2002 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical System Problems
Owners have filed 148 complaints with NHTSA about electrical system problems on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 21% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 34,000 miles. The words owners use most often: “ignition coil” (25% of reports).
- 148electrical system complaints
- 34,000median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 0related recalls
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Ignition coil: mentioned in 37 of 148 complaints (25%)
- Coils failed: mentioned in 10 of 148 complaints (7%)
At what mileage do electrical system problems happen?
Based on 101 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 148 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 4 an injury.
Volkswagen Jetta electrical system complaints by model year
| Model year | Electrical System complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jetta | 3 | 50% | — |
| 2025 Jetta | 3 | 10% | — |
| 2024 Jetta | 7 | 16% | 17,600 |
| 2023 Jetta | 9 | 21% | — |
| 2022 Jetta | 10 | 23% | 39,750 |
| 2021 Jetta | 13 | 19% | — |
| 2020 Jetta | 17 | 31% | 8,000 |
| 2019 Jetta | 154 | 28% | 31,000 |
| 2018 Jetta | 3 | 10% | 55,491 |
| 2017 Jetta | 33 | 21% | 36,054 |
| 2016 Jetta | 36 | 22% | 41,600 |
| 2015 Jetta | 49 | 25% | 36,128 |
| 2014 Jetta | 94 | 24% | 56,400 |
| 2013 Jetta | 148 | 29% | 55,000 |
| 2012 Jetta | 138 | 28% | 60,000 |
| 2011 Jetta | 186 | 31% | 60,000 |
| 2010 Jetta | 233 | 27% | 67,000 |
| 2009 Jetta | 107 | 12% | 78,500 |
| 2008 Jetta | 42 | 22% | 90,000 |
| 2007 Jetta | 45 | 22% | 75,730 |
| 2006 Jetta | 112 | 19% | 90,000 |
| 2005 Jetta | 48 | 19% | 86,665 |
| 2004 Jetta | 36 | 16% | 90,000 |
| 2003 Jetta | 97 | 21% | 78,203 |
| 2002 Jetta | 148 | 21% | 34,000 |
| 2001 Jetta | 117 | 18% | 44,000 |
| 2000 Jetta | 60 | 14% | 49,513 |
| 1999 Jetta | 44 | 13% | 60,000 |
| 1998 Jetta | 41 | 21% | 69,050 |
| 1997 Jetta | 17 | 31% | 55,000 |
| 1996 Jetta | 4 | 13% | 197,485 |
| 1995 Jetta | 45 | 20% | 97,537 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (0)
No safety recall lists electrical system for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. A pattern of complaints does not always lead to a recall.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While the vehicle is in motion, it "jerks" or makes a shaking movement. While the vehicle is in motion, the "door ajar" light stays on although all doors have been opened and closed. While stationary, the vehicle brake light is not working. While stationary and in motion, the vehicle's check engine…
Known melting fuse box on top of battery. From schematics, appears s180 fuse (coolant fan) as predominant point of failure. Issue has been reported (via web) across numerous models and years. Called vw for fix; as techs appear void of a general consensus to problem/fix. Unfortunately, vw refuses to…
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 volkswagen jetta. While entering the vehicle, the contact noticed that the brake warning light was illuminated and the windows were steaming. In addition, the dashboard was on fire. The fire department extinguished the fire. A fire report and a police report were filed…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Volkswagen Jettas have electrical system problems?
No. NHTSA has 148 owner complaints about electrical system for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta (21% of the 702 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta electrical system?
No recall currently lists electrical system for this vehicle.
At what mileage do electrical system problems start?
The median reported mileage is 34,000 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about electrical system problems on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “ignition coil”, in 37 of 148 complaints, followed by “coils failed” (10).
Other 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems
- Air Bags problems (108)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (104)
- Power Train problems (103)
- Seats problems (101)
- Exterior Lighting problems (50)
See all 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems or electrical system problems across all Jetta years.