPEED. THERE IS A JERKING BETWEEN 3RD AND 4TH GEAR. ALSO THERE IS A SLIGHT DELAY OF MOVEMENT FROM PARK TO REVERSE. BOTH ARE SAFETY HAZARDS WHILE ON STREETS WITH TRAFFIC. *TR

  17. Power train, Nov 7, 2011

    AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WHEN COLD WILL HESITATE OR NOT CATCH AT ALL WHEN PUTTING INTO DRIVE. PUTTING THE CAR INTO 1ST, THEN MOVING IT TO DRIVE WILL USUALLY WORK. SHUDDERS WHEN COMING TO STOP AFTER HEATING UP AT TIMES. MECHANIC SAYS IT NEEDS A TRANSMISSION REBUILD AT $3000. FAILURE OF TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE AND CASCADING TO THE MASTER CONTROL MODULE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION NOT TO LEAVE THE PARK POSITION, THAT TOW AND REPAIR WAS $300 ABOUT 30 DAYS AGO. THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET ABOUT THIS TRANSMISSION FAILING REPEATEDLY, A FAULTY DESIGN. WE NEED A RECALL FROM VOLKSWAGEN TO FIX THIS DESIGN FAILURE. *TR

  18. Power train, Electrical system, Nov 3, 2011, crash

    2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES TO EXPRESS DISCONTENT REGARDING REPAIRS AT LOCAL DEALER *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THREE DAYS AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, FOR MAINTENANCE WORK, THE VEHICLE BROKE DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY. THE PROBLEM WAS DETERMINED TO BE THE ALTERNATOR. *JB THE CONSUMER STATED HE WAS INVOLVED IN A HIT-AND RUN ACCIDENT IN WHICH THE REAR END IMPACT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER STATED EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, HE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION. UPDATED 12/08/11

  19. Power train, Oct 18, 2011

    I BOUGHT THIS CAR WITH 108000 MILES ON IT, I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE CAR SHIFTING FROM 2ND TO 3RD; HOWEVER NOW IT HAS BEEN GETTING WORST. I HAVE DONE TONS OF RESEARCH AND THE ISSUES SEEMS TO BE A ISSUE THAT IS MORE OF A RECALL ISSUE THAN JUST ONE CARE ISSUE. I ALSO DO NOT LIKE HOW VW OF AMERICA IS JUST FLUFFING IT OFF LIKE IT IS ALL THE OWNERS FAULTS. I ALSO HAVE READ THAT MANY PEOPLE HAVE PAID FOR THE TRANSMISSIONS TO BE REPLACED AND OR FIXED FOR OVER 5K AND THE ISSUE COMES UP AGAIN, IT WOULD BE NICE IF SOMEONE WOULD TAKE AND LOOK INTO THIS ISSUE BECAUSE MANY OF US BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE THEY LIKED VW AND WILL SOON BE GETTING RID OF THEM AS WELL AS NO LONGER BUYING FROM VW DUE TO VW IGNORING OUR COMPLAINTS. *TR

  20. Power train, Oct 7, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO DECELERATE AND JERK FORWARD. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THERE COULD HAVE BEEN A COMPUTER OR TRANSMISSION FAILURE. THE TECHNICIAN THEN ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE TAKEN APART TO LOCATE THE SOURCE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000.

  21. Power train, Sep 23, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD JERK AS SOON AS THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED FOUR TIMES AND HE HAD TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ONCE PRIOR TO THE MOST RECENT FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFERED ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

  22. Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Apr 18, 2011

    VEHICLE LOST POWER AT HIGHWAY SPEED. FURTHER APPLICATION OF THE THROTTLE CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO SECOND FROM FOURTH, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY DECELERATE FROM 70 TO 40 MPH, AT WHICH POINT THE ENGINE RESUMED NORMAL OPERATION. THIS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES IN THE SPAN OF AN HOUR, AND IS ENTIRELY INTERMITTENT. THREE VW DEALERS ARE AT A COMPLETE LOSS FOR AN EXPLANATION. THE ECU DOES NOT RETURN A FAULT CODE. THIS PROBLEM OCCURS COMPLETELY AT RANDOM, REGARDLESS OF FUEL LEVEL, INCLINE, OR THROTTLE POSITION. THE ONLY CONSISTENCY IS THAT IT HAS NEVER HAPPENED AT A SPEED OVER 50 MPH. *TR

  23. Power train, Feb 23, 2011

    TRANSMISSION SLIPS, DOESN'T GRAB WHEN YOU FIRST PUT IT INTO DRIVE. SHIFTS HARD, BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEARS. HAVE ALMOST BACKED INTO CARS WHEN IN DRIVE. THEN I HAVE TO GIVE IT GAS TO MOVE FORWARD AND ALMOST HIT CAR PARKED IN FRONT OF ME, WITH PARALLEL PARKING. ALSO JUMPS REALLY BAD WHEN I GIVE IT A LIL GAS SOMETIMES, LIKE AT STOP LIGHTS. *TR

  24. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 5, 2011

    FIRST ISSUE, THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL. I'VE NOTICED THAT MY CAR ENGINE STARTED BURNING OIL WHEN IT HAD ABOUT 50,000 MILES ON IT. IT TOOK ME ALMOST TWO YEARS TO PROVE TO THE VW DEALERSHIP MECHANICS THAT THE ENGINE IS BURNING OIL. AT 73,000 MILES THE VW DEALERSHIP MECHANICS REBUILT THE ENGINE. MY OIL CONSUMPTION NORMALIZED. NOW, AT AROUND 115,000 MILES, I'VE NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE STARTED BURNING OIL AGAIN. 1,800 MILES AFTER AN OIL CHANGE, JIFFY LUBE MECHANIC HAD TO ADD 2.5QT OF OIL. SHOULDN'T THE ENGINE LAST AT LEAST 100,000 MILES AFTER REBUILD? IT SEEMS THAT THIS ENGINE ONLY LASTS 45,000 MILES. THIS FEELS LIKE A MAJOR DEFECT AND VW HAS TO RECALL THE ENGINE. SECOND ISSUE, MY CAR IS ONLY 8 YEARS OLD BUT IT'S ON ITS THIRD TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION AT 32,000 MILES AND AGAIN AT 73,000 MILES. I'M AT 115,000 AND I'M GETTING VERY WORRIED BECAUSE I'M STARTING TO FEEL LITTLE JERKS. THIS LOOKS TO BE A 40,000 MILES TRANSMISSION. HOW CAN VW DO THIS TO CONSUMERS? IT WOULD SEEM REASONABLE TO ME IF THIS TRANSMISSION GETS RECALLED. I'M NOT EVEN MENTIONING MANY OTHER MALFUNCTIONS. ONE OF WHICH INCLUDES GETTING FLOODED DURING RAINY SEASON. I CAN'T BELIEVE MY CAR, 2002 VW JETTA 2.0L GLS WAS ALLOWED TO BE ON THE MARKET. *TR

  25. Power train, Dec 29, 2010

    ACCORDING TO CARFAX REPORT, MAINTENANCE HAS BEEN REGULAR. I MAINTAINED CAR APPROPRIATELY. ALL OF SUDDEN MAJOR SPORADIC SHIFTING ISSUES BEGAN OCCURRING AROUND 140,000K WITH 3RD GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO JERK AND LOSE POWER EACH TIME IT ATTEMPTS 3RD GEAR. THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH ME AT NUMEROUS STOP LIGHTS IN CITY CAUSING TRAFFIC BEHIND ME TO SLAM ON BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. *TR