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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 5, 2002, crash
CONSUMER RECEIVED RECALL 02V031000 ON ABS. ON 2 MAR 2002 DEALER SET AN APPOINTMENT FOR JUNE 28, 2002 DUE TO PARTS NOT AVAILABLE. ON 12 MAY 2002 WHILE DRIVING 15 MPH CONSUMER APPLIED BRAKES, AND PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, NO BRAKING ABILITY.DAMAGE TO VEHICLE WAS $ 4000.00, NO INJURIES.*AK
Air bags, May 31, 2002
DRIVING ON THE TURNPIKE, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT ANY SORT OF IMPACT. THERE IS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, WHICH WAS ONLY 2 MONTHS OLD AT THE TIME. FORTUNATELY THE ONLY INJURY WAS A BURN FROM THE AIRBAG ON THE SIDE OF MY ARM. MY BIGGEST FEAR IS KNOWING RELATIVES AND FRIENDS WHO DRIVE JETTAS AND WHO HAVE YOUNG CHILDREN IN THEIR CAR. THIS INCIDENT COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN FATAL. HOPEFULLY YOUR ESTABLISHMENT CAN ENCOURAGE VW, WHERE I HAVE FAILED, TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS DEFECT.*AK
Equipment, May 24, 2002
THIS IS FOLLOW-UP TO A TELEPHONE COMPLAINT FILED 5/13/02 . I WAS TOLD BY CAROLYN THAT I WOULD BE RECEIVING A FORM IN THE MAIL TO SIGN. IT HAS BEEN NEARLY 2 WEEKS AND I HAVEN'T HEARD FROM ANYONE. THE DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR THE RECALL #02V031000 FREE OF CHARGE. THEY CLAIM THAT I HAVE TO PAY $78.00 FOR THEM TO CUT A "K-WIRE" SINCE THE ORIG. RADIO WAS REPLACED WITH A CD PLAYER/RADIO. THE SERVICE MANAGER (ERIC AXFORD) CONFIRMED THIS ON 5/13. I THEN CALLED VOLKSWAGON OF AMERICA WHERE I WAS TOLD BY KARI STADLER THAT THE DEALER COULD CHARGE FOR THE "FREE OF CHARGE" RECALL. THAT IS WHEN I FILED THE COMPLAINT WITH YOU. PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT IS BEING DONE I WHEN I CAN EXPECT THE RECALL TO BE HONORED. THANKS. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 20, 2002
WHILE DRIVING INTO A PARKING LOT AREA AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE BRAKES FAILED. CONSUMER COULD NOT PUSH THE PEDAL DOWN. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WENT OVER A METAL FENCE, DOWN TO LOWER LEVEL AND LANDED ON TWO OTHER VEHICLES CAUSING HEAVY DAMAGE. DEALER STATED NOTHING IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE UNLESS IT IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM WHICH WILL BE HARD TO DIAGNOSE. *TT
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 13, 2002
CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE IN FOR RECALL 02 V 031 000 REPAIRS, HOWEVER DEALER DID NOT HONOR RECALL LETTER. DEALER REFUSED TO HONOR RECALL BECAUSE OF AFTER MARKET ITEMS IN VEHICLE.*AK.CONSUMER STATED HE REPLACED THE CD PLAYER WITH AN AFTER MARKET CD PLAYER, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WOULD BE A CHARGE TO ANALYZE THE ABS.*JB
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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 19, 2002
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR A CREAKING NOISE IN PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. ALSO, DEALER DISCOVERED ON A TEST DRIVE THAT ALL ROTORS WERE WARPED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATON. *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
Air bags, Feb 14, 2002
DRIVING @ A BELOW AVG. SPEED 3 SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED W/O ANY SORT OF IMPACT. THERE WAS NO VISIBLE DAMAGE (I HAVE PICS) TO THE BODY OF MY BRAND NEW CAR (W/LESS THAN 2500 MLS) THE UTTERLY RANDOM DEPLOYMENT OF THESE AIRBAGS IS ENOUGH TO CAUSE AN ACCIDENT ON ITS OWN. FORTUNATLY, THAT WASN'T THE CASE HERE- BUT IT'S ONLY A MATTER OF TIME UNTIL SOMEBODY DIES. HOPEFULLY YOUR ESTABLISHMENT CAN PERSUADE VW TO GIVE THIS 'MAJOR DEFECT' THE ATTENTION THAT IT NEEDS! THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.*AK IE04-078*PO
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 17, 2002
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 65MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK
Structure, Dec 12, 2001
FRONT BUMPER COVER FIBER GOT CAUGHT ON TREE AND SNATCHED IT OFF. CONSUMER'S CONCERN IS THAT BUMPER COULD CATCH UNDER FRONT WHEELS AND CAUSE VEHICLE TO FLIP OVER. VOLKSWAGEN SHOWED NO CONCERN TO CONSUMERS ISSUES.*AK