2002 Volkswagen Golf

These are unverified consumer reports filed with NHTSA, shown as submitted.

• 12/30/2004· AIR BAGS

  RE THE WRONGFUL DEPLOYMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG AND SIDE CURTAIN IN 2002 VW GOLF GTI. *BF WHILE DRIVING, THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED, THE PASSENGER SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES. *JB

• 12/27/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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.

• 12/27/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 12/27/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 12/14/2006· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 12/14/2005· SEATS

  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

• 12/11/2002· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER SIDE SEAT AND CURTAIN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DESPITE VEHICLE BEING IN NO INCIDENT OR COLLISION. VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AND PROBLEM ADVISED. NEITHER DEALER OR VW PREPARED TO CONSIDER OR DISCUSS POSSIBILITY OF SUCH POSSIBILITY OCCURANING. BOTH DEALER AND VW THE MANUFACTURERS INSIST THAT VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN MAJOR IMPACT OF 2G OR ABOVE AND THAT THIS SHOULD BE HANDLED BY INSURANCE COMPANY DESPITE THERE BEING NO EVIDENCE OF IMPACT OR COLLISION. DESPITE PLEAS TO VW , THEY WOULD NOT INVESTIGATE POSSIBILITY OF AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT WITHOUT IMPACT. VEHICLE STILL IMMOBILE AND UNREPAIRED AFTER ALMOST 3 MONTHS. VEHICLE SINCE MOVED TO ANOTHER VW DEALER . DT

• 12/07/2006· AIR BAGS

  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

• 11/30/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 11/27/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  VW GOLF 2002 60K TURN SINGALS KEEP ON CLICKING. POSSIBLE LINK TO USING ARMORALL POLISH? *JB

• 11/20/2003· FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

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

• 11/03/2004· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AT A MODERATE SPEED THE AIR BAG ON PASSENGER'S SIDE DEPLOYED INADVERTENTLY. THE CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER, AND WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN AN ACCIDENT. THE CONSUMER CLAIMED THIS WAS ABSURD SINCE THIS VEHICLE MADE NO CONTACT WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE OR OBJECT. *AK THE AIR BAG DEPLOYED 1 MINUTE LATER. *SC

• 10/21/2003· TIRES

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

• 10/20/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  INTAKE MANIFOLD IS CLOGGED ON VEHICLE DUE TO CARBON BUILD UP FROM THE EXHAUST VALVE.*MR CONSUMER WAS ADVISED BY LOCAL DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WOULDN'T PASS FEDERAL EMISSION REQUIREMENTS. THE DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS WILLING TO CHARGE $380.00 FOR THE TASK. CONSUMER DECLINED DUE TO THE HIGH PRICE BUT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE ENVIRONMENT. CONSUMER RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM ONLINE AND FOUND OTHER CONSUMERS WITH THE SAME DEFECT. *PH

• 10/17/2004· AIR BAGS

  WHILE DRIVING ON A RATHER BUMPY STREET (NO MAJOR POT HOLES), SIDE-AIRBAG AND CURTAINS ON THE DRIVER SIDE POPPED OUT. IT WAS NOT A COLLISION, AND THE BUMPER DID NOT HIT ANYTHING. SERVICE SHOP AT DEALER FOUND A COUPLE OF DAMAGES ON OIL PAN AND CONTROL-ARM, AND THEREFORE INSISTED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT WAS NOT DUE TO A MAL-FUNCTION. THE CAR IS BEING REPAIRED (INCLUDING THE RE-UPHOLSTERY AND DAMAGED SEAT BELT DUE TO THE AIRBAG ERUPTION). IT IS TREATED AS AN ACCIDENT BY MY AUTO INSURANCE.

• 10/14/2008· VISIBILITY

  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

• 10/11/2008· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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

• 10/10/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  ENGINE SLUDGE DIAGNOSED ON PASSAT. *NM

• 10/06/2007· VISIBILITY

  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

• 09/30/2005· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,POWER TRAIN,VISIBILITY,EQUIPMENT

  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

• 09/20/2004· AIR BAGS

  DRIVING ON HIGHWAY AND HIT SMALL BUMP IN ROAD, SUCH THAT YOU WOULD HIT MANY TIMES A DAY WHILE DRIVING, AND PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS AND WINDOW CURTAINS DEPLOYED. VW SERVICE FOUND CRASH DATA IN COMPUTER EVENTHOUGH THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO VISUAL DAMAGE TO CAR. VW CUSTOMER SERVICE REFUSED TO PAY FOR REPAIR AND SUGGESTED I CONTACT MY INSURANCE COMPANY.*AK

• 09/18/2008· AIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS

  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

• 09/17/2002· VISIBILITY

  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

• 09/16/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  I HAVE A 2002 VW GOLF, THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON MY CAR HAS BROKEN 4 TIMES IN THE 4 YEARS I HAVE OWNED THIS CAR. THE LAST TIME IT HS HAPPENED MY CAR WOULDN'T SHIFT OUT OF PARK AND I HAD TO GET MY CAR TOWED. EACH TIME THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS FOUND TO BE FAULTY AND IT WAS REPLACED. THIS IS A VERY FRUSTRATING PROBLEM AND ITS VERY TIME CONSUMING. I BELIEVE THAT VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO DO SOMETHING TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM. *JB

• 08/30/2006· VISIBILITY

  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

• 08/29/2007· SUSPENSION,ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 08/26/2005· SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULICCrash

  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

• 08/25/2026· TIRES

  The tire sidewall blew out. We were driving at 65 mph on an interstate highway in an urban area and had to change the tire in the triangular space between the highway lanes and an exit - very dangerous. These were sold as 60,000 mile tires, and this tire had 20,200 miles on it. It was maintained at proper pressure. Conditions were clear, dry, summer weather in Albuquerque, NM. The problem has not yet been confirmed by the service center, but we will be taking the damaged tire there because it is still under warranty. Tire size: 195 / 65 R 15

• 08/24/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 08/16/2007· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  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

• 08/09/2010· AIR BAGS

  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

• 08/07/2003· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  BRAKE LIGHT AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SAFETY INTERLOCK SWITCH FAILED AND LEFT THE CAR STRANDED. *PH

• 07/23/2013· ENGINE

  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

• 07/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  CAR WAS DRIVEN TO AND PARKED OUTSIDE A STORE 1 MILE FROM HOME. WHEN OWNER RETURNED TO CAR (LESS THAN 10 MINUTES AFTER PARKING), THE CAR WOULD NOT START. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER AND OWNER WAS INFORMED THAT OIL PAN WAS CRACKED & ENGINE HAS SEIZED. DEALER SAID THAT DAMAGE WAS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY AND OWNER MUST CONTACT INSURANCE COMPANY TO FILE COLLISION CLAIM. HOWEVER, NO COLLISION EVER OCCURRED. OWNER LOST USE OF VEHICLE FOR FIVE WEEKS. OIL PAN, SHORT BLOCK & TURBO WERE REPLACED. *JB

• 07/22/2004· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  OWNER WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC - MERGING ONTO THE LONG ISLAND EXPRESSWAY - WHEN A DULL "POP" SOUND WAS HEARD. THE ENGINE QUICKLY LOST POWER. OWNER WAS ABLE TO STEER VEHICLE FROM RIGHT LANE TO SHOULDER AND ENGAGE HAZARD LIGHTS. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER EXAMINED VEHICLE AND ADVISED OWNER THAT THE TIMING BELT WAS MISSING. DEALER ADVISED THAT ENGINE HAD SEIZED AND MUST BE REPLACED. OWNER LOST USE OF CAR FOR 5 WEEKS. ENGINE AND TIMING BELT WERE REPLACED. *JB

• 07/16/2009· AIR BAGS

  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

• 07/10/2006· EXTERIOR LIGHTING

  THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE GOLF IS THE SAME BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THE JETTA. THEY HAVE THE SAME PART NUMBER AND EVERYTHING. THEY ALSO FAIL AT THE SAME RATE, BUT ONLY THE JETTA BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH WAS RECALLED. WHEN IT FAILS, YOU CANNOT GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK AND YOUR BRAKE LIGHTS WORK INTERMITTENTLY, WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD. *JB

• 07/02/2007· POWER TRAIN

  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

• 06/30/2006· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

  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

• 06/24/2006· AIR BAGS

  I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE PARKS HIGHWAY NEAR TALKEETNA, ALASKA IN MY 2002 VW GOLF AND HAD THE SIDE-CURTAIN AND PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAGS DEPLOY SUDDENLY FOR NO APPARENT REASON. 5 PERSONS WERE IN THE CAR, ALL EXPERIENCED A LOUD BANG AND A CAR FULL OF ACRID SMOKE, TWO WERE STRUCK AS THE BAG DEPLOYED. I STOPPED AT THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CHECK OUT THE PASSENGERS AND FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENED. NO DAMAGE WAS DONE TO THE VEHICLE TO CAUSE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT, AND IT WAS IN NO WAY IMPACTED OR SUBJECTED TO EXTREME DRIVING FORCES. I BELIEVE MY CAR TO BE DEFECTIVE AND AM SEEKING PAYMENT FROM VOLKSWAGEN. *JB

• 06/23/2017· AIR BAGS

  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

• 06/18/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES

  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

• 06/17/2025· STRUCTURE

  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.

• 06/17/2003· ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,EQUIPMENT

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

• 05/31/2008· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 05/30/2006· AIR BAGS

  SPONTANEOUS AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT ON RIGHT SIDE OF MY 2 DOOR 2002 VW GOLF TDI WHILE DRIVING ON A SMOOTH BLACKTOP ROAD. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE LEFT SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED BY THEM SELVES. THE VEHICLE DID NOT HIT A BUMP OR POTHOLE OR ANYTHING ELSE IN THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT HIT BY ANYTHING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT PRIOR TO OR DURING THE AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS HIT BY THE DEPLOYED AIR BAG. SHE HAD A RED SORE ON HER RIGHT ARM AND HAD HEARING PROBLEMS IN HER RIGHT EAR FOR ONE DAY. HER HEARING RETURNED TOO NORMAL THE NEXT DAY AND ALL SORENESS IN HER RIGHT ARM WAS GONE WITHIN TWO DAYS. *NM

• 05/22/2006· ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

  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

• 05/18/2009· SEAT BELTS

  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

• 05/18/2005· AIR BAGS

  PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INADVERTENTLY DEPLOYED WITH NO PROVOCATION.

• 05/17/2007· POWER TRAIN

  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