2002 Volkswagen GTI from North America - Comments

The ignition coils broke and were replaced by the dealer.

The window clips broke and were replaced by the dealer.

After just 46,000 miles, the clutch, flywheel and bearing are all worn.

I contacted Volkswagen directly and was told that a clutch was a "wearable" part and are not covered by the warranty. At least 70 percent of my miles are highway driven. It will cost me $1,600 to replace these parts and I was given no relief from Volkswagen of America. I would suggest that anyone considering this car should reconsider!

I contacted Volkswagen directly and was told that the clutch is a "wearable" part and is not covered by the warranty. At least 70 percent of my miles are highway driven. It will cost me $1,600 to replace these parts and I was given no relief from Volkswagen of America. I would suggest that anyone considering this car...reconsider!

I'm starting to see the same sort of problems in my 2002 GTI as described in this review.

At 25,000, the rear shocks were leaking, and at 35,000, the clutch is slipping, and I am getting the song from the dealer that this is a wear and tear item not covered under the warranty and could cost me $1600 to repair.

I've had manual transmissions in my cars for most of my life, including other VWs, Saab, Ford even Triumph and never had a clutch develop slippage this early.

My clutch started slipping and went out at 52,000 miles. Apparently, the way the clutch/flywheel assembly is constructed, whenever the clutch starts slipping the flywheel is immediately ruined. I almost made the mistake of taking my car to the dealer, and then I almost made the mistake of using original parts. I purchased a clutch assembly with flywheel (single-mass rather than the original dual-mass) from a company called ECS tuning, and had the repair done at a local mechanic to the tune of $900 (including $100 to ship the parts overnight since the mechanic had my engine pulled and couldn't wait 5 days). I'm thankful I didn't have to pay $1600, but having to replace a clutch at 52,000 miles is absolutely ridiculous!

Now I have a squealing belt and a stereo that won't play CDs to deal with (these are only the problems that I'm CONCERNED about). I'm 6,000 miles beyond my factory warranty, with a worthless 100,000-mile Smart Choice warranty (the company is now bankrupt).

I also have VW GTI 2002 1.8T. I had the luck to make it to 65,000 miles before my clutch started slipping. I though that it was strange and apparently I'm not the only one. The other problems I have encountered are as follows; 1. Ignition coils 2 of 4 failing at 20,000 miles, getting on the highway, corrected by VW recall warranty. 2. Both windows falling into the doors on my way to work, corrected by VW recall warranty 3. Rear brake pads and rotors grooved and worn horribly at 45,000 miles, not covered by warranty to the tune of $300. 4. water temp sensor for the cockpit gauge not covered by warranty $30. 5 Catalytic converter garbage after 60,000 miles, covered by VW warranty. VW covers up to 80,000 on their catalytic converters. 6. Front brake rotors garbage after 58,000 miles another $400 later.