RoadVitals

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems

Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
23
Latest Jan 11, 2018
Components namedHow many of our component categories appear on at least one report for this model year. One report can name several.
12
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
6

What this page shows

Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Reports by component

Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category

  • Engine411.4%
  • Airbags411.4%
  • Visibility38.6%
  • Brakes38.6%
  • Exterior lighting38.6%
  • Interior & seats25.7%
  • Body & structure25.7%
  • Tires & wheels25.7%
  • Steering12.9%
  • Transmission12.9%
  • Driver assistance12.9%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Each component in detail

What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words

Electrical

Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.

9
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. ON AUGUST 29, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DAVID MAUS VOLKSWAGEN, 1050 LEE RD, ORLANDO, FL 32810) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT RETURNED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING LIKE IT WAS BEFORE THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER DAY TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A BLOCKAGE THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STAFF BECAME VERY AGGRESSIVE. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO HAVE A SECOND OPINION FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, FOR WHICH A LETTER HAD TO BE WRITTEN AND APPROVED BY THE SERVICE DIRECTOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THE DEALER SINCE AUGUST 29, 2017. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,375. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID 11062171 · filed Jan 11, 2018

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED WOULD NOT START. WENT TO LIFT THE HOOD IT WAS HOT AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAD A FIRE. AT A VW DEALER FOR OVER 2 WKS AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. SO FAR THEY SAID IT APPEARS ENGINE HARNESS FIRE HAD STARTED AT THE STARTER AND THIS PART IS DISCONTINUED THERE IS A REPAIR KIT. VW CLAIMS A LOT OF ITEMS MUST BE REPLACED AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO GUARANTEE IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. YOU WOULD THINK YOU SEND IT TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD FIX IT BUT I GUESS NOT BECAUSE THEY CALLED ME TO TELL ME ALL THEY DID SO FAR HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2014 WITH 50,000. MILES. I KNOW THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST VW I WILL OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10626270 · filed Aug 19, 2014
All 9 reports naming electrical

Engine

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED WOULD NOT START. WENT TO LIFT THE HOOD IT WAS HOT AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAD A FIRE. AT A VW DEALER FOR OVER 2 WKS AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. SO FAR THEY SAID IT APPEARS ENGINE HARNESS FIRE HAD STARTED AT THE STARTER AND THIS PART IS DISCONTINUED THERE IS A REPAIR KIT. VW CLAIMS A LOT OF ITEMS MUST BE REPLACED AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO GUARANTEE IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. YOU WOULD THINK YOU SEND IT TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD FIX IT BUT I GUESS NOT BECAUSE THEY CALLED ME TO TELL ME ALL THEY DID SO FAR HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2014 WITH 50,000. MILES. I KNOW THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST VW I WILL OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10626270 · filed Aug 19, 2014

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH REAR TAIL LIGHTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ID 10114741 · filed Mar 25, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Airbags

Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.

4
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I HAVE AA2002 VW CABRIOLET AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT WENT ON. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST SHOWED IT WAS THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG AND HARNESS. AFTER THE PART WAS IN, WHILE WAITING TO LEAVE THE VEHICLE THE SERVICE CONSULTANT WAS ON THE PHONE DESCRIBING THE SAME PROBLEM, SAME AIRBAG TO ANOTHER VW CUSTOMER. WHEN I ASKED THE SERVICE CONSULTANT IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM KNOWN TO VW ON THEIR AIRBAGS HE SAID NO. THE WOMAN WAITING BEHIND ME SAID THE SAME HAPPENED TO HER VW. THE COST FOR THE DIAGNOSIS AND REPAIR WAS $690.48. *TR

NHTSA ID 10200208 · filed Aug 20, 2007

AIRBAG SYSTEM IN VW CABRIO FAILED (FAILURE WARNING LIGHT CAME ON) JUST AFTER VEHICLE HAD PASSED WARRANTY PERIOD. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (ELIZABETH GWYNN AT CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS IN ROCHESTER HILLS MI) STATED THROUGH TWO SUBORDINATES THAT AIRBAG SYSTEMS ARE NOT WARRANTED BEYOND ANY OTHER ITEMS EVEN THOUGH THESE SYSTEMS ARE ALLEGEDLY DESIGNED TO LAST THE LIFE OF THE CAR. THE STATEMENT (FROM MR. ERIC NEVINS) WAS THAT SAFETY ITEMS ARE NOT WORTH ANY SPECIAL OR EXTENDED COVERAGE AND THAT SAFETY IS NOT THE MANUFACTURER'S RESPONSIBILITY BEYOND A BASIC WARRANTY. WE HAVE HAD OUR DEALER DO THE NEEDED REPAIRS ON THIS MAJOR SAFETY ITEM. THIS IS NOT A DEALER ISSUE. THE MANUFACTURER (PER GWYNN AND SUBORDINATES) HAS SPECIFICALLY STATED THAT IT TAKES NO FURTHER RESPONSIBILITY FOR VEHICLE SAFETY EVEN A SINGLE MILE AFTER THE BASIC WARRANTY, WHICH COVERS NON-CRITICAL PARTS. *NM

NHTSA ID 10159849 · filed Jun 14, 2006

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Visibility

Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. ON AUGUST 29, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DAVID MAUS VOLKSWAGEN, 1050 LEE RD, ORLANDO, FL 32810) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT RETURNED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING LIKE IT WAS BEFORE THE ROUTINE MAINTENANCE WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT AT THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER DAY TO FIND OUT WHAT WAS CAUSING THE FAILURE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A BLOCKAGE THAT CAUSED THE FAILURE AND WOULD COST APPROXIMATELY $400 TO REPAIR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STAFF BECAME VERY AGGRESSIVE. THE CONTACT REQUESTED TO HAVE A SECOND OPINION FROM AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, FOR WHICH A LETTER HAD TO BE WRITTEN AND APPROVED BY THE SERVICE DIRECTOR. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE REQUEST WAS DENIED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REMOVED FROM THE DEALER SINCE AUGUST 29, 2017. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VIN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,375. *TT *TR

NHTSA ID 11062171 · filed Jan 11, 2018

2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. CONSUMER STATES THE REAR WINDOW FELL OUT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED, HER MODEL YEAR WAS THE ONLY YEAR, WHERE THE WINDOWS WERE GLUED IN, INSTEAD OF SEALED, IN THE CONVERTIBLE TOPS.

NHTSA ID 10480282 · filed Oct 10, 2012

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Brakes

Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT. SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE FUEL FILTER YET THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE COMPUTER AND HYDRAULIC PUMP OF THE ABS SYSTEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,000.

NHTSA ID 10407604 · filed Jun 20, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT PUSHED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS PULLED DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.

NHTSA ID 10370454 · filed Dec 13, 2010

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Exterior lighting

Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.

3
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO EXPERIENCING RECALL SYMPTOMS. CONSUMER STATES THAT HER TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHERS HAVE STOPPED FUNCTIONING. SHE STATED THAT IT WAS INTERMITTENT AT FIRST. SHE WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF HER VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE RECALL. *KB RECALL # 04V584000. *JB

NHTSA ID 10225093 · filed Apr 16, 2008

PURCHSED VEHICLE NEW.. HAVE RETURNED IT VARIOUS TIMES FOR ENGINE LIGHT - FIRST TIME WAS SIX MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE SENSOR GAUGE REPLACED TWICE, A GAS SENSOR REPLACED ONCE, THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED TWICE. I TOO HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN THREE TIMES FOR THE REAR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONING - THE LAST TIME THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN 'MISSED' A WIRING ISSUE; THE VINYL NEAR THE POWER WINDOW CONTROLS IS PEELING OFF FOR THE SECOND TIME (FIRST TIME VW REPLACED AT NO COST AFTER I COMPLAINED TO VW AMERICAN); WITH JUST 45000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES (AT MY EXPENSE AT 22000 MILES) AND HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES. IN THE THREE YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES NOT COUNTING THE 5000 MILE OIL CHANGES. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED SO THAT I CAN PROVE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.*AK

NHTSA ID 10116539 · filed Apr 7, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Interior & seats

Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM A WEEKEND AWAY, I WAS ON I95 NORTH NEAR MILE MARKER 120.00 TRAVELING ABOUT 15-20MPH WHEN TRAFFIC CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, I MADE A COMPLETE STOP AND THE CAR BEHIND ME HIT ME GOIN GABOUT 15MPH AND PUSHED ME INTO THE SUV IN FRONT OF ME THE FIRST IMPACT PUSHED MY PASSENGER AND MYSELF FORWARD AND THEN THE SECOND IMPACT OF US HITTING THE SUV IN FRONT OF US PUSHED US BACK...BOTH OF OUR SEATS GAVE WAY AND WE WERE IN LYING POSTIONS. WE HADENT EVEN REALIZED WHAT HAD HAPPENED UNTIL WE SAT UP FROM THE LYING POSTION. I AM ASSUMMING THAT THE SEATS BROKE AND THATS WHY THEY GAVE WAY, I DONT THINK THAT THAT IS A SAFETY FEATURE AND SHOULD BE ADDRESSED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. I WAS DRIVING A 2002 VW CABRIO GLX.*AK

NHTSA ID 10032820 · filed Aug 14, 2003

SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE THR POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN INOPERTIVE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, TWICE. *JG

NHTSA ID 568328 · filed Nov 30, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Body & structure

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER DOORS FAILED TO LOCK. *AK ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHEN LITTLE PRESSURE WAS APPLIED TO THE DOOR, IT OPENED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING. *JB

NHTSA ID 10011315 · filed Mar 18, 2003

SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE THR POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN INOPERTIVE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, TWICE. *JG

NHTSA ID 568328 · filed Nov 30, 2002

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Tires & wheels

Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.

2
reports

From owner reports, verbatim

PURCHSED VEHICLE NEW.. HAVE RETURNED IT VARIOUS TIMES FOR ENGINE LIGHT - FIRST TIME WAS SIX MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE SENSOR GAUGE REPLACED TWICE, A GAS SENSOR REPLACED ONCE, THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED TWICE. I TOO HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN THREE TIMES FOR THE REAR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONING - THE LAST TIME THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN 'MISSED' A WIRING ISSUE; THE VINYL NEAR THE POWER WINDOW CONTROLS IS PEELING OFF FOR THE SECOND TIME (FIRST TIME VW REPLACED AT NO COST AFTER I COMPLAINED TO VW AMERICAN); WITH JUST 45000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE I HAVE REPLACED THE BRAKES (AT MY EXPENSE AT 22000 MILES) AND HAVE REPLACED THE TIRES. IN THE THREE YEARS SINCE I PURCHASED MY CAR IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES NOT COUNTING THE 5000 MILE OIL CHANGES. ALL WORK HAS BEEN DOCUMENTED SO THAT I CAN PROVE THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN PROPERLY MAINTAINED.*AK

NHTSA ID 10116539 · filed Apr 7, 2005

HOWEVER THE CAR IS MADE, IT KILLS THE TIRES. TODAY I WILL BE BUYING MY SECOND TIRE IN TWO YEARS. *AK

NHTSA ID 10062188 · filed Mar 15, 2004

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Steering

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED WOULD NOT START. WENT TO LIFT THE HOOD IT WAS HOT AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAD A FIRE. AT A VW DEALER FOR OVER 2 WKS AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. SO FAR THEY SAID IT APPEARS ENGINE HARNESS FIRE HAD STARTED AT THE STARTER AND THIS PART IS DISCONTINUED THERE IS A REPAIR KIT. VW CLAIMS A LOT OF ITEMS MUST BE REPLACED AND THAT IS NOT GOING TO GUARANTEE IT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. YOU WOULD THINK YOU SEND IT TO A DEALER AND THEY COULD FIX IT BUT I GUESS NOT BECAUSE THEY CALLED ME TO TELL ME ALL THEY DID SO FAR HAS NOT SOLVED THE PROBLEM. I PURCHASED THIS CAR FOR MY DAUGHTER IN MARCH 2014 WITH 50,000. MILES. I KNOW THIS IS MY FIRST AND LAST VW I WILL OWN. *TR

NHTSA ID 10626270 · filed Aug 19, 2014

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Transmission

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CLUTCH FAILED. THE CONTACT PULLED OFF THE FREEWAY AND PARKED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS SEEN BY THE DEALER PRIOR TO THE CLUTCH FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 90,600. UPDATED 06/09/08 *BF UPDATED 06/09/08

NHTSA ID 10221890 · filed Mar 20, 2008

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Driver assistance

Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.

1
report

From owner reports, verbatim

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH REAR TAIL LIGHTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK

NHTSA ID 10114741 · filed Mar 25, 2005

Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .