Most common 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio problems
Share of the 23 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Cabrio complaints by model year
Best Cabrio years: 1996, 1997, 1995. Years to avoid: 2001, 1999. Compare all years →
What 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio owners say
Electrical system
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. On August 29, 2017, the vehicle was taken to the dealer (david maus Volkswagen, 1050 lee rd, orlando, fl 32810) for routine maintenance. The contact returned on September 13, 2017 to retrieve the vehicle and noticed that the air conditioner was no longer working. The contact informed the technician that the air conditioner was not working like it was before the routine maintenance was performed. The vehicle was left at the dealer for another day to find out what was causing the failure. The following day, the dealer diagnosed that there was a blockage that caused the failure and would cost approximately $400 to repair. The contact stated that the staff became very aggressive. The contact requested to have a second opinion from an independent mechanic, for which a letter had to be written and approved by the service director. …
While driving this vehicle it just stopped would not start. Went to lift the hood it was hot and it seems to have had a fire. At a vw dealer for over 2 wks and they still can't figure it out. So far they said it appears engine harness fire had started at the starter and this part is discontinued there is a repair kit. Vw claims a lot of items must be replaced and that is not going to guarantee it will solve the problem. You would think you send it to a dealer and they could fix it but I guess not because they called me to tell me all they did so far has not solved the problem. I purchased this car for my daughter in March 2014 with 50,000. Miles. I know this is my first and last vw I will own.
Air bags
Airbag system in vw Cabrio failed (failure warning light came on) just after vehicle had passed warranty period. Volkswagen of America (elizabeth gwynn at corporate headquarters in rochester hills mi) stated through two subordinates that airbag systems are not warranted beyond any other items even though these systems are allegedly designed to last the life of the car. The statement (from mr. Eric nevins) was that safety items are not worth any special or extended coverage and that safety is not the manufacturer's responsibility beyond a basic warranty. We have had our dealer do the needed repairs on this major safety item. This is not a dealer issue. The manufacturer (per gwynn and subordinates) has specifically stated that it takes no further responsibility for vehicle safety even a single mile after the basic warranty, which covers non-critical parts.
Driver's airbag did not deploy with an impact of 30-35 miles per hour and $6,000 damage to the front end. It was a rear-end collision. The passenger airbag deployed. We are concerned that the driver's side did not.
Lights
Purchsed vehicle new.. Have returned it various times for engine light - first time was six months after it was purchased. So far I have had the engine sensor gauge replaced twice, a gas sensor replaced once, the o2 sensor replaced twice. I too have had to take my car in three times for the rear lights malfunctioning - the last time the repair technician 'missed' a wiring issue; the vinyl near the power window controls is peeling off for the second time (first time vw replaced at no cost after I complained to vw American); with just 45000 miles on the vehicle I have replaced the brakes (at my expense at 22000 miles) and have replaced the tires. In the three years since I purchased my car it has been in the shop at least a dozen times not counting the 5000 mile oil changes. All work has been documented so that I can prove that the vehicle has been properly maintained.
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio experiencing recall symptoms. Consumer states that her turn signal and hazard flashers have stopped functioning. She stated that it was intermittent at first. She would like to know if her vehicle falls under the recall. Recall # 04V584000.
2002 Volkswagen Cabrio engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 20 / 27 / 23 |
EPA ratings. Class: Subcompact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio a good car?
Based on 23 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Cabrio rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Cabrio at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio?
The electrical system — 9 complaints, 39% of all complaints for this model year, most often about wiring. Next are the air bags (4) and lights (4).
How many recalls does the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio have?
NHTSA lists no recalls for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. You can still confirm with your VIN using our VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Cabrio?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 1996, 1997 and 1995. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2001 and 1999. See the full Volkswagen Cabrio years comparison.
At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 54,000 miles; 33% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.