NHTSA vehicle safety data

2002 Volkswagen Jetta Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2002 Volkswagen Jetta has 7 NHTSA recall campaigns and 702 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

2002 Volkswagen Jetta owner complaints

Owners have filed 702 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, describing incidents dated September 15, 2001 to January 16, 2023.

Most-cited components

  • Electrical System 148 complaints
  • Engine 110 complaints
  • Air Bags 107 complaints
  • Power Train 103 complaints
  • Seats 101 complaints
  • Exterior Lighting 50 complaints

Of the 702 complaints on file, 31 report a crash and 71 a fire; across all 702 complaints, owners report 74 injuries and 10 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

  • ODI #11502341 · Filed

    I was driving on the freeway and the airbags deployed. No one hit me and I don't hit anyone.

  • ODI #11131795 · Filed

    WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, IT "JERKS" OR MAKES A SHAKING MOVEMENT. WHILE THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION, THE "DOOR AJAR" LIGHT STAYS ON ALTHOUGH ALL DOORS HAVE BEEN OPENED AND CLOSED. WHILE STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE BRAKE LIGHT IS NOT WORKING. WHILE STATIONARY AND IN MOTION, THE VEHICLE'S CHECK ENGINE…

  • ODI #11100021 · Filed

    WHILE MAINTAINING SPEED AT OR ABOVE 40 MPH AND WITH 1/4 TANK OR LESS OF FUEL REMAINING, MY JETTA WILL CONSISTENTLY STALL OUT AND TURN OFF FROM FUEL STARVATION. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME BETWEEN 40 AND 80 MPH SEVERAL TIMES, BOTH IN THE CITY AND ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE REPLACED THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION…

Read all 702 complaints

Owner-reported

2002 Volkswagen Jetta mileage at failure

484 of the 702 complaints on file for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Electrical SystemMedian 35,000 milesMiddle half 12,000–85,000 milesBased on 101 complaints
EngineMedian 55,000 milesMiddle half 25,000–85,000 milesBased on 78 complaints
Air BagsMedian 50,000 milesMiddle half 30,000–90,000 milesBased on 69 complaints
Power TrainMedian 70,000 milesMiddle half 35,000–95,000 milesBased on 84 complaints
SeatsMedian 45,000 milesMiddle half 30,000–65,000 milesBased on 80 complaints
Exterior LightingMedian 70,000 milesMiddle half 50,000–85,000 milesBased on 39 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Complaints received before December 15, 2002 rarely give a mileage, so they aren't counted here.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

NHTSA defect investigations

NHTSA's investigations file lists the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta in 7 investigations. A listed model year means only that an investigation names it; it says nothing about any particular vehicle. An open investigation is not a finding that a safety defect exists, and NHTSA can close one without a recall.

2 more NHTSA investigations
Open and recently closed NHTSA defect investigations

Water Pump may cause Failure of Timing Belt

NHTSA #14E007000 · Engine and Engine Cooling — Engine · NHTSA notice

Reported March 7, 2014 · The Gates Corporation

Potentially affected: 50 vehicles

Repair completion: 2% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Owners notified May 1, 2014

Defect description

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Safety consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Manufacturer remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.safercar.gov.

MASTER CYLINDER LEAK

NHTSA #07E023000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Foundation Components — Master Cylinder · NHTSA notice

Reported March 29, 2007 · CARDONE INDUSTRIES, INC.

Potentially affected: 13,128 vehicles

Owners notified April 2, 2007

Defect description

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Safety consequence

LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES

NHTSA #07V063000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported February 20, 2007 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 1,002,000 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign N4 · Owners notified April 27, 2007 · Vehicles built October 1, 2000 – November 30, 2004 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Safety consequence

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VOLKSWAGEN RECALL NO. N4.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTION

NHTSA #06V183000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported May 24, 2006 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 646,246 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign N4 · Owners notified November 27, 2006 · Vehicles built May 1, 1998 – November 30, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

Safety consequence

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VW RECALL NO. N4.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

VW/HAZARD SWITCH

NHTSA #04V584000 · Exterior Lighting — Hazard Flashing Warning Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported December 16, 2004 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 410,000 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign VX · Owners notified March 31, 2005 · Vehicles built June 1, 1999 – September 30, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.

Safety consequence

THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VW RECALL NO.VX.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION?S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VW/BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH

NHTSA #04V096000 · Exterior Lighting — Brake Lights — Switch · NHTSA notice

Reported February 20, 2004 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Potentially affected: 377,130 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign WX · Owners notified April 30, 2004 · Vehicles built May 1, 1998 – November 30, 2001 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Safety consequence

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Manufacturer remedy

THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

VWOA RECALL NO. WX.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VW/ABS ECU

NHTSA #02V031000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic — Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · NHTSA notice

Reported January 31, 2002 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 55,000 vehicles

Owners notified March 8, 2002 · Vehicles built October 1, 2000 – September 30, 2001 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).

Safety consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Notes

ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Volkswagen Jetta model years

Check your 2002 Volkswagen Jetta VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen Jetta at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Volkswagen VIN