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
Mileage unknown · Dec 15, 2002
Electrical System
MULTIPLE COILPACK FAILURES ON 2002 VW GTI 1.8T. DEALER REFUSED WARANTY SERVICE CLAIMING AFTERMARKET SPARK PLUGS BEING THE CAUSE OF THE PART FAILURE. CAR HAD 2 INCIDENTS OF COILPACK FAILURES PRIOR TO THE INSTALLATION OF AFTERMARKET SPARK PLUGS. TOTAL OF 3 FAILURES WITHIN THE FIRST 8 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR. (*** THE INCIDENT DAT…
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MULTIPLE COILPACK FAILURES ON 2002 VW GTI 1.8T. DEALER REFUSED WARANTY SERVICE CLAIMING AFTERMARKET SPARK PLUGS BEING THE CAUSE OF THE PART FAILURE. CAR HAD 2 INCIDENTS OF COILPACK FAILURES PRIOR TO THE INSTALLATION OF AFTERMARKET SPARK PLUGS. TOTAL OF 3 FAILURES WITHIN THE FIRST 8 MONTHS OF OWNING THE CAR. (*** THE INCIDENT DATE LISTED BELOW IS INACCURATE DUE TO HAVING MULTIPLE FAILURES ON DIFFERENT DATES***)
NHTSA ODI #10000094
2,150 miles · Dec 12, 2002
Electrical System
COIL PACK WENT OUT ON MY VW GTI 1.8T PART ON NATIONAL BACKORDER QUOTED 2+ WEEKS WITH RENTAL CAR
NHTSA ODI #10000039
19,000 miles · Dec 9, 2002
Electrical System
THE IGNITION COIL WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY. PH SCC
NHTSA ODI #8024037
Mileage unknown · Oct 8, 2002
Air Bags
CONSUMERS SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM THE STOP SIGN, HITTING A MINOR POT HOLE, ALL THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A LOUD GUN SHOT-LIKE EXPLOSION, WHITE POWDER FILLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MAG FOR IMMEDIATE INSPECTION. MAG DETERMINED THAT THE INTERIOR WAS SIGNIFICANTLY…
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CONSUMERS SON WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. WHILE PULLING AWAY FROM THE STOP SIGN, HITTING A MINOR POT HOLE, ALL THE AIRBAGS IN THE VEHICLE DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A LOUD GUN SHOT-LIKE EXPLOSION, WHITE POWDER FILLED THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO MAG FOR IMMEDIATE INSPECTION. MAG DETERMINED THAT THE INTERIOR WAS SIGNIFICANTLY DAMAGED. A VOLKSWAGEN REPRESENTATIVE INVESTIGATED THE SITUATION AND THE JUDGEMENT WAS FOR THE THE EXPENSE FOR REPAIRS BE VOLKSWAGEN'S. A TOTAL OF FIFTEEN TO TWENTY PARTS WERE REQUIRED FOR REPAIR. *JG
NHTSA ODI #567755
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2002
Visibility
WE PURCHASED THIS CAR 8/17/02. ON 8/21/02, WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WE ATTEMPTED TO PUT DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW UP AT WHICH POINT WINDOW GLASS FELL DOWN INTO DOOR PANEL. WE HAD TO DRIVE 30 MILES TO THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS NOT FINISHED UNTIL 8/21. WE WERE NOT TOLD OF ANY POSSIBLILY OF THIS HAPPENING AG…
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WE PURCHASED THIS CAR 8/17/02. ON 8/21/02, WHILE PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY WE ATTEMPTED TO PUT DRIVERS SIDE FRONT WINDOW UP AT WHICH POINT WINDOW GLASS FELL DOWN INTO DOOR PANEL. WE HAD TO DRIVE 30 MILES TO THE DEALER TO HAVE REPAIRED. THE REPAIR WAS NOT FINISHED UNTIL 8/21. WE WERE NOT TOLD OF ANY POSSIBLILY OF THIS HAPPENING AGAIN NOR THAT THERE WAS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION OR ANY ADDITIONAL COMPLAINTS OF THIS TYPE. TODAY, 9/14/02, WHILE AGAIN PARKED IN OUR DRIVEWAY, WHILE PUTTING PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW UP, THE GLASS FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR PANEL JUST AS THE DRIVER SIDE HAD LESS THAN A MONTH AGO. THESE ARE POWER WINDOWS. WE AGAIN DROVE CAR TO DEALER 30 MILES AWAY - WITH A THUNDERSTORM BREWING. THIS WAS A SATURDAY AND SO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS NOT OPENED. NUMEROUS SALES PEOPLE MADE COMMENTS THAT THEY HAVE SEEN MANY VEHICLES COMING IN WITH THIS PROBLEM - THEY SHOWED US A BOX OF BROKEN CLIPS MADE IN USA FROM CARS ALREADY REPAIRED AND SAID THE VW WAS GOING TO REPLACE ALL CLIPS WITH METAL ONCE MADE BY PANZER. WE WERE TOLD THAT IN TEMPS ABOVE 75 THE CLIPS ARE FAILING. WHY IS THERE NO DEFECTS INVESTIGATION. IF THIS DEALER HAS FIXED THIS MANY CLIPS ALREADY. ALSO, IF THE DEALER KNEW THERE WAS A PROBLEM, THEN WHY, 3 WEEKS AGO WHEN THE FIRST CLIP FAILED, WOULD THEY NOT HAVE REPAIRED THE PASSENGER SIDE WHILE THEY WERE FIXING THE DRIVERS SIDE. PLEASE HELP. NLM
NHTSA ODI #767172
Mileage unknown · Sep 14, 2002
Unknown Or Other
WIDESPREAD PROBLEM KNOWN BY MANUFACTURER- APPARENTLY ONLY REPAIRING AS PART FAILS. UNACCEPTABLE- SHOULD BE REPLACED ON A RECALL-TYPE BASIS FOR KNOWN PROBLEM. SAFETY RELATED DUE TO SUDDEN NATURE OF PART FAILURE CAUSING DRIVER DISTRACTION. NLM
NHTSA ODI #767151
Mileage unknown · Sep 13, 2002
Visibility
PARTS HAVE BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR OVER A MONTH, THIS FIRST HAPPENED ON 8/14/2002 ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND THEM THE LEFT SIDE FAILED ON 9/13/2002. NLM
NHTSA ODI #767146
Mileage unknown · Aug 23, 2002
Electrical System
VEHICLE #1 FAILED 4 TIMES IN 6 WEEKS, DEAD BATTERIES, ALTERNATORS, WOULD NOT START....VEHICLE REPLACED, SAME PROBLEM WITH VEHICLE # 2 8 DAYS AFTER PURCHASE......VW WILL NOT ADMIT TO DEFECTS
NHTSA ODI #766083
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2002
Visibility
MY CAR WINDOW FAILED ONLY 3 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERS AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE OFFICES THAT THE REASON THEY CAN'T GET IT FIXED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME IS IT IS ON BACK ORDER FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW CLIPS BREAK IN OVER 50% OF N…
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MY CAR WINDOW FAILED ONLY 3 DAYS AFTER I BOUGHT IT. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALERS AND A REPRESENTATIVE FROM THE VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATE OFFICES THAT THE REASON THEY CAN'T GET IT FIXED IN A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME IS IT IS ON BACK ORDER FROM THE FACTORY BECAUSE THE DRIVER'S SIDE OR PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW CLIPS BREAK IN OVER 50% OF NEW VOLKSWAGEN GTIS AND GOLFS WITHIN THE FIRST YEAR.*AKY
NHTSA ODI #765955
Mileage unknown · Jul 12, 2002
Electrical System
VW CANNOT BRING VEHICLE INTO COMPLIANCE WITH WARRANTY......REFUSES TO REPLACE VEHICLE. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK
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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