2002 Volkswagen Jetta from North America - Comments

Thought I was the only guy with these problems. I had a 96' jetta, the dome light worked when it wanted to, I changed out the stereo before it became a problem. Now I have a 2000 Passat, had it for a year trouble free, had the timing belt done $2000, check engine light, Oxygen sensors another $1000! A week later check engine light, bad plug wire and something else another $900. A week later check engine light, stopped going to dealer found a mechanic in town, said the plugs were shot the wires were shot the coil was shot, he showed me the old parts, I agreed another $1000. The stereo wouldn't play until after 8am, then a week later it wouldn't play until after 10am, now it plays for a while and quits for no apparent reason. Can't find the fuse box to try the fuse trick. Wife suggests I set the car on fire, collect the insurance and buy a Ford. I love my VW's, but am getting frustrated. Paid 8K for the car, last month put 5K into it. Sell it now?? I don't think so, everything is new!!

Can someone tell me where the fuse box is? I found a bunch of wires behind the panel where my left knee rests, but no fuses. Help me some one before my wife wins the battle!!

The posts about Fuse 42 were extremely helpful and resolved my problem... THANK YOU!

Prior to this issue, I had the engine light on - at first my mechanic replaced some oxygen sensors, but in the end it required replacement of the catalytic converter.

I also had the brake switch replaced a couple of years ago - could not get the car out of park without great force... I think this is now a recall.

I have peeling on the interior of the driver side door, as well.

Right now I have creaking sound coming from my passenger side front tire area, it seems worse after driving awhile, i.e. heat sensitive. My mechanic advises that it is not cost-effective to fix right now, but to keep an eye on it.

There is much about this car that appeals and I hope that VW will work to resolve these common annoyances. So far everything has been under warranty, but I fear future costs. As of now I would by another VW, though.

Well guys, I own a 2002 jetta GL and I just had the driver side window drop into the door. Makes me feel better that I'm not the only one out there that has had to deal with this problem. Will I be cover with the recall notice? It's the long weekend and the dealership is not open.

All.

I have a 1999 VW Jetta in which the battery dies after leaving the car sit for a day without running. I have replaced the battery multiple times, had the alternator checked, etc. Had it to the shop and analyzed and it seems that something is draining the battery. The shop disconnected every wire going into the battery except one which traced to multiple sources inside the car. Yes, made sure all the lights, radios, heaters, car doors in closed position. They think that this is something in the door sensor which malfunction saying the door is not closed. Has anyone had door sensor/power problems. Like everyone else I have had sensor, moonroof, lock problems, etc...

Thanks IN Advance for any solutions.

Tom.

I purchased my '02 jetta 6 months after it came out and I am very disappointed. Two months after the nightmares began. My windows broke twice, the coil went out, head lamp burned out, seats do not heat, engine light always on, had brake switch fixed with recall and it just broke again. I have complained about the hot start problem since the begining and and dealers act like I am crazy. I just met someone who is a VW tech and he informed me of the fact that the hot start can be fixed with and update disk. Only problem is that my jetta will not accept it even though it needs it. Funny how dealership never mentioned the update. That is why I will NEVER buy another VW!

I have a 2002 Jetta GLS 1.8T and the radio is not working at all... no power. I have tried the Fuse #42 trick, but that does not seem to resolve the problem. I am in the process of ordering the removal keys so I can check the fuse behind the radio to see if that is the culprit.

The vehicle had been idle for a period of months and needed a battery charge to start. I do not know when the radio broke as this car belonged to a recently deceased relative and I never drove it in the past. I thought the radio issue might be related to the battery losing its charge, but it may just a VW radio issue.

Any other suggestions would be appreciated.

2002 JETTA WAGON 1.8T.

Just had my front passenger window regulator break today and my window fell down into the door. After googling this issue, I was pleasantly surprised to see it is covered under a recall order; although I do not see an expiration date. I'll be calling VW in the morning and hopefully the recall is still in effect.

I've had VW's for over 30 years. I will not be purchasing another one as they have really deteriorated in quality. Its too bad, they were a great vehicle manufacturer.

My daughter's 2005 Jetta was not used for a period of approximately four months and was not started during that period. In attempting to start the vehicle yesterday, it was obvious the battery was dead. However, I have been unable to jump start the car and there is a strange clicking sound coming from the dash in the area of the radio, heater controls, etc. I understand removal of the battery requires resetting the radio, but I have been unable to remove the battery from the car. I did remove the battery terminal clamps, but cannot gain access to the bolt holding the battery to the batery tray. Does anyone know exactly how to remove the battery? Any suggestons? Thanks!

2002 Jetta - Engine sluggish until engine warms up. The engine service light will come on, Motor then has horse power returned. I anticipate a sensor has failed? Anybody had this problem with their Diesel? Or remember what the repairs were? 118000 Km on the car. All warranty maintenance was done as per VW new car maintenance requests for this mileage.

Mike - Canada.

My girlfriend is the second owner of a 2002 Jetta TDI. She had replaced the battery ten months ago. When we returned from a little vacation last weekend it was completely dead. We jump started it, but the battery wouldn't hold a charge. We were about to go buy another one when a neighbor recommended putting the battery on a trickle charger overnight. The Jetta started right up the next morning. I ejected the CD from the radio then pulled and replaced #42 just to be sure. We would have spent another $80 on a new battery had we not run onto our friendly neighbor.

Michael - Sounds like the same issue I experienced with the loss of power in my diesel. The dealer replaced the Mass Air Flow sensor (located next to the air filter container). Dealer soaked me $250 + shop fee + $100 for the diagnostics = $500. The mass air flow has 2 1/4 inch bolts and a hose clamp + a harness plug (10 min job). Save yourself some $$ and replace it yourself. I would guess the sensor can be purchased from any auto parts supply, separately, for less than $100 bucks. The dealer also wanted to a De-carbon my car - I need to check on that! - what is this job - they wanted another $300 for that -I did not do it as I felt violated on the first repair! I might look into it and try this myself - if it is needed! Its unfortunate that such a nice car has to be spoilt by greed on parts and diagnostics at the dealership!

Hey sounds like a lot of radio problems. we have an 03 Jetta and our radio has just decided to quit. the CD can't be ejected and we can't turn it to radio instead. it stays on we can't turn it off. My daughter just called me about it as they are on the freeway in traffic so can't try the fuse #42 thing yet. They are on their way to climb Mt Adams.

We also had the window fall into door and we were charged to have it fixed. We were told there was no recall on it.

The spring also fell off the driver seat.

I HAVE A 02 JETTA TDI THAT HAS SOME ISSUES. THE RADIO QUIT WORKING ONE DAY. REALIZED THAT MY CAR BATTERY NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT DID THE TRICK. THEN ONE DAY THE RADIO DID THIS LOUD POP AND STILL WORKED, BUT THE RADIO WAS LOCKED INTO ONE VOLUME SETTING FOR THE CD PLAYER AND THE VOLUME FOR THE RADIO WAS LOCKED INTO ONE VOLUME SETTING. ALL THE FUSES ARE OK AND DID THE FUSE NUMBER 42 BUT NOTHING. THEN AFTER ABOUT A MONTH IT RETURNED TO NORMAL. MY TEMP SENDING UNIT JUMPS FROM ZERO TO 190 AND BACK TO ZERO. DEALER SAYS It's a ELECTRICAL ISSUE. I HAVE A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON SO I GOT IT LOOKED AT AND THE NUMBER ONE AND THREE GLOW PLUG WARMER WASN'T WORKING, REPLACED THE BUS BAR FROM THE DEALER. STILL THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. I HAVE 120000 MILES ON THE CAR AND OTHERWISE IT RUNS GREAT, BUT THE ELECTRICAL ISSUES ARE STARTING TO WORRY ME.

I recently bought a 2002 1.8T Jetta and did not notice that the red backlight for the climate control cluster doesn't come on. Could it be just a fuse? I would appreciate input from other Jetta owners. Maybe I can replace the fuse myself without having to take it to a mechanic. Look forward to your comments.

I have an '02 Jetta 1.8T since new and have had similar problems to those listed here. Replaced window regulators and coils twice. It also has the mystery check engine light that comes on. I use VAG COM free software and purchased an after market dongle that connects to my laptop to turn it off. I too paid an excessive amount of money to change the sensor and thermostat but nothing worked.

I have a new problem not listed here. I have a loud popping noise from the front end when backing up and turning. Mainly when backing out of the garage or a parking space. Anyone have any idea of what this may be?

Duane.