The Lemon Index2002 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2002 Volkswagen Golf is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 141 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 344, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 23 to 38 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 198 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2002 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 7K to 62K miles on the car (135 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- electrical complaints mostly came at 5K–26K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 34K–79K miles
- wheels complaints mostly came at 3K–19K miles
Recalls 7
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 7 recalls
- brakes 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- lights 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- lights 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTI…
- brakes 2002
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 227 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- For concerns of no or intermittent A/C operation where pressure diagnosis does not lead to a…
- Tech Tips (Air Conditioning Does not Operate): This document informs of concerns of no or…
- Battery, Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161, MCR340V, InCharge 940, or GRX3000 Charger
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stalling2005
- ClosedTurn signal/hazard flasher failure2004
- ClosedInadvertent side-airbag deployment2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2500–2850 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
While traveling the highway the vehicle will shut down with out prior warning. Please provide additional information dealer is aware of the problem. Ts
2002 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 10004855
More owner reports
While driving, vehicle lost all source of electric power causing engine to fail. Dealer stated that parts are on back order. Please provide additional information. Ts
NHTSA complaint 10001942
Consumer stated when the vehicle hit a bump in the road, the side air bag inadvertenly deployed.
NHTSA complaint 10002487
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 3.4× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 344; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2002 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (33%), airbags (22%) and wheels (15%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Golf have?
7 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2002 Volkswagen Golf get?
23 to 38 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Golf problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 7,900 and 62,500 miles. The middle report was at 26,500 miles, from 135 complaints.
Does the 2002 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 8% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2002 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2500 to $2850 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2020 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works