While the vehicle is in motion, it "jerks" or makes a shaking movement. While the vehicle is in motion, the "door ajar" light stays on although all doors have been opened and closed. While stationary, the vehicle brake light is not working. While stationary and in motion, the vehicle's check engine light stays on. The rear middle passenger seatbelt is not useable. The driver's door remains unlocked after pressing the "lock doors" button.
2002 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems
148 complaints (21% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 34,434. 2 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 148
- of this car's complaints
- 21%
- typical mileage
- 34,434
- crashes
- 2
- recalls
- 0
Which part fails
- Ignition61
- Ignition: module17
- Wiring8
- Instrument cluster/panel3
- Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers2
- Alternator/generator/regulator2
- 12v/24v/48v battery2
- Wiring: front underhood1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta electrical
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
No recalls on record for this model year.
Related investigations
Engine stalling
By letter received on june 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a result of the engine stalling, the petitioner experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle.after a few minutes parked on the shoulder he was able to restart the vehicle although the engine operated at reduced power.vw issued a customer satisfaction campaign (csc) on january 31, 2003 to instruct their dealerships to inspect the vehicles for any malfunctioning ignition coil packs and to replace them at no cost to the consumer.consumers were notified to bring their vehicles to their dealerships via owner letters mailed out on june 6, 2003.while vw initially instructed the dealerships to only replace the malfunctioning ignition coil packs, a revised csc was issued to dealerships in december 2003 and january 2004, instructing dealerships to replace all ignition coil packs regardless of their performance.a reminder to the dealerships was sent by vw on april of 2004.although the concerns of the petitioner could theoretically create a safety problem, the risk is very small, due to the engine still running on either 3, 5, or 7 cylinders.there are no reported crashes or injuries due to the alleged defect.once drivers are aware of the problem (loss of power due to one of the ignition coil packs malfunctioning), drivers are able to take precautionary and compensatory measures and still maintain control of their vehicles.in addition, four fires were reported to odi.these were ignition coil burnouts with no additional damage to the vehicle and were localized on top of the engine. During the last 24 months the number of stall and drivability complaints reported to odi has greatly diminished from a peak of 195 in january of 2003 to only 3 in august of 2005.this coincides with the csc released by vw.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
DP05004
What 2002 Volkswagen Jetta owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Known melting fuse box on top of battery. From schematics, appears s180 fuse (coolant fan) as predominant point of failure. Issue has been reported (via web) across numerous models and years. Called vw for fix; as techs appear void of a general consensus to problem/fix. Unfortunately, vw refuses to acknowledge and/or provide solution to customer(s). Refers me to dealer, which is over an hour away. Just need info to order repair kit and restore vehicle integrity/safety. Concerned as this may be a potential fire hazard; due to the volume of heat generated by wiring within internal compartment. In turn, I understand the age of the vehicle is outside the normal warranty period. As stated, just want an answer to repair; however, vw customer care rep commented I should reporting this issue in hopes to draw additional attention of other owners and, eventually, the federal safety agency to get vw to respond to customers questions.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While entering the vehicle, the contact noticed that the brake warning light was illuminated and the windows were steaming. In addition, the dashboard was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report and a police report were filed. The contact sustained a burned hand injury, but did not need medical attention. The vehicle was towed to the contact's residence. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 172,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While driving at approximately 35 MPH, there was smoke and fire underneath the glove compartment box. The contact exited the vehicle with the child before the vehicle became engulfed in flames. The fire department filed a fire report and extinguished the fire. There were no injuries. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 137,000.
While reaching home, I saw smoke coming out of engine, smell of heated plastic, and the alternator warning lite on. Switched off the car and opened the hood. Noted that the smoke and smell was coming from the plastic fuse box that is on the top of the battery and that the fuse box cover had burnt hole. The wire from the alternator to one of the fuses in the fuse box had melted the plastic. I replaced the fuse box, cleaned the wire and attached it back. On 6/23/15, I was unable to start the car. The battery was weak and noted that one of the fuses in the box had melted the plastic.
This is a followup on my the federal safety agency complaint with odi 10660489. I would like to bring to your attention the federal safety agency campaign id number 04v584000 which precisely describes the same problem I have encountered with my jetta. Please note that my jetta is also a 2002 model as noted in the above campaign.
First intermittent and then inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function..
Faulty fuse panel in engine compartment (the one situated on top of the battery, not the panel in the cabin).
Faulty fuse panel in engine compartment (the one situated on top of the battery, not the panel in the cabin).
I purchased a certified used vehicle in 2006 from a volkswagen dealer in virginia (volkswagen of dulles). Two months after the vehicle purchase, we noticed the car electrical system shut down while approaching a stop sign in reston, va. The local dealer attributed it to a fuel system problem and charged us for a throttle body cleaning.? Over the course of two years, we had multiple electrical shutdowns, some at high speed on the highway at night when the vehicle's headlights would go out and the engine would die. At one point the dealer reported a ??loose ignition switch?? And replaced that switch. After several more scary events, I emailed vw america with a description of the problem and our fears about the vehicle being unsafe to drive. In march 2009 I called vw customer service and talked to a regional case manager. On that day, the car had shut down in the middle of an intersection narrowly avoiding a collision. Vw replaced the alternator and battery. Three months later, driving on memorial parkway (rt. 66) at night when the vehicles lights failed, the electrical system shut down and the engine died. I once again called vw customer service and was returned a call from a representative who said they would not address the problem further, that the warranty on the vehicle was over and that I had no recourse with volkswagen for further investigation of the problem. I recently asked vw america customer service for copies of their records relating the case. They refused to give them to me, saying they were proprietary.?
Questions about the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta electrical
Does the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta have electrical problems?
Owners have filed 148 complaints about the electrical of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 21% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.
At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 34,434 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta electrical?
There is no recall for this problem on this model year.
What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have the most electrical problems?
The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most electrical complaints are 2010 (233 complaints), 2011 (186 complaints) and 2019 (154 complaints).
Other 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Engine 110Airbags 108Transmission 103Seats 101Brakes 51Lights 51Visibility 45Fuel system 22Body 19Acceleration 17Tires 15Suspension 10Steering 8Seat belts 7Locks 6Wheels 5
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