2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

21 complaints

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

Jun 23, 2017

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. *TR

Aug 09, 2010

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. *TR

Jul 16, 2009

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.

Jan 28, 2009

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. *NM

Dec 07, 2006

Injuries: 1

+ 16 more complaints for this component

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

10 complaints

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

Oct 11, 2008

TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN, MY WIFE AND I OWN A WHITE, 2002, VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. MY WIFE HAS HAD THE OIL CHANGED ON THE VEHICLE AT A JIFFY LUBE IN NAPA, CA. SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. RECENTLY SHE NOTICED AN OIL LEAK. MY WIFE TOOK HER VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC IN CLEARLAKE, CA. THE MECHANIC FOUND THE OIL FILTER WAS LOOSE AND SUBSEQUENTLY FIXED THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO LEAK OIL. I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE MECHANIC IN CLEARLAKE. UPON RAISING THE VEHICLE, THE MECHANIC LOCATED THE OIL DRAIN PLUG. THE DRAIN PLUG WAS LOOSE. THE DRAIN PLUG WAS REMOVED AND DETERMINED TO BE A CHEVY TRUCK DRAIN PLUG. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION OF THE OIL PAIN, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT IT HAD BEEN STRIPPED AND COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. I HAD THE OIL PAN REPLACED AT A COST OF $401.71. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE JIFFY LUBE IN NAPA. BASED ON MY CONVERSATIONS WITH THE OWNER, SENIOR MANAGER AND THE MANAGER, IT IS THEIR CONTENTION THAT THEY ARE NOT AT FAULT FOR THE DAMAGE ON MY VEHICLE. THEY EXPLAINED TO ME THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS THE HIGHEST INCIDENT OF PAN STRIPPING COMPARED TO OTHER MANUFACTURES. IT IS THEIR OPINION THAT THE NEW OIL PAN WILL ALSO STRIP. JIFFY LUBE HAS AGREED TO PAY ME THE ABOVE MENTIONED COST OF REPAIRING MY VEHICLE. AS PART OF THE REPAYMENT, THEY HAVE REQUIRED ME TO WRITE TO NTSA AND THE FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION TO RECEIVED MY FUNDS. PLEASE USE THIS LETTER AS PART OF ANY ON GOING INVESTIGATIONS AS TO THE FAILURE OF VOLKSWAGEN OIL PANS. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE. *JB

Aug 24, 2006

I HAD AN OIL CHANGE DONE ON MY CAR AND THE DRAIN PLUG STRIPED OUT THE THREADS. THE OIL PAN IS MADE OF ALUMINUM AND THE PLUG IS MADE OF STEEL. *NM

Jun 30, 2006

OIL LIGHT CAME ON REPEATEDLY DUE TO OIL SLUDGE PROBLEM, WHICH IS A KNOWN DEFECT. VW DID NOT COVER, DUE TO EXPIRED WARRANTY. *JB

Jan 12, 2006

ENGINE SLUDGE DIAGNOSED ON PASSAT. *NM

Oct 10, 2005

+ 5 more complaints for this component

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

9 complaints

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. *TR

Jan 11, 2009

2002 VW GOLF WITH CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO FIFTH GEAR WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE**CC THE CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHEN HE BACKED HIS VEHICLE UP TO THE GARAGE DOOR, HE NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT/ STOP LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATED WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS THE ROOT CAUSE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL'S FAILURE TO DISENGAGE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED PREVIOUSLY UNDER RECALL WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB

Aug 16, 2007

TL* - THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE DEALER, AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT HE HAD A FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH WHICH KEPT THE CAR IN PARK. THE DEALER TOLD HIM THAT THEIR WAS A RECALL O FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED DUE TO VIN. *AK UPDATED 02/16/07.*JB

Dec 27, 2006

BRAKE LIGHTS ON MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF ALL FAILED TO OPERATE. VW DEALER (CLASSIC VOLKSWAGEN IN ESCONDIDO, CA) DETERMINED THE PROBLEM WAS A DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. VW DEALER REPLACED THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. *JB

Dec 27, 2006

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. *JB

Nov 30, 2006

Injuries: 1

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

6 complaints

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.

Mar 14, 2011

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. *TR

May 31, 2008

THERE IS A FAULTY BRAKE SWITCH WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO BE LOCKED IN PARK. IT HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALER FOR REPAIRS. OTHER MODELS OF THE 2002 GOLF HAVE A RECALL FOR THE SAME PROBLEM.

Dec 27, 2006

HELLO, MY WIFE HAS A VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. HER VOLKSWAGEN IS HAVING CERTAIN PROBLEMS WITH THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. THE SUNROOF IS OPERATING WHEN THE CAR IS ON OR OFF BY ITSELF. RAIN IS SOME HOW GETTING INTO THE CAR AND INTO THE OVERHEAD LIGHT. HER TAIL LIGHTS HAVE A MIND OF THERE OWN. SO DAYS THE TAILS WILL WORK AND OTHERS THEY WON'T. I HAVE PHYSICALLY CHECKED THE BULBS AND HAVE PUT NEW ONES IN AND STILL THEY DO NOT WORK. HER RADIO WILL NOT WORK. AND HER TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN LOOKED AT SEVERAL OF TIMES AND STILL CONTINUES TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. IS THERE ANYWAY YOU CAN CHECK THESE PROBLEMS? *JB

May 22, 2006

THERE WAS A WIDESPREAD SAFETY ISSUE OF THE PASSAT AND AUDI. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER MANUFACTURER ADMITTED THAT ALL 4 IGNITION COILS IN THESE VEHICLE'S WERE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE AND ARE LIKELY TO FAIL UNLESS THE PART IS REPLACED WITH NON DEFECTIVE COILS. DESPITE THIS ADMISSION, NEITHER VOLKSWAGEN OR THE CONSUMER'S DEALER WILL TAKE THE STEPS TO REMEDY, UNLESS FAILURE OCCURS. AT WHICH TIME, ONLY THE FAILED COIL WILL BE REPLACED, LEAVING THE VEHICLE SUSCEPTIBLE TO FAILURE THREE OR MORE TIMES. SCC *JB

Mar 24, 2003

+ 1 more complaint for this component

POWER TRAIN

6 complaints

I BOUGHT A 2002 IN 2005 WITH 30,000 FROM A CERTIFIED USED VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP. AFTER ONLY DRIVING THE CAR SOME 29,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. FORTUNATELY I HAD 11 MILES LEFT UNDER WARRANTY SO THE NEARBY DEALERSHIP HONORED THE WARRANTY AND FIXED MY CAR. HAD IT NOT I WOULD HAVE BEEN OUT $7-9,000. *TR

Jul 02, 2007

VEHICLE SLOWED DRAMATICALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED DOWN TO 35 MPH, I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BLINKERS TO GET TO THE SLOW LANE, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A CONGESTED HIGHWAY. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED, AND THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN WITH OEM PARTS ONLY 3 WEEKS LATER. *AK

May 17, 2007

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED TO GO INTO DRIVE AND REVERSE GEARS. SLOW TO GO INTO GEAR. CONTACED REPAIR SHOP, TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING NEEDED NEW ONE. COVERED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY.*AK

May 16, 2007

ROLL PIN THAT RETAINS DIFFERENTIAL SPIDER GEAR PIN BACKED OUT CAUSING LARGER PIN TO CONTACT INSIDE OF CASE. THE FAILURE INCLUDED A LARGE HOLE IN TRANSMISSION/ DIFFERENTIAL CASE, GEAR AND BEARING DAMAGE. *NM

Dec 14, 2006

CONSTANT KNOCKING SOUND COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT END OF VEHICLE. *JB

May 07, 2003

+ 1 more complaint for this component

VISIBILITY

4 complaints

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. *TR

Oct 14, 2008

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... *TR

Oct 06, 2007

FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW COMES OFF TRACK. WINDOW FALLS INTO DOOR AND WINDOW CAN NOT BE CLOSED. THIS HAPPENED TO ME AS I WAS DRIVING WITH MY 8 WEEK OLD DAUGHTER AND 3 YEAR OLD SON. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS BECAUSE IT HAPPENED ON HIGHWAY AND THERE WAS ALOT OF WIND COMING INTO CAR ON YOUNG CHILDREN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY VW OWNERS, VW HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 7 YEARS DUE TO THIS. *NM

Aug 30, 2006

I FOUND THAT IS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM IN THIS MODEL AFTER TALKING TO MANY PEOPLE WITH SAME PROBLEM.NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

Sep 17, 2002

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

3 complaints

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. *NM

Aug 26, 2005

Crash: 1

Injuries: 2

THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON AND A SOUND WAS HEARD. THE BRAKES SUDDENLY WENT, AND THE CONSUMER HAD TO APPLY THE EMERGENCY BRAKE TO CONTINUE TO THE DEALER. THE ABS MODULE WAS REPLACED.*AK

Feb 01, 2005

BRAKE WARNING SYSTEM WILL ACTIVATE FOR NO KNOW REASON AT RANDOM TIMES WHILE DRIVING THE CAR. *NLM

Apr 18, 2003

SEAT BELTS

2 complaints

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. *TR

May 18, 2009

VOLKSWAGEN WEEKENDER VAN 2002. THE REAR LAP BELTS FAILED TO LATCH.*JB

Feb 24, 2003

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

2 complaints

THE CAR HAS A TILT/TELESCOPE STEERING COLUMN, AFTER ADJUSTING THE COLUMN THE TURN SIGNALS QUIT WORKING. COULD NOT RESTART THE CAR AFTER TURNING IT OFF BECAUSE IMMOBILIZER WOULD NOT RECOGNIZE THE KEY. MULTIPLE FUSES WERE BLOWN OUT, INCLUDING THE ONE FOR THE HAZARD FLASHER. UPON INVESTIGATION THE FAILURE WAS FROM THE WIRING HARNESS FOR THE STEERING COLUMN, THE INSULATION ON MOST OF THE WIRES WAS CRACKED AND THE TURN SIGNAL WIRES SHORTED OUT. THE INSULATION FOR THE MAIN POWER WIRES RUNNING INTO THE IGNITION SWITCH ALSO WERE CRACKED, IF THESE SHORTED OUT IT COULD HAVE CAUSED A FIRE. MOST OF THE INSULATION IN THIS AREA HAS HARDENED AND IS NOT VERY FLEXIBLE, MAKING IT PRONE TO CRACKING. TEMPORARY REPAIR HAS BEEN TAPING UP ALL THE EXPOSED WIRES WITH ELECTRICAL TAPE. HAVE NOT YET CHECKED INTO THE AVAILABILITY OF A REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS. *JB

Feb 20, 2006

1) WHILE DRIVING, DOOR AJAR LIGHT SUDDENLY CAME ON FOR NO REASON. NO DOORS WERE AJAR. AFTER PARKING, THE FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES FOR NO APPARENT REASON. 2) THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DEFECT RELATES TO A PERSISTENT BUZZING NOISE FROM THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER.

Mar 02, 2002

STRUCTURE

1 complaint

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.

Jun 17, 2025

ENGINE

1 complaint

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. *TR

Jul 23, 2013

VISIBILITY,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

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. *TR

May 04, 2009

AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

1 complaint

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. *TR

Sep 18, 2008

SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STRUT. NOW THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. THE BATTERY DIED. 5 DAYS LATER, THE MIL APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MISFIRING. IN MARCH OF 2007 THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAULTY COIL. IN APRIL OF 2007 THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAILED ALTERNATOR. *JB THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/07

Aug 29, 2007

SEAT BELTS,STRUCTURE

1 complaint

TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CEILING ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID WORK ANYMORE. *AK

Jan 24, 2007

SEATS

1 complaint

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. *NM

Dec 14, 2005

Injuries: 1

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

1. TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE FAILURE. CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO START. WAS TOWED FOR REPAIR. THIS CHIP HAS BEEN REPLACED TWICE. 2. CAR BEGAN MAKING SEVERE JERKING MOVEMENTS, RANDOMLY. USUALLY THESE JUMPS OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING THE VEHICLE BUT CAN OCCUR LATER. THE SEVERITY OF THE JERKS IS ALSO VARIABLE. 3. THE CAR WAS IN THE SHOP FOR OVER A MONTH. THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED. 4. THE CAR CONSUMES AN UNUSUAL HIGH AMOUNT OF MOTOR OIL (MORE THAN A QUART APPROXIMATELY EVERY 1,000 MILES). 5. VW WAS RUNNING A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST BUT THEY INSISTED THE CONSUMPTION LEVEL WAS NORMAL FOR THIS TYPE OF ENGINE. THE PROBLEM STILL EXISTS. I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING NUMEROUS MECHANICAL PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE SOON AFTER PURCHASE IN 2002. I HAVE ALWAYS TRIED TO NEGOTIATE WITH VW. I HAVE WRITTEN LETTERS AND THEY HAVE BEEN RELUCTANT TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM IN A SATISFACTORY WAY. I HAVE READ ABOUT THE LEMON LAW BUT MY TIME ALLOWANCE HAS EXPIRED. THE CAR IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL JANUARY 2006. IN ADDITION TO THE ENGINE/ TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS, I HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH ALL MY WINDOWS ROLLING DOWN AUTOMATICALLY AS I TRY TO CLOSE THEM. THERE WAS A RECALL ON THIS. THIS HAS BEEN EXAMINED OVER 5 TIMES. THE PANELS WERE REPLACED. THE PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. I AM NOT ABLE TO GIVE AN EXACT DATE OF AN INCIDENT BECAUSE THERE ARE MANY. ALL OF THESE DATES HAVE BEEN DOCUMENTED. I AM GIVING A DATE OF JANUARY 2002 AS THE INCIDENT DATE (WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED). I FEEL VW HAS EVADED RESPONSIBILITY IN CORRECTING THE PROBLEMS AND HAS CREATED AN UNSAFE VEHICLE. THE NUMBER OF FAILURES AND THE INABILITY TO CORRECT THEM IS UNACCEPTABLE. I FEEL MY PROBLEMS WERE NOT ADDRESSED SERIOUSLY AND WERE DISMISSED WITHOUT CONCERN FOR MY SAFETY AND PUBLIC SAFETY IN GENERAL. *JB

Sep 30, 2005

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

1 complaint

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD RELAY ACTIVATES RANDOMLY. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD I CAN HEAR THE TURN SIGNAL RELAY CLICKING AT A FASTER SPEED, LIKE WHEN YOU HAVE A BURNED OUT TURN SIGNAL BULB. BUT, WHEN YOU GO TO USE THE TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD SIGNAL, THEY STILL FUNCTION AS NORMALY. I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS RELATED TO RECAL 04V584000, YET VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DOES NOT RECOGNIZE MY VEHICLE AS BEING PART OF THIS RECAL. *AK

Apr 27, 2005

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 complaint

CONSUMER EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS OBTAINING A VALET KEY FROM THE DEALERSHIP FOR 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. *MR THE CONSUMER WAS COMPLAINING OF THE SERVICE RECEIVED AT WILLIAMSON VOLKSWAGEN OF LINCOLN. *SC *JB

Apr 27, 2005

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

1 complaint

DIESEL FUEL LEAK- WHEN FILLING TANK TO FULL, FUEL POURS OUT SOMEWHERE AT THE TOP OF THE TANK. *LA

Nov 20, 2003

TIRES

1 complaint

SIDEWALLS OF MY DAUGHTER'S VOLKSWAGEN SEPARATED. THE TIRES WERE CONTINENTAL CONTITOURING CONTRACT, 19565R15-91H CH95. *LA

Oct 21, 2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

1 complaint

MULTIPLE PROBLEMS INCLUDED: MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP ON, VEHICLE CUT OFF, TRUNK SWITCH FELL OUT, DRIVER DOOR LOCK INOPERATIVE, FUEL GAUGE INOPERATIVE, ENGINE RATTLE. MULTIPLE REPLACEMENTS - CAMSHAFT SENSOR, TRUNK SWITCH, POWER DOOR LOCKS, FUEL LINES INSTALLED, FUEL SENDER UNIT, TIMING BELT AND TENSIONER. *TT *JB

Jun 18, 2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

1 complaint

THE VEHICLE HAD A DAMAGED MOTOR. *TT *SCC *JB

Jun 17, 2003

STEERING

1 complaint

CONSTANT NOISE FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. AIR BAG SPRING CHANGED TWICE. STEERING COLUMN STILL MAKING NOISE. *JB

May 07, 2003

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY

1 complaint

THE COIL PACK WAS DAMAGED. *MR THE COIL PACK WAS REPLACED. THEN THE COIL PACK IN THE CYLINDER FAILED. THE CONSUMER REQUESTED FOR VW TO COMPENSATE HER FOR LOST TIME. THE ENGINE LIGHT HAD COME ON DUE TO THE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM EXPERIENCED AN INCORRECT PURGE FLOW. THE WINDSHIELD WASHER RESERVOIR LEAKED COOLANT. THE EXPANSION TANK WAS REPLACED. SCC *JB

Apr 01, 2003

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

1 complaint

CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK IS PUMPING THREW THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING AND DISTRACTION TO THE CONSUMER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS

Jan 02, 2003

⭐

4.7/5.0

34 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf have?

The 2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf currently has 80 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf?

The most common problems reported for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN Golf comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.