Known Recalls

Model year record

2002 Volkswagen Jetta

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 885 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 06V183000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
646,246
Reported to NHTSA
2006-05-24
Owners notified
2006-11-27

Defect description

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 04V-096.

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 NOVEMBER 27, 2006. 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 04V096000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
377,130
Reported to NHTSA
2004-02-20
Owners notified
2004-04-30

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

Safety risk

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Manufacturer remedy

THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. 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
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler8640,000 mi
Air bags: side/window6350,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition6114,900 mi
Power train: automatic transmission5668,000 mi
Electrical system5180,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling4156,000 mi
Air bags3555,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls3328,660 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine3124,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch2858,000 mi
Power train25105,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: module1814,300 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip1754,000 mi
Seats16110,000 mi
Vehicle speed control1470,000 mi
Exterior lighting1385,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic1368,300 mi
Air bags: frontal1148,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission1050,000 mi
Unknown or other1084,041 mi
Electrical system: wiring854,900 mi
Power train: clutch assembly816,000 mi
Structure: body: door864,500 mi
Tires813,000 mi
Engine792,000 mi
Equipment768,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system633,996 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system650,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights684,000 mi
Structure688,100 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control51,700 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor578,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline595,600 mi
Fuel/propulsion system5140,000 mi
Seat belts5140,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel450,000 mi
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch474,889 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder439,000 mi
Suspension472,501 mi
Tires: sidewall419,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly456,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel384,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner31,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.36,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel350,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch375,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components3—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor35,600 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist379,000 mi
Steering350,000 mi
Structure: body3145,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt39,000 mi
Visibility3195,000 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery280,000 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator2—
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers234,434 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline2—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger22,800 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights246,750 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal: switch250,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors218,000 mi
Fuel system, other26,682 mi
Interior lighting285 mi
Latches/locks/linkages260,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock250,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: park/neutral start interlock switch237,000 mi
Service brakes2146,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module238,631 mi
Steering: column292,800 mi
Suspension: front292,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal222,334 mi
Visibility: windshield2—
Wheels2158,000 mi
Wheels: rim246,543 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module16,261 mi
Electrical system: horn19,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition: anti-theft: control module1—
Electrical system: starter assembly1—
Electrical system: starter assembly: relay144,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood115,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings159,150 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly1—
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger1—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)1123,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe1—
Equipment: electrical114,817 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift1—
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual1—
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer153,400 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights146,750 mi
Exterior lighting: back up lights: switch146,750 mi
Exterior lighting: tail lights: switch146,750 mi
Exterior lighting: turn signal1—
Exterior lighting: turn signal: flasher unit1—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery122,334 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system1—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly160,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap1—
Parking brake124,000 mi
Parking brake: conventional: mechanical1—
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines174,900 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: gear position indication (PRNDL)141,400 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift165,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly: pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)153,400 mi
Seat belts: front1—
Seat belts: front: retractor190,700 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module120,480 mi
Service brakes, electric124,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp139,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc136,095 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings139,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages188,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: hydraulic1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum1120,039 mi
Steering: steering wheel/handle bar19,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system137,500 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly192,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers1—
Structure: body: roof and pillars120,000 mi
Suspension: front: shock absorber1—
Suspension: front: wheel bearing156,000 mi
Suspension: multiple axle: torque arm150,000 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: coil springs1—
Vehicle speed control: cruise control184,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core177,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear1—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior1—
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer1—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs1—

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has about 1.5 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.