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: power train
108 reports, newest first. Show all
Power train, Dec 13, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THEN HE NOTICED THAT THE GEAR SHIFTS WOULD CHANGE WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID VALVE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT DID NOT INFORM THE MANUFACTURER. THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOID VALVE WAS REPLACED BY A PRIVATE MECHANIC. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,722. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 80,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
Power train, Nov 30, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD EXPERIENCE PROBLEMS SHIFTING FROM FIRST TO SECOND GEAR. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE FORWARD AS WELL. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 105,000. UPDATED 1/25/11 *CN UPDATED 02/07/11
Power train, Sep 3, 2010
WE HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE AND THE TRANSMISSION IS FAILING. AT TIMES IT HAS GOTTEN STUCK IN FIRST GEAR WHILE ON THE HIGHWAY. IT ALSO SLIPS BETWEEN SECOND AND THIRD GEAR CAUSING THE CAR TO LOSE ALL POWER. IN GENERAL, IT HAS BEEN A DANGER TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AND YOU CANNOT GET OUT OF THE RIGHTHAND LANE BECAUSE YOU NEED TO BE ABLE TO PULL QUICKLY TO THE SIDE IN CASE OF A RAPID DOWNSHIFT OR LOSS OF POWER WHILE IT CAN'T FIND THE GEAR. VW REPAIR SHOP SAYS IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS TRANSMISSION (09A) AND THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS REFUSED TO DEAL WITH IT. THE REPAIR COST FOR A NEW TRANSMISSION IS $5K! *TR
Power train, Aug 5, 2010
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS TDI. THE CONTACT SHIFTED INTO REVERSE AND AS HE BEGAN TO PROCEED, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE REVERSE GEAR BARRING HAD FAILED. THERE WERE SHARDS OF METAL FROM THE BARRING FOUND IN THE TRANSMISSION SCREEN, CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 114,000.
Power train, Aug 1, 2010
THE CLUTCH PEDAL ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA FROZE IN THE DEPRESSED POSITION RENDERING THE CAR UNABLE TO START/SHIFT PROPERLY. THIS EVENT OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING ON SUBURBAN ROADS AND THANKFULLY ENDED WITHOUT INJURY. MYSELF AND THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE CAR ARE EXPERIENCED DRIVERS OF STANDARD TRANSMISSIONS AND EVEN AT 80000 MILES THE CLUTCH SHOULD STILL HAVE HAD MANY MORE MILES TO GO. THE TOTAL COST OF REPAIR WILL BE BETWEEN 1500 AND 2000 DOLLARS. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM AND I HAVE FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM ON 00-04 VW JETTA MODELS. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS AND COSTLY PROBLEM THAT NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Jul 22, 2010
LOSS OF POWER ON FREEWAY, WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE LOST POWER, THEN, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO RESTORE POWER BY 'PUMPING' THE ACCELERATOR, SHIFTED INTO SECOND GEAR, RESULTING IN A VERY RAPID DECELERATION FROM 70 MPH TO 45 MPH. THIS OCCURRED TWICE IN ONE HOUR, AT BOTH TIMES REQUIRING FOLLOWING MOTORISTS TO SWERVE SEVERELY TO AVOID. *TR
Power train, Jul 20, 2010
AT 70000 MILES, JETTA GLS SEDAN WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION STOPPED BEING ABLE TO SHIFT INTO REVERSE AND STARTED REVVING HARD BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND. DEALERSHIP CLAIMS NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE PROBLEM, THOUGH THESE FORUMS ARE FULL OF REPORTS OF SIMILAR PROBLEMS. AFTER A SERIES OF EXPENSIVE TESTS (400$ TOTAL) DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDS A NEW TRANSMISSION TO THE TUNE OF 5000$, WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY 70% OF THE CAR'S BLUE BOOK VALUE. DESPITE THE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THE ISSUE OR COMPENSATE THOSE WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED IT. *TR
Power train, Apr 27, 2010
I HAVE ALWAYS FOLLOWED THE RECOMMENDED SERVICE SCHEDULE FOR MY CAR. THE OWNER MANUAL DOESN'T MENTION REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID FOR THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE CAR HAS 69500 MILES. THREE DAYS AGO WHILE DRIVING UPHILL I ACCELERATED BUT THE CAR DID NOT PICK UP SPEED WHILE THE RPM WENT CONSIDERABLY HIGHER (6000 RPM). I WENT TO SEE MY MECHANIC (A CERTIFIED VW MECHANIC) WHO SAID THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AND NOT DOWNGRADING AS IT SHOULD AND I SHOULD CONSIDER CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AS A POSSIBLE REMEDY. HE EXPLAINED THAT A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL COULD BE THE CAUSE. HE ALSO SAID THAT SINCE THE TRANSMISSION IS "SEALED" IT WAS ALL HE COULD DO TO TRY TO REMEDY THE PROBLEM. HOW CAN A "SEALED" TRANSMISSION THAT REQUIRES NO MAINTENANCE BE LOW IN FLUID ? HE DID CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND TOLD ME THAT THE FLUID WAS ALMOST AS DARK AS COFFEE, AN INDICATION THAT THERE WAS AN ISSUE INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION. AFTER CHANGING THE FLUID THE PROBLEM DID NOT GO AWAY AND GRADUALLY GOT WORSE. THREE DAYS LATER MY TRANSMISSION IS EXTREMELY NOISY AND I CAN ONLY RUN THE CAR IN "MANUAL"MODE IN ORDER TO CHANGE THE GEARS. I CAN NO LONGER ACCELERATE IN 4TH OR 5TH GEAR AND JUST USE THEM WHILE CRUISING (AT A MAXIMUM SPEED OF 45 MPH. VW HAS A 60000 MILES WARRANTY ON THE POWER TRAIN BUT A QUICK SEARCH ON GOOGLE REVEALED THAT A LOT OF 2002 JETTA OWNERS HAD THEIR TRANSMISSION GO BAD AROUND 70000 TO 85000 MILES. VW USED TO HAVE 100000 MILES WARRANTY AND REDUCED IT TO 60000, JUST BELOW THE MILEAGE AT WHICH THE TRANSMISSION SEEM TO BREAK DOWN. I SUSPECT THAT THEY KNOW THEIR TRANSMISSIONS ARE DEFECTIVE AND CUT DOWN THE WARRANTY IN ORDER NOT TO HAVE TO BEAR THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. CONSIDERING THE NUMBER OF 2002 JETTA OWNER THAT HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THEIR "SEALED" TRANSMISSION AROUND 70000 IT SEEMS TO INDICATE A TREND OR AT LEAST A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE PART. I AM NOW LEFT WITH CHANGING THE TRANSMISSION AT A COST OF AROUND $5000. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. *TR
Power train, Dec 14, 2009
THE WASTE GATE AIR FLOW SYSTEM TO THE TDI MALFUNCTIONS CAUSING DECREASE IN ENGINE COMPRESSION. THIS PROBLEM IS PERSISTENT AND OCCURS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 4TH GEAR TO 5TH AT AN RPM OF 3000 TO 3500. THIS COULD LEAD TO A DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN PASSING A VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE COULD LOSE 50% OF ITS POWER AND SHOULD AN ON COMING VEHICLE BE PRESENT IT COULD LEAD TO A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THIS IS A PERSISTENT PROBLEM AND THE ONLY WAY TO RESET THE WASTE GATE IS TO TURN OFF THE IGNITION AND RESTART THE ENGINE WHERE THE PROBLEM GOES AWAY UNTIL THE NEXT OCCURRENCE. VW WAS INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY ACKNOWLEDGE AWARENESS OF THE PROBLEM BUT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY THEY CANNOT REPLACE THE WASTE GATE. COST OF REPAIR - $850.00 FOR THE WASTE GATE ONLY. *TR
Power train, Dec 13, 2009
I HAVE SPENT OVER 9000.00 SINCE 2004 ON REPAIRS ON MY VW JETTA. I COMPLAINED TO THE AUTHORIZED REPAIR SHOP THAT MY CAR HAD TO WARM UP WHEN IT WAS 90 DEGREES OUTSIDE FOR IT RUN WITHOUT SLOWING DOWN AND ALMOST STOPPING. I TOOK MY CAR IN HAD BUSHINGS REPLACED AND THEY SAID MY TEMPERATURE SENSOR NEEDED REPLACING. WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK I WAS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR BACK NOW THEY ARE SAYING THAT I NEED A VALVE BODY REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF $1600.00. EVEN THEN THERE IS NO GUARANTEE THE PROBLEM WILL BE FIXED. THE OTHER OPTION IS TO GET A NEW TRANSMISSION REPLACED FOR $3500.00. I HONESTLY THINK ALL OF THESE CARS ARE LEMONS AND I WOULD NEVER BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN PRODUCT IN MY LIFE. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Dec 12, 2009
OUR VOLKSWAGEN JETTA DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION ISSUES JUST AFTER THE WARRANTY PERIOD RAN OUT. THE TRANSMISSION JERKS AT LOW SPEEDS, WHEN YOU HIT THE ACCELERATOR. MECHANICS HAVE SAID THERE IS NO SAYING WHEN THIS WILL CONK OUT. THE WATER PUMP ALSO CONKED OUT RECENTLY. REPLACING THE TRANNY IS ABOUT $6000. REPLACING THE WATER PUMP COST US AROUND $900. I HEAR DEALERSHIPS CHARGE A LOT MORE FOR THIS SERVICE. THE VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IS TOO EXPENSIVE A CAR, FOR IT TO HAVE SUCH POOR QUALITY. HOPE SOMEONE CAN HELP MAKE THEM PAY FOR RIPPING CUSTOMERS OFF IN THIS WAY. THIS OUTRAGEOUS. *TR
Power train, Sep 19, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 2002 VW JETTATDI IN 2004, DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE I DESCRIBED A HESITATION IN THE TRANSMISSION. THEY CHECKED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND SAID IT WAS "BURNED" AND REPLACED IT. I ASKED HOW IT GOT THAT WAY AND WAS TOLD SOMETHING GOT HOT IN THERE. THAT WAS IT. SEVERAL YEARS LATER AND ONE MORE CHANGING OF THE TRANSMISSION FLUID BECAUSE IT WAS BURNED, THE CAR WOULDN'T AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT INTO 4TH GEAR AND WOULD HESITATE AND SURGE FORWARD. THE MECHANIC REPLACED A SENSOR THAT TELLS THE CAR TO SHIFT INTO 4TH. IT WAS FINE FOR TWO WEEKS THEN, WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR JOLTED LIKE I HAD HIT SOMETHING (WHICH I DID NOT BECAUSE I LOOKED)AND DECELERATED QUICKLY. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND FROM THAT POINT ON THE CAR WOULD GO UP TO 20 - 30 MPH THEN BUCK AND DECELERATE TO 5 MPH. IT KEPT REPEATING THIS AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE. 1ST GEAR AND REVERSE DIDN'T WORK AT ALL. WHEN THE CAR WAS BEING LOADED TO BE TOWED THE FRONT WHEELS WOULD NOT ROLL BACKWARDS WITH THE CAR IN NEUTRAL AND THE E BRAKE OFF. THE TRANSMISSION COMPANY SAID THE TRANSMISSION HAD MELTED DOWN INSIDE. AND IT WILL COST $4000.00 TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. THE WAY THIS HAPPENED WAS VERY DANGEROUS; FORTUNATELY I WAS NOT PASSING ANOTHER CAR OR THAT THERE WERE NO CARS DIRECTLY BEHIND ME OR PULLING OUT TO CROSS TRAFFIC. *TR
Power train, Sep 5, 2009
2000 TO 2002 VOLKSWAGEN TIPTRONIC OWNERS NOT PROVIDED CORRECT INFORMATION REGARDING THE TRANSMISSION SERVICING SCHEDULING. VOLKSWAGEN STATES THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS A "SEALED" UNIT AND THEREFORE SERVICE IS NOT NEED UNLESS LEAKS ARE VISIBLE. KNOWING THIS, I DID NOT TRY TO DO TRANSMISSION SERVICE ON MY CAR WHEN IT REACHED ABOUT 86,000 MILES. - GEARS SLIP FROM 1ST TO 2ND AT COLD STARTS AND JERKS AT 3RD GEAR. I HAVE TO WARM THE VEHICLE IN 10 MINUTES TO GO BACK TO NORMAL OPERATING MODE. - TODAY I WAS TAKING MY WIFE AND MY 1-YEAR OLD DAUGHTER TO LAKE GEORGE NY FROM QUEENS NY FOR A HOLIDAY WEEKEND. THE CAR SUDDENLY SLIPPED FROM 5TH TO 4TH GEAR WHILE WE ARE DRIVING 65 MPH. HOWEVER, I DID NOT FIND THE PROBLEM UNTIL I NOTICED THAT OUR SPEED ALMOST FEELS THE SAME EVENTHOUGH I DEPRESS THE PEDAL A LITTLE LOWER. I PLACED IT ON MANUAL MODE AND THE CAR SHIFTED FINE. WE PULLED OVER AT THE REST AREA AND FOUND OUT THAT THERE IS A TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAK. WE COULD HAVE HAD AN ACCIDENT IF THE GEAR WOULD HAVE SLIPPED TO 2ND; ALMOST LIKE SLAMMING THE BREAKS WHILE DOING 65 MPH. - TOMORROW, I WILL HAVE VW REPAIR SHOP DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. MOST LIKELY IS THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL UNIT OR THE TRANSMISSION SOLENOIDS. - SIMILAR ISSUES IN DSG TRANSMISSION WAS REPORTED AT "GOOD MORNING AMERICA" ON AUGUST 28 2009. - PLEASE SEE SIMILAR TIPTRONIC OWNER'S COMPLAINTS ON THIS FORUM: VWVORTEX.COM. THIS IS A PUBLIC WEB FORUM AND NO PERSONAL INFORMATION IS PROVIDED. *TR
Power train, Jul 19, 2009
I PURCHASED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T WITH A 5-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM A PRIVATE SELLER ON 07/18/2009 AT 12:00PM. 12 HOURS LATER, AT 12:00AM ON 07/19/2009 I AM ON MY WAY HOME WHEN I REALIZED MY JETTA WAS NOT DELIVERING POWER TO THE WHEELS. THE ENGINE WAS PRODUCING POWER, BUT SOMETHING WAS WRONG WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING (TRANSMISSION FLUID, MOST LIKELY) AND PARKED IT IMMEDIATELY. WHEN I GOT HOME, I SEARCHED ONLINE FOR WHAT IT COULD BE AND IT TURNS OUT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE THIS HAS HAPPENED TO. THERE ARE COUNTESS OTHERS WHO HAVE POSTED THIS SAME PROBLEM ON VARIOUS MESSAGE BOARDS AND FORUMS ALL OVER THE INTERNET. I AM ASSUMING THAT THE REPAIR SHOP IS GOING TO TELL ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION IS SHOT AND THAT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE IT. HOW CAN MY PREVIOUS CAR, A JUNKER HYUNDAI ACCENT WITH 101,000 MILES AT TIME OF PURCHASE LAST 36,000 MORE MILES WITH A 5-SPEED MANUAL, AND A JETTA CAN'T EVEN LAST ONE DAY? I AM INFURIATED BECAUSE I JUST BOUGHT THIS CAR AND HAVE TO MAKE PAYMENTS ON IT AS WELL AS REPAIR THE THING. THIS SHOULD BE COVERED BY VW AS A RECALL. *TR
Power train, Jun 4, 2009
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T TRANSMISSION SHIFTS IRREGULAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *TR
Power train, May 26, 2009
AT ABOUT 65,000 MILES MY CAR WOULD SOMETIMES GET STUCK IN PARK. IT FELT LIKE I WAS TRYING TO DRIVE WITH THE PARKING BRAKE ON. THEN IT STOPPED GOING IN REVERSE. THE SHOPS IN MY AREA DON'T WORK ON VW'S DUE TO THEIR COMPLICATED TRANS. THE DEALER TOLD ME THEY DON'T REPAIR ANY TRANSMISSIONS, THAT THEY CAN ONLY REPLACE IT AT A COST OF $4500. I TOOK A LOAN FROM MY 401K, PAID IT THINKING IT WOULD LAST, AND SURE ENOUGH THIS ONE IS GOING TOO! IT ONLY HAD A WARRANTY OF 12000 MILES... SEEMS FISHY SINCE IT'S NEW. NEVER WILL I BUY A VW AGAIN. *TR
Power train, Mar 26, 2009
2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8TURBO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. TRANSMISSION SHIFTS HARD FROM 3RD TO 4TH GEAR. NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION. $4500. *TR
Power train, Feb 25, 2009
I BOUGHT MY 2002 JETTA 1.8T WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION IN AUGUST OF 2006. THE DAY I PICKED IT UP, THE TRANSMISSION BLEW WHILE I WAS DRIVING. AFTER ABOUT 2 MONTHS, I FINALLY GOT IT BACK BUT THE CAR WAS STILL SHIFTING HARD AND HAD TO BRING IT BACK. THE CAR DIES RANDOMLY, I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE A/C UNIT AS WELL AS NUMEROUS OTHER REPAIRS. THIS MORNING THE CAR STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHEN STOPPED AND WHEN ACCELERATING UP TO 60 MPH. I HAVE NOTICED THERE ARE OVER 35 OTHER COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE TRANSMISSIONS ON JETTA AND FROM WHAT I HAVE LEARNED INFORMALLY ONLINE, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THESE PROBLEMS. APPARENTLY THE 2002'S WERE BUILT IN MEXICO AND HAVE HAD A LARGE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS. I AM ONLY A COLLEGE STUDENT AND WOULD APPRECIATE HELP RESOLVING THE ISSUE OF OWNING A FAULTY CAR. I CANNOT AFFORD TO KEEP UP A CAR THAT WAS NOT MADE PROPERLY IN THE FIRST PLACE. THANK YOU! *TR
Suspension, Power train, Equipment, Feb 19, 2009, crash
I PURCHASED A 2002 VW IN 2005. I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT IN DEC '08. SHORTLY AFTER THE COLLISION PLACE REPAIRED MY CAR. THE VEHICHLE STARTED MISFIRING AND ESSENTIALLY WASN'T DRIVABLE. THE CONTROL ARM BUSHING WERE REPLACED $800 (AT THE VW PLACE) AND THE SERVICE DEPT SAID THAT THEY WOULD CHECK FLUIDS IN PARTICULAR THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. I WAS TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION DIDN'T HAVE THE UPDATED TRANMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) AND HAD TO REPLACED ( $700 PART AND 300 LABOR) THE SERVICE TECHNICAN DID STATE THAT THIS WAS THE FIRST STEP IN DIAGNOSING AND CORRECTING THE PROBLEM AND THAT THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE BUT NOT A RECALL. WELL $1000 SPENT ON THIS STILL DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND NOW THEY SAY THE NEXT STEP IS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION ON A CAR THAT HAS 87K MILES ANOTHER 4K. WELL, I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT VW IS UNRELIABLE AND DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR NAME, PRODUCT OR REPUTATION. THIS IS SHAMEFUL. I AM VERY DISSAFIED AND LEARNED THAT THERE ARE NUMEROUS CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ON THE WEB RELATED TO TRANSMISSIION, TCM ON THE VW 2002 - 2006 MODEL. VW SHOULD BE HELD LIABLE AND COMPENSATE FOR THIS A DEFECTIVE/INFERIOR PRODUCT. *TR
Power train, Dec 27, 2008
4TH CLUTCH REPAIR. DEALER BLAMES BAD DRIVING HABITS WHEN CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. MANY OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM. *TR
Power train, Nov 2, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN AUTOMATIC TDI JETTA AND THE CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN I SHIFT IT IN REVERSE. IT EITHER ROLLS FORWARD OR JUST REVS WITHOUT ENGAGING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 JETTA'S. IT IS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND WILL BE COSTLY TO FIX. *TR
Power train, Oct 28, 2008
I BOUGHT THIS CAR A LITTLE OVER 1 MONTH AGO ON SEPT 18, 2008 AND 1 WEEK AFTER BUYING IT, I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES W/ IT NOT WANTING TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND SHIFTING HARD WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION FOR ME. I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER ISSUES W/ THE TRANSMISSION SINCE THEN, HOWEVER TODAY, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT, IT DOWNSHIFTED EXTREMELY HARD AND NOW IS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. *TR
Power train, Oct 3, 2008
PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2002 VW JETTA TDI DIESEL. FIRST TIME IT FAILED AND LOCKED THE FRONT WHEELS ON JAN 2003 AT 15,500 MILES. THE VW DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE OR ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO REVERSE - 30 DAYS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A NEAR MISS HEAD-ON COLLISION. TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON SEPT 29, 2008, 89,400 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP, DUCKETT'S AUTOMOTIVE, REPORTED THAT PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES OR LESS IS COMMON WITH TDI JETTAS. THEY REPORT THAT THERE IS NO SERVICE BULLETIN OR AFTER-MARKET FIX TO WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED AUTO TRANSMISSION. THE SPECIFIC SITE OF FAILURE ARE THE BEARINGS IN THE PLANETARY GEAR. THE RESULT, $3200.00 REPAIR AND REBUILD. TWO TRANSMISSIONS IN LESS THAN 100,000 MILES, AND THE EXPECTATION OF PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS REPAIR AS WELL. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2008
OUR 2002 JETTA SUDDENLY DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EVEN BEFORE COMPLETING 57,000 MILES. THE CAR JERKS WHILE CHANGING GEARS DURING ACCELERATION IN THE SPEED RANGE OF 15 ' 30 MILES. FROM THE INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET, AND FROM OPINIONS OBTAINED INFORMALLY FROM INDEPENDENT GARAGES, WE BELIEVE THAT THE 2002 JETTA HAS A HISTORY OF SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE 55K ' 65K MILE RANGE. THE REPAIR ENTAILS REPLACING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR A COST OF AROUND 6000 DOLLARS. THOUGH THE CAR HAS NOT EVEN RUN 57,000 MILES, VW HAS REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING IT FOR FREE BECAUSE THE 6-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. VW REFUSED TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY INFORMATION OF THE NUMBER OF REPORTS THEY HAD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. VW OFFERED US 1000 DOLLARS TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VW VEHICLE BUT REFUSED TO PAY US IF WE REPAIRED OUR CAR FOR A LOWER PRICE AT AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. WE INTERPRETED THEIR OFFER AS A MARKETING STRATEGY TO MAKE US GIVE THEM MORE BUSINESS. THE CAR PROBLEMS HAVE DISRUPTED OUR LIVES BECAUSE WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE HAVING TO INVEST MORE MONEY AFTER MAKING A LARGE INVESTMENT OF 25,000 DOLLARS JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. 31 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN ALREADY FILED WITH THE NHTSA ON TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR THE 2002 JETTA, PRIOR TO THIS ONE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE NHTSA TO START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM? IS THERE ANY WAY TO MAKE VW RELEASE DATA REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, KNOWING THAT THE REPAIRS ARE SO EXPENSIVE? IT IS UNFAIR THAT VW DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT COULD BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. WE OWNED THREE OTHER JAPANESE CARS PREVIOUSLY THAT WERE FAR CHEAPER THAN THE JETTA, AND GAVE US FAR SUPERIOR SERVICE. BUYING A JETTA WAS OBVIOUSLY A MISTAKE. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jul 26, 2008
I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T AT 56000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF IT AND AT 56000 THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN I HAVE IT AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE PAN HAS THEIR BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND IF NOT CAN I GET SOME ASSISTANCE GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED BECAUSE AT 56000 MILES THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED SENSE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER BYERS IN COLUMBUS OHIO AND THE VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERCIA IS HANDLING THIS PROBLEM THE CODE WE GET IS PO730 I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE SOME HELP WITH GETTING THIS FIXED THANK YOU TOM. *TR