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, Feb 3, 2003
CLUTCH. IT WAS BECOMING INCREASINGLY DIFICULT TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND REVERSE SO I TOOK MY CAR TO A DEALERSHIP WHO SAID THEY COULD NOT FIND A PROBLEM. A FEW DAYS LATER IT WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO SHIFT INTO 1ST AND I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY THEN TOLD ME THEY THOUGHT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH 1ST GEAR. AFTER TAKING THE TRANMISSION APART AND FIXING 1ST GEAR THEY TEST DROVE IT THEY SAID THE PROBLEM WAS AGAIN NOT FIXED AND THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS NOW IN ESSENCE EATING ITSELF UP. I THEN HAD MY ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REPLACED BECAUSE EACH TOOTH IN THE GEARS AND RODS WERE BENT OR DAMAGED IN SOME WAY. IN THE END, THEY SAID MY TRANSMISSION MUST HAVE BEEN DEFECTIVE. TO MY KNOWLEDGE THERE HAVE BEEN NO CHANGES IN THE TRANSMISSIONS AND MY REPLACMENT IS THE SAME AS ALL THE OTHER JETTAS.
Power train, Jan 23, 2003
TRANSMISSION FAILURE WHILE PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION BEGAN UPSHIFTING AND DOWNSHIFTING BY ITSELF, CAUSING THE ENGINE TO REDLINE AND NEARLY STRANDING OUR VEHICLE IN THE LANE WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE TRANSMISSION THEN LOCKED THE WHEELS, RENDERING THE CAR IMMOBILE. THIS OCCURRED ON 01/20/03. ONE MONTH PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I REPORTED TO VW THAT I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH MY TRANSMISSION NOT SHIFTING INTO REVERSE FROM PARK-THIS OCCURRED TWICE ON THE SAME DAY. ON 12/19/03 VW INSPECTED MY TRANSMISSION. A WRITTEN REPORT FROM VW SERVICE WAS GIVEN TO ME THEY FOUND NO PROBLEMS. CURRENTLY VW IS REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION, THEYRE NOT ADMITTING THE POSSIBILITY OF ENGINE DAMAGE. THE SERVICE MANAGER CAREL TOLD ME,1/21/03,THAT THEY HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING IF THE NEW REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION MIGHT FAIL LIKE THE FIRST. MY CONCERN IS THAT I MIGHT NOT BE AS LUCKY NEXT TIME. I COULD BE REAR ENDED OR HIT HEAD-ON IF MY WHEELS LOCK UP AGAIN SPONTANEOUSLY.
Power train, Oct 24, 2002
CONSUMER NOTICED FAILURE IN THE TRIP TONIC MANUAL AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS
Power train, Sep 5, 2002
CONSUMER STATES WHEN PARKED ON AN INCLINE AND THE KEY IN THE IGNITION, AND THE VEHICLE IDLING, THE VEHICLE WILL SLIP OUT OF PARK AND START TO ROLL BACK. CONTACTED DEALER.*JB
Power train, Jul 26, 2002, crash
WHILE PARKED WITH IGNITION OFF VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARDS, RESULTING IN A COLLISION. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Power train, Jul 19, 2002
CLUTCH KEPT SLIPPING, DEALER REPLACED CLUTCH ASSEMBLY.*AK
Power train, May 8, 2002
WHILE SHIFTING GEARS CLUTCH GOES OUT WITHOUT WARNING. CLUTCH SYSTEM HAS BEEN REPAIRED 3 TIMES. DEALER STILL CANNOT IDENTIFY CAUSE. *AK
Power train, Feb 27, 2002, crash
I HAD JUST GOT MY CAR BACK FROM THE SHOP AROUND 4P.M. I HAD PARKED MY CAR IN THE DRIVEWAY , WELL ABOUT FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER MY FRIEND WAS LEAVEING AND SHE NOTICED THAT MY CAR WAS DOWN THE STREET IN MY NEIGHBORS YARD AND THAT THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE LOOKING FOR WHO OWNED THE CAR. I GO RUNNING OUT AS THE FIRE DEPARTMENT AND POLICE WERE COMMING UP THE STREET AND I TOLD THE THAT IT WAS MY CAR. ANYWAY THE CAR WAS IN GEAR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE WAS ON THE POLICE OFFICER TOOK PICTURES OF THE CAR AND TOOK PICTURES OF THE CAR BEING IN GEAR AND THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE BEING ON HE ASKED ME TO FILL OUT A REPORT SO I DID. I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I CAN DO ABOUT THIS I FEEL THAT THEY SHOULD REPLACE THE CAR, AND SEND IT BACK TO THE MANUFACTURER. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO LET ME KNOW WHAT I MIGHT BE ABLE TO DO ABOUT THIS SITUATION. THANK YOU STEVE NYE. *AK