10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
42,903 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.

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problem #13

Jul 252010

Jetta

  • 102,000 miles
The contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while turning the vehicle, she heard a loud noise then suddenly all the warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic who informed her that the failure was the ABS sensor. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign id (02V031000) service brakes: Hydraulic: Anti-lock. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

- Lasanimas, CO, USA

problem #12

Mar 232010

Jetta

  • 134,221 miles
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta and I have a brake light switch issue (brake light stays on and a dct(P0571) is set) that was described in the recall/replacement, but the VIN group that this applies to is 3vw---9M-YM000089 to 3vw---9M-2M053565, as you can see, mine is just out side the high VIN. The VIN range should be readdressed to include all 2002 model Jettas with cruise control. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.

- Beldenville, WI, USA

problem #11

Dec 012009

Jetta

  • 76,000 miles
ABS warning light and check engine light lit up in 2002 Jetta.

- Everett, WA, USA

problem #10

Jun 192008

Jetta

  • 68,300 miles
When gently applying pressure to the brake pedal the brakes would suddenly fully engage for a moment and then return to normal. This occurred every time the brakes were applied. There were no consequences in my case, but it is not hard to imagine this causing a car to be hit from the rear or causing a loss of control in slippery conditions. To correct the situation the brake booster needed to be replaced.

- Lexington, KY, USA

problem #9

Oct 012005

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 75,221 miles
This is a report of the failure of the booster brake on a 2002 VW tdi Jetta. The symptoms are that while applying the brakes, the pedal will suddenly be sucked to the floor resulting in a sudden stop. The danger created is of being rear-ended and is a potential life threatening issue. The problem is difficult to trouble shoot because it is intermittent. Once the pedal is sucked to the floor it could be days before it happens again. I see that at least eleven other 2002 Jetta owners have reported the sudden braking problem to nhts, I.e. ODI id #10103196, 10129643, 10137579, 10100576, 10058106, 10027194, 8011122, 10139134, 10086927, 8023749, 769651. In each case, where a solution is mentioned, the solution involved the booster brake. In my case the VW dealer, after trying twice, did not find the solution. It was after interacting with the folks at the VW tdi club who experienced the same problem that I learned their solution which was to replace the booster brake. The VW dealer agreed to replace my booster brake only if I agreed to hold no one other than myself responsible should the replacement not solve the problem and if they could replace the master cylinder in addition to the booster brake. The repair made over a year ago on 25 October 2005, solved my sudden braking problem. I see that others on the tdi web site are still having booster brake problems and that they have been unsuccessful in getting volkswagons attention. The help of the nhts is needed to raise the corporate consciousness of the right folks in VW about the booster brake problem. At a minimum VW should alert its service repair folks to the symptoms and the solution. A recall to correct the failed booster brakes is the desired redress. I still have the failed booster brake and master cylinder and will be glad to provide all the parts to the nhts folks.

- Bridgewater, NJ, USA

problem #8

Jul 122006

Jetta

  • miles
: the contact stated the vehicle has a faulty electrical brake light switch causing the vehicle to malfunction and the brake light to illuminate. The dealers determined that the vehicle was not part of a recall although the vehicle experiences similar symptoms. The contact researched online to check on recalls pertaining to the vehicle's symptoms, recall #04V096000 identified similarities. The dealers offered to replace the part for a cost.

- Chino Hills, CA, USA

problem #7

Jul 292005

Jetta Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 20,000 miles
We have a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta tdi gls. Since the vehicle was new we have had an intermittent serious problem with the braking system. We live near fort collins, co; when we travel to other parts of the country with lower elevation, our brakes begin to malfunction. Initially, they begin to drag; you usually have to turn off the ignition to get them to release. Sometimes you can pump them hard and get them to release. During this phase the brakes wear quickly and become very hot. Within a day the problem progresses to a much worse condition. As you press the brake pedal, the pedal feels as though it is pulling away from your foot. As you press a little more, the pedal suddenly pulls violently from your foot and the vehicle brakes slam on. At this time the ABS does not work as far as I can tell. When the brakes pull from your foot there is a noise like air being sucked into something. When the brakes slam on in this fashion, one of several things happen. The brakes may stay locked on, leaving you to try to get them to release, often in an intersection or traffic. They may release entirely, and be okay until the next braking incident. Many times they drag somewhere between light enough that you might just think the car is running poorly to so heavily that you can barely move the car without killing the engine. We were most recently in the portland, Oregon area when this happened. It began to happen the first night we were in town, with the dragging. The next morning we drove to the coast, and the more serious malfunction began. We tried to drive around a small coastal town, only to have to park and walk everywhere we needed to go. On the way back we were unfortunate to find ourselves in bumper to bumper, stop and go traffic. With nearly every single use of the brakes, they would slam to the floor. We have to try to stay far enough away from other vehicles to avoid being hit from behind or skidding into the vehicle in front of us.

- Livermore, CO, USA

problem #6

Sep 172005

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 42,995 miles
On 9/17/2005 I was pulling into my assigned parking spot at my condo. I was approximately traveling about 3 mph and had my brakes applied to maneuver into my parking spot. Upon reaching the curb, I applied pressure to the brakes and expected to come to a complete stop. However, my car lunged forward and ended up in my neighbor's living room. My car only stopped after taking out the brick structure and front window of her condo. Before making impact with the outside structure I attempted to brake twice with no response. The impact was substantial and yet the airbags never deployed. My car was towed to a garage that my insurance approved and not to the dealership who has serviced my car for all the current recalls and various problems. The recalls and problems include the brake light switch, replacement of the coil ignition, armrest break, alarm sounding for no reason, and the window falling into the door frame. This accident caused serious property damage and the police were called to the scene. The police acknowledged my skid marks and my attempt at applying the brakes. The situation was treated/cited as a car accident so that my neighbor and I could go through the proper procedures of her damages being reimbursed. I plan to prove my car is defective and a lemon. I would appreciate any feedback, advice or suggestions regarding my situation.

- Denver, CO, USA

problem #5

Feb 022003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
While driving in inclement weather, the consumer applied the brake, but they failed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection. The mechanic inspected the vehicle and determined that the brakes were frozen and that the rotors were bent. The power booster and rotors needed to be replaced.

- Ardmore, PA, USA

problem #4

Jan 242005

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
When the consumer applied the brakes the pedal went to the floor.. the consumer was able to pump the brakes and the vehicle came to a complete stop. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer to be inspected, however they were unable duplicate the problem.

- Fillmore, UT, USA

problem #3

Aug 112004

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 39,000 miles
While driving on a slight downgrade, during clear wether, on a dry road, my brakes locked up. This was preceeded by a loud decompressing sound, immediately after which the brake petal went to the floor of its on volition. My foot was no where near the break petal. This caused me to skid on the dry pavement and left me extremely close to a ditch. As soon as the car stopped moving the brakes returned to normal. This occured twice more during the mile to my home. It was towed to the dealership. "no fault codes" were in the computers memory. Initial diagnosis - intermittent occurance of an unknown nature. My concern is that if this occured on a busy highway I may have been struck in the rear by another vehicle, injured or died and no-one would have known it was a brake malfunction. My concerns were heeded and a tech was assigned to drive the vehicle home that eve. The brake lock-up occured several times to him while driving slowly. It was once again towed to the dealership. They are replacing the brake booster but are not sure this is the exact cause of this problem. I am concerned to say the least. This is my only vehicle. Is there a recall or investigation" are there deaths attributed to this failure? could there be unreported deaths due to this defect? why was there no fault in the computer" vehicle being repaired @ speedcraft VW, wakefield, ri, (401) 783-3303.

- Narragansett, RI, USA

problem #2

Jan 102004

Jetta 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1) transmission slips, and causes a thud. Have taken vehicle to dealership 3 times and nothing has been done to correct this problem. 2) led display disappears. Have informed dealership of this problem twice and nothing has been done to correct this problem. 3) brakes are mushy. Have informed dealership once and nothing has been done to correct this problem. 4) vehicle is sluggish when accelerating. Have informed dealership once. 5) engine light has come on, and there is peculiar smell. Have informed dealership once.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #1

Nov 092002

Jetta

  • miles
When applying the brake pedal while traveling about 30mph the pedal will go all the way down to the floor. Dealer was notified provide additional information.

- Wells River, VT, USA