MYRModel Year Report

2002 Volkswagen Beetle

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Volkswagen Beetle
RENDERED 2026-11-01T14:47:24.756Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
165
Recalls
8

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

26% of complaints

Complaints per year

1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 2000: 263 complaints 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 165 complaints 2002 165 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2014: 50 complaints 2014 2015: 83 complaints 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints
1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 2000: 263 complaints 2000 2001: 203 complaints 2002: 165 complaints 2002 165 2003: 314 complaints 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2013: 93 complaints 2013 2014: 50 complaints 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 14 complaints 2019
1998: 171 complaints 1998 1999: 174 complaints 1999 2000: 263 complaints 2000 2001: 203 complaints 2001 2002: 165 complaints 2002 165 2003: 314 complaints 2003 2004: 349 complaints 2004 2005: 261 complaints 2005 2006: 124 complaints 2006 2007: 56 complaints 2007 2008: 60 complaints 2008 2009: 33 complaints 2009 2010: 30 complaints 2010 2012: 65 complaints 2012 2013: 93 complaints 2013 2014: 50 complaints 2014 2015: 83 complaints 2015 2016: 47 complaints 2016 2017: 15 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2018 2019: 14 complaints 2019

2002: 165 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
1998171
1999174
2000263
2001203
2002165
2003314
2004349
2005261
2006124
200756
200860
200933
201030
201265
201393
201450
201583
201647
201715
201817
201914

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Air bags

26% · 43 reports

Most commonly citing sensor/control module and side/window.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Vehicle was in motion (About 25 MPH) when a front end collision occurred which resulted in the passenger side airbag activating only. The driver side steering wheel airbag did not activate. Driver's face hit the steering wheel.

NHTSA ODI report, 2018-05-04

Also filed under Structure

The driver's side air bags did not deploy as they should have in a head on car accident. Someone hit my car in the right rear end and I lost control of the car and it careened head first into a tree.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-03-29

I was sitting in standstill traffic, by myself, was hit from behind at full freeway speed, forced into the car in front of me, resulting in a domino effect and a 6 car pile up.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-29

Electrical system

24% · 40 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and fuses and circuit breakers.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving on the highway with my daughter and girlfriend when suddenly the car caught an electrical fire out of nowhere.

NHTSA ODI report, 2021-04-03

Unknown

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-10-01

Also filed under Engine

Power train

14% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and clutch assembly.

Engine and engine cooling

13% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing engine and gasoline.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving at 65 MPH attempted to accelerate when the vehicle "Coughed or sputtered" And the engine quit. I turned the key to off position and back on and the engine restarted.

NHTSA ODI report, 2004-04-26

Exterior lighting

9% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing switch and flasher unit.

Safety timeline

8 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 165 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. I
    2003-04-08Engineering analysisClosed 2003-08-20 Brake light switch
  3. I
    2006-02-28Recall queryClosed 2006-08-07 Brake light switch failure
  4. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber…

    Remedy: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006. Owners may contact pro-a motors at 323-838-2988.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2006-07-01Exterior lighting06E049000 Certain ck motorsports combination headlights, clear corner, bumper, and side marker lights sold as replacement lamps for use on the passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are…

    Remedy: Ck motorsport will notify owners and replace the noncompliant lamps free of charge. The recall began on July 1, 2006. Owners may contact ck motorsport at 1-909-610-7211.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2006-08-01Exterior lighting06E060000 Certain aai motorsports combination lamps sold as replacement lamps for use on the above list passenger vehicles. Combination lamps not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform with the…

    Remedy: Aai motorsports will notify owners and replace the lamps free of charge. The recall began on August 1, 2006. Owners may contact aai motorsports at 909-923-9188.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2006-11-27Exterior lighting06V183000 On certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during…

    Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on November 27, 2006. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2007-04-27Exterior lighting07V063000 On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

    Remedy: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through September 21, 2007.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2008-12-17Exterior lighting08E050000 K2 motor is recalling 1,921 aftermarket headlamps of various models sold for use on the above listed vehicles. These headlamps are missing the amber side reflex reflector which fails to conform…

    Remedy: K2 motor will notify owners and offer a full refund. The recall began on decemeber 17, 2008. Owners may contact K2 motor at 1-909-839-2992.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. R
    2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 Sabersport is recalling 16,270 combination corner and bumper lamp assemblies of various part numbers sold for use as aftermarket equipment for various passenger vehicles. These headlamps fail to…

    Remedy: Sabersport will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on May 11, 2009. Owners may contact sabersport at 1-909-598-7589.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  11. R
    2014-05-01Engine and engine cooling14E007000 The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013...

    Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Volkswagen Beetle — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 43 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 40 reports on file for this year.
  • Power train: 23 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E049000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06E060000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 06V183000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V063000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 08E050000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 14E007000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle?
The most-reported component is air bags, accounting for 26% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle have?
8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-11-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.