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EquipmentPart report

2002 Volkswagen Jetta Equipment Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
2%of 702 total for the year
Median mileage
52,000miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the equipment of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 2% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles. 2 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.

“I purchased a 2002 vw in 2005. I had a car accident in dec '08. Shortly after the collision place repaired my car. The vehichle started misfiring and essentially wasn't drivable. The control arm bushing were replaced $800 (at the vw place) and the service dept said that they would check fluids in particular the transmission fluid. …”

NHTSA complaint #10259364, filed 2009-02, 87,000 miles

“I had both the passenger side window and the driver side window fall into the door frame within a matter of months. Both times the windows were fixed, however, they were reluctant to fix the problem as if it had been my fault. I have a small child and I don't think he appreciates asphyxiation from so much wind in his face on the long drives to the dealer to be replaced. …”

NHTSA complaint #10018863, filed 2003-05, 1,000 miles

“The coils on my 2002 Volkswagen Jetta gls 1.8t are burning out. Volkswagen of america has informed me that rather than replace all 4 coils, I must wait until each coil burns out before they will replace it. I have a letter from them as well stating they are aware of the problem but can not do anything more about it due to a lack of coils in stock. I guess the letter is a way to shut the customers up. Apparently this is happening to over 500,000 people last I heard. …”

NHTSA complaint #10005789, filed 2003-02, 9,000 miles

“2002 vw Jetta vr6 2.8 ever since we purchased the car in sept. 07 we have a recurring problem with the car completely dying in intersection or idling with A/C on or just when running. When this occurs the dash resets and car shuts off and locks up. You have to turn to car off and put in park to restart. Very dangerous for my children and I to travel anywhere when I drive a hour to work each day. I also know a previous owner of the same year car the had the same exact problems and had to sell because after thousands of $ it was never able to be repaired. …”

NHTSA complaint #10231405, filed 2008-06, 68,000 miles

“I own a 2002 vw Jetta gli, and it has merely 54,000 miles on it. It has come in standard transmission, and we bought it when it was issued as new. As I was on my way home heading towards new jersey, from new york. My clutch pedal began to loosen up. I tried switching from 3rd gear to 4th, and the clutch loosely went to the floor, and it would not pop back up. As my car rolled on the bridge, it stayed in neutral. Hence, I was unable to move the vehicle. Now I have been reading other forums and they have gotten the same issue.”

NHTSA complaint #10167127, filed 2006-08, 53,400 miles

Related service bulletins

Equipment: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201721%
201511%
201410%
201310%
201220%
201181%
2010233%
200920%
200811%
200731%
200671%
200531%
200463%
200392%
2002172%
2001193%
2000225%
199972%
1998126%
199747%
1995188%
19942622%
199316%
198914%

Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta

Electrical system
148 complaints
Air bags
108 complaints
Engine cooling
104 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
103 complaints
Seats
101 complaints
Brakes
51 complaints
Exterior lighting
50 complaints
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
45 complaints
Fuel system
22 complaints
Body and structure
19 complaints
Vehicle speed control
17 complaints
Tires
15 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta

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