What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2002 Volkswagen Jetta

Typical pattern

9% of complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2002 vehicle — around the middle of the 230 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 3.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is electrical system (145 complaints), typically at 1.6 yr or about 34,434 miles.

Complaints
833
Median age at failure
3.4 yr
Median mileage
56,500 n=622
Crash / fire / tow
18.1% of reports
Safety recalls
7

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
145 reports · 34,434 mi
1.6 yr
9%
Air bags
105 reports · 50,000 mi
3.4 yr
34.3%
Power train
101 reports · 72,501 mi
6.5 yr
3%
Engine cooling
101 reports · 50,000 mi
3.7 yr
2%
Seats
96 reports · 46,950 mi
3.2 yr
71.9%
Exterior lighting
53 reports · 67,000 mi
4.8 yr
13.2%
Service brakes, hydraulic
45 reports · 61,800 mi
2.9 yr
8.9%
Visibility
41 reports · 56,000 mi
2.8 yr
2.4%
Structure
19 reports · 65,000 mi
2.9 yr
5.3%
Speed control
17 reports · 84,000 mi
5.1 yr
17.6%
Equipment
15 reports · 53,400 mi
2.8 yr
13.3%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14E007000 2014-03-07
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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 af

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

07E023000 2007-03-29
Service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder

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.

07V063000 2007-02-20
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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.

06V183000 2006-05-24
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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.

04V584000 2004-12-16
Exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch

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.

04V096000 2004-02-20
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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.

02V031000 2002-01-31
Service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

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.

In owners’ own words

Structure mileage not reported 2 mo in service
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
Structure mileage not reported 9 mo in service
DRIVER'S DOOR IS BENT. WHEN CLOSING THERE IS A GAP. DEALER FIRST REPLACED SEAL, AND CURRENTLY DOOR WILL BE REPLACED.*AK
Structure 89,918 mi 2.4 yr in service
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
Service brakes, hydraulic mileage not reported 1 mo in service
WHEN APPLYING BRAKES AT 65MPH BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR, RESULTING IN EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Other Jetta model years

20212020201920172016201520142013201220112010200920082007200620052004200320022001200019991998

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