Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Was currently deployed in support of operation iraqi freedom for more than a year, my car was at my parents, being driven once or twice a week to keep engine in good shape. Some of these things have been since returning in April 2004, others happened prior to leaving in February 2003. It's a 2002 Jetta gls. I shouldn't be having these type of problems this soon. 1. Oil plug on oil pan is almost stripped from getting oil changes (advised by 3 different garages). Currently attempting to get a new plug, an oversized one per 2 garages. 2. Patches of paint seem to be almost chipping away (on several spots all over the car). Took it to the dealer & they said it was due to bird poop. My car stays in a garage & gets washed bi-weekly. 3. The coating on both inside door handles is peeling. 4. The window mechanism needed fixed. Dealer fixed. 5. Recall about brake light fixed by dealer.
I had both the passenger side window and the driver side window fall into the door frame within a matter of months. Both times the windows were fixed, however, they were reluctant to fix the problem as if it had been my fault. I have a small child and I don't think he appreciates asphyxiation from so much wind in his face on the long drives to the dealer to be replaced. This is just one of the problems on this car, the clutch gets stuck (repaired twice), the sunroof trim broke off and needed to be replaced, the engine makes a rattling noise when shifting (fixed twice), stereo system swallowed my cd (twice before new system installed), and air conditioning releases an awful moldy smell when turned on which dealer refuses to attempt to fix. Bought car in valencia Volkswagen in valencia, ca. Solution simple, traded in my 1yr old car for a better car, one that works!
I was driving to work when my 2002 voklswagen Jetta hit a bump in the road/pothole and the passenger airbag went off. I got out to inspect if I hit anything since I wasn't sure because of the airbag going off. I got out of the car and there was nothing in the road besides a pothole that everyone else hit as well on the off ramp. There was not a scratch of damage or any impact at all. I just bought this car a little over 2 months ago and it was already back to the dealer for a broken power window and twice for the transmission. I am fed up with this car. There is only 25,000 miles on the car and an airbag should not go off for a pothole. I went to a different vw dealer and they said it's not a warranty issue and it would cost $800 - $1,000 to fix. This is ridiculous that I will have to pay for something like this for normal use of the car.
2 times I had to replace a faulty 02 sensor 1st time engine temp sensor. Rear left light burned out 3-4 times within 80 000km. Said it's easier to replace then find the problem at dealership. Have done oil consumption tests 1 litre of oil per 3161km. Saying that this normal. This dealership have recommended flushing the engine. Changing the grade of oil. Do not drive in rush hour traffic. Most of the consumption occurs on the highway and not in traffic. Change the oil instead of 8000 km at 5000km??? This is what Volkswagen has recommended. The most interesting part was watching the mechanic when it consumed the most amount between oil consumption test. He started looking for leaks again & added oil. Rattling in driver side door and window fell into door passenger side. Fixed window and rattling still seems to be noticable.
Windows fall off of track in door. Glass falls completely inside the door. This happened while I was driving and is a major safety hazard. I was entering a 6 lane highway when this happened. It was my driver side front door. My husband has had this happen on his Jetta as well. We don't recommend Jetta's or vw for that matter for anything. We haven't even owned our cars for a year and we purchased them on the same day. They have been in the shop for repairs between the both of them 6 times! 3 each car! This is ridiculous for new cars and the windows are not safe if you ask me. According to vw technicians, it is a known issue, but won't be replaced until they break. These windows falling inside the door like they do is a hazard. If you are driving in the rain or even a nice day, it is distracting and not safe.
This car has had too many serious problems to be limited to this small space. It is clearly a lemon. These problems substantially impair the use and value of the vehicle. The car received a new transmission yesterday after we had reported 3 previous times that there it remained in reverse after shifting into drive. Each time we were told it was unreproduceable and the complaint was never noted on the work orders. Finally, the dealership did relent and replace the transmission. We encountered the same type of treatment with the engine burning oil, and it wasn't until the engine ran completely out of oil, that the dealer would address the problem. The first time we had complained about the oil was 2 months after we had bought the car!!!
I had driven the car approximately 30 miles when, while at a stop light the sunroof exploded outward. The pane remained in one piece, but was shattered and small shards of glass fell down on me. The temp outside was 36 degrees, no vehicle passed by, there was no point of impact, no severe temperature change, no chip or crack in the glass prior to the incident. The vehicle is kept in a garage and there was no precipitation (snow or rain) on that day. Vw claims no fault of theirs, but admits to a recall on a trough that leads from the sunroof down through the doors that's known to clog with debris. Vw will not repair at their cost.
My driver's side window suddenly stopped working. I took it to a repair shop and the mechanic said that piece that holds the window in place was stretched and about to break. When I spoke with a friend who used to own a Jetta of the same year, make, and model as mine, he said that the same thing had happened to his vehicle. He said that there had been a recall on this part. When I checked the NHTSA's web site, however, I could not find this recall. The consumer had problems with the engine and the sterring column was defective. The engine light illuminated right after the vehicle was purchased. Updated 06/01/09.
Way to many to list here. I have had problems from the start. More than $7000 worth of repair (plus more that was covered by warr) the final item that caused me to say I would never consider another vw product was the engine damage caused by a timing belt failure. All services were performed at the dealership. The users manual states inspection of the belt at services (that I paid for) and replacement at 120,000 miles. I only had 92,000 miles. It will cost $5,000 to repair the engine. It is not cost effective to repair this car. It was a great car to drive but quality control is poor at best.
Seat heater malfunctioned, burned through the leather seat and burned me while I was driving. I safely pulled the car to the side of the road. The replacement components also malfunctioned, burning the leather seat and once again, burned me. Also, the sunroof has plastic guides that keep breaking, I have had these plastic components replaced three times since I purchased my car in 2002, and I don't use my sunroof that often, probably less than 30 times/year.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 44 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 6% of the model year's 704 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (33 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Volkswagen Jetta window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Volkswagen Jetta window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 48,000 miles, and 32% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to windows, wipers & sunroof problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.