Home › Volkswagen › GTI › 2002

2002 Volkswagen GTI Problems and Recalls

Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the electrical (34% of complaints, typically around 8,500 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about GTI model year since 2000 and has 2 recalls.

Complaints124
Recalls2
Crashes reported2
Fires reported0
Injuries reported10

Most common 2002 Volkswagen GTI problems

  1. Electrical

    42 complaints · 34%

    Half of these problems showed up before 8,500 miles. Parts named most often: ignition, 12v/24v/48v battery, wiring, alternator/generator/regulator.

    Coil packs on the vw 1.8t motor.... I had ignition coil #1 fail this week.... They are failing in a number of 2002 1.8t's. The dealer replaced the failed one with a the new "j" type coil but I have 3 other coils that can fail at any time strangling me on the highway or in the new england cold weather (as the case…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 8,098 miles
    Vw policy on there defective coil packs is to replace the broken coil with a new one and send the driver back on the road with 3 defective coils just waiting to leave them stranded. I am pushing for a recall do to the safety concerns of the near absolute failure of the defective "h" coils and possible collisions with…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 8,623 miles

  2. Air bags

    23 complaints · 19%

    Half of these problems showed up before 52,000 miles. Parts named most often: side/window, frontal.

    Tl contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen GTI. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact drove over a medium sized pothole, and the driver side curtain and side rear air bags deployed. There were no injuries or crash involved. The current mileage was 58,580 and failure mileage was 58,570.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2008, at 58,570 miles
    As I was driving home from visiting my parents in louisiana over the holidays. I was getting onto 45/75 going north from interstate 30w here in dallas, tx. As I cross over the lanes, I hear a really loud pop. There was a large flash and the car filled with smoke. I was really surprised, which caused me to swerve to…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2007, at 62,000 miles

  3. Wheels and tires

    22 complaints · 18%

    Half of these problems showed up before 6,000 miles. Parts named most often: rim.

    2002 GTI-337 25 anniv model alloy wheels deffective excessive corrosion forming around spokes on the wheels. The clear coating is peeling off at center hub. Black spots from excessive brake dust is imbedded into the finish, despite weekly cleaning by hand.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 6,000 miles
    2002 GTI-337 25 anniv model alloy wheels deffective excessive corrosion forming around spokes on the wheels. Black spots from excessive brake dust is imbedded into the finish, despite weekly cleaning by hand.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 6,000 miles

  4. Transmission

    10 complaints · 8%

    Half of these problems showed up before 21,500 miles. Parts named most often: clutch assembly, manual transmission, automatic transmission.

    Clutch failed, acceleration diminished, only 63000 miles with regular tune ups, oil changes. Also mass air flow sensor and oxygen sensor defective; car doesn't idle correctly, sometimes doesn't start. Started at 48000 miles.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 1,500 miles
    I have a 2002 Volkswagen GTI with approximately 42000 and discovered my manual transmission was slipping in every gear. After bringing my car to lindsay Volkswagen in sterling, va, I was informed that the problem was bad clutch and that the repair would not be covered under my warranty. After some research online, I…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 41,500 miles

  5. Visibility and wipers

    8 complaints · 7%

    Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield, windshield wiper/washer.

    Window regulator failed. Window was down and when the switch was hit to bring it back up, it remained down and made an awful sound, as if the glass was shredding inside. Window had to be taped up and did not get an appointment to fix it until 2 weeks later
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 7,500 miles
    The consumer was coming out of a toll booth at approximately 45 MPH and passenger's side airbag deployed for no reason, resulting in minor injuries. The A/C was inoperative, the passenger side window dropped and would not close, the coil was a problem and the cooling fan had broken.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2005, at 39,000 miles

  6. Engine

    7 complaints · 6%

    Parts named most often: engine, cooling system.

    Engine computer defect. Auto stalls and engine RPM's surge after engine has achieved normal operating temperature and user starts after driving and turning off car.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 7,710 miles
    I was driving down the road and I heard a loud beeping noise and looked at my dashboard to see that a red light was flashing and my car was over heating at max temp.. Car was towed to dealership and was found to have a "defective" water pump. I was without a car for 2 days, yippie.
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2004, at 25,800 miles

  7. Other or unspecified

    4 complaints · 3%

    I have a 2002 vw GTI 337 that was purchased on 7/2/02. I had 7777 miles when a coilpack went out rendering the car undrivable. Volkswagen of america knows that this is a very common problem with their coilpacks and have not issued a recall on them. If my wife were in the car when this happened and she was left…
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 7,777 miles
    Vehicle rendered undriveable. Towed to dealership for repair. Scc ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut-over to artemis****770855****
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 9,498 miles

  8. Suspension

    4 complaints · 3%

    Parts named most often: front.

    When the vehicle is placed into gear it shakes/vibrates excessively, making it undriveable. Dealer has diagnosed problem as a defective coil pack. Ph
    Owner report to NHTSA, 2003, at 27,000 miles

Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.

2002 Volkswagen GTI recalls

  1. Lights: switch

    NHTSA 07V063000 · February 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 vehicles

    Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

  2. Lights: switch

    NHTSA 04V584000 · December 16, 2004 · 410,000 vehicles

    Risk: This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.

    Fix: 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.

    Full defect summary

    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.

Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.

NHTSA defect investigations

Questions about the 2002 Volkswagen GTI

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volkswagen GTI?
By NHTSA owner complaints: electrical (42 complaints, typically around 8,500 miles); air bags (23 complaints, typically around 52,000 miles); wheels and tires (22 complaints, typically around 6,000 miles).
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen GTI have?
2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 20, 2007 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
Is the 2002 a bad year for the Volkswagen GTI?
It is the 3rd most complained-about GTI model year since 2000, with 124 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.

Other Volkswagen GTI years

Volkswagen GTI problems by year