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2002 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and reliability
· 4th generationOne of the weaker Golf years.
81 owner complaints, most about air bags. 7 recalls.
Should I buy a 2002 Golf?The 2002 Volkswagen Golf has 81 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 7 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are air bags and engine and engine cooling. Owners most often flag electrical system failures (multiple warning lights, ccm failure, window regulators).
Safety record for the 2002 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2002 Volkswagen Golf vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Golf years only. How we score it
Is 2002 a good year for the Golf?
Across the 27 Golf model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2008) to 317 (2015). With 81 complaints, the 2002 Golf sits above the model's median of 44.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2002 Golf
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 14E007000The 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 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, 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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Campaign 07V063000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Show 3 more recalls
exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch
Campaign 04V584000ON 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 OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.
service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder
Campaign 07E023000CERTAIN 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 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
Campaign 02V031000ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, SHORT CIRCUITS CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL UNIT OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS).
What owners report on the 4th generation Golf
Owners express strong affection for the 4th generation Golf, calling it a future classic and praising its timeless, clean design.
- Very frequentElectrical system failures (multiple warning lights, CCM failure, window regulators)
- RecurrentWindow regulators failing (windows go down and won't come back up)
- RecurrentCentral Control Module (CCM) failure (car becomes completely inoperable)
- IsolatedOil consumption (about 1 quart every 2,000 miles on some examples)
- IsolatedSteering creaking when turning right
Owner insights for the 4th generation Golf. Read the full 4th generation owner report.
Other Golf model years
Compare every Golf year side by side to see how 2002 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Golf against its rivals
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