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BrakesPart report

2002 Volkswagen GTI Brakes Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
3%of 124 total for the year
Median mileage
28,500miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Volkswagen GTI, 3% of the 124 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,500 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is 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.

“Over 200 2002 vw GTI 337 edition owners have also claimed to have similar problems of pitting, black spots, corrosion, roughness, and/or white spots on their wheels as well and have supplied pictures for all to view publicly on online forums to prove their case. As a group we have approached Volkswagen of america (vwoa) about the problem using my car as the test car. …”

NHTSA complaint #10032916, filed 2003-08, 1,000 miles

“I have a 2002 vw GTI special edition 337, which came with 18 x7.5 bbs rc wheels. With in a few months of owning the car, I and 200+ owners have noticed some corrosion and pitting around the wheel. Either due to the clear coating or the brake pads. We have contacted vwoa to have the wheels replaced by warranty, they denied any issues. Offered a $25 gift certificate to a certain few, now a few months back they do admit to the issues and also admitted to replacing all1750 owners bbs rc wheels. We filed with the bbb to expedite the issue and vwoa requested for 30 days to finalize the decision. …”

NHTSA complaint #10033007, filed 2003-08

Related recalls

Related service bulletins

Brakes: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2024724%
2023117%
202227%
2018635%
201712%
201623%
201577%
2014110%
201326%
2012513%
201112%
201036%
20099859%
200625%
200324%
200243%
200145%
200037%
1998330%
1996111%
1995211%

Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen GTI

Electrical system
42 complaints
Air bags
23 complaints
Wheels
22 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
10 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaints
Engine cooling
7 complaints
Exterior lighting
4 complaints
Other or unknown
4 complaints
Suspension
4 complaints
Fuel system
2 complaints
Equipment
1 complaints
Seat belts
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen GTI

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