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
711 reports, newest first.
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
Air bags, Mar 31, 2004, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AFTER HITTING A SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. *AK
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
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
Air bags, Mar 13, 2004
UNINTENDED DEPLOYMENT OF AIRBAG AT 55 MPH. NO CRASH INVOLVED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 13, 2004
I OWN A 2002 JETTA PURCHASED FROM A VW DEALERSHIP IN TOWSON MD IN APRIL, 02. I HAVE CLOSE TO 30000 MILES ON MY CAR. ABOUT TWO MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THAT MY OIL LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS ABOUT 2000 MILES UNTIL MY NEXT OIL CHANGE. OIL IS CHANGED EVERY 5K MILES. WHEN I CHECKED MY DIPSTICK IT WAS DRY. I HAD TO ADD ABOUT THREE QUARTS. NOW ABOUT EVERY 1K MILES MY CAR CONSUMES ABOUT 1.5 QT OF OIL. THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM. I READ THE OWNERS MANUAL REGARDING OIL CONSUPTION WITH THE JETTA AND IT SAID IT WILL CONSUME OIL WHEN THE ENGINE IS NEW. MINE IS NOT. THERE ARE POSTS ALL OVER THE INTERNET REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 10, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE BRAKE PEDAL AND THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP AT THE DESIRED STOPPING POINT. MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED TWICE. *AK
Air bags, Mar 8, 2004
WHILE DRIVE MY 2002 JETTA ABOUT 55-60MPH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT. I DROVE MY CAR RIGHT TO THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT FROM. THEY HAD THE CAR FOR 4 DAYS TO TELL ME THAT THE COMPUTER SYSTEM STATES THAT THE CAR WAS IN A COLLISION, I DO NOT HAVE ANY DAMAGE ON MY CAR AND I WAS NOT IS AN ACCIDENT. THEY (CAMELBACK VOLKSWAGEN) OR VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA WILL NOT REPAIR THE DAMAGE.*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
Tires, Feb 26, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 30 MPH CONSUMER REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS RIDING ON A FLAT TIRE. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE TIRE HAD NUMEROUS SPLITS ON THE INSIDE SIDEWALL. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT METAL WAS EXPOSED IN SOME OF THE SPLITS. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE TIRE DEALER, WHO ADMITTED THAT THE TIRES WERE DEFECTIVE, BUT WOULD NOT REPLACE THE TIRES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAME THING HAPPENED IN 2002, BUT ALL OF THE TIRES WERE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK *NM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 24, 2004
THE VEHICLE'S TDI (TURBO INJECTED INJECTION) FAILED TO START. IT WAS SAID TO BE DUE TO BUILT UP WITH CARBON AND SOOT. THE CONSUMER'S SON AND FRIEND EXPERIENCED SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *AK *SC
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 23, 2004
THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL PREMATURELY. *AK
Seats, Feb 23, 2004, fire
DRIVER SEAT HEATER MALFUNCTIONED, BURNING THE SEAT CUSHION, MY CLOTHING AND SKIN, CAUSING MINOR INJURY.*AK
Power train, Structure, Feb 19, 2004
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOUD NOISE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO FOUND THAT THE MOTOR MOUNTS WERE BROKEN AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO FALL TO THE GROUND. THE DEALER REPLACED THE ENGINE, ENGINE BLOCK, TIMING BELT AND THE LOWER SHIELD. ALSO AT 59,000 THE MANUAL TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SHIFT INTO REVERSE. *NM
Seats, Feb 17, 2004, fire
DRIVER SEAT BURNED BY MALFUNCTION OF THE SEAT HEATING SYSTEM ON MY VW JETTA 2002. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Interior lighting, Feb 16, 2004
I BOUGHT THE CAR 3 DAYS LATER THE PROBLEM(S) STARTED. AND THEY HAVE BEEN GOING EVER SINCE. SHIFTING HARD, DISPLAY LIGHTS, WOULD NOT START, WONDOWS WOULD NOT ROLL DOWN, OR IFF THEY DID, THEY MADE A LOUD THUD. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 13, 2004
IN ATTEMPT TO STOP THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE HAD TO BE USED TO STOP. AFTER PUMPING THE BRAKES SEVERAL TIMES PARTIAL BRAKING WAS RESTORED. UPON EXAMINATION BY THE LOCAL DEALER IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VACCUM PUMP HAD FAILED AND THE VACCUUM HOSES WERE FULL OF HOLES. THE CAR IS A 2002 VW JETTA TDI (DEISEL) AND HAD 52000 MILES AT THE TIME OF INCIDENT. AT 50000 MILES THE CAR WAS INSPECTED AT THE DEALER ACCORDING TO VW SPECIFICATIONS AND THE DEFECT WAS OVERLOOKED. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA FAILS TO UNDERSTAND THE SERIOUS NATURE OF THIS PROBLEM AND FAILS TO ACCEPT ANY RESPONSIBILITY. I AM CONCERNED THAT THERE MAY BE MANY OTHER CARS ON THE ROAD FACING THE SAME SERIOUS DANGEROUS CONDITION.*AK
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
Visibility, Jan 23, 2004
DEFECTIVE CLIPS THAT HOLD THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S DOOR WINDOW TO THE MECHANISM WHICH MOVES THE WINDOW UP AND DOWN. *PH *TT *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Visibility, Tires, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
THIS CAR HAS HAD TOO MANY SERIOUS PROBLEMS TO BE LIMITED TO THIS SMALL SPACE. IT IS CLEARLY A LEMON. THESE PROBLEMS SUBSTANTIALLY IMPAIR THE USE AND VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CAR RECEIVED A NEW TRANSMISSION YESTERDAY AFTER WE HAD REPORTED 3 PREVIOUS TIMES THAT THERE IT REMAINED IN REVERSE AFTER SHIFTING INTO DRIVE. EACH TIME WE WERE TOLD IT WAS UNREPRODUCEABLE AND THE COMPLAINT WAS NEVER NOTED ON THE WORK ORDERS. FINALLY, THE DEALERSHIP DID RELENT AND REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. WE ENCOUNTERED THE SAME TYPE OF TREATMENT WITH THE ENGINE BURNING OIL, AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THE ENGINE RAN COMPLETELY OUT OF OIL, THAT THE DEALER WOULD ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THE FIRST TIME WE HAD COMPLAINED ABOUT THE OIL WAS 2 MONTHS AFTER WE HAD BOUGHT THE CAR!!!
Power train, Jan 15, 2004
THE CLUTCH COMPLETELY BLEW OUT ON MY 2002 JETTA VR6 AT 27,000 MILES ON 8/25/2003. IT IS COSTING $966 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THE CLUTCH (I WILL KNOW THE EXACT PARTS ONCE I GET IT BACK FROM THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT). I WAS TOLD BY THE VW DEALERSHIP AND VW OF AMERICA THAT THIS IS "NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR" AND NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY. I DO NOT RIDE THE CLUTCH AND DRIVE ALL HIGHWAY MILES. THE CLUTCH WAS NOT RUINED BY "POOR DRIVING" OR "CITY DRIVING" DESPITE WHAT VW OF AMERICA AND THE DEALERSHIP IS CLAIMING. THE CLUTCH MUST BE DEFECTIVE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND HAVE FOUND A NUMBER OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM WITH VW JETTA STANDARD TRANSMISSION CARS MADE DURING/AFTER 1999 (THE YEAR VW REMODELED THEIR CARS). THESE PEOPLE HAVE ALSO HAD THEIR CLUTCH GO OUT WITH 10,000-35,000 MILES ON THEIR CARS, WERE EXPERIENCED DRIVERS, AND WERE FORCED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. ALSO, WHEN I DID GET MY CAR BACK I ASKED FOR THE PARTS THAT HAD BEEN REPLACED (SO I COULD HAVE AN INDEPENDANT MECHANIC LOOK AT THEM) AND I WAS TOLD THAT THEY HAD ALREADY BEEN SENT BACK TO THE FACTORY. THIS LEAVES ME WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE PARTS. SINCE THEN I HAVE WRITTEN VW DEMANDING IT FIND & RETURN THE PARTS OR REFUND THE REPAIR COSTS.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 15, 2004
I HAVE A 2002 VW JETTA, AUTOMATIC, 2.0 ENGINE. I HAVE PUT 4200 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE HAD IT TO TWO DIFFERENT VW DEALERSHIPS TRYING TO GET A PROBLEM FIXED WITH NO LUCK. THE CAR WILL HESITATE UPON ACCELERATION FROM TIME TO TIME. I ACTS LIKE IT IS NOT GETTING THE SIGNAL TO SPEED UP. THE ENGINE DOES NOT STALL OR SPUTTER, IT SIMPLY REMAINS AT AN IDLE FOR 1 OR 2 SECONDS AND THE SLOWLY PICKS UPS SPEED. NO ENGINE LIGHTS COME ON WHEN THIS HAPPENS. THIS HAS HAPPENED AT LEAST 30 OR MORE TIMES SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. IT HAS NEARLY CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT TIMES AS I AM PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. THE DEALERS CLAIM TO HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, BUT AFTER SOME SEARCHING I HAVE FOUND VERY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM PEOPLE WITH THE VW PASSAT. I AM FRUSTRATED THAT NO ONE CAN SEEM TO FIX IT AND I AM CONCERNED THAT I MAY HAVE A LEMON CAR.
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jan 15, 2004
3 ENGINE COILS HAVE FAILED AND HAVE BEEN REPLACED. NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS GONE AND THEY ARE REPLACING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION THE LEFT FRONT DOOR LATCH HAS FAILED TOO.