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: seats
101 reports, newest first. Show all
Seats, Dec 6, 2004, fire
DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WIRING CAUGHT ON FIRE, BURNING THE FABRIC. VEHICLE WILL BE TAKEN TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Seats, Dec 3, 2004, fire
FRONT PASSENGER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE THROUGH THE NYLON FABRIC, BURNING THE PASSENGER. NEW SEAT WILL BE REPLACED BY MANUFACTURER.*AK
Seats, Nov 29, 2004, fire
I TURNED ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER. AFTER ABOUT 2 MINUTES, THERE WAS A NOTICABLE SMOKE IN THE CAR AND EXTREME HEAT COMING FROM THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER. AFTER PULLING IN THE GARAGE, THERE WAS A SMALL BURN ON MY PANTS AND A 1/4" HOLE BURNED THROUGH THE FABRIC ON THE SEAT. VOLKSWAGON STATES THAT THE HEATER ELEMENT SHORTED OUT, HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE.*AK
Seats, Nov 23, 2004, fire
I HAVE A 2002 JETTA 1.8T. I STARTED DRIVING MY CAR AND TURNED ON MY SEAT WARMER TO 3 AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS SAW A STREAM OF SMOKE COMING FROM MY SEAT. I QUICKLY TURNED OFF THE SEAT WARMER AND STOPPED THE CAR AND GO OUT. A HOLE WAS BURNED THROUGHT MY SEAT AND MY JEANS THAT I WAS WEARING WERE BURNED AS WELL. I TURNED IT BACK ON FOR A SECOND AND SAW A SMALL FLAME IGNITED.*AK
Seats, Nov 20, 2004, fire
APPROXIMATELY 2 MINUTES AFTER TURNING ON DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER, NOTICED BURNING SMELL, FOLLOWED SHORTLY THEREAFTER BY HEAT SENSATION ON MY LEFT THIGH. IMMEDIATELY TURNED HEATER OFF, PULLED CAR OFF ROAD, AND GOT OUT. FOUND DIME SIZED BURN PATTERN IN LEATHER SEAT. SEARCHED NHTSA WEBSITE THE NEXT DAY AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON 2002 JETTAS. CALLED DEALER TO SCHEDULE A REPAIR APPOINTMENT.*AK
Seats, Nov 17, 2004
SEAT HEATER ON 2002 JETTA 1.8T OVERHEATED CREATING HOLE IN DRIVER'S SEAT. HILE DRIVING NORMALLY THE WITHT HE SEAT HEATER IN POSITION 1 ( LOWEST - HIGHEST IS 5) SEAT GOT TOO HOT TO THE POINT FELT AS THOUGH WOULD BURN. THERE WAS NO FIRE OR SMOKE BUT LITTLE BURNING SMELL. CAR WAS SENT TO ARDMORE VW FOR SERVICE AND THEY TESTED SEAT HEATER. GOT CALL FROM SA THAT THE SEAT HEATER WAS GONE AND THAT IT BURNT THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. *AK
Seats, Nov 12, 2004
HEATER IN THE DRIVER'S SEAT BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT AND DRIVER'S COAT WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Seats, Nov 12, 2004, fire
MY CAR, A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA WAS PARKED AND RUNNING AND THE DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON DUE TO MOST LIKELY THE HEATING ELEMENT IN THE SEAT. I AM FILING THIS COMPLAINT BECAUSE IF I WAS IN THE CAR I MAY HAVE BEEN INJURED OR KILLED DUE TO THE DEFECT. I JUST WANT SOMEONE TO KNOW SO THAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE SAFE IN THE FUTURE. *JB
Seats, Oct 29, 2004, fire
OUR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI HAD SPARKS COMING FROM THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER THAT BURNED TWO HOLES IN THE SEAT.
Seats, Oct 25, 2004, fire
UPON TURNING ON THE SEAT HEATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT CAUGHT FIRE, BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT CLOTH, FOAM, AND DRIVER'S CLOTHING.*AK
Seats, Oct 22, 2004, fire
1 & 2. MY 2002 VW JETTA'S DRIVER SIDE HEATED SEAT STARTED ON FIRE. I NOTICED THE FIRE WHEN I FELT A BURNING SENSATION AS MY PANTS WERE CATCHING FIRE. I IMMEDIATELY TURNED THE SEAT OFF & PULLED OVER. THE SEAT HAD A DIME TO QUARTER SIZE BURN HOLE IN IT AND IF I TURNED THE HEATED SEAT BACK ON I COULD SEE THE WIRE ARCING.3. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REPLACED THE SEAT 5 DAYS LATER.*AK
Seats, Oct 11, 2004, fire
VOLKSWAGEN 2002 JETTA FAULTY SEAT WARMERS. ON THE MORNING OF OCT 11, 2004 I TURNED THE SEAT WARMER ON TO SETTING NUMBER 2. ROUGHLY 1-2 MINUTES LATER WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD IT BEGAN TO SMELL LIKE SOMETHING WAS BURNING. I FELT A BURNING ON MY LEG AND BEGAN TO SEE SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. THERE WAS A DIME SIZE HOLE IN THE SEAT WHERE THE SEAT HAD BURNED THROUGH. THERE WAS ALSO A BURN ON MY PANTS FROM WHERE THE SEAT HAD MELTED TO MY PANTS. THERE WAS ALSO A RED MARK ON MY SKIN. I HAVE CONTACTED THE COMPANY AND THEY HAVE AGREED TO SEE THE CAR AND POSSIBLY REPLACE THE PARTS. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WAS THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED LARGE FIRE OR A SERIOUS BURN TO MYSELF. *NM
Seats, Sep 29, 2004
DRIVER'S SEAT HEATER WAS OVERHEATING AND BURNING THROUGH THE SEAT COVER. DEALER WAS CONTACTED.*AK
Power train, Seats, Sep 21, 2004
VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH AN ASR LIGHT AND WHEN DRIVING ON A SMOOTH ROAD THE ASR LIGHT WILL COME ON ,AND THE VEHICLE WILL DOWN SHIFT. TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD THAT AFTER EXAMINING THE VEHICLE THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO. THEY WERE COMPLETELY BAFFLED, CLEARED OUT THE CODES, AND REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT MODULES, BUT WERE UNABLE TO SOLVE THE TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. ALSO, HEATED SEATS OVERHEATED. CONSUMER WA S FURIOUS. *AK
Seats, Sep 20, 2004, fire
A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING AT 40 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. *AK
Seats, Aug 25, 2004
WHILE DRIVING OUR 2002 VOLKWAGEN JETTA, MY WIFE SET THE SEAT WARMER TO "5" (THE HIGHEST LEVEL). SHE SAID THAT SHE "SMELLED SOMETHING FUNNY," AND THEN RECEIVED A MINOR BURN ON HER LEFT LEG. CORRECTIVE ACTION WAS TO TURN THE SEAT HEATER TO "0" (OFF). NO PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED PENDING A RESPONSE FOR SERVICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC.*AK
Seats, Jul 3, 2004, fire
DRIVER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK
Seats, May 20, 2004
DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER MALFUNCTIONED. THE DRIVER BEGAN TO SEE AND SMELL SMOKE, PULLED OVER, GOT OUT, AND NOTICED A QUARTER SIZE HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT THAT WAS SMOKING, AND LITTLE SPARKS CAME OUT. *AK VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER WARRANTY. *LA
Seats, Apr 25, 2004, fire
HEATED SEAT MALFUNCTION ONED A 2002.5 VW JETTA. HEATING ELEMENT BURNED A HOLE THROUGH THE FABRIC ON THE SEAT. ALSO. BURNING THE PANTS THAT I WAS WEARING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE TO FIX THE PROBLEM I WAS TOLD THAT THE PARTS ARE ON BACKORDER. THIS ALSO HAPPENED MARCH 15, 2003. *AK
Seats, Apr 21, 2004
MY SEAT WARMERS BURNT ME AND THE LEATHER IN MY CAR LEAVING A CLEARLY VISIBLE BURN MARK IN THE LEATHER.*AK
Seats, Apr 7, 2004
HEATED SEAT OVER HEATED AND STARTED TO BURN A HOLE THROUGH THE SEAT. ONLY WAS PREVENTED FROM BURNING LEG DUE TO THE FACT I HAD SHORTS ON AND LAYERED WINDPANTS OVER THE SHORTS - I.E. 3 LAYERS OF CLOTHES. *AK
Seats, Apr 1, 2004
THE CONSUMER TURNED ON THE SEAT HEATER AND IT BURNED A HOLE IN THE CONSUMER'S PANTS WITH PROPER TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT. *AK *SC *JB
Seats, Mar 31, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING WITH SEAT HEATER ON CONSUMER NOTICED THAT SEAT GOT HOT, CAUSING THE DRIVER'S BOTTOM TO BURN. THE SEAT SMOKED, AND BURNT HOLES IN THE DRIVER'S JACKET AND PANTS. VEHICLE FILLED WITH SMOKE. *AK
Seats, Mar 26, 2004
THE SEAT MATERIAL ON THE DRIVER'S SEAT, BURNED THROUGH, MELTING THE SEATS MATERIAL AND CREATING A 1-INCH X INCH WIDE HOLE. THE HOLE LEFT EXPOSED THE ELECTRICAL WIRES UNDER THE MATERIAL THAT CAUSED THE DRIVER TO FEEL A SUDDEN ELECTRICAL SHOCK. FURTHERMORE, THE ELECTRICAL SHOCK COMBINED WITH THE HOT MELTING MATERIAL FELT THROUGH THE JEANS, CAUSED THE DRIVER TO SUDDENLY AND UNSAFELY VEERS OFF THE ROAD. THE HOT MELTED MATERIAL ALSO CAUSED SOME MINOR BURNING ON THE HAND (FINGER) OF THE DRIVER. THE VW BUILT IN SEAT-HEATER WAS ON POSITION 4. *AK
Seats, Mar 23, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE FROM THE SEAT HEATER CORE. NO INJURIES REPORTED. *AK