MYRModel Year Report

2002 Volkswagen Golf

● Typical for this model
2002 Volkswagen Golf
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:50:52.580Z

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.

How is this computed?

Complaints
74
Recalls
7

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Air bags

34% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1990 1991: 8 complaints 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2002 74 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2010: 70 complaints 2010 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2020 2021: 7 complaints 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1988: 9 complaints 1988 1989: 17 complaints 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1994: 43 complaints 1994 1995: 43 complaints 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2002 74 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2006: 12 complaints 2006 2007: 2 complaints 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2012: 48 complaints 2012 2013: 43 complaints 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2018: 29 complaints 2018 2019: 62 complaints 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints
1985: 10 complaints 1985 1986: 13 complaints 1987: 4 complaints 1987 1988: 9 complaints 1989: 17 complaints 1989 1990: 10 complaints 1991: 8 complaints 1991 1992: 6 complaints 1993: 7 complaints 1993 1994: 43 complaints 1995: 43 complaints 1995 1996: 3 complaints 1997: 7 complaints 1997 1998: 18 complaints 1999: 64 complaints 1999 2000: 88 complaints 2001: 116 complaints 2002: 74 complaints 2002 74 2003: 26 complaints 2004: 28 complaints 2005: 19 complaints 2005 2006: 12 complaints 2007: 2 complaints 2007 2008: 1 complaint 2009: 3 complaints 2009 2010: 70 complaints 2011: 110 complaints 2011 2012: 48 complaints 2013: 43 complaints 2013 2014: 12 complaints 2015: 131 complaints 2015 2016: 85 complaints 2017: 117 complaints 2017 2018: 29 complaints 2019: 62 complaints 2019 2020: 6 complaints 2021: 7 complaints 2021 2022: 81 complaints 2023: 11 complaints 2023

2002: 74 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
198510
198613
19874
19889
198917
199010
19918
19926
19937
199443
199543
19963
19977
199818
199964
200088
2001116
200274
200326
200428
200519
200612
20072
20081
20093
201070
2011110
201248
201343
201412
2015131
201685
2017117
201829
201962
20206
20217
202281
202311

Known problem areas

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

Air bags

34% · 25 reports

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

CRASHINJURY
Show 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, 2004-03-29

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-04-09

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, 2017-06-23

Electrical system

20% · 15 reports

Most commonly citing interior/under dash and ignition.

Show complaint excerpts

1) while driving, door ajar light suddenly came on for no reason. No doors were ajar. After parking, the factory installed alarm system came on several times for no apparent reason.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-03-05

Also filed under Steering

Engine and engine cooling

18% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing engine and manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe.

Exterior lighting

16% · 12 reports

Most commonly citing switch and flasher unit.

INJURY

Visibility

9% · 7 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield wiper/washer.

Safety timeline

7 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. R
    2002-03-08Service brakes, hydraulic02V031000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  2. I
    2004-10-19Preliminary evaluationClosed 2004-12-16 Turn signal/hazard flasher failure
  3. I
    2004-12-16Preliminary evaluationClosed 2005-04-01 Inadvertent side-airbag deployment
  4. R
    2005-03-31Exterior lighting04V584000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2005-08-11Defect petitionClosed 2005-12-08 Engine stalling
  6. R
    2007-04-02Service brakes, hydraulic07E023000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. 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 →

  8. 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 →

  9. R
    2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  10. 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 Golf — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Air bags: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Electrical system: 15 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 13 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V031000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 04V584000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07E023000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 07V063000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 09E025000 · 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 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, accounting for 34% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Golf have?
7 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.