10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
19,112 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

problem #18

Aug 012005

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,000 miles

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

In regards to investigation DP05004, I also experienced this same problem about 2 1/2 years ago. My 2002 Volkswagen Jetta engine lost power, and stalled. When the dealer checked my car they said it was my ignition coil and didn't inform me that there was an investigation. I was told I had to pay for the coils, which I did. I have a copy of my paperwork for the repairs. Is there anything I can do?

- Wyoming, MI, USA

problem #17

Feb 142007

Jetta 4-cyl Diesel

  • Manual transmission
  • 97,000 miles
Engine harness wiring problems - check engine, glow plug and air bag indicators turn on power intermittent - wipers stopped functioning.

- Jim Thorpe, PA, USA

problem #16

Jan 102004

Jetta 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1) transmission slips, and causes a thud. Have taken vehicle to dealership 3 times and nothing has been done to correct this problem. 2) led display disappears. Have informed dealership of this problem twice and nothing has been done to correct this problem. 3) brakes are mushy. Have informed dealership once and nothing has been done to correct this problem. 4) vehicle is sluggish when accelerating. Have informed dealership once. 5) engine light has come on, and there is peculiar smell. Have informed dealership once.

- Newport News, VA, USA

problem #15

Oct 282003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 6,000 miles

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

Since buying my Jetta new in 2002. I have had nothing but problems. Twice the ignition coils failed, and I had to have the car towed. They wouldn't replace all the defective coils the first time. So, now that I know my car is unreliable, I won't be using it for long trips, which was my main reason for buying the car. Then last night on my way down the road, the heated seat caught on fire and burned a whole in my seat, not to mention what it did to me as I was driving. This car just seems totally unsafe. First there is no power when the ignition coils fail, then the driver seat catches on fire as I am driving down the road. Of course the dealer can't get me in until later this week.

- Colorado Springs, CO, USA

problem #14

Aug 032003

Jetta

  • miles
Ignition coil has failed, causing vehicvle to lose all power. Dealer notified.

- Stanton, CA, USA

problem #13

Jan 232002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 3,922 miles
I purchased the 2002 1.8T Volkswagen Jetta on 1/09/02. My service record begins on 1/23/02. From day one, I have pointed out that this car leaks/has wind noise from doors/windows. Seals were replaced on drivers side doors on 6/27/02. Leakage/moisture to date, is an issue. Now there is visible water damage and mold growing along drivers side. Issue- poor quality product. Dangerous mold growing-health factor! ignition coil failure twice! radio has blown twice- faulty wiring! car lunges when started or hard to stop once running. My situation is not "special". there are many others that have purchased this product and have their safety compromised. Ignition coil is a suppose to be a recall, but only when they fail. Volkswagen of America will not replace until you are stranded! this is a severe safety issue. Mold growing in my car is a severe safety issue.

- Florence, KY, USA

problem #12

Jan 282003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 14,300 miles

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

I own a VW Jetta 1.8T. It has just over 14,000 miles on it. When I was driving on the freeway to work, the car started shuddering violently and then the malfunction indicator lamp came on. I was amost run down by a truck behind me, as the car began to lose power quickly. VW refused to reveal any information and the dealer took three days to attend to the car and refused to provide a loaner car. This would have been ok in other circumstances, except that the problem was due to a faulty ignition coil and I felt extremely cheated to find out that VW and their dealers were aware of these problems in 1.8T models all along, but have refused to recall these cars or provide any assistance to their consumers. VW will not replace all the ignition coils, just the ones that failed. Now I am very worried that I will be run over the next time another ignition coil happens to fail while I am driving down the highway. Shouldnt VW be made responsible for their faults and more importantly for trying to decieve their customers?

- Chevy Chase, MD, USA

problem #11

Jan 172002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 7,900 miles
Car lost power and started shaking. It would only go 10 mph. Took it to the dealer and found two of the ignition coils were broken. Dealer would only fix the broken ones because VW won't fix all four, even though he admitted the others would probably break.

- Brookline, MA, USA

problem #10

Jan 202003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 14,500 miles
Ignition coil failure in 2002 VW Jetta 1.8T

- Cleveland Heights, OH, USA

problem #9

Jan 162003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 9,100 miles
2002 VW Jetta with 1.8 turbo. Faulty ignition coil requires dealer replacement. 1) part on back-order, so car remains undriveable and in shop for up to 2 weeks. 2) VW policy is to not replace other 3 ignition coils despite known failure rate. Car is under warranty and dealer & VW America admit that part is defective, but car is no longer dependable in light of risk of future coil failure.

- Ann Arbor, MI, USA

problem #8

Jan 152003

Jetta 6-cyl

  • Manual transmission
  • 5,800 miles

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

Coil pack for 2002 Volkswagen Jetta gli (engine: 24V VR6) went bad. Car no longer able to be driven and is at service dealership for indefinate amount of time because replacement parts on national backorder.

- Columbia, MD, USA

problem #7

Jan 122003

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 19,500 miles
Coil pack failure while accelerating to get onto highway. Seems to be a widespread occurence.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #6

Jan 022003

Jetta

  • miles
I was 1300 miles from home and 3 hours from the nearest dealership when my coil went out and I had to spend extra time away from home. Car only has 12000 miles and now the dealer tells me the others will go soon.

- Louisville, KY, USA

problem #5

Dec 192002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
1 ignition coil on my 2002 1.8T VW Jetta wagon failed on Saturday 12-19. Car has been towed to the dealership, still awaiting part to arrive!!

- Bristol, RI, USA

problem #4

Dec 162002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,500 miles
While driving my 2002 VW Jetta (1.8T) into traffic a coil pack failed and the car lost all power. It was quite possible that I could have been hit by traffic turning into my lane because the car loses all power when this happens. This is the 3rd coil pack to have failed on me in the last 5 months, and I am a bit afraid to take the car on long trips due to the vehicle undriveable conditions. I am even somewhat afraid to proceed into traffic in certain conditions because if a coil pack fails I will be put at the mercy of other drivers reactions and ability to stop.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #3

Dec 162002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 28,500 miles
While driving my 2002 VW Jetta (1.8T) into traffic a coil pack failed and the car lost all power. It was quite possible that I could have been hit by traffic turning into my lane because the car loses all power when this happens. This is the 3rd coil pack to have failed on me in the last 5 months, and I am a bit afraid to take the car on long trips due to the vehicle undrivable conditions. I am even somewhat afraid to proceed into traffic in certain conditions because if a coil pack fails I will be put at the mercy of other drivers reactions and ability to stop.

- Corona, CA, USA

problem #2

Nov 092002

Jetta 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 9,000 miles
I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T and have been to the dealership 3 times now in the past month and 1/2 for coil pack failure. Had car in shop 1 day for first coil, one week for 2nd coil, and 1 1/2 week for third coil. Just have 10,000 miles on car.

- Naperville, IL, USA

problem #1

Aug 122002

(reported on)

Jetta

  • miles
Consumer states that the vehicle would accelerate without pushing the gas, this was due to a problem with the computer.

- Agoura Hills, CA, USA

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