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.
Electrical system, Dec 20, 2008
I HAVE 2002 JETTA HAVING THE SAME ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. THE DOOR / LATCH SWITCH HAS A MALFUNCTION AND WON'T COME ON WHEN THE DOOR IS OPEN. THE DOME LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THE LIGHT ON THE DOOR DOES NOT COME ON. WHICH CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT IF THE VEHICLE COMING FROM THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE AND CAN'T SEE THE DOOR IS OPEN AT NIGHT. THE DEALERSHIP WON'T REPLACE IT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME. THERE ARE PLENTY OF PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS AND PAYS THE DEALERSHIP A LOT OF MONEY TO HAVE IT FIXED. OBVIOUSLY IT IS A PROBLEM WITH ALL JETTA THAT YEAR. THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE A RECALL THE DEFECTIVE SWITCH BE REPLACE. COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. *TR
Electrical system, Dec 17, 2008
IGNITION COIL!!! WAS ENTERING INTERSTATE AND ACCELERATED AND ENGINE LOST A LOT OF POWER AND STARTED RUNNING ROUGHLY. WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BE ONLY A FEW MILES AWAY FROM A VW DEALERSHIP (NOT MY OWN, WE WERE OUT OF TOWN). THEY SAID #1 COIL FAILED, BE CAREFUL BECAUSE THE REST WILL PROBABLY FOLLOW SHORTLY, BUT RECOMMENDED I WAIT FOR ANOTHER ONE TO FAIL AND THEN REPLACE THE REST. $230 AND 16 DAYS LATER, ANOTHER FAILED. WAS NOT ACCELERATING HARD, JUST NORMAL HWY DRIVING. STARTED DOING SOME RESEARCH, FOUND OUT THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM AND HAS BEEN KNOWN FOR 5 YRS!!! WILL COMPLAIN TO HIGH HEAVEN TO GET THESE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. I UNDERSTAND NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND A RANDOM PART HERE AND THERE FAILING, BUT A 5YR OLD PROBLEM IS A LITTLE BIT HARDER TO UNDERSTAND. DEALERSHIP AND VW NEED TO PRACTICE BETTER BUSINESS PRACTICES AND I DON'T KNOW WHY THIS HASN'T BEEN AN OFFICIAL RECALL YET. LOSING POWER AT 65MPH ON AN INTERSTATE IS VERY DANGEROUS, NO MATTER WHAT VW OR NHTSA SAYS. WHAT IS IT GOING TO TAKE? DEATHS? I HOPE I CAN GET THIS RESOLVED TO MY SATISFACTION BY THE DEALERS AND VW. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2008
TIMING BELT WAS REPLACED AT 89,000 MILES PER MY REQUEST AT VW DEALERSHIP MOTOR MOUNT BOLTS FAILED AT 136,000, MOTOR DROPPED ONTO CROSSMEMBER AND STEERING COMPONENTS. ONLY ONE OF TWO HORIZONTAL BOLTS WAS PRESENT AT FAILURE, REMAINING ONE BOLT SHEARED OFF AT BLOCK. *TR
Electrical system, Latches/locks/linkages, Nov 8, 2008
MY 2002 VW JETTA TDI HAS MANY ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS. THE ONE THAT MIGHT BE A SAFETY FACTOR IS THE MICRO SWITCHES IN THE DOOR LATCHES. THE DOORS WITH FAULTY SWITCHES DON'T KNOW IF THERE OPEN OR CLOSED. WHEN OPEN THE SAFETY LIGHT ON THE DOOR DOES NOT COME ON TO ALERT ONCOMING VEHICLES THAT A DOOR IS OPEN. IF THE SWITCH STAYS ON WHEN THE DOOR IS CLOSED, THE DOME LIGHTS STAY ON UNTIL THE BATTERY IS DEAD. THE VW DEALER JUST "JERKED" ME AROUND UNTIL THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. (FREDERICTON VW). SINCE THE PART(S) FOR THIS REPAIR ARE EXPENSIVE, I FEEL THAT VW SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLES TO REPLACE THE SWITCHES AND DOOR LATCHES. MEL MOIR *TR
Power train, Nov 2, 2008
I HAVE A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN AUTOMATIC TDI JETTA AND THE CAR WILL NOT ENGAGE WHEN I SHIFT IT IN REVERSE. IT EITHER ROLLS FORWARD OR JUST REVS WITHOUT ENGAGING. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002 JETTA'S. IT IS NOT UNDER ANY WARRANTY AND WILL BE COSTLY TO FIX. *TR
Power train, Oct 28, 2008
I BOUGHT THIS CAR A LITTLE OVER 1 MONTH AGO ON SEPT 18, 2008 AND 1 WEEK AFTER BUYING IT, I STARTED EXPERIENCING ISSUES W/ IT NOT WANTING TO SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND SHIFTING HARD WHILE DRIVING, IT WAS TAKEN TO A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY REBUILT THE TRANSMISSION FOR ME. I HAVE HAD NO FURTHER ISSUES W/ THE TRANSMISSION SINCE THEN, HOWEVER TODAY, I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK AND WHEN I WAS SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED LIGHT, IT DOWNSHIFTED EXTREMELY HARD AND NOW IS STUCK IN FIRST GEAR. *TR
Power train, Oct 3, 2008
PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE ON A 2002 VW JETTA TDI DIESEL. FIRST TIME IT FAILED AND LOCKED THE FRONT WHEELS ON JAN 2003 AT 15,500 MILES. THE VW DEALER FAILED TO DIAGNOSE OR ACKNOWLEDGE A PROBLEM WHEN THE CAR WAS BEGINNING TO EXHIBIT DIFFICULTY SHIFTING INTO REVERSE - 30 DAYS BEFORE THE TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE I WAS PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE, RESULTING IN A NEAR MISS HEAD-ON COLLISION. TRANSMISSION REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. ON SEPT 29, 2008, 89,400 MILES, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN EXHIBITING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS PREVIOUSLY DESCRIBED. A LOCAL TRANSMISSION SHOP, DUCKETT'S AUTOMOTIVE, REPORTED THAT PREMATURE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT 50,000 MILES OR LESS IS COMMON WITH TDI JETTAS. THEY REPORT THAT THERE IS NO SERVICE BULLETIN OR AFTER-MARKET FIX TO WHAT THEY DESCRIBE AS A DEFECTIVELY DESIGNED AUTO TRANSMISSION. THE SPECIFIC SITE OF FAILURE ARE THE BEARINGS IN THE PLANETARY GEAR. THE RESULT, $3200.00 REPAIR AND REBUILD. TWO TRANSMISSIONS IN LESS THAN 100,000 MILES, AND THE EXPECTATION OF PREMATURE FAILURE OF THIS REPAIR AS WELL. *TR
Air bags, Sep 15, 2008
CAR INFORMATION: 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA #: WHILE EXITING DRIVEWAY, REAR TIRE BECAME CAUGHT ON CURB. AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON PASSENGER SIDE (SIDE CURTAIN PROTECTION AIRBAG AND BACKREST SIDE AIRBAG). NO COLLISION HAD OCCURRED. CAR IMMEDIATELY DIED IN STREET BUT LATER STARTED. CONTACTED INSURANCE COMPANY, AS WELL AS VW DEALER. *TR
Air bags, Sep 10, 2008
2002 VW JETTA,HUSBAND RAN OVER POTHOLE, PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. HAD TO TOW CAR AND GET RENTAL. NO IMPACT OR ACCIDENT. WAITING FOR VW TO LOOK AT CAR. AM SURE THEY WILL SAY IT'S OUR FAULT JUST FROM WHAT I'M SEEING ON WEB. HOW CAN GOVERNMENT HAVE 499 PLUS INCIDENTS OF INVESTIGATION AND NOT MAKE VW RECALL?? MAYBE NOT UNTIL SOMEONE DIES AND THEY GET SUED. *TR
Power train, Aug 16, 2008
OUR 2002 JETTA SUDDENLY DEVELOPED TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS EVEN BEFORE COMPLETING 57,000 MILES. THE CAR JERKS WHILE CHANGING GEARS DURING ACCELERATION IN THE SPEED RANGE OF 15 ' 30 MILES. FROM THE INFORMATION FOUND ON THE INTERNET, AND FROM OPINIONS OBTAINED INFORMALLY FROM INDEPENDENT GARAGES, WE BELIEVE THAT THE 2002 JETTA HAS A HISTORY OF SIMILAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS IN THE 55K ' 65K MILE RANGE. THE REPAIR ENTAILS REPLACING THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FOR A COST OF AROUND 6000 DOLLARS. THOUGH THE CAR HAS NOT EVEN RUN 57,000 MILES, VW HAS REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING IT FOR FREE BECAUSE THE 6-YEAR WARRANTY PERIOD HAS EXPIRED. VW REFUSED TO PROVIDE US WITH ANY INFORMATION OF THE NUMBER OF REPORTS THEY HAD ABOUT THIS ISSUE. VW OFFERED US 1000 DOLLARS TOWARD THE PURCHASE OF ANOTHER VW VEHICLE BUT REFUSED TO PAY US IF WE REPAIRED OUR CAR FOR A LOWER PRICE AT AN INDEPENDENT GARAGE. WE INTERPRETED THEIR OFFER AS A MARKETING STRATEGY TO MAKE US GIVE THEM MORE BUSINESS. THE CAR PROBLEMS HAVE DISRUPTED OUR LIVES BECAUSE WE DID NOT ANTICIPATE HAVING TO INVEST MORE MONEY AFTER MAKING A LARGE INVESTMENT OF 25,000 DOLLARS JUST A FEW YEARS AGO. 31 COMPLAINTS HAVE BEEN ALREADY FILED WITH THE NHTSA ON TRANSMISSION ISSUES FOR THE 2002 JETTA, PRIOR TO THIS ONE. WHAT WILL IT TAKE FOR THE NHTSA TO START AN INVESTIGATION INTO THE PROBLEM? IS THERE ANY WAY TO MAKE VW RELEASE DATA REGARDING CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION, KNOWING THAT THE REPAIRS ARE SO EXPENSIVE? IT IS UNFAIR THAT VW DENIES RESPONSIBILITY FOR WHAT COULD BE A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THEIR CARS. WE OWNED THREE OTHER JAPANESE CARS PREVIOUSLY THAT WERE FAR CHEAPER THAN THE JETTA, AND GAVE US FAR SUPERIOR SERVICE. BUYING A JETTA WAS OBVIOUSLY A MISTAKE. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jul 26, 2008
I OWN A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T AT 56000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT OF IT AND AT 56000 THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN I HAVE IT AT A TRANSMISSION SHOP AND THEY FOUND METAL SHAVINGS IN THE PAN HAS THEIR BEEN A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND IF NOT CAN I GET SOME ASSISTANCE GETTING THIS PROBLEM FIXED BECAUSE AT 56000 MILES THIS SHOULD HAVE NEVER HAPPENED SENSE I'VE OWNED THIS CAR IT HAS BEEN NOTHING BUT TROUBLE VERY UNHAPPY WITH THE WAY THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER BYERS IN COLUMBUS OHIO AND THE VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERCIA IS HANDLING THIS PROBLEM THE CODE WE GET IS PO730 I WOULD TRULY APPRECIATE SOME HELP WITH GETTING THIS FIXED THANK YOU TOM. *TR
Seats, Jul 24, 2008
WHILE DRIVING WITH THE SEAT HEATER ON IN 2002 VW JETTA THE SEAT HEATER OVERHEATED AND BURNED THROUGH THE LEATHER SEAT AND BURNED THE DRIVER. SMOKE WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
Air bags, Jul 23, 2008
I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND HIT A POT HOLE IN THE ROAD CAUSING MY PASSENGER, SIDE AND HEAD AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO IMPACT. MY PASSENGER SIDE TIRE HIT THE POT HOLE. THERE WERE HUNDREDS OF REPORTS OF THIS OCCURRING. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND PROBABLY MANY MORE SINCE THEN. I WAS WONDERING IF THERE WAS A RECALL MADE, AND IF NOT, WHY NOT? YES, THESE ARE GOOD IF A REAL CRASH OCCURRED, BUT DANGEROUS TO NO CRASH OCCURRENCES. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE AND I, NOR ANY OTHER VOLKSWAGEN OWNER, SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS. THANK YOU. NHTSA ACTION NUMBER : PE04081 NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBER : N/A MAKE / MODELS : MODEL/BUILD YEARS: VOLKSWAGEN / GOLF 2001-2003 VOLKSWAGEN / GTI 2001-2003 VOLKSWAGEN / JETTA 2001-2003 MANUFACTURER : VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC COMPONENT : AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW DATE INVESTIGATION OPENED : DECEMBER 16, 2004 DATE INVESTIGATION CLOSED : APRIL 1, 2005 THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS). THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM'S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS. *TR
Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 17, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT CONSTANTLY SMELLS A SLIGHT HINT OF GASOLINE AFTER PLACING FUEL INTO THE VEHICLE. WHILE PLACING GASOLINE INTO THE VEHICLE, THE SMELL INTENSIFIED. THE CONTACT REFERRED TO THE OWNER'S MANUAL, WHICH ADVISED NOT TO OVERFILL THE FUEL TANK. HE THEN REALIZED THAT HE WAS OVERFILLING THE TANK UNKNOWINGLY. HE CONTINUED TO SMELL THE ODOR AND REMOVED THE BACK SEAT OF THE VEHICLE, AND DISCOVERED GASOLINE HAD OVERFLOWED INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT HE NEEDED THE FUEL PUMP REPLACED AT THE COST OF $650. THE DEALER STATED LATER THAT A $1,600 FUEL TANK REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED. THE CONTACT REFUSED AND SOUGHT A SECOND OPINION. HE THEN NOTIFIED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND FILED A COMPLAINT. HE WAS INFORMED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED (CASE NUMBER 80256757). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000. UPDATED 09/10/08.*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE GAS TANK WAS DEFECTIVE.
Electrical system, Jun 27, 2008
MANUFACTURER REFUSES TO REIMBURSE ME FOR WORK DONE FOR A MANUFACTURER RECALL NOT PERFORMED AT A DEALERSHIP,EVEN THOUGH CAR COULD NOT BE DRIVEN THERE DUE TO RECALL DEFECT AND MECHANIC CAME TO MY HOUSE TO REPAIR THE DEFECT WITH AN AUTHORIZED MANUFACTURERS PART
Structure, Jun 24, 2008
MY 2002 VW JETTA 4 DOOR HAS THIS SUBSTANCE WHICH THEY USED TO BLOCK HEAT AND DEADEN THE NOISE FROM OUTSIDE, HOWEVER WHEN IT GETS HOT IT RUNS OUT OF THE HOLES IN THE UNDERCARRIAGE AND HAS AN AWFUL SMELL SOMETHING LIKE THAT OF MELTED CRAYONS, AND THE ODOR ATTACHES TO THE OCCUPANTS IN A MATTER OF MINUTES. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 24, 2008
WHEN GENTLY APPLYING PRESSURE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL THE BRAKES WOULD SUDDENLY FULLY ENGAGE FOR A MOMENT AND THEN RETURN TO NORMAL. THIS OCCURRED EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THERE WERE NO CONSEQUENCES IN MY CASE, BUT IT IS NOT HARD TO IMAGINE THIS CAUSING A CAR TO BE HIT FROM THE REAR OR CAUSING A LOSS OF CONTROL IN SLIPPERY CONDITIONS. TO CORRECT THE SITUATION THE BRAKE BOOSTER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
Parking brake, Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Service brakes, Electric, Interior lighting, Jun 18, 2008
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY COMES ON, COMPLETED RECALL FOR BRAKE SWITCH, EPC LIGHT CONTINUES TO COME ON, CAR STALLS WHILE WAITING FOR A LIGHT TO CHANGE VERY DANGEROUS. AFTER A NIGHT OF RAIN, LEAK IN PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR MOLD GROWING CAR WILL HAVE A VERY HARD START OR NO START AT ALL IN THE MORNING, REPLACED BATTERY 3 TIMES. CHANGED O2 SENSOR 2X, CAR BURNS OIL CONTINUOUSLY, INTERIOR LIGHTS GO OUT WHEN THEY FEEL LIKE IT, BRAKE LIGHTS DIE OUT FAST, CHANGED BRAKE LIGHTS AND SIGNAL LIGHTS AT LEAST 5X. *TR
Power train, Equipment, Jun 17, 2008
2002 VW JETTA VR6 2.8 EVER SINCE WE PURCHASED THE CAR IN SEPT. 07 WE HAVE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THE CAR COMPLETELY DYING IN INTERSECTION OR IDLING WITH A/C ON OR JUST WHEN RUNNING. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE DASH RESETS AND CAR SHUTS OFF AND LOCKS UP. YOU HAVE TO TURN TO CAR OFF AND PUT IN PARK TO RESTART. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY CHILDREN AND I TO TRAVEL ANYWHERE WHEN I DRIVE A HOUR TO WORK EACH DAY. I ALSO KNOW A PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE SAME YEAR CAR THE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEMS AND HAD TO SELL BECAUSE AFTER THOUSANDS OF $ IT WAS NEVER ABLE TO BE REPAIRED. ALSO THE CAR FEELS LIKE TO TRANSMISSION IS GOING OUT. THIS CAR WAS PROMISED TO BE SAFE DEPENDABLE AND HAD BEEN NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS. WE LUCKILY HAVE NOT HAD A ACCIDENT YET BUT SEVERAL VERY CLOSE CALLS. THE VW DEAL CANT SEEM TO FIND THE PROBLEM THEY INSIST THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS CAUSING IT. THEY REPLACE THINGS AND NOTHING WORKS. INCIDENT STILL OCCURRING. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 10 MPH IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE DROVE VERY ROUGHLY AND FELT AS IF IT WOULD SHUT OFF. MINUTES LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE ENGINE COIL FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND WORKED FINE FOR A MONTH BEFORE THE FAILURE RECURRED. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND HAD THE VEHICLE REPAIRED FOR A SECOND TIME. THE VEHICLE WORKED NORMALLY TEMPORARILY, BUT THREE WEEKS LATER, THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE ENGINE COIL FAILED AGAIN AND THEY REPLACED IT WITH A DIFFERENT PART. SINCE THE MOST RECENT REPAIR, THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN WORKING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE AND DISCOVERED NUMEROUS CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME VEHICLE, WHO ALSO EXPERIENCED THIS SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,000.
Equipment, May 24, 2008
2002 VW JETTA WITH WHAT IS BECOMING A COMMON PROBLEM. WHILE DRIVING THE A/C UNIT STOPPED WORKING. ALL ITEMS WERE CHECKED AND NO OBVIOUS SIGN OF LEAK, ELECTRICAL PROBLEM OR OTHER WAS FOUND. DEALER WANTED TO REPLACE ALL ITEMS IN THE A/C SYSTEM. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AC CLUTCH IS HELD ON BY A NYLON NUT AND THESE ARE NOT ABLE TO FUNCTION WITHOUT THIS FLAWED DESIGN. A SEARCH ON ANY VW DISCUSSION BOARD WILL PROVIDE HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS SUBSTANDARD DESIGN. THIS WAS A DESIGN/MANUFACTURING FLAW AND NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY VW. HOW MANY OTHER CONSUMERS PAID FOR A NEW A/C SYSTEM (FAN, COMPRESSOR, CLUTCH ECT.) WHEN ALL THAT IS NEEDED IS A PROPERLY MANUFACTURED CLUTCH. I BELIEVE THAT THIS DESIGN WAS ONLY IN EXISTENCE FOR 2 YEARS AND WAS REPLACED BY VW. SHOULDN'T THEY HAVE TO ANSWER TO ALL OF THE CONSUMERS ABOUT THIS DESIGN. THIS PART IS ALSO FOUND A LOT OF TIME BY VW TECHNICIANS WHEN THEY REMOVE THE PROTECTIVE BELLY PAN. THIS IS A SIMILAR PROBLEM TO WINDOW REGULATOR RECALL WHERE THE USED A PLASTIC CLIP INSTEAD OF METAL. *TR
Power train, May 21, 2008
2002 JETTA VR6. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE (TCM) BECAME FAULTY AFTER MIL LIGHT TURNED ON FOR A EMISSION RELATED ISSUE COVERED BY A RECALL. TECHNICIANS FAILED TO IDENTIFY THE FAULTY TCM AFTER FOUR TRIP TO THE SHOP. LAST TRIP I SHOWED THEM A TSB RELATED TO THE TCM AND NOW THEY AGREE THAT THE MODUAL IS FAULTY. WORST PART IS IT DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE CAR HAS BEEN HARD TO CONTROL IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AS SHIFTING IS NOT SMOOTH BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS. CAR HAS INITIAL NO ACCELERATION/POWER FOLLOWED BY FAST JERKING SHIFT INTO THE 3RD GEAR WITH HIGH ACCELERATION. CAR MAYBE OUT OF WARRANTY BUT IDENTIFYING THIS ISSUE IS NOT EASY FOR THE AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIANS AND THIS PART WHEN IT FAILS LEAVE THE CAR IN A STATE THAT IS HARD TO CONTROL OR MANAGE. DEALER ONLY OFFERED TO CREDIT THIS LAST DIAGNOSTIC FEE TOWARDS THE $4700 REPAIR WHICH NOW INCLUDE NOT JUST THE TMC MODULE BUT ALSO THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS AFTER HAVING SPENT CLOSE TO $1,000 TRYING TO IDENTIFY AND FIX THIS ISSUE. NOT SURE IF IT WAS RELATED TO THE MIL LIGHT ISSUE COVERED BY THE RECALL BUT SINCE THEN THE TMC HAD NOT WORKED CORRECTLY. *TR
Suspension, Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, May 19, 2008
I PURCHASED THE 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN AUGUST OF 2006. THE FIRST SET OF REPAIRS WAS ON 3/2007 AT 64,332 MI CHECK ENGINE LIGHT MULITPLE MISFIRES: P0300, P0301, P0302, P0303, P0304 REPLACED IGNITION COILS COST: $200.11 SECOND REPAIR TOOK PLACE IN APRIL OF 2007 TOOK CAR IN FOR RECALL - REPLACEMENT OF BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH CHECK ENGLINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON - REPLACED TEMP. SENSOR COST: $199.33 CAR WAS JERKING INTO GEAR, DOWNSHIFTING HARD AND SLUGGISH. BROUGHT CAR INTO DEALSERHSIP IN APRIL 2008 WORN STRUT BRUSHINGS NEEDS REAR PADS NEEDS ROTORS CHECK ENGLINE LIGHT ON AGAIN NEEDS NEW COILS AGAIN SPARK PLUGS TEMP SENSOR AGAIN NEW T-STAT FANS NOT WORKING HOSES UNDER INTAKE BROKEN NEEDS NEW TRANSMISSION DIAGNOSIS COST: $149.21 ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIR: $6,500.00. *TR
Power train, May 15, 2008
RELATED TO HTSA 10024548. 2002 JETTA STALLS AND HAS TRANSMISSION ISSUES BETWEEN 2ND AND 3RD GEARS WHICH MAKES CONTROLLING THE CAR DIFFICULT WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOPPED POSITION. TOOK THIS ISSUE TO DEALER BUT THEY RECOMMENDED OTHER SERVICE WHICH IS NOT NEEDED. THE SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER AND THEN THE FAST GEAR SHIFT FROM 2ND TO 3RD CAN BE A REAL ISSUE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC AS IT IS HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR. LUCKY NO ACCIDENTS BUT A FEW CLOSE CALLS INCLUDING MERGING INTO HIGHWAY TRAFFIC. HAVE TO USE VERY LOW SPEEDS TO AVOID THIS HARD SHIFTING ISSUE. *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, May 1, 2008
I OWN A 2002 VW JETTA 1.8T. OVER THE WINTER MY ABS SYSTEM DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY AT ALL! SOMETIMES IT WOULD WORK AND SOMETIMES IT WOULDN'T. NOW THAT IT IS WARMER OUT IT DOES NOT WORK AT ALL! ABS LIGHT, TRACTION LIGHT, AND BLINKING BRAKE LIGHT NOW ILLUMINATE MY DASHBOARD. I HAVE READ THAT THIS IS A FAULTY ABS CONTROL UNIT WHICH MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH. I SIMPLY DON'T HAVE 1,500 DOLLARS TO FIX SOMETHING LIKE THIS BUT IT WOULD BE NICE TO BE IN CONTROL OF MY CAR ON SNOWY WISCONSIN ROADS. *TR