2002 Volkswagen Jetta GLS from North America - Comments

This car is plagued with problems. Whatever you do... DO NOT PURCHASE! My personal experience with this car is unfortunately replayed over and over again, by others that have purchased a Jetta. My 2002 1.8T Jetta is a disaster, to sum it up. Faulty, faulty and a hunk of metal held together by rubber bands! Just a mere sampling of what has taken place since date of NEW purcahse. Please understand, these issues will happen to ALL Jettas, as they all roll off the SAME assembly line, glued together with the SAME products.

*Ignition Coils... FAILED twice (recognized problem by VW, but will ONLY REPLACE once your car dies!)

*Radio Wiring... FAILED twice

*Windows...Fall into door (recognized problem by VW, but will ONLY REPLACE once you loose you windows!)

*Car SURGES automatically... Issue stated by many, but not recoginized by VW as a problem. Car literally will not stop once you brake and once you do stop, is reved up and STILL trys to take off. Maybe this justifys the need to replace brakes!

*Door/Window seals... FAILED since day of ownership! This is also a problem NOT recognized by VW. Moisture enters car and destroys!

*Peeling interior... FAILED The coating put on ALL "plastic" type material on interior of car (door handles, console, buttons) literally blister and peels away. Your car looks 10 yrs old instantly. KNOWN PROBLEM and recognized by VW... ONLY if your car is under warranty.

This is just a small list of the issues that I currently have wrong with this 1.5 yr old car. Here are some other KNOW and RECOGNIZED problems of the 2002 VW Jetta.

ABS Brake failure- will cause fire

Window defrost failure... Unit fails to allow fresh air to defrost your windshield

Wheel Well... if your tire blows, will penetrate well and combust with gas tank. Now, this is a "selected" recall of this year, yet all came from same assembly line. VW is "suppose" to send our a notice, but we know how that goes. This issue is "hush,hush)

Please report any/all issues that you may have with your Jetta. VW is far from Consumer friendly and their sales are showing this. Many buyers will NEVER purchase a VW again, just do your research, as there are plenty of facts stated by Consumers of this faulty product. They might look like a good car for the $$, but you could loose a lot more then $$ with the defects in these cars.

REPORT YOUR DEFECTS-YOU can make a difference and protect others!

http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/complain/

Just to add to the comments I have a 2002 vw jetta 1.8T approx 1.5 years old. Its been into repair 10 times for warrantie problems I've had coils replaced twice, car dies if not started over 2/3 days battery replaced twice, been in shop 4 times for engine light problem every time I get it to VW they said there was nothing wrong they even kept the Jetta for a week as well got feed up took it to another VW dealer who found it to caused by sensor on coolant bottle. Arm rest (central) broke apparantly theres a service buliten about it. And now my car HIFI died on me and I've 3,000 miles left before warrantie ends I am very concerned if in 18 month this is been in ten times how much will it cost me now warranty is going to end any suggestions on how to get my concerns addressed already spoken to VW consumer affairs 5/6 times, they just reply by saying thank you for calling we have documented your concerns. Please help a very concerned and upset VW owner.

Steven - I can't believe while reading your post - you piece of hunk car is "exactly like mine". Please email me - I would love to chat and see where you're at - I see you posted 12/03. thanks. Sue (sallieri@scottmadden.com)

I just bought a Touareg in Dec 03. So far it works fine, but the dealership got it from another dealership since they didn't have what I wanted on the lot. When it arrived and I went to pick it up there was a scratch on the driver side door. They said they would take care of it. I returned a second time to find that the scratch was still there, although less noticeable. The third time I came to pick up the car, the scratch wasn't visible, but I was told that they "buffed it so much that if they did it any more, they would burn the paint".

It was at this point that I threw a hissy fit. I made the dealership promise to clearcoat the door again so it would be protected. Time passed, still no call back - they were going to replace a wood panel on the inside of the door that was messed up and then clearcoat it at the same time. I finally called, and the salesperson was no longer there.

Finally, I got through to the sales manager, who actually remembered the incident and said he'd look into it. Time passed, called back. I finally receive a call from him that he had talked to the body shop and they had told him that clearcoating my door was not possible without repainting the entire door (which I believe now is true). So, they could repaint the entire door, but the integrity of the paint would not be the same as the manufacturer's paint.

So, I either go around waiting for my door to get scratched and then pay to have it repainted or have it repainted by them and wait for it to peel off.

At this point, I called VW customer "service" to inquire as to what they would recommend. All they did was call the dealer. After more than 2 weeks of calling them, they finally called the dealer and got ahold of the sales manager. They basically just handed me right back off to the dealer. They did ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to help me.

So, now I have to go into the dealership to meet with the sales manager and general manager because they won't discuss my problem over the phone. They are going to try to screw me, and I'm really ticked about it. I went so far as to ask for a new door, which they also said isn't a good idea.

So, no matter what happens, I am not content with the new vehicle I purchased, because I paid for it to be in perfect condition and it is not.

Had my circumstances have been different, I would not have accepted delivery of the vehicle in the first place, but I was in a situation where I HAD to get it then.

I think I'm going to write VW customer "service" and tell them that they suck. I'm sure it won't do any good, but it will make me feel better.

Next time don't buy the car if it has a scratch etc. They WILL fix it to sell it!

I have a 2002 Jetta GLS and my car has been in the shop several times. Small things, but inconveniences nonetheless.

1) I got the upgraded "monsoon" stereo system, and I'm currently on my 3rd radio. The first 2 died for no apparent reason within 3 months of buying the car.

2) the spring that holds the gas tank door cover shut pops out.. on the 3rd one.

3) my car has been into the shop 3 times in the past month for problems with the control arms. Theres a horrible creaking sound. The first time they couldnt find the noise. The second time the repaired the bushings and tie rods. Now I'm getting the creaking grinding noise again coming from a different part of the car.

I have NO COMPLAINTS about the level of service I've received at the dealership. Theyre always very nice and more than accommodating. In spite of this, I do not think I will purchase another VW. I shouldn't have to deal with problems like this from a car that's less than 3 years old.

I also have a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T. My husband and I have always been VW owners, but this is it, this is the last!! This car has been in the shop 16 times and it only has 32,000 miles on it!!! AND, it is about to go back in because the check engine light just came on AGAIN! They have replaced the ignition coils 2 or 3 times, replaced the Mass Air Flow Sensor, replaced the Transmission Control Unit, replaced both front seats after they both broke, and replaced clips in both front windows after they fell down into the doors! The check engine light is now on more time than it is ever off!! Fortunately, the warranty has covered all repairs, however, it is a HUGE inconvenience to have to keep taking the car into the dealer that is 30 miles away from home! We are currently talking to a couple of Lemon Law lawyers to get a professional opinion, and at the very least, we will be trading in this car in another year when the warranty is up! I would love to hear from others that have had similar problems! My email: vkrojas@yahoo.com.

I'm sorry to read all this stuff on here. I have owned 3 Jettas, a '94 GL, '04 TDI and currently '07 2.5. I would probably still have the 94 if I didn't get in an accident (there is absolutely no one within 40 miles that I trust to work on VW's). The TDI I took on a trip to all 48 states in 30 days with my son in 2006, put 13,450 miles on it and the only problem I had was to change a fuel filter. I love my '07 Jetta, by far my favorite of the three. I wish you all the best with yours.