Volkswagen Golf Complaints (2002)

74 consumer complaints on file.

#11759436August 25, 2026
TIRES:SIDEWALL
The tire sidewall blew out. We were driving at 65 mph on an interstate highway in an urban area and had to change the tire in the triangular space between the highway lanes and an exit - very dangerous. These were sold as 60,000 mile tires, and this tire had 20,200 miles on it. It was maintained at proper pressure. Conditions were clear, dry, summer weather in Albuquerque, NM. The problem has not yet been confirmed by the service center, but we will be taking the damaged tire there because it is still under warranty. Tire size: 195 / 65 R 15
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11667457June 17, 2025
STRUCTURE:BODY
Certain conditions cause the electrics door locks to not function. When this happens, it is not possible to exit the car from the inside as the door handles are not operative creating a trapped situation potentially leading to injury or death if the case of a fire.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#11000923June 23, 2017
AIR BAGS
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT BOLSTER AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THEIR OWN. THERE WAS NO IMPACT TO THE VEHICLE THAT PRECEDED THIS INCIDENT. THE AIRBAGS SIMPLY DEPLOYED BY THEMSELVES. THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH THIS GENERATION OF VOLKSWAGENS: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/VOLKSWAGEN/GOLF/2002/SEAT_BELTS_AIR_BAGS/AIR_BAGS-SIDE_WINDOW.SHTML
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10526396July 23, 2013
ENGINE
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF WITH A TDI ENGINE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE CONTACT HAD TO POP THE CLUTCH AND KILL THE IGNITION, BUT THE ENGINE CONTINUE TO OPERATE UNTIL THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL. THE CONTACTS MECHANIC INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE TURBO CHARGER SEALS WERE NOT LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 53,000. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10390105March 14, 2011
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START IN RAINY WEATHER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE IGNITION COIL WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT LOCATED A VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURERS RECALL FOR THE FAILURE BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE VOLUNTARY RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 150,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10348119August 9, 2010
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
ON SATURDAY AUG 7TH I WAS DRIVING MY 2002 VW GOLF ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. THE ROAD WAS SMOOTH WITH NO BUMPS OR POTHOLES, NOTHING HIT THE CAR, IT WAS TOTALLY SPONTANEOUS. LUCKILY THERE WERE NO PASSENGERS IN THE CAR. I HAVE CONTACTED MY LOCAL VW SERVICE SHOP AND WILL TAKE THE CAR IN SO THEY CAN IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE DEPLOYMENT. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10276939July 16, 2009
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED WHILE TRAVELING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. NO COLLISION, CONSEQUENCES RINGING IN EARS. VOLKSWAGEN MADE REPAIR AT NO COST TO ME $3212.00. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10269010May 18, 2009
SEAT BELTS
AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN TAKEN IN FOR FIX IT WAS FOUND TO BE A FAULTY SWITCH IN THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT BUCKLE. IT WAS JUST RECENTLY REPLACED AND SO FAR NO FURTHER PROBLEMS. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10267719May 4, 2009
VISIBILITY, STRUCTURE
WHILE DRIVING MY WIFE WAS DRIVING OUR 2002 VW GOLF THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW DROPPED. TURNS OUT ALL OVER THE INTERNET THERE ARE COMPLAINTS OF THE TABS HOLDING THE WINDOWS BREAKING. IN FACT WHEN I WAS AT THE DEALER I FELLOW OVERHEARD ME AND SAID HE HAD THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM ON HIS 2001 VW GTI. VW HAD A TSB AND EXTENDED THE WARRANTY BY A FEW YEARS ON THIS BUT IS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. A WINDOW DROPPING IS A HUGE SAFETY FACTOR FOR A NUMBER OF REASONS. THE WINDOW IS A PROTECTION DEVICE TO SHIELD YOU IN AN ACCIDENT OR FROM DEBRIS AT 65MPH AND FOR YOUR OWN PERSONAL SAFETY IF ON THE WRONG SIDE OF TOWN. I CALLED THE VW DEALER TO SEE IF THEY WOULD FIX THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID YES THEY WOULD FIX IT FOR FREE YET UPON ARRIVING I WAS TOLD I WAS ONE MONTH OUT OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE DROPPING OF THIS WINDOW CAUSED MY WIFE TO HAVE TO PULL OVER ON A BUSY EXPRESSWAY BECAUSE SHE COULD NOT SEE IN THE RAIN WITH IT BLOWING IN HER WINDOW. ONCE A GAIN A FAULTY WINDOW HOLDING MECHANISM IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL ITEM. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10256593January 28, 2009
AIR BAGS
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH ON THE FREEWAY, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES, BUT THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE SUDDEN EXPLOSION. HE STATED THAT THE DEPLOYMENT OCCURRED WHILE HE WAS USING HIS CELLULAR PHONE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10254650January 11, 2009
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
THERE WAS A BRAKE SWITCH SHORT THAT CAUSED THE CAR TO BE STUCK IN PARK. SO IT HAD TO BE DRAGGED OUT AND WAS SENT TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245390October 14, 2008
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR RECENTLY FAILED ON MY 2002 VW GOLF. THIS PART SECURES THE WINDOW TO THE POWER WINDOW MECHANISM, AND KEEPS THE WINDOW UP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE I WAS LEAVING A TOLL BOOTH. I PRESSED THE BUTTON TO RAISE THE WINDOW, HEARD A CRACK, AND THEN THE ENTIRE WINDOW VIOLENTLY CRASHED DOWN INTO THE INTERIOR OF THE DOOR, AND ATTEMPTS TO RAISE THE WINDOW FAILED. I WAS LUCKY THAT I WAS ONLY DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH AT THE TIME, BUT UNFORTUNATELY I HAD TO DRIVE HOME FIVE HOURS WITH THE WINDOWS DOWN. IT WAS A VERY UNPLEASANT EXPERIENCE. WHEN I RETURNED HOME, UPON BRINGING THE CAR IN TO THE DEALERSHIP, I LEARNED THAT IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR THAT HAD FAILED. I ALSO LEARNED THAT THIS PART HAS FAILED NUMEROUS TIMES ON GOLFS OF THIS MODEL YEAR (AND OTHER YEARS), AND THAT AN EXTENDED WARRANTY OF 7 YEARS WAS PLACED ON THE PART. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THAT A RECALL SHOULD HAVE BEEN PLACED ON THIS PART INSTEAD OF SIMPLY A WARRANTY EXTENSION. I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS ANECDOTES OF PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM. THE WINDOW CRASHES VIOLENTLY, AND HAD I BEEN DRIVING FAST OR IN TRAFFIC, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT VERY EASILY. WHAT'S MORE, ONE CANNOT PROTECT THE CAR FROM THEFT OR WATER DAMAGE WHEN THE WINDOW WON'T CLOSE. ACCORDING TO VW, A STURDIER REPLACEMENT PART WAS DESIGNED AROUND 2002, AND MY CAR IS NOW BEING FIXED WITH THIS PART. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10245127October 11, 2008
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
HIGHWAY ON RAMP ENGINE REVVED UNCONTROLLABLY UNTIL FAILURE NEW ENGINE NEEDED. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10242788September 18, 2008
SEAT BELTS, AIR BAGS
AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON IN VEHICLE BECAUSE OF A POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT CLASP, WHICH WAS ALREADY REPLACED ONCE WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY, ABOUT 2YRS AND 30K MILES AGO. THE LOCKING MECHANISM OF THE SEAT BELT CLASP ITSELF STILL WORKS, HOWEVER, WHILE THE AIR BAG LIGHT IS ON BECAUSE OF THE FAILED ELECTRICAL CONNECTION IN THE CLASP, AIR BAGS WILL NOT DEPLOY, WHICH RISKS MY AND MY PASSENGERS' LIFE AND SAFETY. TO REPLACE THE PART, I INCURRED A $75 DIAGNOSTIC FEE FROM A LOCAL MECHANIC AND PURCHASED A NEW PART FOR $161, WHICH I WILL INSTALL MYSELF TO SAVE ANOTHER $75 INSTALLATION FEE. TOTAL ECONOMIC LOSS TO ME WAS $236, BUT COULD HAVE BEEN $311 IF I DIDN'T HAVE THE TOOLS AND TIME TO DO IT MYSELF. THE OLD SEAT BELT CLASP WILL BE AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10229406May 31, 2008
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
MY 2002 VW GOLF HAS A DEFECT IN THE IMMOBILIZER THAT DEALERS CAN NOT DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR. ONCE THE KEY IS TURNED OFF, THE CAR SOMETIMES WILL NOT RESTART. IT HAS BEEN TOWED TO THE DEALER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS - BUT AFTER A VARIABLE TIME INTERVAL THE CAR STARTS AGAIN. SINCE IT STARTS - THREE DEALERS HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE WHY IT FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THE KEY. I AM FURIOUS THAT THE IMMOBILIZER CIRCUIT CAN NOT BE REPAIRED OR INACTIVATED. I LIVE IN THE COUNTRY AND AM AFRAID TO TURN THE CAR OFF IN A REMOTE LOCATION FOR FEAR IT WILL NOT RESTART - AND LEAVE ME STRANDED 20 MILES FROM NOWHERE. IT COULD STRAND MY WIFE AND INVALID DAUGHTER. THE CAR COULD NOT BE MOVED IN AN EMERGENCY, LIKE CLEARING THE WAY FOR EMERGENCY VEHICLES, OR GETTING OFF THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IF I PULL OVER AND STOP. VOLKSWAGEN IS UNRESPONSIVE TO THE PROBLEM - I HAVE SPOKEN TO USA HEADQUARTERS WHO HAS NOT RESPONDED. THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO TAKE ON THE ROAD BECAUSE IT CAN UNPREDICTABLY FAIL TO DRIVE. THIS HAS HAPPENED 8 TIMES IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS, AND HAS BEEN TO SERVICE DEPARTMENT 3 TIMES WITH NO CURE. *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10205139October 6, 2007
VISIBILITY:GLASS, SIDE/REAR
I HAVE A 2002 GOLF TDI WITH MANUAL WINDOWS. THE WINDOW REGULATOR CLIPS BROKE AND THE WINDOW DROPPED INTO THE DOOR. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH VW'S THAT A SERVICE BULLETIN, (0603), IS OUT ON, BUT ONLY FOR POWER WINDOWS. THE PART THAT OS DEFECTIVE IS COMMON TO BOTH TYPES BUT SINCE MY WINDOWS ARE MANUAL I HAVE TO PAY $191.00 FOR THE PART. IF VW IS REPLACING ONE TYPE FREE OF CHARGE THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING BOTH. THE PART IS DEFECTIVE - MANUAL OR POWER WINDOWS... *TR
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10201525August 29, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, SUSPENSION:FRONT:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
2002 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS. THE MOST RECENT PROBLEM IS THAT THE COIL SPRING BROKE WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE STRUT. NOW THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY TO GET THE VEHICLE FIXED. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEMS STARTED AFTER THE WARRANTY ENDED. THE BATTERY DIED. 5 DAYS LATER, THE MIL APPEARED AND THE VEHICLE WAS MISFIRING. IN MARCH OF 2007 THE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAULTY COIL. IN APRIL OF 2007 THE BATTERY LIGHT ILLUMINATED DUE TO A FAILED ALTERNATOR. *JB THE RIGHT HEADLIGHT WAS INOPERATIVE, THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED. UPDATED 12/12/07
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10200297August 16, 2007
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
2002 VW GOLF WITH CRUISE CONTROL PROBLEM CUSTOMER STATES THAT THE CAR ACCELERATED INTO FIFTH GEAR WHEN SHE TOOK HER FOOT OFF THE BRAKE**CC THE CONSUMER DETERMINED THAT STEPPING ON THE BRAKE DID NOT DISENGAGE THE CRUISE CONTROL. THE CONSUMER STATED THE FOLLOWING DAY, WHEN HE BACKED HIS VEHICLE UP TO THE GARAGE DOOR, HE NOTICED THE BRAKE LIGHT/ STOP LIGHT DID NOT ILLUMINATED WHEN HE STEPPED ON THE BRAKE. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE FAILURE WAS THE ROOT CAUSE FOR THE CRUISE CONTROL'S FAILURE TO DISENGAGE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE REPLACEMENT BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH THAT HAD BEEN INSTALLED PREVIOUSLY UNDER RECALL WAS DEFECTIVE. *JB
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10190977May 17, 2007
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY:PEDAL/HAND LEVER(MOTORCYCLE)
VEHICLE SLOWED DRAMATICALLY AT HIGHWAY SPEED DOWN TO 35 MPH, I HAD TO USE THE EMERGENCY BLINKERS TO GET TO THE SLOW LANE, A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION ON A CONGESTED HIGHWAY. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED, AND THE SAME FAILURE HAPPENED AGAIN WITH OEM PARTS ONLY 3 WEEKS LATER. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0
#10180639January 24, 2007
STRUCTURE, SEAT BELTS
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE CEILING ON THE FRONT DRIVERS SIDE AND THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE. ALSO, THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DID WORK ANYMORE. *AK
Crash:
No
Fire:
No
Injuries:
0
Deaths:
0

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