2002 Volkswagen Jetta: engine failure

Filed Nov 24, 2015 · Airbags, Engine · 94,000 miles · FL

Oil light is blinking, I was told by several mechanics that jettas as well as volkswagens in general are known for having terrible sludge issues. I took the car to the dealership, they charged me over $150 to diagnose my car, after diagnosing it they said that the engine needs new oil bearings due to sludge issues, they said that the oils pressure is fluctuating and that soon my engine will blow up, they said that this was not covered under similar recalls that they've had on other models of theirs and that to fix my problem I would need a new engine which would cost me over seven thousand dollars. It seems to me that this is a very well known problem for vw, they've known about it for years but just like the problem they're having right now with the software, they've kept this quiet.

Filed Sep 19, 2014 · Airbags, Electrical · 57,000 miles · RI

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.?

Filed Sep 20, 2010 · Engine · 16,000 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While driving between 15-20 MPH, the engine completely stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle as it resumed normal operation. The failure occurred twenty times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic on ten times for the same failure. The crank position sensor was replaced with no additional repairs performed on the vehicle. The failure continued after the repair. The contact stated that there was a voluntary manufacturer recall associated with the catalytic converter. The dealer was notified and they informed the contact that the recall defect could possibly be related to the engine failure. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The contact stated the vehicle was unsafe to drive and planned to sell the vehicle. The VIN was unavailable. The failure mileage was approximately 16,000.

Filed Feb 6, 2008 · Engine · 71,000 miles · ME

2002 tdi vw jetta . Had for 1.5 years engine blew at 70k on it .. Took to seacoast vw in nh first said might be sludge later said was a chain that slipped caused engine to blow and metal pieces to be throughout. Called vw first said I would have to pay for it and then send them receipts. When not able to afford the thousands it would cost talked to them again spoke to alicia at vw and she called seacoast vw in nh then called and state it would be covered. Went about having it towed to vw dealership to get fixed. When called again was told wouldn't cover it but would give me 1000 dollars off the price of the repair valid for 30 days .. Engine still blown car still sitting in garage been trying to get fixed since april of 2007 .seems to be a common thing with vw that have major engine problems without lots of mileage.

Filed May 9, 2007 · Engine · 42,000 miles · PA

On april 22, 2007 my son was returning to college in the 2002 volkswagen jetta 1.8t when the engine siezed without warning as he accelerated to enter a busy interstat 80. Fortunately, he was able to coast off to the side of the road. Interstate 80was heavily used by trucks, and had my son not been in a position to get off to the side the engine failure could have caused a very serious safety hazard not only to my son but to many other vehicles using this highway. *ak I understand that this is not an isolated instance of failure of the vw 1.8 t engine. From what I have seen on the internet it appears that is fairly common for these engines to fail and vw tends to blame the owners for improper maintenance. My jetta was purchased in april 2006 with 31,000 miles, in the year that we had the car we put approx. 10,000 miles on it and we had the oil changed at least two times. We purchased this car based on vw advertising about the quality and safety of these cars and I feel that vw should take responsibility for their poorly engineered engine and issue a recall to correct deficiencies with this engine. I order for me to correct this problem I have to replace the engine, I also have just been informed that when the engine suddenly froze the transmission was also damaged. The cost of to make this car usable again will be in excess of $7,000. While I don't feel that it is right that I am stuck with the cost of repairs that are the result of a serious design problem with this engine, I am much more concerned with putting lives in jeopardy when an engine stops without warning at high way speeds

Filed Dec 1, 2004 · Engine, Visibility · 6,000 miles · NY

Engine failure, radio failure, window wouldn't roll back up, vibrating speakers. W service shop failed to correct conditions on several occasions.

Filed Jul 28, 2004 · Engine, Tires · AR

Purchased car in january 2002 new from dealer, in shop 2 days later tire not installed, causing it to go flat, happened again 2 days after that, and again the next week, finally rims and tires were replaced problem solved. Then hand brake failed, in shop to fix, 2 weeks after it was returned failed again, fixed, then 3 weeks after that if failed again, then the window brackets broke, then engine failed that was supposedly on a recall part, was fixed, then it failed a few months later again, supposedly fixed, then it failed again only this time they said it was the catalytic converter, then it failed again this time they said it was the oil pump and hose and blamed that on us, then it failed again, was fixed, and now it is completely down again.

Filed Feb 19, 2004 · Body, Transmission · 89,918 miles · AR

While driving the engine began to make a loud noise. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer who found that the motor mounts were broken and caused the engine to fall to the ground. The dealer replaced the engine, engine block, timing belt and the lower shield. Also at 59,000 the manual transmission had to be replaced because the consumer could not shift into reverse.

Filed Jan 23, 2003 · Electrical · 5,800 miles · MA

Vw jetta 1.8t abrupt engine failure stopping car dead in heavy freeway traffic. Was told it was known ignition defect fixed one of four defective "coils". Vwoa would not replace other three and said thay would probably fail also but it is not their problem until it fails. Extremely dangerous! This seems to be widespread throughout audi andvw.

Filed Jan 21, 2003 · Engine · 24,000 miles · MD

Engine failure due to complete failure of 2 ignition coils. Car does not get power, operates at dangerously low speeds, especially when you're on the highway. Acknowledged by dealer as a major problem with 2002 1.8turbo vw/audi engines. Manufacturer defect but will only permit replacement of coils that are "bad" even though they know the others may go too.

Filed Jan 19, 2003 · Engine · 4,036 miles · IL

Coilpack failure on the engine. The partial engine failure caused the car to shake violently while driving. It was difficult to bring the car over 25 miles per hour, even on the highway. After a few minutes, the car was smoking and smelled bad. The volkswagen dealer told us that lots of cars, particularly the ones with 1.8t engines, are having this failure. He said that volkswagen is aware of the problem but that the part is on a national backorder. Our car was in the shop for almost three weeks.

Filed Dec 18, 2002 · Electrical · 18,544 miles · MD

Coil packs which control spark to the engine failed on cylinders #2 and #4. Replaced by dealer under warranty. Five days later coil pack on cylinder #3 failed. Also replaced by dealer. The coil pack failures resulted in a considerable loss of power and a foul odor from the exhaust. In addition, the coil pack broke apart allowing the electrical parts to be exposed.