2002 Volkswagen Golf
This year's complaint volume is within 30% of 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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 41 |
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 18 |
| 1999 | 64 |
| 2000 | 88 |
| 2001 | 116 |
| 2002 | 73 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 69 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 129 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2017 | 115 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
22% of complaints: air bags — 16 distinct reports on file.
INJURYShow complaint excerpts
PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED DESPITE VEHICLE BEING IN COLLISION OR IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS ON FREEWAY WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. DEALER CLAIMS SENSOR INDICATES IMPACT, BUT THERE WAS NO IMPACT. *JB
NHTSA ODI report, 20030409
11% of complaints: exterior lighting — 8 distinct reports on file.
INJURY8% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 6 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: electrical system — 6 distinct reports on file.
8% of complaints: air bags — 6 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
CAR WAS REAR-ENDED AT A STOP LIGHT. CAR CASCADED INTO THE CARS IN FRONT. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY ON DRIVERS SIDE. AIRBAGS (4) DEPLOYED ON PASSENGER SIDE ONLY. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER. SEEMS I COULD HAVE USED THE AIRBAG PROTECTION ON MY SIDE.
NHTSA ODI report, 20040329
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT BOLSTER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT PRECEDED THIS INCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS SIMPLY DEPLOYED BY THEMSELVES.
NHTSA ODI report, 20170623
SAFETY TIMELINE
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS CONTROL UNIT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 8, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE
Campaign 02V031000 — check if this car was fixed
TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE
INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCC
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 04V584000 — check if this car was fixed
ENGINE STALLING
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
Campaign 07E023000 — check if this car was fixed
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. VEHICLE
Campaign 07V063000 — check if this car was fixed
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 CONF
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.
Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (16 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for exterior lighting issues (8 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (6 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V031000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V584000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07E023000 (service brakes, hydraulic) has been completed.
- Verify recall 07V063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2002 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Volkswagen Golf is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is air bags:side/window, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Golf have?
7 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.