2002 Volkswagen Beetle Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 165 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 39,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle, 8% of the 165 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 39,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I own a 2002 vw Beetle and the passenger side window regulator went out about 2 months ago and have since changed it out. Now the same thing has happened to the drivers side. I have noticed surfing the web that there have been several other complaints about this problem. Why does this happen so frequently and is there a recall on this item? If not there should be.”
NHTSA complaint #10244314, filed 2008-10, 52,000 miles“I have had my windshield wipers replaced twice, and the last time was at a Volkswagen dealership. While driving during a two-day 18 hour road trip in varying heaviness of rain, the windshield wipers stopped working during a downpour on a highway. They froze mid wipe causing a temporary lack of visibility and potentially a fatal crash. After turning them off for a minute they started working again. Had this probably several hours later and again the next morning after they had been off for over 12 hours. This exact problem (stopped windshield wipers) did not occur again. …”
NHTSA complaint #10255497, filed 2009-01, 39,000 miles“Any time I turn on my air conditioner it sounds like my car is going to blow up. Cold air comes out, but the noise and the shaking of my car scares me. It started about 4 months ago. I would have the AC on and if my car was idling the noise would start up and my car would vibrate, it felt like my car was idling very heavily. It sounded like a jack hammer. Now, it happens just when I turn the air on, but it's even louder than before. Also I hear the jack hammer sound when the air is not on and hasn't been turned on at all when my car is at a stop or when I turn the car off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10162489, filed 2006-07, 61,102 miles“Transmission replaced three times, still not working properly, lunges into forward and reverse, and will drop into and out of high and low gear when driving. Sunroof leaked because the drainage tubing was not connected at factory causing water damage to leather seats and now mold is growing inside of vehicle, making it difficult to be inside and have had one sinus infection already.”
NHTSA complaint #10153996, filed 2006-03, 21,057 miles“Currently have very low mileage(now under 20000) 2002 vw new Beetle purchased new. After time warranty expired both power window(passenger and driver sides) regulators failed (at different times and mileages) spontaneously not due to any external event.. Both regulators required replacement at considerable cost. This is very unusual because auto window regulators usually are very durable when not damaged by external crash or the like. I reported this to Volkswagen but got no satisfaction. …”
NHTSA complaint #10449083, filed 2012-02, 11,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10123011Jul 22, 2015Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary…
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239541Sep 24, 2014Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239534Apr 18, 2014HVAC, Unpleasant Odor
- 10239533Mar 27, 2014HVAC, Unpleasant Odor
- 10243002Jan 27, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 1 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 6% |
| 2014 | 5 | 10% |
| 2013 | 5 | 5% |
| 2012 | 21 | 32% |
| 2010 | 4 | 13% |
| 2009 | 5 | 15% |
| 2008 | 6 | 10% |
| 2007 | 4 | 7% |
| 2006 | 11 | 9% |
| 2005 | 62 | 24% |
| 2004 | 65 | 19% |
| 2003 | 56 | 18% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 7 | 3% |
| 2000 | 21 | 8% |
| 1999 | 26 | 15% |
| 1998 | 37 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle
43 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
23 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsExterior lighting
14 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsSeat belts
12 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaintsOther or unknown
6 complaintsVehicle speed control
6 complaintsEquipment
5 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology