21st Apr 2010, 12:56

I just bought a 2002 1.8t Jetta; no problems yet, besides not being able to pass the emissions test. I hope that it's not a major problem, and just an O2 sensor. Keeping my fingers crossed.

28th Apr 2010, 20:28

I have owned a 2002 Jetta for almost five years now. All in all it's been a good car. I've put in 150,000 kms and no major problems so far. Driving it is really fun and basically the main maintenance issues I've had are:

- The radio that just dies all of a sudden. I discovered that taking out the proper fuse (fuse no. 37) and putting it back in solves the problem. No battery problems related to this. It starts without problems every time.

- Another problem is the check engine light. The first time it came on I took it to the dealer and they said the problem was a sensor in the cat. converter. Since it was within warranty they replaced it, but a few months later the light came on again. This time I had to pay. It came on again, but since it is just a sensor I figured why bother, the light is just on all the time. The engine is running very nicely and it has no problems passing the environment emission tests.

- Another problem was a "thump sound" on one of the front wheels. After a lot of guessing they finally told me at the dealer that the problem was the tire. They explained that due to the characteristics of the car the back tires develop a little thump if they don't have the proper pressure. Replaced the tire and problem solved. They recommended keeping the tires as follows: front tires at 30 lbs, and rear tires at 28 lbs. No more problems in this department so far.

10th May 2010, 18:49

Wish I looked for this sight before getting the 2002 Jetta GL that is already giving me headaches. Just got it last week and the issues are beginning already. Seems there is more comments than advice here, so I'll keep it to the radio issue. I've read all the posts and the slightly different stories. I've tried the fuse 42 scenario to no avail.

Here is the situation: the radio's sound goes out when I go over bumps - but not every bump. and it also doesn't always go back on right away. It is very intermittent. Was out all day yesterday, but was on this afternoon. A friend told me it sounds like a maybe something isn't properly grounded or there is a short or something.

Has anybody else had this particular kind of radio problem? If so, any ideas?

Thanks for a great forum. If I can keep the radio on, I won't hear the squeaking in the front of the car when I go slow ;-)

13th May 2010, 23:39

I have a 2002 Jetta 1.8T. Yesterday the radio went dead suddenly. I'll try the fuse#42 trick and hope it works.

Today, the battery is dead. I tried my booster which in the past had performed well. This time, however, with the booster on, when I turn the ignition key to ACC, the panel lights would come on, the yellow light with a "key" keeps blinking and will not turn off. When I turn the ignition to crank the engine, the latter starts running but just for a couple of seconds and the engine just dies. I checked the manual which states the "blinking" yellow light as an" electronic immobiliser" which is deactivated by the "chip" of the ignition key. In other words the chip in my ignition key is not functioning. I tried with the valet key with the same result. A friend has suggested that I disconnect the battery, wait for a couple of minutes, then reconnect. This might "reset" the electronic problem. I am concerned that disconnecting the battery might deprogram the radio. Any suggestion as what I should do?

14th May 2010, 22:34

So let me get this straight, your can't drive your car due to an engine immobilizer, and your friend recommended that you disconnect the battery to reset the computer, yet you're afraid of losing your radio presets? My advice, LISTEN TO YOUR FRIEND.

24th May 2010, 07:53

So far 2002 1.8T... All of these problems were from 50k-70k miles on the car.

I had clicking sounds from the turn signal going on and off, which took me 3 trips to dealer for them to figure out it was the turn signal stalk, which is located at the bottom of the steering wheel, to be replaced.

Windows kept falling, and had to have the clamps replaced.

Transmission wouldn't come out of first gear unless revved to the redline, then it would shift to second. Took the car to the dealer about 6 times, they actually made it worse, they told me it was the transmission control box for $1200. I asked them are they sure this would fix it, they said no. I asked them would I have to pay for it still if it didn't fix it, they yes, I would have to pay for it still if it didn't work, and then they told me I needed a new transmission. I took my car away from the monkeys, never to bring it back again. I brought it to another mechanic who said it was a dirty solenoid valve that cost $20 to replace, and that fixed the car.

My ASR/ABI brake light comes on and off.

My armrest broke.

My glovebox handle broke, even though I took extreme care to be gentle with it, because I saw that it was liable to break. And it still broke.

My tail lights go out constantly because of lack of sealant.

Radio had to be replaced; I was fed up with that. Also the cig lighter went out a lot; had to replace the fuse a lot on it.

This car is horrible.

24th May 2010, 21:20

I bought my 2002 Jetta 1.8 Turbo brand new in the spring of 2002 and have experienced problems that are consistent with pretty much every post here... the ignition coils were first, the seat warmer second, window falling in the door third, peeling handles, broken clasp on the arm rest, super dumb placement of cupholders (yes, I'd like to change the CD, wait never mind I have two drinks in the holder, I guess I'll listen to the radio) you get the point. Now I love my little Jetta for the handling and driving; it's a good, solid car unless one of these stupid, annoying little things happens.

Today I've had the car 8 years and have just over 73,000 miles on it. That's pretty impressive if you ask me. Luckily 90% of my problems have been covered by the warranty or were a result of a recall. Except today. The radio mysteriously stopped working. All the lights are on, but no one is home. No sound, no volume and the only button that works is the power on or off. I was so happy to come across the fuse 42 fix, but it didn't work in my case. I may try fuse 37 as suggested by another poster.

I'm just so mad; this car has been a headache for the most random things since I bought it and picked it up with 4, yes, 4 miles on it. If the VW dealerships, over the course of my ownership, my car has been to 4 different dealers. Anyway, if they could be more unfriendly and straight up insulting, it'd take me by surprise. But what do I know, I'm a young girl. Unfortunately for them, I'm also not stupid.