8th Apr 2008, 12:58

I have a 2002 Jetta GLX and just had my radio/stereo stop working. Would not turn on out of the blue. I pulled fuse 42 as someone suggested and placed it back in about 20 seconds later and the radio began working again. I had a tape and CD in there for about a year without changing which I think I saw previously can mess with the computer and shut it down. Thanks to this board I probably saved myself some money by not having it looked at professionally.

23rd Apr 2008, 14:25

AFTER MARKET RADIO INSTALLATION PLEASE READ - if you are having trouble trying to figure out how to pass an emissions test... just unplug the radio! Its that simple. I called around to dealerships and service shops and that was recommended, so I gave it a shot and it worked like a charm (a lot easier that reinstalling my factory radio to get the k-wire to register)... good luck!

27th May 2008, 12:22

Bought a 2002 Jetta GLS three years ago. Loved it at first, then many little annoyances started happening. Just had my passenger window fall, and thanks to this site I called up VW and found out they have an `extended` warranty (in Canada, not sure about U.S). A company must know they sold a lemon if it still has warranty for things such as a window mechanism.

Also:

-electric seat burned my wife

-passenger side heated seat stopped working

-latch for arm rest broke the week I bought it

-almost all of the plastics inside are peeling.

Call or email VW to complain about this incredibly bad car.

11th Jul 2008, 23:34

2003 Jetta GLI

Same problems as most of you. Radio quit, driver's side window dropped, and the grand finale; the transmission went at 108,000kms. It all adds up to serious money paid out. Like the car, dislike the ongoing problems.

21st Jul 2008, 13:49

I own a 2002 Jetta 1.8L Turbo. I totally love my car even with it's numerous quirks. The coil has gone out 4 times now (I keep a spare coil and plugs in my trunk), the radio went out and was replaced for free, the brake sensor went out while I was at a gas station (would not come out of park), the transmission went bad at 47,300 miles, the timing belt/water pump was changed at 110K, and now the door sensor has lost it's mind. While driving the sensor seems to think my door is open and all my interior lights illuminate which presents a problem while driving at night. From what I have read it will cost in the range of $400 not including labor??? I will live with the noise for now.

23rd Jul 2008, 18:07

Hello, we have a 2002 Jetta 1.8 t and have had all the same problems... both windows fell in, coil blew, radio, major oil leak, water pump, sunroof drains plugged and filled the car with water after a rain storm.

Just lately the automatic shift lever is out of whack, it won't go into Tiptronic mode, and to get it in drive, you have to go into 4th first. I did some research and found the fix for this problem. Hopefully posting it, I can help someone else with their VW lemon. Bob, Vancouver Canada.

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?3295650

25th Jul 2008, 15:45

Thanks for the FUSE 42 trick! It was a God send. I saved so much time and money! I Already had this happen in 2006 and they charged me $90 to fix it. But they also gave me the radio code, which wasn't written in my manual since I bought the car used from Carmax in 2006.

Not sure what happened to the person that owned it before I did. But ever since I've had it, here are the problems I've experienced...

The first night I picked up my car, the plastic knobs used for the radio (fade, balance, bass, etc.) kept fell off & couldn't be put back on, then a few months later I noticed the peeling doorhandles.

Also, I realized when I had my A/C on the air would blow out the strongest on the middle two panels, while the ones on the outer side would be open and you could barely feel any air! Also the turning knob used to control the air vents is messed up too! (if you want the heat on just the floor, it will come out of the top too)

I kept seeing these springs laying in my floor board! Weird! They fell off my passenger and driver's seat (Haven't had any problems with the seats and can't put them back on either so I just threw them away).

Another thing, I'm guessing my brake-light switch kept messing up because I couldn't crank my car and it would be locked in park... now most of the time the only way my car will crank is when the A/C is turned OFF!

My front bumper kept grabbing onto curbs and getting ripped off on one side! After 4 times of fixing it... Now I Leave a long space between the curb and my car! (it's worse when you have passengers with you to because of the extra weight!)

My cigarette lighter went out about 6 months ago, I read earlier that it's fuse 41.?? I'm going to replace that if it's correct fuse and see if it helps, I hate that I cannot charge my cell phone when I'm driving!

At one point my brake lights kept going out and I replaced them numerous times (I see why that is a recall).

My keyless remote stopped working recently, Hopefully that's just a battery issue, and hopefully I can figure out how to take it off to change it out!

Sometimes my lock and unlock button will not work on the backseat drivers door... I have to physically pull the handle from the inside to open that door.

I completely agree with the person who made the comment about the cup holders! Who's the idiot who put them over the CD player/Radio?? You can't even see what station your on! How irritating!! Not to mention every time you hit a bump, your drink would splatter! I always clean it off cuz I'm always afraid that it would get stuck inside there! He's a genius german, let me tell you! LOL. If I ever met him, I'd have a few choice words and would let him know what I think! Ha ha.

I am now freaked out about my heated seats catching on fire; I have leather seats, so I'm hoping maybe those were the cloth ones! Even after all of this car drama I still love Jettas! Hopefully these issues will be reported and be resolved in the newer models! Good luck to all of the Jetta owners, and thanks for making this a helpful site; I feel so much better being able to relate to the same problems other people have experienced!!