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, Mar 23, 2004, fire
ON MY 2002 VOLKWAGEN JETTA 1.8T, MY SEATWARMER IGNITED AND BURNED THROUGH BOTH MY SEAT AND THE COAT I WAS WEARING AT THE TIME, LEAVING HOLES IN BOTH. NCIDENT DATE IS APPROXIMATE. I IMMEDIATELY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AFTER IT HAPPENED AND THUS, THEY MAY HAVE THE EXACT DATE ON RECORD.*AK
Seats, Feb 26, 2004
THE CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING CHEMICAL SCENT IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER THEN FELT A BURNING SENSATION IN HER HAND AND THE A SHARP PAIN. THE CONSUMER THEN DISCOVERED A HOLE IN THE SEATS FROM THE SEAT WARMER. THE CONSUMER STATED THIS IS THIRD ELECTRICAL FAILURE SHE HAS HAD WITH THE VEHICLE. *AK *JB
Seats, Feb 23, 2004, fire
DRIVER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, BURNING THE SEAT CUSHION, MY CLOTHING AND SKIN, CAUSING MINOR INJURY.*AK
Seats, Feb 17, 2004, fire
DRIVER SEAT BURNED BY MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM ON MY VW JETTA 2002. *JB
Seats, Feb 8, 2004, fire
HEATED SEATS MALFUNCTION. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THE SEATS MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING MELTING OF FABRIC AND SMOKE, DESTROYING SEATS. LUCKILY NO ONE WAS SERIOUSLY HURT. VW REPLACED SEATS JUST 10 MONTHS AGO FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. *AK
Seats, Jan 8, 2004, fire
CONSUMER STATED WHILE TRAVELING AND WITHOUT ANY INDICATION NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER DRIVER'S SEAT, CAUSING CONSUMER'S JACKET TO CATCH ON FIRE. CONSUMER PULLED VEHICLE OVER, AND NOTICED A BURNT HOLE IN SEAT. *AK
Seats, Jan 7, 2004
VEHICLE CAME EQUIPPED WITH SEAT HEATERS. THE LEFT DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT GOT VERY HOT WHEN THE HEATER WAS ON. THIS RESULT IN CONSUMER BEING BURNT. *AK
Seats, Jan 6, 2004
CONSUMER INSTALLED A DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT WARMER. IT BEGAN TO SMOLDER AND BURN A WHOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT.*AK
Seats, Dec 29, 2003
I TURNED MY HEATED SEAT ON AND 5-7 MINUTES INTO THE DRIVE I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL AND REALIZED MY SEAT WAS REALY HOT. I TURNED THE HEATED SEAT OFF AND BURNING STOPPED. UPON VISUAL INSPECTION I NOTICED A HOLE BURNT INTO SEAT AND A SINGED DIME SIZED MARK ON MY COAT. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT MY CAR NOW FOR 24 DAYS AND I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE PART TO GET IN THE COUNTRY. *AK
Seats, Dec 16, 2003
I WAS DRIVING AND NOTICED MY HIP HAD AN ITCH. I ITCHED IT AND IT SORT OF WENT AWAY. THE NEXT DAY THE SAME THING HAPPENED, BUT I TOUCHED THE SEAT IN MY CAR, AND THAT IT WAS REALLY, REALLY HOT. I STOPPED AND LOOKED, AND THE LEATHER WAS A BIT DEFROMED, AND I NOTICED A BURNING SMELL. THE HEATING ELEMENTS IN MY 2002 VW JETTA TDI WERE OVERHEATING, AND COULD HAVE CAUGHT ME OR THE CAR ON FIRE. I AM GONG TO THE DEALER TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT IN 2 DAYS. *AK
Seats, Dec 5, 2003
WHILE DRIVING UNDER 55 MPH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BECOMING TOO HOT. CONSUMER PARKED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING UNIT BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND IN CONSUMER'S PANTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT A NEW SEAT HEATER WAS NEEDED.*AK WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BECOMING TOO HOT. CONSUMER PARKED VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE HEATING UNIT HAD BURNED A HOLE IN THE LEATHER SEAT AND IN THE CONSUMER'S PANTS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT HEATER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*MR
Seats, Dec 5, 2003
MY ELECTRONICALLY HEATER DRIVER SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA OVERHEATED AND BURNED MY SEAT CUSHION. *JB
Seats, Dec 3, 2003, fire
VEHICLE'S SEAT HEATER CAUGHT ON FIRE.*MR CONSUMER SMELLED BURNING AND ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW ABOUT THREE INCHES DUE TO THE RECENT FOREST FIRES. SHE THEN FELT A BURNING SENSATION, LOOKED DOWN AND SAW A 6-8" FLAME COMING UP HER LEFT SIDE. SHE WAS BURNED AS WELL AS HER CLOTHING AND SEAT. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. PICTURES WERE SENT TO NHTSA VIA EMAIL. *PH
Seats, Dec 3, 2003, fire
THE CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE WHILE TRAVELING WITH THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER ON. THE CONSUMER OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW AND THE DRIVER'S SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED THE CONSUMER. *AK *SCC *JB
Seats, Dec 1, 2003
THE FRONT DRIVERS SEAT OF MY 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN GOT EXTREMELY HOT WHILE I WAS SITTING ON IT CAUSING THE LEATHER SEAT TO START TO BURN AND MY BUTTOCKS TO BURN SLIGHTLY AS WELL.*AK
Seats, Nov 25, 2003, fire
VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLS 2002 THE HEATED SEAT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE STARTED TO SMOKE DUE TO FAULTY WIRING. *LA
Seats, Nov 25, 2003
FRONT LEFT (DRIVER'S SIDE) SEAT MATERIAL SPLIT ON THE SEAM HOLDING THE FRONT MATERIAL TO THE SIDE MATERIAL. DIRECTLY UNDER THE SPLIT IS A METAL BRACKET THAT IS NOT PADDED. THIS BRACKET LIKELY CAUSED THE SEAM TO SEPARATE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOA) HAD ME BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO ONE ONTO VOLKSWAGEN FOR INSPECTION. REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT WAS DENIED BY THE SERVICE MANAGER (CARL SCHIDZICK) DENIED THE CLAIM BECAUSE I WAS BEYOND THE 12,000 MILE WARRANTY. THE VOA REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER WHOSE NAME WAS REFUSED TO ME BACKED UP THE DEALER AND REFUSED REPAIR/REPLACEMENT. VOA WOULD NOT PROVIDE A COPY OF THEIR REPORT, WOULD NOT PROVIDE CONTACT INFORMATION FOR THE REGIONAL SERVICE MANAGER AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ANY APPEAL. THEY SAID THEY HAVE RECEIVED NO COMPLAINTS REGARDING SEAT MATERIAL FAILURE ON JETTAS. IF THE SEPARATION HAD OCCURRED BEFORE 12,000 MILES THEY SAID THEY WOULD HAVE REPAIRED OR REPLACED THE ITEM. MY NEW CAR SEAT COVER BLOCKS DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIRBAG. *LA
Seats, Nov 18, 2003
WITHIN 30 SECONDS OF STARTING VEHICLE AND TURNING ON THE SEAT WARMER CONSUMER SMELLED SMOKE, AND FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON THE LEGS. DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEAT COIL BURNED OUT THROUGH THE SEATS UPHOLSTERY. CONSUMER TURNED SEAT WARMER OFF BEFORE BURN INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED.*AK *NLM
Seats, Nov 10, 2003
THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND BURNT A HOLE THROUGH DRIVER'S PANTS, BUT DIDN'T BURN THE DRIVER'S LEG. *AK
Seats, Nov 10, 2003, fire
THE SEAT WARMER OF MY 2002 VOLKSWAGON JETTA MALFUNCTIONED AND STARTED A FIRE WITHIN THE SEAT. THERE WAS SMOKE AND A FLAME INSIDE THE SEAT. IT BURNED THE PANTS I WAS WEARING. AND BURNED MY LEG SLIGHTLY.*AK ***WHEN I CALLED THE SERVICE CENTER TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT TO FIX THIS PROBLEM, THEY SAID "YEAH, THAT'S BEEN HAPPENING, WE'RE CALLING THE CARS 'HOT PANTS'" THEY ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE SEATS ARE ON BACK ORDER, AND THAT THEY HAVE HAD A CAR THERE FOR OVER A WEEK THAT HAD THE SAME PROBLEM.
Seats, Nov 6, 2003, fire
WHILE DRIVING I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. AS I PULLED OVER I FELT I WAS BEING BURNED ON MY UPPER LEFT LEG (REAR END). I GOT OUT AND CHECKED AND MY SEAT HEATING UNIT HAD BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT, THROUGH MY PANTS AND COAT AND BURNED MY SKIN.*AK
Seats, Oct 30, 2003
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR COMING FROM INSIDE THE VEHICLE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER TO INVESTIGATE THE SMELL, AND NOTICED THAT DRIVER'S SEAT WAS BURNING. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP.*AK
Electrical system, Seats, Oct 29, 2003, fire
SINCE BUYING MY JETTA NEW IN 2002. I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. TWICE THE IGNITION COILS FAILED, AND I HAD TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED. THEY WOULDN'T REPLACE ALL THE DEFECTIVE COILS THE FIRST TIME. SO, NOW THAT I KNOW MY CAR IS UNRELIABLE, I WON'T BE USING IT FOR LONG TRIPS, WHICH WAS MY MAIN REASON FOR BUYING THE CAR. THEN LAST NIGHT ON MY WAY DOWN THE ROAD, THE HEATED SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE AND BURNED A WHOLE IN MY SEAT, NOT TO MENTION WHAT IT DID TO ME AS I WAS DRIVING. THIS CAR JUST SEEMS TOTALLY UNSAFE. FIRST THERE IS NO POWER WHEN THE IGNITION COILS FAIL, THEN THE DRIVER SEAT CATCHES ON FIRE AS I AM DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. OF COURSE THE DEALER CAN'T GET ME IN UNTIL LATER THIS WEEK.*AK
Seats, Sep 29, 2003, fire
MY HEATED SEATS CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNT MY ASS.*AK
Seats, Mar 10, 2003, fire
THE HEATER SEAT CAUGHT ON FIRE.*JB