Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
570–25K
1425–50K
850–75K
575–100K
5100–150K
0150K+
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
What owners actually said
124 reports
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
9,498 miles · Jan 16, 2003
Unknown Or Other
VEHICLE RENDERED UNDRIVEABLE. TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR. SCC ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS****770855****
NHTSA ODI #10006672
7,710 miles · Jan 15, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
ENGINE COMPUTER DEFECT. AUTO STALLS AND ENGINE RPM'S SURGE AFTER ENGINE HAS ACHIEVED NORMAL OPERATING TEMPERATURE AND USER STARTS AFTER DRIVING AND TURNING OFF CAR.
NHTSA ODI #10002715
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
7,777 miles · Jan 10, 2003
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE A 2002 VW GTI 337 THAT WAS PURCHASED ON 7/2/02. I HAD 7777 MILES WHEN A COILPACK WENT OUT RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA KNOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEIR COILPACKS AND HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THEM. IF MY WIFE WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND SHE WAS LEFT STRANDED ON THE…
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I HAVE A 2002 VW GTI 337 THAT WAS PURCHASED ON 7/2/02. I HAD 7777 MILES WHEN A COILPACK WENT OUT RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVABLE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA KNOWS THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THEIR COILPACKS AND HAVE NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THEM. IF MY WIFE WERE IN THE CAR WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND SHE WAS LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, NO TELLING WHAT COULD HAVE HAPPENED. RIGHT NOW VW WILL ONLY REPLACE THE BAD COILBACK BUT NOT THE OTHER THREE (4 CYL). SO DRIVING THE CAR IS THIS STATE WILL ONLY POSE ANOTHER RISK FOR FUTURE PROBLEMS AND HAZZARDS. ALSO NOTE THAT THERE IS A NATIONAL BACKORDER ON THESE PARTS AND I HAVE YET TO GET A REPLACEMENT FOR THE ONE THAT WENT OUT AT 7777 MILES. LUCKLY I HAVE A LOANER FROM A FRIEND BUT WITHOUT THAT, MY CAR WOULD BE A GIANT PAPERWEIGHT. PLEASE FORCE VWOA TO RECALL THESE COILPACKS. EVERYTIME I'M ON A ROAD TRIP I WORRY ABOUT ONE OF THE OTHER THREE GOING OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. AND IF I WAS LUCKY ENOUGH TO BREAK DOWN NEAR A DEALER, THE CHANCES OF THEM HAVING A REPLACEMENT IS LIKE ME WINNING THE LOTTERY.
NHTSA ODI #10000914
27,000 miles · Jan 6, 2003
Suspension
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO GEAR IT SHAKES/VIBRATES EXCESSIVELY, MAKING IT UNDRIVEABLE. DEALER HAS DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A DEFECTIVE COIL PACK. PH *JG
NHTSA ODI #10002053
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 · Jan 3, 2003
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE COIL PACK STARTED RUNNING ON ONLY THREE CYLINDERS INSTEAD OF FOUR. DEALER NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2002 Volkswagen Gti Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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