The Lemon Index2002 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2002 Volkswagen Jetta is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 419 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 282, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 7 recalls, and it gets 19 to 33 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Jetta year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 702 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Jetta 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 26K to 87K miles on the car (487 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 11K–83K miles
- airbags complaints mostly came at 30K–95K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 16K–83K 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.
- 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.
Show all 7 recalls
- lights 2006
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 0…
- 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…
- lights 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
- 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 242 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Tech Tips (Air Conditioning Does not Operate): This document informs of concerns of no or…
- For concerns of no or intermittent A/C operation where pressure diagnosis does not lead to a…
- Tech Tips (Vehicles with 09G or 09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission): This document…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake light switch failure2006
- ClosedEngine stalling2005
- ClosedDriver side front seat overheats2004
- ClosedTurn signal/hazard flasher failure2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Fuel cost and engines
About $2800–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
The front passenger side seat heater burned a hole in the seat. . The driver's side heated seat caught on fire while driving.
2002 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint 10099683
More owner reports
The driver's side seat heater overheated and burnt a hole through driver's pants, but didn't burn the driver's leg.
NHTSA complaint 10046694
Electrical problem, coolant leaked in mechanical system, causing loss of power. Requiring rewiring of entire electrical system.
NHTSA complaint 10096727
Quick answers
Is the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.8× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 282; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Jetta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (24%), seats (18%) and airbags (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta 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 Jetta get?
19 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 26,000 and 87,000 miles. The middle report was at 52,000 miles, from 487 complaints.
Does the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta cost in fuel a year?
About $2800 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen Jetta year is better than the 2002?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2015.
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