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2002 Volkswagen Gti

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

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There is not enough comparable history to draw a useful model-year comparison.

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

89 reports with mileage · 35 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 42 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Air Bags. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Wheels. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

2 crash reports0 fire reports9 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

42 reports
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5,200 miles · Jan 21, 2003
Electrical System

I PURCHASED A NEW, 2002 VW GTI 1.8T IN AUGUST 1 OF 2002 FROM HOWARD COOPER VOLKSWAGEN IN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN. ON DECEMBER 16, 2002, MY GTI WITH ONLY 5200 MILES STARTED RUMBLING AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN A COLD MORNING. THE ''CHECK ENGINE'' LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELER…

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I PURCHASED A NEW, 2002 VW GTI 1.8T IN AUGUST 1 OF 2002 FROM HOWARD COOPER VOLKSWAGEN IN ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN. ON DECEMBER 16, 2002, MY GTI WITH ONLY 5200 MILES STARTED RUMBLING AND SHAKING VIOLENTLY WHILE BEING DRIVEN IN A COLD MORNING. THE ''CHECK ENGINE'' LIGHT BEGAN FLASHING, AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I RESEARCHED AND I FOUND COUNTLESS VW AND AUDI OWNERS WHO HAD EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURES ON THEIR VEHICLES WITH THE 1.8T ENGINE ON MORE THAN ONE IGNITION COIL. THE CAR SAT IN THE DEALERS' LOT FOR MORE THAN TWO WEEKS WAITING FOR AN IGNITION COIL THAT WAS ON NATIONAL BACKORDER.

NHTSA ODI #10003113

1,900 miles · Jan 21, 2003
Electrical System

IGNITION COIL FAILED AFTER 1900 MILES. THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN TO ALL VW'S NOWADAYS THERE REALLY SHOULD BE A RECALL AS I STILL HAVE 5 FAULTY PARTS SINCE ONLY ONE COIL WAS REPLACED

NHTSA ODI #10003108

2,900 miles · Jan 20, 2003
Electrical System

IGNITION COIL FAILURE ON MY 2002 VW GTI 337. COIL ON CYLINDER #3 FAILED, CAUSE ROUGH IDLE AND SIGNIFIGENT LOSS OF ENGINE POWER.

NHTSA ODI #10003067

15,000 miles · Jan 17, 2003
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH VEHICLE WOULDN'T ACCELERATE. THE DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT THIS WAS CAUSED BY TWO OF THE IGNITION COILS BURNING OUT. *TS

NHTSA ODI #10004108

8,098 miles · Jan 17, 2003
Electrical System

COIL PACKS ON THE VW 1.8T MOTOR.... I HAD IGNITION COIL #1 FAIL THIS WEEK.... THEY ARE FAILING IN A NUMBER OF 2002 1.8T'S. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED ONE WITH A THE NEW "J" TYPE COIL BUT I HAVE 3 OTHER COILS THAT CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME STRANGLING ME ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLD WEATHER (AS THE CASE EARLIER THIS…

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COIL PACKS ON THE VW 1.8T MOTOR.... I HAD IGNITION COIL #1 FAIL THIS WEEK.... THEY ARE FAILING IN A NUMBER OF 2002 1.8T'S. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FAILED ONE WITH A THE NEW "J" TYPE COIL BUT I HAVE 3 OTHER COILS THAT CAN FAIL AT ANY TIME STRANGLING ME ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN THE NEW ENGLAND COLD WEATHER (AS THE CASE EARLIER THIS WEEK). I WOULD LIKE VW TO REPLACE ALL ME DEFECTIVE COIL PACKS WITH THE NEW "J" TYPE BEFORE I GET STRANDED AGAIN. TS

NHTSA ODI #10002848

1 miles · Jan 17, 2003
Electrical System

JUST HAD 20K MILE SERVICE COMPLETED ALONG WITH WARRANTY REPLACEMENT OF BROKEN WINDOW REGULATORS. I'VE HAD THE CAR BACK FROM SERVICE A WEEK. NOW, THE CELL LIGHT IS ON YET AGAIN, AND ACTING LIKE A COIL PACK FAILURE WHICH I HAD ABOUT 4 MONTHS AGO. TS

NHTSA ODI #10002839

2,639 miles · Jan 14, 2003
Electrical System

I OWN A 2002 VW GTI, TODAY WITH 2639 MILES ON IT ONE OF MY COIL PACKS DIED, WHICH THROUGH SOME RESEARCH IS A VERY COMMON CAUSE. I WAS TRAVELLING AROUND 60-65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, LOSING COMPLETE POWER AND ALMOST GETTING HIT. MY CAR HAD TO GET TOWED 40 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH IN TURN TOLD ME THAT THEY WOU…

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I OWN A 2002 VW GTI, TODAY WITH 2639 MILES ON IT ONE OF MY COIL PACKS DIED, WHICH THROUGH SOME RESEARCH IS A VERY COMMON CAUSE. I WAS TRAVELLING AROUND 60-65 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THIS HAPPENED, LOSING COMPLETE POWER AND ALMOST GETTING HIT. MY CAR HAD TO GET TOWED 40 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHICH IN TURN TOLD ME THAT THEY WOULD ONLY REPLACE THE ONE COIL PACK NOT ALL THREE, KNOWING THAT THE OTHER 3 WILL EVENTUALLY FAIL AND CAUSE SOME TROUBLE AGAIN. THIS IS RIDICULOUS MY WIFE OWNS A 2003 VW JETTA , WHAT IF, HEAVEN FORBID, ONE OF US WERE TO GET INTO AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE OF THIS WHEN IT COULD HAVE BEEN FIXED IN THE FIRST PLACE. I'M THOROUGHLY DISGUSTED WITH THIS.

NHTSA ODI #10002687

5,700 miles · Jan 13, 2003
Electrical System

2 OUT OF 4 COIL PACKS FAILED WHILE DRIVING CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL. MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF PROBLEM, BUT WILL NOT REPLACE COMPONENT UNTIL THEY ALL FAIL.*JB. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10003654

Mileage unknown · Jan 3, 2003
Electrical System

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 ODI #10001942

Mileage unknown · Dec 20, 2002
Electrical System

VW 1.8T COIL PACK FAILURES ARE ONE OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS TODAY. IF A COIL GOES OUT YOU ARE NOT RUNNING ON ALL OF YOUR CYLINDERS AND COULD CAUSE A PROBLEM WHILE DRIVING. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000305

Official recalls

2

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 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.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

04V584000 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

Dec 16, 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 SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.

Consequence & remedy

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

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

PE04081 · Inadvertent SIDE-AIRBAG Deployment

Opened Dec 16, 2004 · Closed Apr 1, 2005

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:side/window

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 OF ALLEGED INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTS FROM PEER MANUFACTURERS.THE DATA SHOWS THAT THE SUBJECT VEHICLES ARE NOT UNIQUE IN BEING SUBJECT TO SUCH ALLEGATIONS.THE COMPLAINT RATE FOR NON-SUBJECT INDIVIDUAL MODEL VEHICLES VARIES WIDELY.THE RATE FOR THE SUBJECT VEHICLES IS COMPARABLE TO THREE PEER MODELS, EACH WITH COMPACT CHASSIS/WHEELBASES.ODI HAS NOT IDENTIFIED ANY COMPONENT FAILURE OR MANUFACTURING TREND THAT MAY RELATE TO A COMPONENT OR MANUFACTURING ISSUE.A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME.FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.

PE04073 · Turn Signal/hazard Flasher Failure

Opened Oct 19, 2004 · Closed Dec 16, 2004

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights; Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal; Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit

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 HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.

Additional source detail variants (4)

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

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 HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.

Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights

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 HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal:flasher Unit

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 HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.

Exterior Lighting:turn Signal

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 HAZARD FLASHER SYSTEM.VW REPORTS 216 OWNER REPORTS, 4 FIELD REPORTS AND 4960 WARRANTY CLAIMS ON THIS POPULATION OF VEHICLES. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE VEHICLES.PLEASE SEE SAFETY RECALL 04V584 FOR DETAILS.