Vehicle Data Hub

2002 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems

Owners reported engine problems in 106 complaints for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 12% of the complaints on file. It is the 3rd most reported problem area for this model year.

At a glance

Complaints
106 12% of this year's complaints
Typical mileage
53,000 miles 78 complaints with mileage
Crashes and fires
0 and 1
Injuries and deaths
0 and 10

Source: NHTSA owner complaints

When engine problems show up

Engine complaints by mileage, 2002 Volkswagen Jetta Complaints by odometer reading in 20,000-mile steps. The median is about 53,000 miles. 0k to 20k miles: 21 complaints 20k to 40k miles: 12 complaints 40k to 60k miles: 10 complaints 60k to 80k miles: 11 complaints 80k to 100k miles: 12 complaints 100k to 120k miles: 4 complaints 120k to 140k miles: 5 complaints 140k to 160k miles: 1 complaints 160k to 180k miles: 0 complaints 180k to 200k miles: 1 complaints 200k+ miles: 1 complaints 040k80k120k160k200k miles Typical: 53,000 miles
Based on 78 complaints that include mileage. 55% were reported before 60,000 miles. The amber marker shows the median: half of these complaints happened before that mileage.
View the numbers
MileageComplaints
0k to 20k miles21
20k to 40k miles12
40k to 60k miles10
60k to 80k miles11
80k to 100k miles12
100k to 120k miles4
120k to 140k miles5
140k to 160k miles1
160k to 180k miles0
180k to 200k miles1
200k+ miles1

What the data shows

Of the 78 engine complaints that report mileage, the median is about 53,000 miles, and 55% were reported before 60,000 miles.

These complaints mention 1 fire, 10 deaths.

What owners wrote

I have been going to board walk volkswagen dealer in richardson and rusty wallace volkswagen in garland, texas for my repair for my car for more than 8 times. The car is still not repaired and I am very frustrated. The problem is that when I start my car, it shakes really bad I would have to warm it up for 5 minutes. Sometimes the car dies while I am driving. I wrote a complaint letter to the rusty wallace because I purchased my vehicle there and the service manager (dan turk) seems to be avoiding my phone calls.

Reported at 199,664 miles, October 2002 Death

2 times I had to replace a faulty 02 sensor 1st time engine temp sensor. Rear left light burned out 3-4 times within 80 000km. Said it's easier to replace then find the problem at dealership. Have done oil consumption tests 1 litre of oil per 3161km. Saying that this normal. This dealership have recommended flushing the engine. Changing the grade of oil. Do not drive in rush hour traffic. Most of the consumption occurs on the highway and not in traffic. Change the oil instead of 8000 km at 5000km???

Reported at 76,000 miles, July 2005

Other problems reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta

Engine problems in other years

Engine problems across all Volkswagen models