2002 Volkswagen Golf Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 11about this part
- Share
- 15%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 64,749miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 11 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, 15% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 64,749 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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 have a 2002 vw GOLF, the brake light switch on my car has broken 4 times in the 4 years I have owned this car. The last time it hs happened my car wouldn't shift out of park and I had to get my car towed. Each time the brake light switch was found to be faulty and it was replaced. This is a very frustrating problem and its very time consuming. I believe that Volkswagen needs to do something to correct this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10168439, filed 2006-09, 57,850 miles“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“The brake light switch on the GOLF is the same brake light switch on the jetta. They have the same part number and everything. They also fail at the same rate, but only the jetta brake light switch was recalled. When it fails, you cannot get the car out of park and your brake lights work intermittently, which is a safety hazard.”
NHTSA complaint #10161948, filed 2006-07, 69,998 miles“All brake lights inoperable. Bulbs are fine. This will lead to an accident where the car is rear ended. There is an existing recall, NHTSA campaign id number : 04v096000 however, it applies to the 1999 to 2002 vw jetta only. I drive a GOLF, which is not covered by the recall campaign, however uses the same parts.”
NHTSA complaint #10174758, filed 2006-11, 146,000 miles“- the contact's vehicle would not go into gear. The contact had the car towed to the dealer, and they told him that he had a faulty brake switch which kept the car in park. The dealer told him that their was a recall o for this problem, but this vehicle was not included due to VIN. Updated 02/16/07.”
NHTSA complaint #10177065, filed 2006-12, 77,000 milesRelated recalls
- 07V063000Feb 20, 2007On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006, Beetle 2001–2007 +3 more
- 04V584000Dec 16, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the hazard switch and flasher system function may degrade over time because of distortion and material transfer of the contacts…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2000–2002, Jetta 2000–2002, GTI 2000–2002
Related service bulletins
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10121257Mar 27, 2015Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document
- 10243015Nov 17, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239592Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10120169Jun 4, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): This document informs of the Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. The…
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Mar 6, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2020 | 1 | 17% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 1 | 1% |
| 2015 | 1 | 1% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 3 | 6% |
| 2011 | 3 | 3% |
| 2010 | 1 | 1% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 1 | 4% |
| 2003 | 1 | 4% |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% |
| 2000 | 3 | 3% |
| 1999 | 5 | 8% |
| 1998 | 2 | 11% |
| 1995 | 3 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf
22 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsElectrical system
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 31, 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