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Body and structurePart report

2002 Volkswagen Golf Body and structure Problems

Complaints
3about this part
Share
4%of 74 total for the year
Median mileage
50,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the body and structure of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, 4% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,500 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.

“While driving my wife was driving our 2002 vw GOLF the driver side window dropped. Turns out all over the internet there are complaints of the tabs holding the windows breaking. In fact when I was at the dealer I fellow overheard me and said he had the exact same problem on his 2001 vw gti. Vw had a TSB and extended the warranty by a few years on this but is should have been a recall. A window dropping is a huge safety factor for a number of reasons. …”

NHTSA complaint #10267719, filed 2009-05, 77,000 miles

“- the contact stated that there was damage to the ceiling on the front drivers side and the rear left passenger side. Also, the driver's side seat belt did work anymore.”

NHTSA complaint #10180639, filed 2007-01, 24,000 miles

“Certain conditions cause the electrics door locks to not function. When this happens, it is not possible to exit the car from the inside as the door handles are not operative creating a trapped situation potentially leading to injury or death if the case of a fire.”

NHTSA complaint #11667457, filed 2025-06

Related service bulletins

Body and structure: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2018310%
201787%
201678%
2015108%
201312%
201248%
201122%
201011%
200618%
200515%
200414%
200234%
200122%
200045%
199912%
1997114%
1995512%
1991113%
1986323%

Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf

Air bags
22 complaints
Engine cooling
13 complaints
Electrical system
11 complaints
Exterior lighting
11 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
4 complaints
Brakes
3 complaints
Fuel system
3 complaints
Seat belts
3 complaints
Steering
3 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Engine
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