Driving my car for a while, I start noticing the smell of burned rubber from the engine and when is cooling down and I do not know what the problem is.
The worst 2002 Volkswagen GTI problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Electrical42
- Airbags23
- Wheels22
- Transmission10
- Visibility8
- Engine7
- Brakes4
- Lights4
- Suspension4
- Fuel system2
- Acceleration1
- Seat belts1
- Seats1
- Tires1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Volkswagen GTI
Recalls 2
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 07V063000 · Recall details
Exterior lighting: hazard flashing warning lights: switch
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
Recall number 04V584000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2002 Volkswagen GTI
Defect investigations
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 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 the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.the agency will take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE04081
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 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.
PE04073
Technical service bulletins for the 2002 Volkswagen GTI 113
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger
- This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- Tool number added to table
- Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models
2002 Volkswagen GTI fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8L 4‑cyl | FWD | 19-21 | 27-28 | 22-24 |
| 2.8L 6‑cyl | FWD | 18-19 | 26-27 | 21-22 |
What 2002 Volkswagen GTI owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
My wife and I were driving out of parking lot, turning into the main street when suddenly we hear a loud explosion and inside the car was cover in a cloud of smoke and white power. It took us few min to realize what happened since we both had ringing ear for a moment. We finally we were able to come back and think straight again to realize that the front passenger and side-head curtain airbag deployed, we inspected the car to see if we got hit another car, no external damage indication any type of crash.
My car at high speeds (50mph - 65mph) the gas pedal "dies" or looses authority and becomes un-responsive. At times as the gas pedal goes dead the car also shuts off at 65 MPH causing a dangerous situation not only for my self but cars around me. I have take my car to my local mechanic but can not figure out the cause of the problem. Multiple parts and sensors have been replaced and inspected with out a solution. This is my only car therefore I continue to drive my car with hopes that an accident does not occur. I have taken the all the steps within my control to solve this problem but have not been successful. I have not heard a responds from volkswagen. Thank you
The airbag warning indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminated and stayed on. The driver's seatbelt buckle part (1y1858471g - "fcn buckle") had failed. This part also failed 7/06 at 45,900 miles along with the comparable part for the passenger's seat. The airbag system is inoperative when this part does not function. In 8/06 vw made a partial, goodwill warranty adjustment.
I was driving my 2002.5 gti down the road at about 40mph when the passenger side curtain and seat air bags went off. The road was straight and smooth other than normal expansion joints. My wife was in the passenger seat and has bruising and minor burns on her arm. Once the bags went off the car shut off but I was able to maneuver it off the road way safely. I have contacted vwoa about the incident and I hope they will satisfactorily resolve the issue.
2002 vw gti vr6 coil pack failure while driving on the highway almost got rearended because car slowed down and bucked. 3rd coil pack to fail on this car. The 2nd time failure damaged my o2 sensors which had to replaced due to car running rich, I believe. Coil packs on vr6's need to be addressed.
While driving in a parking lot at a speed of about 5 MPH, I hit a curb and the driver side curtain airbags deployed. There was a loud bang and the car filled with smoke. I called vw and they said that regardless of the speed of the accident if the car feels anything near the crash sensors the airbags will deploy even though there was no need and actually made the situation more dangerous and troublesome.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen gti. While driving 55 MPH, the passenger side air bag suddenly deployed. The contact was injured. There was no crash or impact. The vehicle is parked at the contact's residence and has not been inspected by a mechanic. The failure and current mileages were 70,000. Updated 05/19/08 *bf the consumer stated volkswagen still has the vehicle after 3 months, they have not been able to get the parts. Updated 05/20/08
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen gti. While driving approximately 35 MPH, the contact drove over a medium sized pothole, and the driver side curtain and side rear air bags deployed. There were no injuries or crash involved. The current mileage was 58,580 and failure mileage was 58,570.
Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen gti. While driving 75-80 MPH, the side air bags deployed without warning and the vehicle lost complete power. As of december 13, 2007, the dealer had not inspected the vehicle. The current and failure mileages were 67,000. Updated 3/4/08 *cn the dealer decided to fix the vehicle at their expense.
Compare the 2002 Volkswagen GTI
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Questions about the 2002 Volkswagen GTI
Is the 2002 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
Owners have filed 124 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen GTI, 2.4 times a typical GTI model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2002 Volkswagen GTI year score?
The 2002 Volkswagen GTI scores 44 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen GTI: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Volkswagen GTI?
Electrical system, with 42 complaints, typically around 8,623 miles. Next is airbags (23).
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen GTI have?
2 recalls, covering exterior lighting.
What year does the Volkswagen GTI have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen GTI model years with the most electrical complaints are 2002 (42 complaints), 2009 (31 complaints) and 2001 (21 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Volkswagen GTI get?
Official estimates for the 2002 Volkswagen GTI range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (1.8L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 19-21 city and 27-28 highway.
VIN decoder
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