10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 2 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 23,018 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.
I own a 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T. Over the winter my ABS system did not function properly at all! sometimes it would work and sometimes it wouldn't. now that it is warmer out it does not work at all! ABS light, traction light, and blinking brake light now illuminate my dashboard. I have read that this is a faulty ABS control unit which many people have had problems with. I simply don't have 1,500 dollars to fix something like this but it would be nice to be in control of my car on snowy Wisconsin roads.
- Wauwatosa, WI, USA
I own a 2002 VW Jetta tdi. Three times now I have had a serious incident with my brakes. While driving at low speeds, under 25 mph, the brake pedal has pulled itself to the floor and sharply applied the brakes while I was driving. My foot was on the accelerator while this occurred. There is also a loud pressure release sound coming from the brake pedal after it applied itself. This happens intermittently and the dealer has not been able to correct it yet.
- Arlington, VA, USA
A few weeks ago I was driving my 02 Jetta tdi and was sitting at a light with the brakes applied. Once the light turned green I release the pedal and it had a hydraulic release sound, like a swishing noise. The brakes were still on but the pedal had released. I tapped the pedal and they released. Over the course of my drive home every time I applied the brakes the pedal would suck all the way to the floor and make that swishing sound. The car would jolt as the brakes applied full force. Other times they would stay applied and I would have to tap the pedal and then they would release. I got home and later decided to test the car out again. And it did nothing! the car drove fine for a couple weeks. Today the problem started again suddenly. Advice. Help. Thanks.
- Austin, TX, USA
I have a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. I had the brakes checked due to vibration. Even though there was 40% of the pads left the front rotors had to be replaced. I have been told the rotars on the Jetta are lighter/thinner and with a combination of harder brake pads it is not unusual for the rotars to warp with heavy city driving. It is not uncommon to have to replace the rotors with the very first brake job. I was told that with subsequent brake repairs the replacement rotors probably could be turned and not need changed. There is an obvious issue with the factory rotors and/or pad match. A first time brake job should not require rotor replacement.
- Chesterfield, MO, USA
While driving at any speed front brakes locked up.
- Maple Valley, WA, USA
In attempt to stop the brake pedal went to the floor and the emergency brake had to be used to stop. After pumping the brakes several times partial braking was restored. Upon examination by the local dealer it was determined that the vaccum pump had failed and the vaccuum hoses were full of holes. The car is a 2002 VW Jetta tdi (deisel) and had 52000 miles at the time of incident. At 50000 miles the car was inspected at the dealer according to VW specifications and the defect was overlooked. Volkswagen of America fails to understand the serious nature of this problem and fails to accept any responsibility. I am concerned that there may be many other cars on the road facing the same serious dangerous condition.
- Marlboro, MA, USA
While driving 45 mph driver applied brakes and pedal went to the floor. This caused the vehicle to skid into a tree. Both air bags did not deploy.
- Shohola, PA, USA
I have a 2002 1.8T Volkswagen Jetta - I have experienced numerous failures. 1)radio has failed twice - in each instance fault was traced to a fuse - following radio failure I experienced repeated dead batteries until the radio was repaired. 2) ABS failure detected when I was getting my radio fixed the second time 3)vehicle has failed to start on two occasions - I wait a minute and try again - it worked 4)my window fell into the door 5)I experienced an activation of numerous engine fault lights that reset following engine restart 6)the coating on interior door handle surfaces peels off easily 7)the chrome ring around the shift know is peeling.
- Winston-Salem, NC, USA
When the consumer attempted to apply the brake, the pedal "shot" all the way to the floor, which left the vehicle with no braking ability. The pedal eventually recovered and consumer pulled into a parking lot for safety. While parking, the consumer attempted to apply the brakes again and the pedal "shot" to the floor a second time. Dealer had not been able to duplicate or determine cause. The dealer was unable to remedy the problem. On the way home, the problem occurred again while in traffic and to avoid an accident, the consumer ran into the ditch.
- Calhoun, GA, USA
The anti-lock brake failed, which caused the vehicle to experience extended stopping distance.
- Long Island City, NY, USA
First dealership completed recall 02V031000 incorrectly. Had another dealer check it. Other dealership was charging consumer to fix the other dealerships error.
- Oconto, WI, USA
I bought 2002 Jetta from sunnyvale Volkswagen this April and last week I came to know that a recall on the ABS control unit (NHTSA campaign id: 02V031000) applies to my model. I immediately contacted Volkswagen of America, Inc. If my car has the defective ABS unit or not but they said they had no idea. They said they cannot tell from VIN or all the information I provided to them. I contacted them again to confirm if what they had told me was correct or not and they admitted my car still has the defective ABS control unit. The recall date was 02/04/2002 so sunnyvale Volkswagen must have known that my car had the defective ABS unit when they sold it to me. The defect not only decreased my car's resell value but also put my life in danger. When I asked [xxx], the sale associate assigned to me, about 'safety first', he said "like, seatbelt". that's it. Maybe he just wanted to skip the subject because of the ABS unit. I did not buy it if I was informed of the recall that can result in a fire. My car was on sale and according to one of the managers (his name is said, not sure about spelling), they had 3 Jetta's on sale so I think there are two more Jetta owners that probably do not know about the recall. All owners should receive recall notice no matter when they buy a car, before or after the recall date. Dealerships like sunnyvale Volkswagen put car owners and other drivers' lives in danger. Also, customer support people at Volkswagen of America, Inc. Need more training (I'm assuming they didn't give me false information knowingly). Information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
- Santa Clara, CA, USA
ABS system failed while car was parked after being serviced by the recall.
- Hyattsville, MD, USA
In Dec. 01 the brake and ABS panel lights came on. The car manual said to take to mechanic immediately. I have relocated from NJ where I purchased the car to V.I. I was told by salesman, gary, that Volkswagen would cover waranty expenses just send receipt. When I called VW about the problem I was told to ship the car to pr which would cost me $1600. The property damage figure I can't afford the pr dealer is the closest I spoke to them they said master brake control unit or the la bomba need replacement cost $600 dollars and 400 respectively. They said perhaps they would send mechanic if I paid transportation and room. If the parts special tools (loaned) and instructions are sent my mechanic could do the job. What are my options? this is a brand new car which I paid over $20,000.
- St. Thomas, VI, USA
Consumer received recall 02V031000 on ABS. On 2 Mar 2002 dealer set an appointment for June 28, 2002 due to parts not available. On 12 May 2002 while driving 15 mph consumer applied brakes, and pedal went to the floor, no braking ability.damage to vehicle was $ $4000, no injuries.
- St.Albans, NY, USA
Consumer took the vehicle in for recall 02 V 031 000 repairs, however dealer did not honor recall letter. Dealer refused to honor recall because of after market items in vehicle..consumer stated he replaced the cd player with an after market cd player, consumer was informed that there would be a charge to analyze the ABS.
- San Diego, CA, USA
- Fairfield, CT, USA