10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,288 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.

Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #9

Aug 292017

Cabrio 4-cyl

  • 44,375 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. On August 29, 2017, the vehicle was taken to the dealer (david maus Volkswagen, 1050 lee rd, orlando, fl 32810) for routine maintenance. The contact returned on September 13, 2017 to retrieve the vehicle and noticed that the air conditioner was no longer working. The contact informed the technician that the air conditioner was not working like it was before the routine maintenance was performed. The vehicle was left at the dealer for another day to find out what was causing the failure. The following day, the dealer diagnosed that there was a blockage that caused the failure and would cost approximately $400 to repair. The contact stated that the staff became very aggressive. The contact requested to have a second opinion from an independent mechanic, for which a letter had to be written and approved by the service director. The contact was informed that the request was denied. The manufacturer was contacted and did not assist. The vehicle had not been removed from the dealer since August 29, 2017. There were no recalls associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was 44,375.

- Orlando, FL, USA

problem #8

Jul 182014

Cabrio 4-cyl Diesel

  • 50,213 miles
While driving this vehicle it just stopped would not start. Went to lift the hood it was hot and it seems to have had a fire. At a VW dealer for over 2 wks and they still can't figure it out. So far they said it appears engine harness fire had started at the starter and this part is discontinued there is a repair kit. VW claims a lot of items must be replaced and that is not going to guarantee it will solve the problem. You would think you send it to a dealer and they could fix it but I guess not because they called me to tell me all they did so far has not solved the problem. I purchased this car for my daughter in March 2014 with 50,000. Miles. I know this is my first and last VW I will own.

- Lyndhurst, NJ, USA

problem #7

Sep 212013

Cabrio 4-cyl

  • 150,000 miles
Engine coil suddenly went bad. Had prior repair.

- Catawba, SC, USA

problem #6

Jun 202010

Cabrio

  • 28,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio convertible. The contact was driving approximately 35 mph and attempting a turn when the vehicle stalled with the intermittent illumination of the ABS warning light. Smoke began pouring from under the hood and the vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer. The technicians replaced the starter and the fuel filter yet the failure continued after the repairs. The vehicle was then taken to an independent mechanic where the ignition was replaced. The mechanic stated that there was a shortage in the computer and hydraulic pump of the ABS system. The approximate failure mileage was 28,000.

- Evansville, IN, USA

problem #5

Feb 132009

Cabrio 4-cyl

  • 108,000 miles
2002 VW Cabrio convertible, when it rains the lights, electrical locks and dome lights turn on and off, the whole electrical lighting and electronic switch failure occurs. Like the care is possessed, I called Volkswagen and they said this is not a safety issue, however have you ever driven a car at night with the lights inside and out going on and off. Now I have to manually turn everything on and off, this is not the vehicle guarantee that I bought into. I believe this should be fixed as it is a real hazard on the road, however Volkswagen thinks differently since there is no recall. All of the VW mechanics in my area are very aware of this issue and it will cost over $3000 to fix everything including the alarm that is no longer functional due to the electrical issue that this car has. I have been trying for a year or so to see if they will fix this issue so now I am just going to file a complaint to see if you can help in getting the issue fixed before someone gets killed in this car.

- Sacramento, CA, USA

problem #4

Mar 012008

Cabrio 4-cyl

  • miles
I own a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio, manufactured by Volkswagen of America, Inc. My turn signal and hazard flasher have stopped functioning. Initially it was intermittent, but it has finally stopped working. Fuses have been checked. It's exactly like the NHTSA campaign# 04V584000 - the same problems other VW models of the same year had.

- Cuddebackville, NY, USA

problem #3

Jul 032002

Cabrio

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Purchsed vehicle new.. have returned it various times for engine light - first time was six months after it was purchased. So far I have had the engine sensor gauge replaced twice, a gas sensor replaced once, the O2 sensor replaced twice. I too have had to take my car in three times for the rear lights malfunctioning - the last time the repair technician 'missed' a wiring issue; the vinyl near the power window controls is peeling off for the second time (first time VW replaced at no cost after I complained to VW american); with just 45000 miles on the vehicle I have replaced the brakes (at my expense at 22000 miles) and have replaced the tires. In the three years since I purchased my car it has been in the shop at least a dozen times not counting the 5000 mile oil changes. All work has been documented so that I can prove that the vehicle has been properly maintained.

- Glenmoore, PA, USA

problem #2

Aug 082002

Cabrio

  • miles
Consumer stated the power locks, mirrors, heated seats, and cruise control stopped working.

- Niskayuna, NY, USA

problem #1

Oct 232001

Cabrio 4-cyl

  • miles
The trunk light was inoperative. On one occasion the passenger power lock had become inoperative, and on another occasion, the power locks, electric mirrors, seat heating, cruise control, and power windows had become inoperative.

- Niskayuna, NY, USA