RoadVitals

2002 Volkswagen GTI

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

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.
124
Latest Apr 13, 2018
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Feb 20, 2007
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
2
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.
2
10 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 124 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen GTI, most frequently naming the electrical, airbags and other / unspecified categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 113 manufacturer communications are on file.

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

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

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

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
07V063000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

Feb 20, 2007
1,002,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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 risk: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The 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.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number N4View on NHTSA.gov
04V584000

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH

Dec 16, 2004
410,000 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
The 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.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number VXView on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

PE04081ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

Opened Dec 16, 2004
Closed Apr 1, 2005

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.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.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
PE04073ClosedPreliminary Evaluation

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE

Opened Oct 19, 2004
Closed Dec 16, 2004

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCHLed to recall 04V584000

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 124
Filed Apr 13, 2018

DRIVING MY CAR FOR A WHILE, I START NOTICING THE SMELL OF BURNED RUBBER FROM THE ENGINE AND WHEN IS COOLING DOWN AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

NHTSA ID
11084922
Incident
Jul 19, 2017
Airbags
Filed Nov 21, 2014

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT, TURNING INTO THE MAIN STREET WHEN SUDDENLY WE HEAR A LOUD EXPLOSION AND INSIDE THE CAR WAS COVER IN A CLOUD OF SMOKE AND WHITE POWER. IT TOOK US FEW MIN TO REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED SINCE WE BOTH HAD RINGING EAR FOR A MOMENT. WE FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO COME BACK AND THINK STRAIGHT AGAIN TO REALIZE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WE INSPECTED THE CAR TO SEE IF WE GOT HIT ANOTHER CAR, NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE INDICATION ANY TYPE OF CRASH. *TR

NHTSA ID
10660044
Incident
May 11, 2013
Mileage
125,000 mi
Driver assistanceFuel system
Filed Aug 31, 2014

MY CAR AT HIGH SPEEDS (50MPH - 65MPH) THE GAS PEDAL "DIES" OR LOOSES AUTHORITY AND BECOMES UN-RESPONSIVE. AT TIMES AS THE GAS PEDAL GOES DEAD THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF AT 65 MPH CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR MY SELF BUT CARS AROUND ME. I HAVE TAKE MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC BUT CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MULTIPLE PARTS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND INSPECTED WITH OUT A SOLUTION. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR THEREFORE I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH HOPES THAT AN ACCIDENT DOES NOT OCCUR. I HAVE TAKEN THE ALL THE STEPS WITHIN MY CONTROL TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. I HAVE NOT HEARD A RESPONDS FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THANK YOU *TR

NHTSA ID
10629801
Incident
Jul 1, 2013
Mileage
140,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Jun 25, 2014

THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT BUCKLE PART (1Y1858471G - "FCN BUCKLE") HAD FAILED. THIS PART ALSO FAILED 7/06 AT 45,900 MILES ALONG WITH THE COMPARABLE PART FOR THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE WHEN THIS PART DOES NOT FUNCTION. IN 8/06 VW MADE A PARTIAL, GOODWILL WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10605867
Incident
May 17, 2014
Mileage
102,010 mi
Airbags
Filed May 1, 2012
1 injury reported

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002.5 GTI DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH OTHER THAN NORMAL EXPANSION JOINTS. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND HAS BRUISING AND MINOR BURNS ON HER ARM. ONCE THE BAGS WENT OFF THE CAR SHUT OFF BUT I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT OFF THE ROAD WAY SAFELY. I HAVE CONTACTED VWOA ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND I HOPE THEY WILL SATISFACTORILY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *JS

NHTSA ID
10457031
Incident
Apr 30, 2012
Mileage
123,830 mi
Electrical
Filed Jan 21, 2011

2002 VW GTI VR6 COIL PACK FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST GOT REARENDED BECAUSE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND BUCKED. 3RD COIL PACK TO FAIL ON THIS CAR. THE 2ND TIME FAILURE DAMAGED MY O2 SENSORS WHICH HAD TO REPLACED DUE TO CAR RUNNING RICH, I BELIEVE. COIL PACKS ON VR6'S NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10378160
Incident
Dec 13, 2010
Mileage
110,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Mar 14, 2008

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH, I HIT A CURB AND THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THAT REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED OF THE ACCIDENT IF THE CAR FEELS ANYTHING NEAR THE CRASH SENSORS THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO NEED AND ACTUALLY MADE THE SITUATION MORE DANGEROUS AND TROUBLESOME. *TR

NHTSA ID
10221185
Incident
Mar 13, 2008
Airbags
Filed Mar 13, 2008
1 injury reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VOLKSWAGEN STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AFTER 3 MONTHS, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PARTS. UPDATED 05/20/08

NHTSA ID
10221063
Incident
Mar 12, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V171901201285565

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

V171901201285562

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V171901201285560

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

V941901201152119

EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

V271901201189422

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

A002155201173212

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen GTI by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026000—
2025010—
2024282050.2
2023650—
2022276056.5
2021410—
2020831—
20191794251.8
2018163158.5
2017522158.0
2016664156.9
2015976161.5
2014101355.5
2013342351.7
2012402352.9
2011542348.9
2010531144.1
20091672150.0
2008671142.1
2007771036.5
2006432045.8
2005810—
2004710—
2003531148.4
2002Viewing1242254.5
2001742260.3
2000453253.8
1999821—
1998100039.3
1997100035.0
1996911—
1995182258.2
1994020—
1993020—
1992010—
1991110—
1990020—
1989010—
1988010—
1987220—
1986230—
1985220—

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. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.