MYRModel Year Report

2002 Volkswagen GTI

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Volkswagen GTI
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:43:25.978Z

This year had more than double the complaints 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
124
Recalls
2

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
2

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Electrical system

37% of complaints

Complaints per year

1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1990 1991: 1 complaint 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 18 complaints 1995 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 2000: 45 complaints 2001: 74 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2002 124 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2010: 53 complaints 2010 2011: 55 complaints 2012: 40 complaints 2013: 34 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2015 2016: 67 complaints 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2020: 8 complaints 2020 2021: 4 complaints 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1988 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 1994 1995: 18 complaints 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1997 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 2000: 45 complaints 2001: 74 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2002 124 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2006: 43 complaints 2006 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 53 complaints 2011: 55 complaints 2012: 40 complaints 2012 2013: 34 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2015 2016: 67 complaints 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 17 complaints 2018 2019: 179 complaints 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2021 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 29 complaints 2024 2025: 0 complaints
1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1987 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1989 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaint 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1993 1994: 0 complaints 1995: 18 complaints 1995 1996: 9 complaints 1997: 10 complaints 1997 1998: 10 complaints 1999: 8 complaints 1999 2000: 45 complaints 2001: 74 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2002 124 2003: 53 complaints 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2005 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2007 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 53 complaints 2011: 55 complaints 2011 2012: 40 complaints 2013: 34 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2015 2016: 67 complaints 2017: 52 complaints 2017 2018: 17 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2019 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2021 2022: 29 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2023 2024: 29 complaints 2025: 0 complaints 2025

2002: 124 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19852
19862
19872
19880
19890
19900
19911
19920
19930
19940
199518
19969
199710
199810
19998
200045
200174
2002124
200353
20047
20058
200643
200777
200867
2009167
201053
201155
201240
201334
201410
201597
201667
201752
201817
2019179
20208
20214
202229
20236
202429
20250

Known problem areas

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

Electrical system

37% · 46 reports

Most commonly citing ignition and front underhood.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving my company car (Golf GTI 1.8T - mi license vvd 493) along 86TH street in indianapolis, in on Saturday 25TH May 2002 with mr dario rossi (Sales manager of magneti marelli motorsports) sitting in the passenger seat; when crossing ditch...

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-05-31

Also filed under Air bags

Air bags

19% · 23 reports

Most commonly citing side/window and frontal.

INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I was driving my 2002.5 GTI down the road at about 40MPH when the passenger side curtain and seat air bags went off. The road was straight and smooth other than normal expansion joints.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-01

I was driving my 2002 vw GTI VR6 on a semi-rough section of the parks highway in Alaska at approx. 30-35 MPH when the passenger side airbags suddenly deployed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-06-20

The airbag warning indicator light in the instrument cluster illuminated and stayed on. The driver's seatbelt buckle part (1Y1858471G - "Fcn buckle") had failed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2014-06-25

Wheels

18% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing rim.

Power train

8% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing clutch assembly and manual transmission.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

The park/neutral switch malfunctioned , which caused the vehicle to start in gear without depressing the clutch. Which resulted in an accident. (Manual transmission) *jb the unit failure allowed the vehicle to start in neutral or any gear.…

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-17

Park/neutral switch failed on a manual transmission.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-03-14

Visibility

6% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

INJURY

Safety timeline

2 recalls · 2 investigations · oldest first

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

  1. ▮
    2002Complaint volume 124 complaints filed for this model year.
  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. 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 →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Volkswagen GTI — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Electrical system: 46 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 23 reports on file for this year.
  • Wheels: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 04V584000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 07V063000 · Exterior lighting
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Volkswagen GTI reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Volkswagen GTI is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volkswagen GTI?
The most-reported component is electrical system, accounting for 37% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen GTI have?
2 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.