Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Volkswagen Golf

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 101 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V063000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
1,002,000
Reported to NHTSA
2007-02-20
Owners notified
2007-04-27

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Safety risk

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V584000

Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
410,000
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-16
Owners notified
2005-03-31

Defect description

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 SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.

Safety risk

THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V031000

Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip

Component
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected
55,000
Reported to NHTSA
2002-01-31
Owners notified
2002-03-08

Defect description

ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Air bags: side/window1662,500 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch877,000 mi
Air bags670,000 mi
Electrical system6130,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine612,433 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash350,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling358,000 mi
Seat belts324,000 mi
Tires: sidewall317,089 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3103,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition224 mi
Steering: column21,000 mi
Structure224,000 mi
Structure: body2—
Air bags: frontal134,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module134,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module134,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery126,466 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator126,466 mi
Electrical system: ignition: switch1—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers1110,000 mi
Engine153,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel194,258 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor126,466 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: lines and fittings1—
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: unit150,000 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights126,466 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal159,500 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit150,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly147,700 mi
Fuel system, gasoline15,415 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump1—
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock15,415 mi
Power train1—
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)1—
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)163,000 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit159,940 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler145,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module125,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components176,000 mi
Steering: column locking: anti-theft device1—
Suspension: front: springs: coil springs126,466 mi
Unknown or other1—
Visibility177,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear181,290 mi
Visibility: windshield1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—

The 2001 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2003 model has 3 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.