2002 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
7 recalls and 704 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is electrical system (18% of complaints); the 2000 and 2004 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 704 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“While going 55 car dropped torque and geared down forcing car rev very high rpms, nose dip. Jerk me into on coming lane. Luckily nothing was coming.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · May 2021
“While the vehicle is in motion, it "jerks" or makes a shaking movement. While the vehicle is in motion, the "door ajar" light stays on although all doors have been opened and closed. While stationary, the vehicle brake light is not working. While stationary and in motion, the vehicle's check engine light stays on. The rear middle passenger seatbelt is not useable. The driver's door remains unlocked after pressing the "lock doors" button.”Owner report · Electrical System · Sep 2018
“Simply wanted to let you know that my daughter rear ended another car at 40mph and completely crunched in her front end (car is totaled), but the airbags did not deploy. We didn't think anything of it until the state farm agent mentioned that she had airbags on the car.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2017
Show 7 more owner reports
“The shifter first locked up in heavy traffic, then later came completely loose in traffic. The vw parts departments said this problem has happened so much that no one within 200 miles had the parts in stock as they were sold out. Vw refused to cooperate with the better business bureau in resolution. The bbb told me to report to the NHTSA>”Owner report · Power Train · Apr 2017
“While maintaining speed at or above 40 mph and with 1/4 tank or less of fuel remaining, my jetta will consistently stall out and turn off from fuel starvation. This has happened to me between 40 and 80 mph several times, both in the city and on the highway. I have replaced the crankshaft position sensor, the fuel sender, and the fuel pump with no success. Additionally, the jetta will die the first time I try to start it as my fuel level approaches 1/4, especially if I am parked on an incline. However, it never fails to start on the second try once some fuel has begun moving through the system. Fully refueling alleviates all problems.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkwagen jetta. While operating the vehicle with the front seat warmers activated, the front passenger was burned when the seat warmer malfunctioned. Medical attention was not needed. The failure burned a hole through the front passenger seat. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the engine warning indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a repair center, but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The independent dealer who sold the contact the vehicle did not verify if the vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 91,677. .. Updated 12/22/16 *bf the consumer stated one hose was replaced and there is a hole in another hose, and also missing brackets. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact was getting an allergic reaction from the interior of the vehicle. The contact stated there was an odor emitting from the vehicle, which caused the reaction. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure could not be diagnosed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While driving at any speed, the air bag warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the air bag module was faulty. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 49,706. Updated 08/22/16*lj *cn”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2016
“Tl* the contact owned a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While entering the vehicle, the contact noticed that the brake warning light was illuminated and the windows were steaming. In addition, the dashboard was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report and a police report were filed. The contact sustained a burned hand injury, but did not need medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.”Owner report · Structure · Apr 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 31 of these complaints and injuries in 75 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 7 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 704 owner complaints and 7 recall campaigns on record for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is electrical system (18% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 54,950 miles or less.
Does the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
7 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.