VOLKSWAGEN JETTA · model year

2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA

885 NHTSA complaints, 41 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002VOLKSWAGENJETTA carries 885 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 41 crashes, 81 fires, 83 injuries, and 10 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 JETTA is seats:front assembly:seat heater/cooler with 86 filings, followed by air bags:side/window (63) and electrical system:ignition (61). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2002 JETTA, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

885
Complaints
41
Crashes
81
Fires
83
Injuries
10
Deaths

Total Complaints

885 filings

Crashes Reported

41 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER86
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW63
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION61
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION56
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM51
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING41
AIR BAGS35
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS33
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE31
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH28
POWER TRAIN25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE18
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP17
SEATS16
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL14

Recalls (7)

02V03100031/01/2002

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).

07E02300029/03/2007

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 FAI

06V18300024/05/2006

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.

07V06300020/02/2007

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.

04V09600020/02/2004

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

04V58400016/12/2004

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.

14E00700007/03/2014

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/s

Recent Complaints

20230118AIR BAGS

I was driving on the freeway and the airbags deployed. No one hit me and I don't hit anyone.

20180926ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 230,000

20180926POWER TRAIN

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.

Mileage: 230,000

20180926UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 230,000

20180605FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 145,000

20170930ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 76,250

20170914CrashAIR BAGS

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.

Mileage: 118,000

20170509POWER TRAIN

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>

Mileage: 166,000

20170217UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 140,000

20170217ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 140,000

20170217FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 140,000

20161219FireSEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

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.

Mileage: 160,000

20160921ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR CENTER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER WHO SOLD THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE DID NOT VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,677. .. UPDATED 12/22/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ONE HOSE WAS REPLACED AND THERE IS A HOLE IN ANOTHER HOSE, AND ALSO MISSING BRACKETS. *TR

Mileage: 91,677

20160921ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A REPAIR CENTER, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE INDEPENDENT DEALER WHO SOLD THE CONTACT THE VEHICLE DID NOT VERIFY IF THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,677. .. UPDATED 12/22/16 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED ONE HOSE WAS REPLACED AND THERE IS A HOLE IN ANOTHER HOSE, AND ALSO MISSING BRACKETS. *TR

Mileage: 91,677

20160610AIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG MODULE WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 49,706. UPDATED 08/22/16*LJ *CN

Mileage: 49,706

20160602FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

WATER PUMP REPLACED, TIRES ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE RIM DESIGN, CODE ERRORS, REAR RODS REPLACED, MUFFLER, MISFIRING, RADIATOR ECT.

20160602SUSPENSION

WATER PUMP REPLACED, TIRES ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE RIM DESIGN, CODE ERRORS, REAR RODS REPLACED, MUFFLER, MISFIRING, RADIATOR ECT.

20160602WHEELS

WATER PUMP REPLACED, TIRES ALWAYS HAVE ISSUES BECAUSE OF THE RIM DESIGN, CODE ERRORS, REAR RODS REPLACED, MUFFLER, MISFIRING, RADIATOR ECT.

20160405FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE WINDOWS WERE STEAMING. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURNED HAND INJURY, BUT DID NOT NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Mileage: 172,000

20160405FireSTRUCTURE:BODY

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE ENTERING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE BRAKE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND THE WINDOWS WERE STEAMING. IN ADDITION, THE DASHBOARD WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT AND A POLICE REPORT WERE FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A BURNED HAND INJURY, BUT DID NOT NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 172,000.

Mileage: 172,000

Compare 2002VOLKSWAGENJETTA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA have?
The 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA has 885 NHTSA complaints, 41 crashes, 81 fires, 83 injuries, and 10 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA?
Yes, the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA?
The most-complained component for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA is SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER with 86 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION.
Is the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.