2002 Volkswagen Jetta Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 45about this part
- Share
- 6%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 45 complaints about the visibility of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 6% of the 702 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 52,000 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had driven the car approximately 30 miles when, while at a stop light the sunroof exploded outward. The pane remained in one piece, but was shattered and small shards of glass fell down on me. The temp outside was 36 degrees, no vehicle passed by, there was no point of impact, no severe temperature change, no chip or crack in the glass prior to the incident. The vehicle is kept in a garage and there was no precipitation (snow or rain) on that day. …”
NHTSA complaint #10377743, filed 2011-01, 195,000 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“Seat heater malfunctioned, burned through the leather seat and burned me while I was driving. I safely pulled the car to the side of the road. The replacement components also malfunctioned, burning the leather seat and once again, burned me. Also, the sunroof has plastic guides that keep breaking, I have had these plastic components replaced three times since I purchased my car in 2002, and I don't use my sunroof that often, probably less than 30 times/year.”
NHTSA complaint #10102765, filed 2004-12, 56,000 miles“Was currently deployed in support of operation iraqi freedom for more than a year, my car was at my parents, being driven once or twice a week to keep engine in good shape. Some of these things have been since returning in april 2004, others happened prior to leaving in february 2003. It's a 2002 Jetta gls. I shouldn't be having these type of problems this soon. 1. Oil plug on oil pan is almost stripped from getting oil changes (advised by 3 different garages). Currently attempting to get a new plug, an oversized one per 2 garages. 2. …”
NHTSA complaint #10086615, filed 2004-08, 30,000 miles“I was driving to work when my 2002 voklswagen Jetta hit a bump in the road/pothole and the passenger airbag went off. I got out to inspect if I hit anything since I wasn't sure because of the airbag going off. I got out of the car and there was nothing in the road besides a pothole that everyone else hit as well on the off ramp. There was not a scratch of damage or any impact at all. I just bought this car a little over 2 months ago and it was already back to the dealer for a broken power window and twice for the transmission. I am fed up with this car. …”
NHTSA complaint #10132010, filed 2005-08, 25,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10123011Jul 22, 2015Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary…
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10122911Apr 20, 2015Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor operates but the…
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239541Sep 24, 2014Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239534Apr 18, 2014HVAC, Unpleasant Odor
- 10239533Mar 27, 2014HVAC, Unpleasant Odor
- 10239789Jan 24, 2014To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine…
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 3 | 9% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 4 | 6% |
| 2020 | 2 | 4% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 2 | 1% |
| 2015 | 4 | 2% |
| 2014 | 8 | 2% |
| 2013 | 13 | 3% |
| 2012 | 24 | 5% |
| 2011 | 26 | 4% |
| 2010 | 14 | 2% |
| 2009 | 10 | 1% |
| 2008 | 8 | 4% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 24 | 4% |
| 2005 | 7 | 3% |
| 2004 | 11 | 5% |
| 2003 | 21 | 5% |
| 2002 | 45 | 6% |
| 2001 | 71 | 11% |
| 2000 | 77 | 18% |
| 1999 | 81 | 23% |
| 1998 | 42 | 22% |
| 1997 | 16 | 30% |
| 1996 | 13 | 42% |
| 1995 | 26 | 12% |
| 1994 | 15 | 13% |
| 1993 | 4 | 24% |
| 1992 | 3 | 10% |
| 1991 | 7 | 23% |
| 1990 | 4 | 18% |
| 1989 | 6 | 21% |
| 1988 | 2 | 11% |
| 1987 | 4 | 22% |
| 1986 | 3 | 21% |
| 1985 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta
148 complaintsAir bags
108 complaintsEngine cooling
104 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
103 complaintsSeats
101 complaintsBrakes
51 complaintsExterior lighting
50 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 29, 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