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2002 problems

FaultScore report

2002 Volkswagen Golf problems

Owners have filed 98 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Golf with NHTSA between 2002 and 2025. The largest single group is the airbags. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 25 worst.

Read the complaints What breaks Worst years for the Volkswagen Golf All 2002 cars

FaultScore 73/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Volkswagen Golf.

How this is worked out

The numbers

Complaints

Crashes reported

Fires reported

Injuries reported

51,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

39%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.

Complaint volume — 66: Against the median year of the Volkswagen Golf. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 90: 17.3% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 67: 39% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2002 compares with every other Volkswagen Golf

Click any bar to open that year's report.

15 20 4 9 41 10 11 6 11 57 84 4 7 28 76 118 152 98 32 33 27 16 2 1 5 97 151 68 67 14 185 115 145 38 88 8 12 132 22

85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96 97 98 99 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2002 Volkswagen Golf

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Airbags 25 25.5%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 57,250 mi

Electrical System 15 15.3%

Median failure at 38,233 miles

Engine & Cooling 14 14.3%

Median failure at 35,714 miles

Lights 12 12.2%

Median failure at 59,500 miles

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 7 7.1%

Median failure at 81,290 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 4 4.1%

Median failure at 61,470 miles

Seat Belts 3 3.1%

Median failure at 48,200 miles

Fuel & Propulsion 3 3.1%

Median failure at 26,557 miles

Body & Structure 3 3.1%

Median failure at 50,500 miles

Brakes 3 3.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 50,500 mi

Steering 3 3.1%

Median failure at 55,500 miles

Other & Unspecified 1 1.0%

Equipment & Accessories 1 1.0%

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 1.0%

Median failure at 5,415 miles

Seats 1 1.0%

Median failure at 45,000 miles

Tires 1 1.0%

Median failure at 17,089 miles

Suspension 1 1.0%

Median failure at 26,466 miles

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Side/Window 16 39.0%

Switch 8 19.5%

Engine 6 14.6%

Interior/Under Dash 3 7.3%

Power Window Devices AND Controls 3 7.3%

Column 2 4.9%

Ignition 2 4.9%

Lines AND Fittings 1 2.4%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 1 1.6%

1,000 – 9,999 miles 6 9.4%

10,000 – 24,999 miles 5 7.8%

25,000 – 49,999 miles 17 26.6%

50,000 – 74,999 miles 17 26.6%

75,000 – 99,999 miles 6 9.4%

100,000 – 149,999 miles 8 12.5%

150,000+ miles 4 6.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Mar 2002 peak 7 Jun 2025

NHTSA investigations into the 2002 Volkswagen Golf

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP05004 Opened 11 Aug 2005 Closed 8 Dec 2005 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE

ENGINE STALLING

BY LETTER RECEIVED ON JUNE 24, 2005, MR. RONALD M. STRICKLAND OF RALEIGH, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION REQUESTING THAT THE AGENCY INVESTIGATE THE PERFORMANCE OF THE IGNITION COIL PLUGS ON MODEL YEAR (MY) 2000-2003 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, GOLF AND PASSAT SEDANS.THE PETITIONER ALLEGES THAT HE HAD EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE STALLING EVENTS AS A RESULT OF ONE OR MORE IGNITION COIL PLUGS MALFUNCTIONING ON HIS 2002 VW JETTA SEDAN.AS A RESULT OF THE ENGINE STALLING, THE PETITIONER EXPERIENCED A LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND INCREASED BRAKING EFFORTS WHEN HE PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CONTROL THE...

PE04081 Opened 16 Dec 2004 Closed 1 Apr 2005 AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE EQUIPPED WITH SIDE-THORAX AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAGS TO PROTECT THE FRONT AND REAR OUTBOARD OCCUPANTS IN A SIDE-IMPACT CRASH.THIS INVESTIGATION IDENTIFIED A TOTAL OF 499 REPORTS (482 OWNERS REPORTS AND 17 WARRANTY CLAIMS).THE CRASH SENSING SYSTEM?S ALGORITHM MAY RECOGNIZE CERTAIN NON-CRASH IMPACTS (WHEEL, TIRE AND UNDERCARRIAGE IMPACTS) AS DEPLOYABLE EVENTS.THE 97 ALLEGED INJURIES WERE MINOR IN NATURE AND CONSIST OF ABRASIONS, BRUISES, EAR RINGING AND HEADACHES.THERE WAS NO ALLEGED LOSS OF CONTROL CRASH AS A RESULT OF SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT.ODI ALSO OBTAINED COUNTS...

PE04073 Opened 19 Oct 2004 Closed 16 Dec 2004 EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE

THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZAR...

Recalls on the 2002 Volkswagen Golf

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

14E007000 7 Mar 2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Risk: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

09E025000 11 May 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

09E012000 7 Apr 2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Risk: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07E023000 29 Mar 2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

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 EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Risk: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

07V063000 20 Feb 2007

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

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

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.

04V584000 16 Dec 2004

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH

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.

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

02V031000 31 Jan 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

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

Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN A FIRE.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2006122 24 May 2006 244,526 units in Canada

Lights And Instruments

On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch with a newly revised version. This action includes vehicles previously affected by Transport Canada recall 03-184 and 04-075. The switch installed during this prior repair may not function properly. Note: parts available December 2006.

Recall 2005012 19 Jan 2005 108,501 units in Canada

Seats And Restraints

Certain vehicles equipped with the comfort seats option may have a seat heater element that can malfunction when the ignition switch is in the "ON" position and the seat heater switch is also "ON". If this happened, the seated occupant may experience excessive heat in this location. The heating mat could damage, or melt a small hole in the seat. If this were to occur, an electrical/melting smell or small amount of smoke would be noticeable. In some cases, the small hole in the seat could damage the seated occupant's clothing. In rare instances, this could lead to a minor or superficial skin injury. Correction: Dealers will modify the driver's seat heater by installing an electrical repair kit and will install a new passenger side seat heater switch.

Recall 2004436 13 Dec 2004 80,752 units in Canada

Electrical

On certain 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. The subject vehicles utilize a 27-watt turn signal bulb, instead of the 21-watt bulb used in other VW vehicles, which results in substantially higher current draw through the hazard switch relay. This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function. Correction: Dealers will replace the hazard switch relay.

Recall 2002028 15 Feb 2002 18,615 units in Canada

Brakes

On certain passenger vehicles short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS). This can result in a fire. Correction: Dealers will replace the ABS control unit.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Filed 7 Dec 2006 Central Islip, NY 1 injured

AIR BAGS

THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS IN MY '02 VW GOLF DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON WHEN I WENT FROM A STOP TO A START, BARELY GOING OVER 5 MPH.

NHTSA complaint #10175459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 Nov 2006 at 146,000 miles Lake Hiawatha, NJ 1 injured

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ALL BRAKE LIGHTS INOPERABLE. BULBS ARE FINE. THIS WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHERE THE CAR IS REAR ENDED. THERE IS AN EXISTING RECALL, NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V096000 HOWEVER, IT APPLIES TO THE 1999 TO 2002 VW JETTA ONLY. I DRIVE A GOLF, WHICH IS NOT COVERED BY THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, HOWEVER USES THE SAME PARTS.

NHTSA complaint #10174758 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 24 Jun 2006 at 70,000 miles Tempe, AZ 1 injured

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE PARKS HIGHWAY NEAR TALKEETNA, ALASKA IN MY 2002 VW GOLF AND HAD THE SIDE-CURTAIN AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOY SUDDENLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. 5 PERSONS WERE IN THE CAR, ALL EXPERIENCED A LOUD BANG AND A CAR FULL OF ACRID SMOKE, TWO WERE STRUCK AS THE BAG DEPLOYED. I STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK OUT THE PASSENGERS AND FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, AND IT WAS IN NO WAY IMPACTED OR SUBJECTED TO EXTREME DRIVING FORCES. I BELIEVE MY CAR TO BE DEFECTIVE AND AM SEEKING PAYMENT FROM VOLKSWAGEN.

NHTSA complaint #10160645 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 30 May 2006 at 44,000 miles Middleton, WI 1 injured

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

SPONTANEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ON RIGHT SIDE OF MY 2 DOOR 2002 VW GOLF TDI WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH BLACKTOP ROAD. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE LEFT SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BY THEM SELVES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE OR ANYTHING ELSE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO OR DURING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS HIT BY THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG. SHE HAD A RED SORE ON HER RIGHT ARM AND HAD HEARING PROBLEMS IN HER RIGHT EAR FOR ONE DAY. HER HEARING RETURNED TOO NORMAL THE NEXT DAY AND ALL SORENESS IN HER RIGHT ARM WAS GONE WITHIN TWO DAYS.

NHTSA complaint #10158622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Dec 2005 at 45,000 miles Bremerton, WA 1 injured

SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

BURNING SMELL OCCURRED ON OFF-HIGHWAY ROAD, TRAVELING AT SPEEDS UNDER 5 MPH. HOT SENSATION ON THIGH PROMPTED QUICK ACTION TO TURN OFF VEHICLE / SEAT HEATER WHILE GETTING OUT OF THE VEHICLE A 1/4" HOLE WAS FOUND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DRIVERS SEAT. HARNESS WAS DISCONNECTED AND SERVICE WAS SCHEDULED.

NHTSA complaint #10145249 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 26 Aug 2005 at 76,000 miles Glendale, CA Crash 2 injured

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS

DT: THE ROD THAT CONNECTS THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE BRAKE BOOSTER BROKE AT THE WELLED. THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THERE WAS AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS ON 8-20/21-205. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED FACIAL INJURIES, AND THE DRIVER SUSTAINED BRUISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *AK UPDATED 11/4/2005 - WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND BRAKE BOOSTER WERE REMOVED THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE ROD BETWEEN THE PEDAL AND BOOSTER WAS HOLLOW.

NHTSA complaint #10134334 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Filed 17 Jun 2025 Virginia Beach, VA

STRUCTURE:BODY

Certain conditions cause the electrics door locks to not function. When this happens, it is not possible to exit the car from the inside as the door handles are not operative creating a trapped situation potentially leading to injury or death if the case of a fire.

NHTSA complaint #11667457 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Jun 2017 at 225,000 miles ANN Arbor, MI

AIR BAGS

WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT BOLSTER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT PRECEDED THIS INCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS SIMPLY DEPLOYED BY THEMSELVES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION OF VOLKSWAGENS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/2002/SEAT_BELTS_AIR_BAGS/AIR_BAGS-SIDE_WINDOW.SHTML

NHTSA complaint #11000923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 23 Jul 2013 at 53,000 miles Roseland, NJ

ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WITH A TDI ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO POP THE CLUTCH AND KILL THE IGNITION, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNTIL THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE CONTACTS MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER SEALS WERE NOT LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000.

NHTSA complaint #10526396 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Mar 2011 at 150,000 miles Washington, DC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.

NHTSA complaint #10390105 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 9 Aug 2010 at 160,000 miles NEW Haven, CT

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

ON SATURDAY AUG 7TH I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VW GOLF ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH WITH NO BUMPS OR POTHOLES, NOTHING HIT THE CAR, IT WAS TOTALLY SPONTANEOUS. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL VW SERVICE SHOP AND WILL TAKE THE CAR IN SO THEY CAN IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT.

NHTSA complaint #10348119 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 16 Jul 2009 at 280,000 miles Princeton, MN

AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW

PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO COLLISION, CONSEQUENCES RINGING IN EARS. VOLKSWAGEN MADE REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME $3212.00.

NHTSA complaint #10276939 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 May 2009 Lake Forest, CA

SEAT BELTS

AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN TAKEN IN FOR FIX IT WAS FOUND TO BE A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. IT WAS JUST RECENTLY REPLACED AND SO FAR NO FURTHER PROBLEMS.

NHTSA complaint #10269010 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 May 2009 at 77,000 miles OAK Park, IL

STRUCTURE

WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 VW GOLF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED. TURNS OUT ALL OVER THE INTERNET THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THE TABS HOLDING THE WINDOWS BREAKING. IN FACT WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALER I FELLOW OVERHEARD ME AND SAID HE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON HIS 2001 VW GTI. VW HAD A TSB AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BY A FEW YEARS ON THIS BUT IS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. A WINDOW DROPPING IS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. THE WINDOW IS A PROTECTION DEVICE TO SHIELD YOU IN AN ACCIDENT OR FROM DEBRIS AT 65MPH AND FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY IF ON THE WRONG SIDE OF TOWN. I CALLED THE VW DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID YES THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR FREE YET UPON ARRIVING I WAS TOLD I WAS ONE MONTH OUT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DROPPING OF THIS WINDOW CAUSED MY WIFE TO HAVE TO PULL OVER ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT SEE IN THE RAIN WITH IT BLOWING IN HER WINDOW. ONCE A GAIN A FAULTY WINDOW HOLDING MECHANISM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM.

NHTSA complaint #10267719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 4 May 2009 at 77,000 miles OAK Park, IL

VISIBILITY

NHTSA complaint #10267719 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 28 Jan 2009 at 70,000 miles Moraga, CA

AIR BAGS

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUDDEN EXPLOSION. HE STATED THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED WHILE HE WAS USING HIS CELLULAR PHONE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

NHTSA complaint #10256593 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Jan 2009 at 101,345 miles Plainfield, IL

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

THERE WAS A BRAKE SWITCH SHORT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO BE STUCK IN PARK. SO IT HAD TO BE DRAGGED OUT AND WAS SENT TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE.

NHTSA complaint #10254650 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 14 Oct 2008 at 103,000 miles Hamden, CT

VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS

THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR RECENTLY FAILED ON MY 2002 VW GOLF. THIS PART SECURES THE WINDOW TO THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM, AND KEEPS THE WINDOW UP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS LEAVING A TOLL BOOTH. I PRESSED THE BUTTON TO RAISE THE WINDOW, HEARD A CRACK, AND THEN THE ENTIRE WINDOW VIOLENTLY CRASHED DOWN INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR, AND ATTEMPTS TO RAISE THE WINDOW FAILED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I HAD TO DRIVE HOME FIVE HOURS WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. IT WAS A VERY UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, UPON BRINGING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR THAT HAD FAILED. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES ON GOLFS OF THIS MODEL YEAR (AND OTHER YEARS), AND THAT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 7 YEARS WAS PLACED ON THE PART. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THIS PART INSTEAD OF SIMPLY A WARRANTY EXTENSION. I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS ANECDOTES OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE WINDOW CRASHES VIOLENTLY, AND HAD I BEEN DRIVING FAST OR IN TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT VERY EASILY. WHAT'S MORE, ONE CANNOT PROTECT THE CAR FROM THEFT OR WATER DAMAGE WHEN THE WINDOW WON'T CLOSE. ACCORDING TO VW, A STURDIER REPLACEMENT PART WAS DESIGNED AROUND 2002, AND MY CAR IS NOW BEING FIXED WITH THIS PART.

NHTSA complaint #10245390 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 11 Oct 2008 Northampton, MA

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

HIGHWAY ON RAMP ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL FAILURE NEW ENGINE NEEDED.

NHTSA complaint #10245127 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2008 at 72,400 miles Gainesville, FL

SEAT BELTS

AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON IN VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CLASP, WHICH WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, ABOUT 2YRS AND 30K MILES AGO. THE LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE SEAT BELT CLASP ITSELF STILL WORKS, HOWEVER, WHILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE FAILED ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE CLASP, AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY, WHICH RISKS MY AND MY PASSENGERS' LIFE AND SAFETY. TO REPLACE THE PART, I INCURRED A $75 DIAGNOSTIC FEE FROM A LOCAL MECHANIC AND PURCHASED A NEW PART FOR $161, WHICH I WILL INSTALL MYSELF TO SAVE ANOTHER $75 INSTALLATION FEE. TOTAL ECONOMIC LOSS TO ME WAS $236, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN $311 IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS AND TIME TO DO IT MYSELF. THE OLD SEAT BELT CLASP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION.

NHTSA complaint #10242788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 18 Sep 2008 at 72,400 miles Gainesville, FL

AIR BAGS

NHTSA complaint #10242788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 31 May 2008 at 130,000 miles Bracey, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

MY 2002 VW GOLF HAS A DEFECT IN THE IMMOBILIZER THAT DEALERS CAN NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. ONCE THE KEY IS TURNED OFF, THE CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT RESTART. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS - BUT AFTER A VARIABLE TIME INTERVAL THE CAR STARTS AGAIN. SINCE IT STARTS - THREE DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHY IT FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY. I AM FURIOUS THAT THE IMMOBILIZER CIRCUIT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED OR INACTIVATED. I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND AM AFRAID TO TURN THE CAR OFF IN A REMOTE LOCATION FOR FEAR IT WILL NOT RESTART - AND LEAVE ME STRANDED 20 MILES FROM NOWHERE. IT COULD STRAND MY WIFE AND INVALID DAUGHTER. THE CAR COULD NOT BE MOVED IN AN EMERGENCY, LIKE CLEARING THE WAY FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, OR GETTING OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IF I PULL OVER AND STOP. VOLKSWAGEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROBLEM - I HAVE SPOKEN TO USA HEADQUARTERS WHO HAS NOT RESPONDED. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO TAKE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT CAN UNPREDICTABLY FAIL TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, AND HAS BEEN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES WITH NO CURE.

NHTSA complaint #10229406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Filed 6 Oct 2007 at 81,290 miles Austin, TX

VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR

I HAVE A 2002 GOLF TDI WITH MANUAL WINDOWS. THE WINDOW REGULATOR CLIPS BROKE AND THE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE DOOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VW'S THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN, (0603), IS OUT ON, BUT ONLY FOR POWER WINDOWS. THE PART THAT OS DEFECTIVE IS COMMON TO BOTH TYPES BUT SINCE MY WINDOWS ARE MANUAL I HAVE TO PAY $191.00 FOR THE PART. IF VW IS REPLACING ONE TYPE FREE OF CHARGE THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING BOTH. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE - MANUAL OR POWER WINDOWS...

NHTSA complaint #10205139 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.