ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
2002 Volkswagen Jetta
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 702 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, most frequently naming the electrical, engine and airbags categories. 7 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 7 NHTSA investigations name it; and 242 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2010 | 2 | 595 |
| Feb 2010 | 3 | 598 |
| Mar 2010 | 2 | 600 |
| Apr 2010 | 1 | 601 |
| Jun 2010 | 2 | 603 |
| Jul 2010 | 3 | 606 |
| Aug 2010 | 2 | 608 |
| Sep 2010 | 2 | 610 |
| Oct 2010 | 2 | 612 |
| Nov 2010 | 2 | 614 |
| Dec 2010 | 4 | 618 |
| Jan 2011 | 4 | 622 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 623 |
| Mar 2011 | 1 | 624 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 625 |
| May 2011 | 3 | 628 |
| Jun 2011 | 2 | 630 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 631 |
| Oct 2011 | 3 | 634 |
| Nov 2011 | 4 | 638 |
| Dec 2011 | 4 | 642 |
| Jan 2012 | 5 | 647 |
| Feb 2012 | 1 | 648 |
| Mar 2012 | 1 | 649 |
| Apr 2012 | 3 | 652 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 653 |
| Jul 2012 | 2 | 655 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 656 |
| Dec 2012 | 2 | 658 |
| Jan 2013 | 2 | 660 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 661 |
| Jun 2013 | 2 | 663 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 664 |
| Aug 2013 | 1 | 665 |
| Nov 2013 | 1 | 666 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 667 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 668 |
| Apr 2014 | 3 | 671 |
| Jul 2014 | 3 | 674 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 675 |
| Sep 2014 | 2 | 677 |
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 679 |
| Nov 2014 | 3 | 682 |
| Jan 2015 | 1 | 683 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 684 |
| Jun 2015 | 1 | 685 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 686 |
| Oct 2015 | 2 | 688 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 689 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 690 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 691 |
| Jun 2016 | 2 | 693 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 694 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 695 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 696 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 697 |
| Sep 2017 | 2 | 699 |
| Jun 2018 | 1 | 700 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 701 |
| Jan 2023 | 1 | 702 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Electrical15117.8%
- Engine11013.0%
- Airbags10812.7%
- Heating & air conditioning8910.5%
- Brakes839.8%
- Transmission809.4%
- Visibility455.3%
- Powertrain (other)252.9%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
7 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.govSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE
BY LETTERS DATED MAY 24, 2006 AND AUGUST 4, 2006, VOLKSWAGEN (VW) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT IS CONDUCTING A SAFETY RECALL (NHTSA RECALL NO 06V-183) INVOLVING MODEL YEAR (MY) 1998-2002 VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE AND 1999-2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN?S RECALL COVERS 646,246 VEHICLES.PREVIOUSLY, VW RECALLED THESE VEHICLES TO REPLACE A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH (RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096) THAT WAS UNIQUE TO VEHICLES WITH CRUISE CONTROL.VOLKSWAGEN REPORTS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING RECALLS 03V-265 AND 04V-096.VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL A NEW DESIGN BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH.BASED ON VOLKSWAGEN'S SAFETY RECALL ACTION, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.
ENGINE STALLING
BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE.AFTER A FEW MINUTES PARKED ON THE SHOULDER HE WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE ALTHOUGH THE ENGINE OPERATED AT REDUCED POWER.VW ISSUED A CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) ON JANUARY 31, 2003 TO INSTRUCT THEIR DEALERSHIPS TO INSPECT THE VEHICLES FOR ANY MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS AND TO REPLACE THEM AT NO COST TO THE CONSUMER.CONSUMERS WERE NOTIFIED TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES TO THEIR DEALERSHIPS VIA OWNER LETTERS MAILED OUT ON JUNE 6, 2003.WHILE VW INITIALLY INSTRUCTED THE DEALERSHIPS TO ONLY REPLACE THE MALFUNCTIONING IGNITION COIL PACKS, A REVISED CSC WAS ISSUED TO DEALERSHIPS IN DECEMBER 2003 AND JANUARY 2004, INSTRUCTING DEALERSHIPS TO REPLACE ALL IGNITION COIL PACKS REGARDLESS OF THEIR PERFORMANCE.A REMINDER TO THE DEALERSHIPS WAS SENT BY VW ON APRIL OF 2004.ALTHOUGH THE CONCERNS OF THE PETITIONER COULD THEORETICALLY CREATE A SAFETY PROBLEM, THE RISK IS VERY SMALL, DUE TO THE ENGINE STILL RUNNING ON EITHER 3, 5, OR 7 CYLINDERS.THERE ARE NO REPORTED CRASHES OR INJURIES DUE TO THE ALLEGED DEFECT.ONCE DRIVERS ARE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM (LOSS OF POWER DUE TO ONE OF THE IGNITION COIL PACKS MALFUNCTIONING), DRIVERS ARE ABLE TO TAKE PRECAUTIONARY AND COMPENSATORY MEASURES AND STILL MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THEIR VEHICLES.IN ADDITION, FOUR FIRES WERE REPORTED TO ODI.THESE WERE IGNITION COIL BURNOUTS WITH NO ADDITIONAL DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE AND WERE LOCALIZED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE. DURING THE LAST 24 MONTHS THE NUMBER OF STALL AND DRIVABILITY COMPLAINTS REPORTED TO ODI HAS GREATLY DIMINISHED FROM A PEAK OF 195 IN JANUARY OF 2003 TO ONLY 3 IN AUGUST OF 2005.THIS COINCIDES WITH THE CSC RELEASED BY VW.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
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.
TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I was driving on the freeway and the airbags deployed. No one hit me and I don't hit anyone.
- NHTSA ID
- 11502341
- Incident
- Jan 16, 2023
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11131795
- Incident
- Sep 16, 2018
- Mileage
- 230,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11100021
- Incident
- Mar 30, 2017
- Mileage
- 145,000 mi
KNOWN MELTING FUSE BOX ON TOP OF BATTERY. FROM SCHEMATICS, APPEARS S180 FUSE (COOLANT FAN) AS PREDOMINANT POINT OF FAILURE. ISSUE HAS BEEN REPORTED (VIA WEB) ACROSS NUMEROUS MODELS AND YEARS. CALLED VW FOR FIX; AS TECHS APPEAR VOID OF A GENERAL CONSENSUS TO PROBLEM/FIX. UNFORTUNATELY, VW REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE AND/OR PROVIDE SOLUTION TO CUSTOMER(S). REFERS ME TO DEALER, WHICH IS OVER AN HOUR AWAY. JUST NEED INFO TO ORDER REPAIR KIT AND RESTORE VEHICLE INTEGRITY/SAFETY. CONCERNED AS THIS MAY BE A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD; DUE TO THE VOLUME OF HEAT GENERATED BY WIRING WITHIN INTERNAL COMPARTMENT. IN TURN, I UNDERSTAND THE AGE OF THE VEHICLE IS OUTSIDE THE NORMAL WARRANTY PERIOD. AS STATED, JUST WANT AN ANSWER TO REPAIR; HOWEVER, VW CUSTOMER CARE REP COMMENTED I SHOULD REPORTING THIS ISSUE IN HOPES TO DRAW ADDITIONAL ATTENTION OF OTHER OWNERS AND, EVENTUALLY, THE NHTSA TO GET VW TO RESPOND TO CUSTOMERS QUESTIONS.
- NHTSA ID
- 11030653
- Incident
- Aug 8, 2017
- Mileage
- 76,250 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11023507
- Incident
- Sep 5, 2017
- Mileage
- 118,000 mi
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>
- NHTSA ID
- 10984494
- Incident
- Apr 10, 2017
- Mileage
- 166,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10955330
- Incident
- Sep 1, 2016
- Mileage
- 140,000 mi
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 10936295
- Incident
- Dec 18, 2016
- Mileage
- 160,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION
Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
Update model year applicability to include 2023.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
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
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 5 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 62.2 |
| 2024 | 38 | 0 | 0 | 45.6 |
| 2023 | 42 | 0 | 0 | 38.7 |
| 2022 | 42 | 1 | 0 | 44.5 |
| 2021 | 66 | 4 | 0 | 50.5 |
| 2020 | 51 | 6 | 1 | 58.3 |
| 2019 | 544 | 11 | 2 | 62.2 |
| 2018 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 53.2 |
| 2017 | 159 | 7 | 0 | 58.0 |
| 2016 | 160 | 5 | 0 | 57.1 |
| 2015 | 193 | 8 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2014 | 386 | 5 | 3 | 58.6 |
| 2013 | 516 | 6 | 3 | 57.3 |
| 2012 | 499 | 8 | 5 | 59.3 |
| 2011 | 606 | 10 | 5 | 59.5 |
| 2010 | 852 | 5 | 4 | 56.0 |
| 2009 | 888 | 7 | 5 | 58.0 |
| 2008 | 188 | 6 | 1 | 53.8 |
| 2007 | 201 | 6 | 0 | 51.7 |
| 2006 | 580 | 6 | 0 | 47.6 |
| 2005 | 248 | 7 | 0 | 51.5 |
| 2004 | 231 | 5 | 0 | 55.6 |
| 2003 | 456 | 4 | 4 | 67.4 |
| 2002Viewing | 702 | 7 | 7 | 67.4 |
| 2001 | 668 | 7 | 5 | 62.1 |
| 2000 | 439 | 5 | 6 | 62.7 |
| 1999 | 349 | 7 | 5 | 63.2 |
| 1998 | 192 | 3 | 2 | 57.4 |
| 1997 | 141 | 2 | 2 | 58.9 |
| 1996 | 174 | 2 | 5 | 60.8 |
| 1995 | 220 | 6 | 4 | 64.2 |
| 1994 | 117 | 7 | 2 | 60.2 |
| 1993 | 17 | 6 | 2 | 47.8 |
| 1992 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 57.2 |
| 1991 | 31 | 7 | 3 | 61.1 |
| 1990 | 22 | 7 | 4 | 59.0 |
| 1989 | 28 | 5 | 1 | 54.4 |
| 1988 | 19 | 8 | 1 | 59.3 |
| 1987 | 18 | 4 | 3 | 66.8 |
| 1986 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 61.7 |
| 1985 | 13 | 4 | 3 | 63.1 |
| 1984 | 1 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1983 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1982 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
| 1981 | 0 | 4 | 0 | — |
| 1980 | 0 | 2 | 0 | — |
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.