MYRModel Year Report

2002 Volkswagen GTI

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2002 Volkswagen GTI
RENDERED 2026-09-16T23:39:15.718Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Volkswagen GTI Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1985: 2 complaints 1985 1986: 2 complaints 1987: 2 complaints 1988: 0 complaints 1989: 0 complaints 1990: 0 complaints 1991: 1 complaints 1991 1992: 0 complaints 1993: 0 complaints 1994: 0 complaints 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 2003: 53 complaints 2003 2004: 7 complaints 2005: 8 complaints 2006: 43 complaints 2007: 77 complaints 2008: 67 complaints 2009: 167 complaints 2009 2010: 53 complaints 2011: 55 complaints 2012: 40 complaints 2013: 34 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2015: 97 complaints 2015 2016: 66 complaints 2017: 52 complaints 2018: 16 complaints 2019: 179 complaints 2020: 8 complaints 2021: 4 complaints 2021 2022: 28 complaints 2023: 6 complaints 2024: 28 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
201666
201752
201816
2019179
20208
20214
202228
20236
202428
20250

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 37%

37% of complaints: electrical system — 46 distinct reports on file, 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, 20020531

Also filed under AIR BAGS

AIR BAGS 19%

19% of complaints: air bags — 23 distinct reports on file, 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, 20120501

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, 20030620

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, 20140625

WHEELS 18%

18% of complaints: wheels — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing rim.

POWER TRAIN 8%

8% of complaints: power train — 10 distinct reports on file, 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. SCC

NHTSA ODI report, 20030317

PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH FAILED ON A MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030314

VISIBILITY 6%

6% of complaints: visibility — 8 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing power window devices and controls and windshield.

INJURY

SAFETY TIMELINE

▮ 2002 — complaint volume: 124
I 20041019 — PE (closed 20041216)

TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE

I 20041216 — PE (closed 20050401)

INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT

R 20050331 — exterior lighting

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

R 20070427 — exterior lighting

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

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Volkswagen GTI — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for electrical system issues (46 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for air bags issues (23 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for wheels issues (22 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 04V584000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07V063000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2013 ▲ 2012 ▲ 2006

WORST YEARS

■ 2019 ■ 2009 ◆ 2015

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.