10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 7
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
65,747 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2002 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems

electrical problem

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2002 Volkswagen Jetta Owner Comments (Page 3 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #11

Jan 072003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,647 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Coil pack has been replaced 3 times but vehicle continues to lose power and drive rough. There have been several occasions when an accident was narrowly avoided. I do not feel safe driving this car. This is a lease. I offered VW the option of letting me make one cash payment to pay out the lease but VW refused to do this. VW said I have to keep this car until 90 days before due date. Car has been towed in 3 times for this problem and driven in three other times. I never know when I will have to walk.

- Williamsburg, OH, USA

problem #10

Nov 232002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles
Epc warning light came on while driving. When this occurred, tail lights and brake lights were not functioning. When I arrived at my destination I parked my car as usual. When I returned to my car, it started, but I could not shift out of park. I called the roadside assistance number. They instructed me to hit the brake with my foot as hard as possible. This allowed me to shift out of park. They also suggested that I take my car to the dealer as soon as possible for service.

- Reston, VA, USA

problem #9

Oct 132003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 35,000 miles
I have taken in my 2002 VW Jetta about 9 times for electrical problems: The engine comes on, the doors have messed up, the odometer is incorrect and the speedometer floats drastically 5-10 miles up and down. This is an extremely dangerous car not only for the electrical problems that might cause a fire, but also because people don't know how fast they really are going - this is an extreme hazard. My friend's 2001 VW Jetta is just starting to do the same things as mine, with the engine light coming on, and a women today said all of her friends got rid of theirs for the same reasons - Jettas with electrical problems.

- Gaithersburg, MD, USA

problem #8

Mar 182003

(reported on)

Jetta 4-cyl

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The engine light illuminated, the dealer stated the ignition coil was defective. The vehicle over heated, and the problem was diagnosed as a ruptured coolant pump.

- Middletown, CT, USA

problem #7

Jan 292003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles
The coils on my 2002 Volkswagen Jetta gls 1.8T are burning out. Volkswagen of America has informed me that rather than replace all 4 coils, I must wait until each coil burns out before they will replace it. I have a letter from them as well stating they are aware of the problem but can not do anything more about it due to a lack of coils in stock. I guess the letter is a way to shut the customers up. Apparently this is happening to over 500,000 people last I heard. I want this complaint logged and a personal note added and directed to Volkswagen of America (if possible), "I will not renew my lease on this lemon and I will never purchase another Volkswagen again." The coil issue is just one of the issues I'm having with this vehicle. The date below is the last time I went in for coil replacement and got to work late.

- North Bergen, NJ, USA

problem #6

Jan 032003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
My 2002 Jetta has had three ignition coils replaced in three seperate incidents. Each time the car completely stopped leaving me stranded. VW has acknowledged that they have a coil problem but has refused to replace the remaining coil stating that they will not replace it until it fails. With the high likelihood that this coil will fail just like the others which were installed at the same time, VW's attitude shows a complete lack of regard for their customer's safety. Fortunately, up to now the failures have only cost me time and frustration. Until VW can do the right thing, I feel like I'm driving a ticking time bomb.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #5

Dec 122002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Coil pack failed on Volkswagen Jetta 2002, luckily it died on start up and not while traveling. Car has 4 coil packs, dealer only repaced one. VW has numerous cars with same failure, numerous times. Requested they replace all coil packs, they said no. They agreed with me that there is a good chance car will fail again. What happens if it fails while driving on the highway ? !

- Franklin Park, NJ, USA

problem #4

Oct 102002

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,520 miles
Bad coils! in October of 2002, my 2002 Jetta 1.8T broke down. I was told that coil #3 had burnt out. When I asked the dealer why this occurred, I was told it was a fluke. I had not realized that I had been lied to. On December 24, 2002 my car broke down again. Now coil #4 had burnt out. This time I was told that it is a reoccurring problem in 2002 Jettas with 1.8T engines. I asked if all coils could be replaced but was told no. I was told that I just have to wait for my car to break down again and it probably would. Why is there no recall? according O VW, they do not have enough parts to have a recall. This is absurd!

- Washington, DC, USA

problem #3

Jan 192003

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
The anti-slip resistance light comes on, indicating it's not activated, while driving. Car jolts, which means it does deceleration and sudden acceleration. The battery light comes on while in reverse. Car totally dies when this happens, driver can do nothing except brake, it means not steering at all.

- Quincy, MA, USA

problem #2

Jan 102003

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
While driving, vehicle shut off without no warning, consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, and consumer was informed that the ignition coils were defective.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #1

Jul 122002

Jetta

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Consumer states while she was driving smoke begun to come from the hood area near driver's side. Consumer states she stopped the auto and asked a person for something to put the fire out. She states she had auto towed to her home, the mechanic checked it and she was told that the master brake ABS control unit and part of the wiring harness.

- St Thomas, VI, USA

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