2002 Volkswagen Jetta from North America - Comments

Good Evening Everyone.

I also own a 2002 VW Jetta 1.8L Turbo and am having a problem with the Monsoon audio system. The stereo system was on and working perfectly last Friday morning. I accidentally left my lights on from about eight in the morning till I left work at five in the evening. Between the lights and the stock alarm system the battery was totally dead by the time I caught my mistake. I jumped the car, but it took about twenty minutes just to get up enough charge to turn the engine over. The indicator lights were flashing on the right side of the car and the lights in the cabin flickered without me touching anything while it was charging. I drove the car approximately twenty miles before I headed home to make sure that the battery would hold a charge overnight. The cars electrical system now seems to be functioning normally, however the radio unit has yet to respond. I checked the #42 fuse as suggested, but to no avail. I then checked the #41 fuse and found it blown. I replaced it several times and the fuse keeps blowing. I have checked all the other fuses and wires I can see under the hood and in the cabin of the vehicle, but can’t see any obvious problems. The #41 fuse is labeled as the cigarette lighter fuse. I do not have anything plugged into the AC/cigarette lighter socket in either the cabin or the trunk. I don’t know what to do to fix this problem.

When I first purchased the car used, in August 2006, I had to have several problems repaired by the dealership. They were awesome and managed to minimize my out of pocket costs with the help of my extended warranty and their sympathy. They gave the car a thorough work up and I haven’t had a single problem since then, except of course for this current one. I love this car and even with her quirky personality and these occasional mysteries I would still buy this car again. The secret is in the ride and the power under your foot. This car jams! And it is so much fun to drive as well as being nice to look at. It’s really too bad that these models tend to have electrical issues.

If I do not find the answer I’m looking for here I will be contacting my dealership. Even though it’s two hours away from where I live, they really know what they are doing and I wouldn’t let anyone else work on my V-Dub.

Thank you in advance for your thoughts on this subject :o)

I own a 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T and today, my radio stopped working. The fuse panel diagram was no help to try to figure out which one controlled the radio. After a Google search I stumbled upon this site... and learned about Fuse #42. Problem solved. The radio works. My car has 86,000 KM on it (purchased new) and knock on wood, I haven't experienced the windows falling.

While still under warranty I had a few inside panels replaced because of peeling. And a spring under the drivers seat fell to the ground, but I haven't worried about fixing it.

This site is very helpful. It's now saved as one of my favourites.

Thanks for all the posts. Happy to hear I am not alone with the radio problems, dropping windows, random spring I found under the seat, peeling interiors, etc...

Here's one I didn't see elsewhere in the comments:

Is anyone else out there having problems with their moonroof?

I have an '02 Jetta, the moonroof started opening and closing on its own, randomly, and just barely opening. Like an inch or two or doing the upward opening. I had the moonroof motor replaced while it was still under warranty. Now, it is no longer under warranty, and it has started again! Any suggestions?

I have a 2003 Volkswagen Jetta GLS, and I have also experienced a radio issue after I had to jumpstart my car because my battery died after leaving my hazards on. I tried the fuse #42 thing - of pulling it out and putting it back in - yet that didn't work - its still dead. Any other people have the similar problem? Also, my paint is beginning to peel.

I have a 2003 Jetta TDI wagon that I bought used. I had no idea that VW had so may quality issues and it is making be rethink the purchase. I recently experienced the window issue and plan on tearing into it tomorrow. I'll call the "local" dealer, 100 miles away and find out about this 7 year extended warranty on the window clips. The other problem I had was the front driverside wheel bearing. I heard it was a common problem, but I did not read any thing on this thread that would suggest such. I started noticing a strange hum when I was taking a corner on the highway and at first I thought it was ice build up in the wheel well. I took it into Les Schwabbs to look at and the told me it was the wheel bearing. I had to wait a week for them to get the part and when they finally began the repairs they found they could not do it because they needed a special VW spanner wrench. I called VW to see if I could buy this wrench and was told I needed to be an authorized dealer to get it. Seems like a bit of a conspiracy to me, they were in the same time engineering special tools so they could rape you on the repairs and then not fixing this engineering problem in the windows that sounds like its been going on since the mid 90's? WTF?

I have had my 02 Jetta since April 02. Had the window issue on back passenger, but lucky for me it fell right after I received recall notice.

The last 3 years, every winter the radio has stopped working. I checked the book, and it claimed the fuse is behind the radio, so I paid a dealer to fix it. Last year, the radio stopped again. This time another dealer told me the wires were lose, and it was $15 to fix. Then they tried to sell me a new radio, but a friend warned me that they would do that, and not to buy it. This winter it was off again. I am going to try that fuse # 42 fix. I'll be angry if they could have just told me to do that.

Thanks to whoever started this site!!

I have a 2002 VW Jetta Turbo--my issue is my doors will not lock with the keyless remote. The sensor light states that my driver door is open. Has anyone had this problem--If so, how did you resolve it.

Hi.

Just responding to some door sensor problems that have been noted. I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T and I'm in Winnipeg, Canada. I've had the fuse #42 and the collapsing window in my car. The latest issue has been the driver side door sensor/lock where this winter it started to always chime that the door was open while I was driving and the door was clearly closed and locked. This went on for some time off and on and today I had the car in the shop (Autohaus VW) and they said I need a new door lock module for a tidy $375 or so. They said the module affects the alarm, the interior lights, the chime, etc because it will apparently think the door is open when it is not. Not a cheap fix... unfortunately warranty is over and done with now so I'll bite the bullet.

Definitely sounds like a documentary on my '02 TDI Jetta Wagon. My first experience was the spring under the seat coming loose, and so hard that I literally thought my car had been shot. I stopped, got out and look everywhere for a bullet hole, but finally discovered that the spring had come off under the seat. VW said the only fix was to replace the whole seat. NO THANKS.

My window fell down into the door and had to be replaced as well.

I've had the radio issue once, and now it has happened again. Haven't tried the fuse thing yet, but will shortly. My MAF malfunctioned so many times that VW put two technicians on it for over 80 hours each and couldn't figure it out. Switched mechanics and he fixed the problem in an hour. It was a clogged tube connected to the EGR. They tried to sell me everything from a new Turbo to a new Car!! Thankfully, I didn't have to pay for any of the repairs. They kept the car for 2 MONTHS, but gave me a new loaner for the whole time, almost 10,000 miles worth.

I am having the moonroof issue also with it opening and closing. They have no idea about that one either. I had the severe leaking issue also, but thankfully one of the service managers knew what the problem was and showed me how to fix the problem by clearing the tubes.

I have to take it back now because the right front axle they replaced isn't functioning properly when I back up and turn.

Overall, my 138,000 miles worth of experience with the car has been great, with these nuisance issues being a significant aggravation at times.

I own a 2002 Jetta TDI. I have 132000 miles with the automatic transmission. I average 42 miles per gallon and religiously only use Mobil 1 oil. I have had absolutely no problems with this great car. I put Goodyear Tripletread tires on it which now have 80,000 miles and still are not to the wear bars yet. Also, still at least 50% on original brake pads. GREAT CAR VOLKSWAGEN!

I have a 2002 Volkswagon Jetta 1.8 L with 84,000 km and I have this clicking noise near the four way light button on my dash that is driving me crazy!!!

If I slightly push and hold the four way flash button down, the clicking will stop or if my left/right signal is on, it will work normally. The clicking noise sometimes stops, sometimes clicks slowly but has lately been clicking constantly. I checked the manual and it said that a light could be out, so I checked and all lights are functioning properly. Then one day, my car was beeping saying that a door was open as I was driving, but all doors were properly shut and locked. The interior lights went on and my electrical was going crazy. That has since stopped but how do I get rid of the non stop clicking noise?? Please help!!

I drive a 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. The spring bellow my driver side seat has dropped. I asked the dealership what to do about it and they said I would need to buy a new frame for the seat, but I would be better off just chucking the spring and not giving it another thought. I said o.k. and asked them to just get rid of it for me. They did so after charging me 5 dollars. I wish I would have just pulled off and found a dumpster myself. I was having them check out the problem to the lock on my doors when I asked them about the spring. They told me it would be $565.00 for a new door lock actuator. I told them I just didn't have the money for that and left. For some reason my door locks just started working on their own again today. What a nice easter present. While I was at the dealership they also told me I needed a new cooling sensor and a new thermostat. They said the sensor would cost about $150 and the thermostat would be about $330. I got a print off of the estimate and took it to my Dad. I will let him shop around for a better deal. Also my radio has completely gone blank and will not turn on nor show me an error message. I am going to look further into this fuse #42 thing. My fuse card only had symbols though I am pretty sure. Anyway I found this sight very helpful.

Stacey.

HELP!!!

So far I have only found one person who had this problem in this comment section. My radio doesn't work, but my problem seems to differ from everyone else. I Can turn the radio on and off, but that's about it. If a CD is in the radio I can see it playing, but no music comes out of the speakers. I can't change from AM to FM or even radio stations. I don't the the incredible #42 will help... because I tried it...lots... SO anyone out there have any ideas other than cough up 400 bucks for a new radio. If it helps I have the Monsoon system that came with the 02 jetta.

I also drive a 2002 Jetta, suddenly my alarm stopped working. When I went to VW dealership, they want to charge me $540 to replace it and reprogram the remote key. What I found kind of weird the dealer told me they could order it and it will take about hour and a half. They made me feel like the alarm issue is really minor. What do you guys think about it?

Since this website is about car references, please read carefully:

I have a 2002 VW Jetta Turbo 1.8 - don't buy.

These are the things which have been repaired (I love the drive of the vehicle - my husband calls it a black cat - it has broken down more than it runs)

New Engine - 120K miles

Coils Replaced - 16K, 27K, 27K, 56K, 74K and 96K (6 replacements)

2 Car Stereos - 16K and 56K (seems like coils have something to do with the radio dying)

Side window replaced - mysteriously came down during a rain storm - would not go up

Transmission Replaced by dealership -16K miles

Car is chipped instead, the interior is peeling away - springs are falling out under the seat.

If you have to buy a VW - make sure you have Triple A (AAA road service) and a good mechanic.