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.
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.
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2003
I HAD MY FIRST IGNITION COIL PACK FAIL A FEW DAYS AGO. THE DEALER WAS GREAT AND VERY PREPARED TO HANDLE THIS PROBLEM THE BEST THEY COULD, HOWEVER VW CANNOT MAKE THE PARTS FAST ENOUGH TO SATISFY THE DEMAND AND I WILL HAVE A LOANER CAR FOR AT LEAST 3 WEEKS. I KNOW THAT VW WILL ONLY REPLACE THE COIL THAT FAILED SO I GUESS I CAN LOOK FORWARD TO THIS HAPPENING SEVERAL TIMES IN THE FUTURE. GREAT. I AM DISAPPOINTED AND MAD THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND IS UNWILLING TO REPLACE ALL 4 LEAVING ME TO BREAK DOWN AGAIN.
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 3, 2003
THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE WELL KNOWN VW 1.8T IGNITION COIL PROBLEM
Electrical system, Feb 3, 2003
I OWN A VW JETTA 1.8T. IT HAS JUST OVER 14,000 MILES ON IT. WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY TO WORK, THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING VIOLENTLY AND THEN THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP CAME ON. I WAS AMOST RUN DOWN BY A TRUCK BEHIND ME, AS THE CAR BEGAN TO LOSE POWER QUICKLY. VW REFUSED TO REVEAL ANY INFORMATION AND THE DEALER TOOK THREE DAYS TO ATTEND TO THE CAR AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE A LOANER CAR. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN OK IN OTHER CIRCUMSTANCES, EXCEPT THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY IGNITION COIL AND I FELT EXTREMELY CHEATED TO FIND OUT THAT VW AND THEIR DEALERS WERE AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS IN 1.8T MODELS ALL ALONG, BUT HAVE REFUSED TO RECALL THESE CARS OR PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE TO THEIR CONSUMERS. VW WILL NOT REPLACE ALL THE IGNITION COILS, JUST THE ONES THAT FAILED. NOW I AM VERY WORRIED THAT I WILL BE RUN OVER THE NEXT TIME ANOTHER IGNITION COIL HAPPENS TO FAIL WHILE I AM DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. SHOULDNT VW BE MADE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR FAULTS AND MORE IMPORTANTLY FOR TRYING TO DECIEVE THEIR CUSTOMERS?
Electrical system, Feb 2, 2003
IGNITION COIL PACK FAILED, RESULTING IN GREATLY REDUCED POWER. WOULD HAVE BEEN DANGEROUS HAD I BEEN IN TRAFFIC. I UNDERSTAND THAT FREQUENTLY THEY FAIL IN MULTIPLES ON THIS PARTICULAR ENGINE, DISABLING THE CAR COMPLETELY. *JB
Electrical system, Feb 1, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILURE ON 2002 VW JETTA. CAR MUST BE TOWED IF IT IS ANY DISTANCE FROM DEALERSHIP. HAS NO POWER WHEN FAILURE OCCURS...SAFETY ISSUE ON A HIGHWAY, WITH A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER. SAFETY ISSUE FOR A WOMAN WAITING ALONE ON THE ROAD SIDE FOR A TOW. CAN NOT DRIVE A CAR WITH 9000 MILES WITH ANY CONFIDENCE THAT IT WILL NOT PUT ME IN DANGER THAT I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CONTROL. TS
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jan 30, 2003
THE GASKET RIPPED IN HALF WHILE DRIVING DO TO A PIECE OF DEBREE IN THE ROAD. TS
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2003
I OWN A 2002 JETTA 1.8T AND TWO OF MY FOUR IGNITION COILS HAVE FAILED. VW HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY CAN ONLY REPLACE ONES THAT ARE BROKEN AND REFUSE TO REPLACE THE REMAINING TWO COILS. THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE BECAUSE I HAVE NO IDEA WHEN THE OTHER TWO WILL FAIL AND THE MOST LIKELY WILL (AS I AM TOLD BY MY VW SERVICE ADVISOR)!!!
Electrical system, Jan 30, 2003
COIL PACK FAILED ON VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2002, LUCKILY IT DIED ON START UP AND NOT WHILE TRAVELING. CAR HAS 4 COIL PACKS, DEALER ONLY REPACED ONE. VW HAS NUMEROUS CARS WITH SAME FAILURE, NUMEROUS TIMES. REQUESTED THEY REPLACE ALL COIL PACKS, THEY SAID NO. THEY AGREED WITH ME THAT THERE IS A GOOD CHANCE CAR WILL FAIL AGAIN. WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FAILS WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ? !
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2003
DEALER CHANGE THE FAULTY COIL PACK BUT HAPPEN AGAIN AND DEALER REFUSED TO CHANGE THE OTHER TWO COIL. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH
Electrical system, Jan 29, 2003
COIL PACK FAILURE, 2COIL PACKS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED ON MY 02 JETTA 1.8T. DEALER SAYS 4-6 WEEKS FOR PARTS. RECALL??????????????????????????????
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 29, 2003
VEHICLE IGNITION COIL IS FAULTY AND DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR THE COIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. PH
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2003
VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOSS ENGINE POWER AND CAN NOT BE DRIVEN. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS
Electrical system, Jan 28, 2003
THIS WAS THE 2ND FAILURE OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COILS ON MY 2002 JETTA 1.8T CAUSING A DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER. THE FIRST TIME WAS NOVEMBER WHEN 2 COILS FAILED CAUSING CAR TO BE ALMOST UNDRIVABLE, NO ACCELARATION AND VERY HARD TO MAINTAIN SPEED. SECOND FAILURE, LUCKILY, ONLY HAPPENED A COUPLE OF BLOCKS FROM THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. SAME PROBLEM WITH NO POWER, ETC. IF THIS WOULD HAVE HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IT COULD LEAD TO A RATHER BAD ACCIDENT. THIS PROBEM SEEMS VERY PREVELANT ON THE 2001 AND 2002 VW AND AUDI MODELS WITH THE 1.8 TURBO ENGINE.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 28, 2003
I HAVE EXPERIENCED 3 SEPARATE INCIDENTS IN THE LAST 4 MONTHS WHERE AN ENGINE COILPACK IN MY 2002 VW JETTA 1.8L TURBO FAILED WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR. IN EACH CASE, I HAVE EXPERIENCED A SUDDEN, DRAMATIC LOSS OF POWER AND THE CAR BEGINS TO SHUDDER. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED (1/25/2003), I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AT ~45 MPH AND WAS NEARLY HIT BY ANOTHER CAR DUE TO MY SUDDEN ENGINE TROUBLE. VW CONTINUES TO REPLACE THE COILPACKS BUT ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THEY ARE PRONE TO FAILING SUDDENLY AND WITHOUT WARNING. THE LAST TIME ONE FAILED, IT WAS REPLACED WITH THE NEWLY DESIGNED COILPACK WHICH WASN'T SUPPOSED TO BE FAILURE-PRONE. I ASKED THAT EACH OF THE INDIVIDUAL COILPACKS (4 TOTAL) BE REPLACED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE OLDER ONES WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE BUT WAS TOLD THAT VW WOULD ONLY REPLACE THEM AS THEY FAILED. THIS TIME, THE NEWLY DESIGNED COILPACK FAILED, AS WELL AS ONE OF THE OTHER, OLDER ONES. I AM AWAITING 2 REPLACEMENT COILPACKS; HOWEVER, THEY ARE THE SAME DESIGN AS THE 2 WHICH JUST FAILED. FRANKLY, I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE MY CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, AS THERE IS ABSOLUTELY NO GUARANTEE THAT THE SAME PROBLEM WON'T HAPPEN AGAIN WITHOUT WARNING.
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 27, 2003
WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND VERY HEAVY VIBRATIONS ARE FELT COMING FROM THE ENGINE, IT FEELS AS IF THE CAR IS SHAKING APART. AFTER FIRST OCCURRENCE VW REPAIRED CAR AND REPORTED THE PROBLEM AS A FAULTY COIL PACK. TWO MONTHS LATER THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED, ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AND VERY HEAVY VIBRATIONS ARE FELT FROM THE ENGINE. I HAVE SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET IT REPAIRED AGAIN.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
THE COILS IN THE 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T ENGINE ARE FAILING. WHEN THEY FAIL, THIS CREATES A SAFTEY ISSUSE WITH THE CAR STALLING. THIS HAPPENS UNEXPECTLY WITHOUT WARNING, AND COULD HAPPEN WHILE TRAVELING IN A HIGH SPEED LANE. OVER A HALF MILLION CARS ARE AFFECTED BY THIS POORLY DESIGNED PART. AN INDEPTH REPORT APPEARED IN THE BOSTON SUNDAY GLOBE AUTOMOTIVE SECTION (1-26-03) DESCRIBING THE PROBLEM WE HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING. VW CHOSES ONLY TO FIX FAILED COMPONENTS, NOT THE ONES THAT HAVE NOT FAILED. THERE ARE FOUR COILS ON THIS ENGINE, AND THE CONSUMER HAS FOUR CHANCES OF BEING IN A ACCIDENT WHEN THE PART FAILS. VW SHOULD REPLACE ALL FOUR PARTS OF THIS KNOWN PROBLEM, AND NOT WAIT FOR THE ACCIDENTS TO HAPPEN.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
COIL PACK FAILURE ON 2002 VW JETTA, CAR FAILED TO MAKE IT THROUGH AN INTERSECTION WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. ALMOST GOT INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS, CAR HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY ARE ONLY GOING TO REPLACE ONE AND SAID THAT THE OTHERS WILL FAIL ALSO
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED SHAKING. IT WOULD ONLY GO 10 MPH. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND FOUND TWO OF THE IGNITION COILS WERE BROKEN. DEALER WOULD ONLY FIX THE BROKEN ONES BECAUSE VW WON'T FIX ALL FOUR, EVEN THOUGH HE ADMITTED THE OTHERS WOULD PROBABLY BREAK.
Electrical system, Jan 27, 2003
VW JETTA EGNITION COILS - ONE FAILED, DEALERSHIP WILL NOT REPLACE THEM ALL EVEN THOUGH ANOTHER WILL LIKELY MALFUNCTION. WHY IS THIS NOT A RECALL, THE SITUATION CAN BE DANGEROUS. DOES THERE HAVE TO BE A FATALITY FOR A RECALL?
Electrical system, Jan 26, 2003
IGNITION COIL PACK FAILED UPON INITIAL START UP OF ENGINE TODAY. THIS IS MY THIRD FAILURE TO DATE ON A LESS THAN 1 YEAR OLD CAR. THIS FAILURE CAN LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT AS YOU IMMEDIATELY LOSE THE ABILITY TO ACCELERATE AT ANYTHING OTHER THAN A CRAWL. WE WILL SEE FATALITIES AND INJURIES EVENTUALLY. PLEASE MAKE VWOA RECALL ALL APPLICABLE 1.8 LITER TURBOCHARGED VEHICLES WHEN THE PARTS AREN'T ON BACK ORDER
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2003
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT FLASHED SOON AFTER VEHICLE STARTED LOSING POWER AND JERKING. VEHICLE WAS ON ITS FOURTH REPAIR OF IGNITION COIL PACK, SERVICE DONE BY DEALER. TS. *AK
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2003
IGNITION-COIL PROBLEM
Electrical system, Jan 24, 2003
IGNITION COIL FAILURE IN 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 23, 2003
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS