2002 Volkswagen Jetta Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 103about this part
- Share
- 15%of 702 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 70,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 103 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 15% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 70,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Transmission slips, doesn't grab when you first put it into drive. Shifts hard, between 1st and 2nd gears. Have almost backed into cars when in drive. Then I have to give it gas to move forward and almost hit car parked in front of me, with parallel parking. Also jumps really bad when I give it a lil gas sometimes, like at stop lights.”
NHTSA complaint #10384197, filed 2011-02, 70,000 miles“According to carfax report, maintenance has been regular. I maintained car appropriately. All of sudden major sporadic shifting issues began occurring around 140,000k with 3rd gear causing the car to jerk and lose power each time it attempts 3rd gear. This has occurred with me at numerous stop lights in city causing traffic behind me to slam on brakes to avoid a collision.”
NHTSA complaint #10373323, filed 2010-12, 140,000 miles“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 have a 2002 Volkswagen automatic tdi Jetta and the car will not engage when I shift it in reverse. It either rolls forward or just revs without engaging. I called the dealership and they said the transmission needs to be replaced and it is a common problem with 2002 Jetta's. It is not under any warranty and will be costly to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10247497, filed 2008-11, 90,000 miles“The asl (automatic shift lock) on my 2002 Volkswagen Jetta malfunctions, keeping my car locked in park or neutral. This has happened before, I was told it was fixed, and it has happened again. I missed work and blocked traffic the first time, and I'll have to miss work again and I'm parked in a temporary parking zone this time. So far nothing has been done to correct the failure.”
NHTSA complaint #10130766, filed 2005-08, 37,000 milesRelated 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…
- 10238598Nov 29, 2013If a customer comments that the key cannot be removed from the ignition when the transmission is in PARK or that the PRND12 is not reading correctly in the MFI, DO NOT replace…
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 8 | 25% |
| 2024 | 7 | 15% |
| 2023 | 2 | 5% |
| 2021 | 2 | 3% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 163 | 30% |
| 2018 | 5 | 16% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 22 | 14% |
| 2015 | 23 | 12% |
| 2014 | 74 | 19% |
| 2013 | 141 | 27% |
| 2012 | 46 | 9% |
| 2011 | 54 | 9% |
| 2010 | 111 | 13% |
| 2009 | 141 | 16% |
| 2008 | 53 | 28% |
| 2007 | 33 | 16% |
| 2006 | 245 | 42% |
| 2005 | 84 | 34% |
| 2004 | 35 | 15% |
| 2003 | 54 | 12% |
| 2002 | 103 | 15% |
| 2001 | 62 | 9% |
| 2000 | 37 | 8% |
| 1999 | 30 | 9% |
| 1998 | 14 | 7% |
| 1997 | 8 | 15% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 22 | 10% |
| 1994 | 8 | 7% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 1 | 5% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 4 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
148 complaintsAir bags
108 complaintsEngine cooling
104 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 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