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Volkswagen CabrioModel year report

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio Problems

Complaints
23filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
52,450miles, 12 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. The part named most often is electrical system, with 9 complaints (39% of the total), followed by air bags (4) and brakes (3). 12 of the complaints include a mileage, and 33% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 52,450 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 3 a fire, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 141 technical service bulletins for this model year. Electrical system complaints overlap with 38 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seats (1), Steering (1), Transmission and drivetrain (1), Vehicle speed control (1).

Example complaints

Electrical system: “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. …”

NHTSA complaint #10626270, filed 2014-08, 50,213 miles

Air bags: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10200208, filed 2007-08

Brakes: “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.”

NHTSA complaint #10370454, filed 2010-12, 60,000 miles

Engine cooling: “My 2002 vw carbrio overheated and caused the engine to blow. Only after the engine blew and my car could not accelerate did the warning light come on. The dealership and vw said this was neglect and would not be covered under my warranty.”

NHTSA complaint #10032973, filed 2003-08, 16,680 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

33% of the 12 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 44,375 and 75,000 miles.

0%0–108%10–2525%25–5033%50–7517%75–1008%100–1508%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (12 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 52,450 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

’025’04’06’08’11’13’18
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Cabrio FWD2.0L 4-cyl5-speed manual212824$2,800
Cabrio FWD2.0L 4-cyl4-speed automatic202723$2,900

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 141 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 141 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Cabrio

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20022352,4500—24—Stable
20013842,7501—24Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20001639,5001—24—Stable
19992962,5000—24Not compared (before 2008)Falling
19982185,0001—24—Stable
19971492,5000—24—Not enough data
19966200,0000—23—Not enough data
19951563,0000—24—Stable
1993810,0000—24—Not enough data
19929125,7501—25—Not enough data
1991787,0003—25—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Cabrio model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio have?

NHTSA recorded 23 consumer complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio is reported most often?

Electrical system is named most often, in 9 complaints (39% of the total), followed by air bags with 4.

Has the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio (Cabrio, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio reported?

Among the 12 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 52,450 miles and the middle half falls between 44,375 and 75,000 miles; 33% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.