2002 Volkswagen Jetta Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 108about this part
- Share
- 15%of 702 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 50,000miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 108 complaints about the air bags of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 15% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 50,000 miles. 22 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Simply wanted to let you know that my daughter rear ended another car at 40mph and completely crunched in her front end (car is totaled), but the airbags did not deploy. We didn't think anything of it until the state farm agent mentioned that she had airbags on the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11023507, filed 2017-09, 118,000 miles“I was leaving a parking lot that had a slight curve and I hit some black ice. The car went straight into the curb and with the impact, which in my opinion, was not a great amount, caused the side curtain and passenger seat airbag to deploy. With how the wheel hit the curb, it also damaged the alignment of the wheels.”
NHTSA complaint #10558509, filed 2014-01, 158,000 miles“2002 vw Jetta,husband ran over pothole, passenger side airbags deployed. Had to tow car and get rental. No impact or accident. Waiting for vw to look at car. Am sure they will say it's our fault just from what I'm seeing on web. How can government have 499 plus incidents of investigation and not make vw recall?? Maybe not until someone dies and they get sued.”
NHTSA complaint #10241709, filed 2008-09, 75,000 miles“My airbag warning light went on just prior to my 80000 mile service. I informed my vw service dept of this. When I picked up my car I was informed that to repair the problem would cost $800-$900. This is equipment that has no moving is factory installed. This is obviously a manufacturing defect. Is this common? What are my options? Do I have any recourse?”
NHTSA complaint #10110224, filed 2005-02, 79,900 miles“A car pulled over in front of me trying to turn left. I had the right of me with no stop of traffic light at this intersection. I hit the left side of that car with the front/front left corner of my car at 45 MPH and none of the air bags deployed. I would expect that at such a speed at least one airbag would have deployed. Please advise.”
NHTSA complaint #10137166, filed 2005-09, 29,900 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10213836Jan 22, 2016Airbag Issues.
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 4% |
| 2023 | 1 | 2% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 5 | 7% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 16 | 3% |
| 2018 | 6 | 19% |
| 2017 | 21 | 13% |
| 2016 | 7 | 4% |
| 2015 | 17 | 9% |
| 2014 | 37 | 10% |
| 2013 | 31 | 6% |
| 2012 | 34 | 7% |
| 2011 | 37 | 6% |
| 2010 | 31 | 4% |
| 2009 | 35 | 4% |
| 2008 | 20 | 11% |
| 2007 | 35 | 17% |
| 2006 | 65 | 11% |
| 2005 | 26 | 10% |
| 2004 | 21 | 9% |
| 2003 | 77 | 17% |
| 2002 | 108 | 15% |
| 2001 | 97 | 15% |
| 2000 | 41 | 9% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 9 | 5% |
| 1997 | 5 | 9% |
| 1995 | 22 | 10% |
| 1994 | 4 | 3% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
148 complaintsEngine cooling
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsSeats
101 complaintsBrakes
51 complaintsExterior lighting
50 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaintsFuel system
22 complaintsBody and structure
19 complaintsEquipment
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
17 complaintsTires
15 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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