20th Oct 2009, 20:57

Had most problems that everyone else has. Windows, catalytic converter, rear door locks don't lock automatically, you have to push them with your finger to lock them. This is fine with me since dealer said it would cost 250 per door to fix.

I have 190,000 miles on my 02 Jetta. Recently had the issue with the battery dying. Checked all fuses and alternator, nothing. Something is still drawing a ton of energy off that battery. My radio died and I bought an aftermarket three years ago. I do have the original monsoon amp. From reading this I think the battery drain has something to do with the radio. Any suggestions on a fix other than disconnecting radio and amp?

Thanks! Heather.

7th Dec 2009, 15:23

2002 Jetta 1.8 CEL kept coming on. Took it to dealer with 89,000+ miles and they replaced the catalytic converter under warranty. Holding my breath to see if the CEL stays off. Had previously replaced the brake switch under a recall and had no more problems.

21st Dec 2009, 12:18

Well 8 years and 131,000 miles later, I finally have had enough. I had really hoped to run it for at least another 2 years, but the ignition coil, wires, and thermostat went. Picked up my new car on Saturday. Thank you to everyone for all their helpful hints over the past few years! Good luck!

22nd Dec 2009, 01:43

I have an 02 Jetta GLS 1.8T. Just had it at the dealer for recalls: brake light switch, heated seat harness on drivers side and heater switch for passenger side. The Louisville KY dealer also told me about recall for ignition coils. I now have two new concerns:

1. Now my passenger side seat will not heat. After contacting the Service writer I found a TSB speaking directly about the problem happening after switch replacement. When I asked the Service Writer if the technician tested the switch after replacement, she became quiet. They should have tested the switch before and after replacement to verify it worked before and after the repair was made. Test and Retest is always the best way!

2. Even though I had already replaced the ignition coils and told the dealer the same, they still want to replace them! As I stated to the dealer: "I replaced them a month ago and you still want to replace them?" The dealer is only out to line their own pocket and is trying to take advantage of the factory. This only drives up the cost to buy vehicles and benefits no one but the dealer.

Let's see how this gets resolved.

1st Jan 2010, 16:36

Wow the VW radio and window problems. I have a 2000 Beetle TDI. So far the passenger window switch has been replaced 3 times and is currently broke, but the drivers side will work it, so no more repairs. The door latches and auto door locks have been replaced 2 times.

Last month I took it in for service, they put a new battery, as it was dead..?? Wasn't dead when I brought it in..? Now the radio is stuck on "FM1 88.3 man" nothing else works on the sound system, it powers on to that digital readout, nothing else.

I went out today to go somewhere and the new battery (5 weeks old) is dead... What???

13th Jan 2010, 19:37

This is an awesome forum! Thank you to all of the advices and comments, especially on fixing the dead radio with replacing fuse #42 and waiting about 10 seconds, however it wasn't successful for me, though there was hope :) I have a 2001 Jetta VR, so I am assuming this forum applies to mine as well.

To the person asking about where to find the radio code. I know you had last posted something about 3-4 months ago.. Look in your manual, Booklet 3.4 "Sound Systems Monsoon/Premium". The code should be attached behind like as on a flap of the cover of the booklet as you mentioned you bought it new.

As far as reinserting the fuse with or without ignition on, yikes??? I am currently without a radio :( I am planning on taking it to the dealer this Friday. Please let me know what else I can do to be successful with the "dead radio."

Oh yeah, the booklet of 3.4 stated "The Radio Card" must be detached and be kept in a safe place - under no circumstances in the vehicle. Should the "Radio Card" with the code be lost, please contact a Volkswagen dealer. They will be able to help you free of charge." Please keep this in mind as I called the dealer last week, and they wanted to charge me like $90 to take the radio out to look for the serial number to be able to get the code. Luckily, I waited to look in the manual, and there it was!

24th Jan 2010, 12:45

I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T; it has 171k miles on it. As I write that I suppose I should just count my blessings & move on since others have had way more problems than I've had to date.

Anywho, reason for my post is this. In December, the Jetta has become temperamental in going to reverse; about three times since, the LCD display says that the tranny is in Neutral so the car won't move. Has anyone had a similar scenario where the LCD is stick in Neutral, even though the gearshift is still physically in Park?

I've taken it to the VW dealership; they told me that there was nothing wrong with my transmission. Of course, I had to pay about $100 for them to run the diagnostics. I really don't want to sink more $$ into a car, which, at least according to the posts, have an inherent transmission problem.

Any leads re: how to resolve the "being stuck in neutral" would be great. BTW, when this happens, it also kills the battery, so most of the time, my battery is dead.

12th Apr 2010, 12:24

Bought the 2002 1.8 Turbo in 2001. I love how it drives, but hate the maintenance problems.

I have had too many problems to list, but pretty much everything except windows and springs.

The car is currently playing electrical roulette. I am never sure what is going to malfunction when I turn the key.

Wipers go slow for no reason.

Dome light is a mystery when it will go on or stay on etc.

Door open warning about half the time while driving.

Trunk latch might or might not work on any given day.

Power locks may or may not work.

Car alarm goes off unexpectedly when starting the car.

Brake lights... good luck.

Yesterday both signal lights came on and froze (not the hazard lights); they didn't blink, just stayed on all the time.

What a lovely piece of garbage this vehicle is.

My dealer has ripped me off repeatedly for unnecessary repairs.

Never again VW. You handle nice, but it isn't worth the pain.