2002 Volkswagen Jetta: engine stalls while driving

Filed Jun 5, 2018 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · KS

While maintaining speed at or above 40 MPH and with 1/4 tank or less of fuel remaining, my jetta will consistently stall out and turn off from fuel starvation. This has happened to me between 40 and 80 MPH several times, both in the city and on the highway. I have replaced the crankshaft position sensor, the fuel sender, and the fuel pump with no success. Additionally, the jetta will die the first time I try to start it as my fuel level approaches 1/4, especially if I am parked on an incline. However, it never fails to start on the second try once some fuel has begun moving through the system. Fully refueling alleviates all problems.

Filed Oct 6, 2015 · Fuel system · 150,000 miles · CA

Engine shuts down when the fuel tank is at or below a 1/4 tank of fuel while driving... There is a loss of steering and braking rendering it unsafe to drive. Here is a online discussion of others having the same problem... Http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4971876-car-stalling-while-at-speed-is-low-fuel-the-problem.

Filed Aug 15, 2014 · Acceleration, Electrical · 70,000 miles · CA

While driving on the freeway at approximately 70mph with a quarter tank of gas, my 2002 jetta glx displayed the battery light and then stalled at full speed. The car slowed, the steering and gas pedal were stiff and I had to pull to the shoulder and call for a tow truck. I had the crank position sensor replaced, new spark plugs put in and the throttle body cleaned. I test drove the car and once again, the engine started to stall at around 70mph on the freeway. This time I was able to floor the accelerator and the car did not completely stall. This defect seems is incredibly dangerous and seems to be unacceptably prevalent on vw jettas. My next part to replace is the fuel pump but it appears that does not always remedy the problem. This should be a recall.

Filed Apr 18, 2014 · Electrical, Engine · 92,000 miles · IL

Engine abruptly lost all power and turned off while driving down the street. No warning lights came on, and the car restarted and ran normally for 6 months. The same thing happened about 6 months later. 10 minutes after the second episode, mechanic wasn't able to find a fault code and drove it without the stall recurring.

Filed Aug 7, 2013 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving 50 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the illumination of the battery warning light. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed Jan 28, 2013 · Electrical · 116,000 miles · CA

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle however, the failure recurred intermittently. Additionally, the contact noticed that the front and rear passenger's side doors would not unlock when the master door lock switch on the front driver's side door was engaged. The contact also stated that the brake warning light was illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

Filed Apr 19, 2012 · Airbags, Electrical · 108,154 miles · NH

When backing out of my driveway my drivers side airbag deployed for no reason. I didn't hit anything. Now the engine starts then stalls. All dash lights are now out.

Filed Dec 4, 2011 · Transmission · 139,110 miles · GA

My 2002 vw jetta glx (automatic) has severe transmission problems. When accelerating, it hesitates and then pops into gear jerking the car. This is very alarming and dangerous, especially when I am on the road with other vehicles around me. I almost had several accidents due to trying to pull out in traffic but the transmission is so unreliable and slips thereby causing me to stall in oncoming traffic. Then, today the car would not go into reverse or neutral at all. I've seen so many transmission complaints about this year's model and it is so unfair for the consumer to be responsible for this expensive repair.

Filed Dec 3, 2010 · Brakes · 102,000 miles · CO

Tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while turning the vehicle, she heard a loud noise then suddenly all the warning lights illuminated on the instrumental panel. The vehicle then stalled. The vehicle was inspected by a independent mechanic who informed her that the failure was the ABS sensor. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign id (02v031000) service brakes: hydraulic: anti-lock. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 102,000.

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 11, 2010 · Electrical · 79,399 miles · OR

Vehicle shut down while driving twice, could result in car being disabled while driving at any speed any where becoming a very dangerous situation for the driver and an obstacle on the road for other drivers to try to avoid. Volkswagen dealership isolated this to a faulty harness connecting the alternator tothe fuse located on top of the battery. The harness and the fuse box had to be replaced. The dealership said this problem is only common to vw beatles and vw jetta, because they said the car was 2002 it was out of warranty not covered. I was more concerned of the safety of life and property this problem would cause. I filed a complaint with the attorney general john krogers office in oregon, they sent me a letter stating they had forwarded this complaint to the national highway traffic safety admin in washington dc . I tried to contact them by phone, they asked if I had a confirmation # . I haven't as of yet received a letter or phone call.

Filed Mar 21, 2009 · Engine · 71,400 miles · OH

I have two problems, one with temperature coolant sign. Many jetta's have this problem, it occurs every time I turn on the car, sign always comes on. This causes signals and computer programs in the car to be confused, and is always a dangerous light because I never know if there is something wrong with my car's coolant or radiator. I have replaced this part about two times through a mechanic shop with a vw part twice. Still is a failure, and I read most jettas have this problem and it is ridiculous that vw can not fix this expensive part for its customers. Also I had a problem with my alternator one day ago. My vehicle was forced to stall on the middle of the highway causing me almost to get into an accident. For some reason my car lost all its power, battery was only one or two weeks old, and now my alternator died. My car has only 71,400 miles on it, it is not very old, it is a major concern to see an alternator die that early in the car, makes me wonder what other major problems I have in the future, let alone what I had in the past. Now I have to fix this car, and will take one week to fix and get the part ready, costing me almost $600 in repair. Not only did my car break down on the highway but the car smelt like it was burning, very dangerous!!this a vw defect, and should be addressed to all vw owners about their alternators, it doesn't feel safe if this car keeps breaking down, tired of this car.other recalls about this vehicle make me want to question whether to drive it not, if it has a country wide brake problem in this car.