10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
25,000 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 Jetta:

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

problem #2

Mar 012006

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 50,000 miles
Purchased used 2002 VW Jetta 1.8 turbo (5 speed) with 34,000 miles still under warranty. Taken to dealership for blown fuses (cigarette lighter), trunk latch, center console, and transmission repairs. Fuse problem was ongoing. Within a few months, a local mechanic installed a small boost gauge on the dash, which was wired into a 10 amp fuse. Within five days, the car was being backed out of the driveway when smoke began pouring from all the dash vents. The wire harness, fuse block, and controller components located behind the dash were destroyed by fire. VW of America prepared to send investigators to nm, but when they discovered gauge wiring may have contributed, they did not investigate. Have read of other electrical fires behind instrument panel, dash, since this time. Our son was driving the car at the time of the fire, but was able to get out.

- Alamogordo, NM, USA

Add Complaint
problem #1

Jul 052007

(reported on)

Jetta 4-cyl

  • miles
2002 Jetta with a safety recall- replaced brake light switch customer states that the dealership refused to fixed the recall* the VW service center and customer care informed the consumer the vehicle was out of warranty and they had no obligations to pay for towing or any other cost associated with the vehicle, including the last recall regarding the brake light switch that the consumer has replaced on 3 separate occasions. The consumers daughter had experienced the vehicle locking up as a result of the defective brake switch. The instrument panel failed and the consumers daughter was unable to read the panel. The consumer stated in the past, the trunk latch failed as well as a broken bolt on the transmission, the drivers side seat belt and the egr all had to be replaced. The door latch failed because the lock signal was not working. The consumer stated that he received a recall for his daughter's vehicle, this is the 3rd brake switch not to mention over $800 in unwarranted charges from the dealership. The consumer stated he was hoping that this classifies the vehicle as a lemon. The consumer stated would like dealership to review the over charges or buying the vehicle back.

- Littleton, CO, USA

Add Complaint