2002 Volkswagen Golf Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 15%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, 15% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 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.
“Turn signal/hazard relay activates randomly. While driving down the road I can hear the turn signal relay clicking at a faster speed, like when you have a burned out turn signal bulb. But, when you go to use the turn signal/hazard signal, they still function as normaly. I believe this issue is related to recal 04v584000, yet Volkswagen of america does not recognize my vehicle as being part of this recal.”
NHTSA complaint #10118541, filed 2005-04, 50,000 miles“My 2002 vw GOLF has a defect in the immobilizer that dealers can not diagnose or repair. Once the key is turned off, the car sometimes will not restart. It has been towed to the dealer on multiple occasions - but after a variable time interval the car starts again. Since it starts - three dealers have been unable to diagnose why it fails to recognize the key. I am furious that the immobilizer circuit can not be repaired or inactivated. I live in the country and am afraid to turn the car off in a remote location for fear it will not restart - and leave me stranded 20 miles from nowhere. …”
NHTSA complaint #10229406, filed 2008-05, 130,000 miles“Multiple problems included: malfunction indicator lamp on, vehicle cut off, trunk switch fell out, driver door lock inoperative, fuel gauge inoperative, engine rattle. Multiple replacements - camshaft sensor, trunk switch, power door locks, fuel lines installed, fuel sender unit, timing belt and tensioner.”
NHTSA complaint #10026474, filed 2003-06, 5,415 miles“2002 Volkswagen GOLF has had numerous problems. The most recent problem is that the coil spring broke while the consumer was driving causing damage to the strut. Now the consumer has to pay to get the vehicle fixed. The consumer stated the problems started after the warranty ended. The battery died. 5 days later, the mil appeared and the vehicle was misfiring. In march of 2007 the engine light illuminated due to a faulty coil. In april of 2007 the battery light illuminated due to a failed alternator. The right headlight was inoperative, the catalytic converter was replaced. Updated 12/12/07”
NHTSA complaint #10201525, filed 2007-08, 26,466 miles“The car has a tilt/telescope steering column, after adjusting the column the turn signals quit working. Could not restart the car after turning it off because immobilizer would not recognize the key. Multiple fuses were blown out, including the one for the hazard flasher. Upon investigation the failure was from the wiring harness for the steering column, the insulation on most of the wires was cracked and the turn signal wires shorted out. The insulation for the main power wires running into the ignition switch also were cracked, if these shorted out it could have caused a fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10150674, filed 2006-02, 110,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10163542Jul 29, 2019Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10158529Feb 19, 2019Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10149864Aug 13, 2018Update content and include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10144652Jun 6, 2018This information bulletin contains instructions for checking the pins/terminals for contacts and nano contacts.
- 10133469Nov 10, 2017Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
- 10157832Sep 19, 2017Update to model year applicability.
- 10157828Sep 14, 2017Updated to include model year 2014 thru 2018 applicability.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 55% |
| 2022 | 11 | 14% |
| 2021 | 3 | 43% |
| 2020 | 2 | 33% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 10 | 9% |
| 2016 | 8 | 9% |
| 2015 | 18 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 7 | 16% |
| 2012 | 6 | 13% |
| 2011 | 18 | 16% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 4 | 14% |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 14% |
| 1998 | 5 | 28% |
| 1995 | 12 | 28% |
| 1994 | 9 | 22% |
| 1993 | 3 | 43% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 3 | 38% |
| 1990 | 2 | 20% |
| 1989 | 2 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf
22 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSteering
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTires
2 complaintsEngine
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Golf
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