2002 Volkswagen Golf Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 1about this part
- Share
- 1%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 53,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 1 complaints about the engine of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, 1% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 53,000 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.
“The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen GOLF with a tdi engine. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly accelerated. The contact had to pop the clutch and kill the ignition, but the engine continue to operate until the vehicle ran out of fuel. The contacts mechanic inspected the vehicle and stated that the turbo charger seals were not leaking. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileages were 53,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10526396, filed 2013-07, 53,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10159016Mar 12, 2019Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
- 10150856Sep 28, 2018Engine replacement tip
- 10126870Oct 20, 2016Update to include additional model year applicability.
- 10241340Sep 2, 2014Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00
- 10120329Sep 2, 2014Technical Bulletin (Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard): This document informs of a sample list of products generally available in the North American market…
- 10241339Aug 22, 2014Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10124471Aug 22, 2014Technical Bulletin (Oil Consumption Measurement): Customer states oil consumption is higher than the Volkswagen oil consumption standard of up to 0.5 quarts per 600 miles, or 0.5…
- 10124418May 9, 2014Tech Tips (Models with 1.8T Engine - Pressure Loss issues): Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then…
- 10124302Mar 26, 2014Technical Bulletin The use of contaminated gasoline, seasonal fuel changes (summer/winter fuel) or gasoline with a low content of deposit control additives may result in one or…
- 10242375Nov 25, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2 | 18% |
| 2022 | 10 | 12% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 17% |
| 2019 | 34 | 54% |
| 2018 | 3 | 10% |
| 2017 | 18 | 15% |
| 2016 | 18 | 21% |
| 2015 | 26 | 20% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 14 | 33% |
| 2012 | 11 | 23% |
| 2011 | 15 | 14% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 1 | 5% |
| 2002 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf
22 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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