2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
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
- Electrical925.7%
- 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.
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
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
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
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
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH REAR TAIL LIGHTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK
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.
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
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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
SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE THR POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN INOPERTIVE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, TWICE. *JG
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.
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
SINCE THE DAY OF PURCHASE THR POWER DOOR LOCK ON THE PASSENGER SIDE HAS BEEN INOPERTIVE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIR, TWICE. *JG
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.
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
HOWEVER THE CAR IS MADE, IT KILLS THE TIRES. TODAY I WILL BE BUYING MY SECOND TIRE IN TWO YEARS. *AK
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.
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
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.
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
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.
From owner reports, verbatim
MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH REAR TAIL LIGHTS. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON BUT DEALER COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING WRONG.*AK
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
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .