2002 Volkswagen Golf Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 5%of 74 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 61,470miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, 5% of the 74 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 61,470 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.
“Vehicle slowed dramatically at highway speed down to 35 MPH, I had to use the emergency blinkers to get to the slow lane, a very dangerous situation on a congested highway. Clutch and flywheel replaced, and the same failure happened again with oem parts only 3 weeks later.”
NHTSA complaint #10190977, filed 2007-05, 63,000 miles“Roll pin that retains differential spider gear pin backed out causing larger pin to contact inside of case. The failure included a large hole in transmission/ differential case, gear and bearing damage.”
NHTSA complaint #10176197, filed 2006-12, 59,940 miles“1. Transmission control module failure. Car was not able to start. Was towed for repair. This chip has been replaced twice. 2. Car began making severe jerking movements, randomly. Usually these jumps occur within the first 10 minutes of driving the vehicle but can occur later. The severity of the jerks is also variable. 3. The car was in the shop for over a month. The problem was not corrected. 4. The car consumes an unusual high amount of motor oil (more than a quart approximately every 1,000 miles). 5. …”
NHTSA complaint #10138225, filed 2005-09Related service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238600Jul 4, 2014Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an engine, flywheel or transmission, please follow the…
- 10120207Jul 4, 2014Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an…
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10242397Jun 17, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238601Jun 14, 201309A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission
- 10125833Jun 14, 2013Tech Tips (Vehicles with 09G or 09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission): This document informs If you replace one of these transmissions, check ETKA to see if you must also…
- 10157735Oct 1, 2012Transmission Control Module Updates: This document informs of the software, and technical bulletins that service corresponding cars and their Transmission Control Module…
- 10156129Oct 1, 2012Transmission Control Module Updates: This document informs of the software, and technical bulletins that service corresponding cars and their Transmission Control Module…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 31% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 14% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 19% |
| 2011 | 21 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 22% |
| 1997 | 3 | 43% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Golf
22 complaintsEngine cooling
13 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
7 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