2002 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior Lighting Problems
Owners have filed 50 complaints with NHTSA about exterior lighting problems on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta, 7% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 71,358 miles. The words owners use most often: “brake switch” (44% of reports).
- 50exterior lighting complaints
- 71,358median miles at failure
- 1mention a crash
- 0mention an injury
- 4related recalls
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Brake switch: mentioned in 22 of 50 complaints (44%)
- Turn signals: mentioned in 5 of 50 complaints (10%)
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems happen?
Based on 39 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 50 complaints, 1 mention a crash, 1 a fire.
Volkswagen Jetta exterior lighting complaints by model year
| Model year | Exterior Lighting complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Jetta | 1 | 17% | — |
| 2025 Jetta | 1 | 3% | — |
| 2022 Jetta | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2021 Jetta | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2019 Jetta | 26 | 5% | 100 |
| 2017 Jetta | 5 | 3% | 23,000 |
| 2016 Jetta | 3 | 2% | 129,000 |
| 2015 Jetta | 5 | 3% | 44,600 |
| 2014 Jetta | 24 | 6% | 55,500 |
| 2013 Jetta | 17 | 3% | 42,294 |
| 2012 Jetta | 13 | 3% | 67,500 |
| 2011 Jetta | 41 | 7% | 65,000 |
| 2010 Jetta | 19 | 2% | 74,000 |
| 2009 Jetta | 24 | 3% | 65,000 |
| 2008 Jetta | 5 | 3% | 106,500 |
| 2007 Jetta | 8 | 4% | 83,500 |
| 2006 Jetta | 32 | 6% | 13,500 |
| 2005 Jetta | 14 | 6% | 66,521 |
| 2004 Jetta | 9 | 4% | 66,395 |
| 2003 Jetta | 28 | 6% | 65,000 |
| 2002 Jetta | 50 | 7% | 71,358 |
| 2001 Jetta | 80 | 12% | 58,000 |
| 2000 Jetta | 34 | 8% | 79,000 |
| 1999 Jetta | 17 | 5% | 83,000 |
| 1998 Jetta | 7 | 4% | 79,100 |
| 1995 Jetta | 7 | 3% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through september 21, 2007. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the vin number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with automatic or manual transmissions and cruise controls, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly during safety recalls 03v-265 or 04v-096.
Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on november 27, 2006. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the vin number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
Exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch
Problem: On 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.
Risk: This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.
Fix: Dealers will replace the hazard flasher switch/relay kit. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles may malfunction.
Risk: If this happens, the brake lights could become inoperative, or come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
Fix: This recall has been superceded by 06v-183. Owners who have had a remedy performed under this recall should return to their dealer for the redesigned remedy. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
This is a followup on my nhtsa complaint with odi 10660489. I would like to bring to your attention the nhtsa campaign id number 04v584000 which precisely describes the same problem i have encountered with my jetta. Please note that my jetta is also a 2002 model as noted in the above campaign. *tr
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated the signal and hazard flashers were inoperable. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 91,500.
First intermittent and then inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.. *tr
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2002 Volkswagen Jettas have exterior lighting problems?
No. NHTSA has 50 owner complaints about exterior lighting for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta (7% 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 exterior lighting?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list exterior lighting. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do exterior lighting problems start?
The median reported mileage is 71,358 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
What do owners say about exterior lighting problems on the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta?
The most frequent phrase is “brake switch”, in 22 of 50 complaints, followed by “turn signals” (5).
Other 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems
- Electrical System problems (148)
- Air Bags problems (108)
- Engine and Engine Cooling problems (104)
- Power Train problems (103)
- Seats problems (101)
See all 2002 Volkswagen Jetta problems or exterior lighting problems across all Jetta years.