5th Apr 2010, 23:36

I also have a 2002 Jetta bought in 2005 with low mileage, and I paid a nice amount of money for it. It lived at the dealership until I just refused to fix a lot of the problems.

It seems everyone is having a lot of the same problems. I have had some of the ones commented on too. My main current problem is that while driving, for no reason the door ajar signal comes on, it gives off a loud door open signal and the dome light comes on. This is so embarrassing at nights. The trunk doesn't stay closed, and the door remote doesn't close the door anymore.

8th Apr 2010, 16:35

I have a 2002 Jetta TDI with lots of miles. I think the door ajar signal has been on for the last 25K miles. VW wants $500 to replace the sensor, which they won't guarantee will work. We just turn the radio up.

26th Apr 2010, 14:53

I, being in the bind that I was in, I should have REALLY done my homework before buying my 2002 Jetta. It seemed awesome on the test drive (of course)... but WOW what a nightmare this car has become for ME...

Exactly 1 week after signing the papers on this car, the MIL light came on and to this day has never went off for longer than a short stroll to the grocery store...

I too was told that it was because I had put gas in the tank while leaving it running... RIGHT! So let's see, at the same time that happened, then my anti slip regulation thingy came on as long as the ABS light... OMG... the car jerks for most of the ride.. at least when you stop and start off... and to top it all off.. last time I got my oil changed at the dealership, they told me they reset all the light... WRONG AGAIN!! I am so sick of the problems that I have had, and I would NEVER recommend this car to anyone for any reason.

11th Jul 2010, 19:14

Amazing that one car can produce so many problems for so many people and nothing has been done about it by Consumer Affairs.

I bought a used 2002 Jetta Turbo 1.8 about 3 years ago.

The coolant temp sensor showed on an OBDII test. Engine light came on.

About a week later, the alternator went. Drained the battery.

Bought a new battery just to get home from where I was stuck (about 60 miles away from my house).

Total bill for all of that, plus some hose replacements, was about $800, $400 of which my warranty company would not pay.

About a year ago, my coolant temp sensor showed in a diagnostic test run after the MIL came on again.

As it was still drivable, I just left it after talking to some mechanics I know, but I haven't gotten my inspection in almost two years. (Finally got a ticket this week).

I replaced the sensor myself this time, but another OBD shows 2 ignition coils to be misfiring.

VW has recalled this car for the coils, so I'm going to the dealer to get them replaced this week.

Have all the little issues too: Armrest latch, peeling door handles, trunk latch.

It's too bad, since it is a fun car to drive, but I'm constantly waiting for the other shoe to drop.

I don't care if I never have another problem again.

I will never buy another Volkswagen.

25th Jul 2010, 07:42

We have a 2002 VW Jetta TDI. It squeaks because of the shocks in the front. Going to get them replaced again!!!

The worst is the dimmer switch catching fire. I turned on my lights, and there was a glow of orange behind the dimmer switch and lots of smoke. I had to wiggle the dimmer switch to stop the fire. It's going in tomorrow again to be serviced. I wonder how much now $$$$$$$$$?

7th Sep 2010, 14:09

We just purchased a used 2002 VW Jetta GLS 2.0 with the transmission out. We got the car cheap, but not realizing how hard it would be to find a transmission and to find a manual that would give you instructions on how to replace the transmission. All the manuals state that it must be taken to a VW dealership for servicing. Once we made some calls and found a transmission of it. We installed it, but seen then it has the hazard switch clicking all the time even when they are off. The transmission is still not working properly. You put the car in reverse, and once you have backed up and put the car into drive, it does not connect into drive until you take it out of drive and put it into neutral, then put it back into drive, then it will kick into drive.

Also the engine light is always coming on, and the car starts to miss out jerking really bad; at times it will start missing out so bad that it will stall and die at stop lights or stop signs. It will restart, but is still misses out and jerks until you stop and shut it off, and let it have time to cool down. Once it cools down, then you can start it and it seems to have no problems and no engine light.

We also have some creaking noises coming from the passenger back wheel that we can't figure out. My biggest concern is now with all the complaints I've read that we will never be able to fix all the problems & issues, and if you do, those problems keep re-occurring, and it seems to be we are stuck with a money pit of a car instead of a cheap fixer upper. Does anyone want to buy a cheap parts car?