2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

231

Owner Complaints

18 Crashes 5 Fires

8

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

5

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

The 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE has received a total of 231 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 8 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS. 5 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Air Bags (32 complaints), Electrical System (31 complaints), and Power Trainautomatic Transmission (15 complaints).

Recalls for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

NHTSA has recorded 8 recalls for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE, potentially affecting up to 1,843,352 vehicles.

Recall 14E007000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

| 50 vehicles affected

Defect: The 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...

Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

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Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: SABERSPORT 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.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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Recall 08E050000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 1,921 vehicles affected

Defect: K2 MOTOR IS RECALLING 1,921 AFTERMARKET HEADLAMPS OF VARIOUS MODELS SOLD FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS ARE MISSING THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTOR WHICH FAILS TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS, THE LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY BE AFFECTED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: K2 MOTOR WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMEBER 17, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT K2 MOTOR AT 1-909-839-2992.

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Recall 07V063000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 1,002,000 vehicles affected

Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 06V183000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 646,246 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: 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...

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Recall 06E060000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 87,745 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN AAI MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LIST PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Consequence: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH

Remedy: AAI MOTORSPORTS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT AAI MOTORSPORTS AT 909-923-9188.

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Recall 06E049000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 27,176 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN CK MOTORSPORTS COMBINATION HEADLIGHTS, CLEAR CORNER, BUMPER, AND SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: CK MOTORSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 1, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CK MOTORSPORT AT 1-909-610-7211.

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Recall 06E026000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 61,944 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.

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Owner Complaints for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

231 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Air Bags
Complaints: 32 5 Crashes 5 Injuries
Electrical System
Complaints: 31 3 Fires 2 Injuries
Power Trainautomatic Transmission
Complaints: 15
Engine And Engine Cooling
Complaints: 10
Seat Belts
Complaints: 10 2 Crashes
Structurebody
Complaints: 8 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontalsensorcontrol Module
Complaints: 6
Exterior Lightingbrake Lightsswitch
Complaints: 6
Unknown Or Other
Complaints: 6
Visibilitypower Window Devices And Controls
Complaints: 6
Exterior Lighting
Complaints: 5
Power Trainclutch Assembly
Complaints: 5
Vehicle Speed Control
Complaints: 5 1 Injury
Air Bagssidewindow
Complaints: 4 3 Crashes 2 Injuries
Engine And Engine Coolingengine
Complaints: 4
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasoline
Complaints: 4
Service Brakes
Complaints: 4
Visibilitysunmoon Roof Assembly
Complaints: 4
Engine
Complaints: 3
Equipment
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulic
Complaints: 3
Service Brakes Hydraulicantilocktraction Controlelectronic Limited Slip
Complaints: 3 1 Crash
Electrical Systemignition
Complaints: 2
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling System
Complaints: 2
Fuel System Gasoline
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkages
Complaints: 2
Latcheslockslinkagesdoorslatch
Complaints: 2
Seat Beltsfrontwarning Lightdevices
Complaints: 2
Seats
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Suspensionfront
Complaints: 2 1 Crash 1 Injury
Air Bagsfrontal
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Electrical System12v24v48v Battery
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemalternatorgeneratorregulator
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemignitionswitch
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemstarter Assembly
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiring
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfront Underhood
Complaints: 1
Electrical Systemwiringfuses And Circuit Breakers
Complaints: 1
Electronic Stability Control Esc
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemfan
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingcooling Systemhoseslinespipingfittings
Complaints: 1
Engine And Engine Coolingenginegasolineturbosupercharger
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Equipment Adaptivemobility
Complaints: 1 1 Fire
Equipmentapplianceair Conditioner
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingbrake Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingtail Lights
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signal
Complaints: 1
Exterior Lightingturn Signalflasher Unit
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Diesel
Complaints: 1
Fuel System Gasolinestoragetank Assemblyfiller Pipe And Cap
Complaints: 1 1 Injury
Fuel System Other
Complaints: 1
Parking Brake
Complaints: 1
Power Train
Complaints: 1
Power Traindrivelinedifferential Unit
Complaints: 1
Power Trainmanual Transmission
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Airantilockinterconnecting Assemblywiring
Complaints: 1
Service Brakes Electric
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Service Brakes Hydraulicpower Assist
Complaints: 1
Structure
Complaints: 1
Structurebodytrunk Lid
Complaints: 1
Structureframe And Members
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Suspension
Complaints: 1 1 Crash
Tirestreadbelt
Complaints: 1
Vehicle Speed Controlcruise Control
Complaints: 1
Visibility
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywindshield Wiperwasher
Complaints: 1
Visibilitywiper
Complaints: 1
Wheels
Complaints: 1

Most Recent Complaints

#11617386 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | N/A miles
Unknown
#11617386 | ENGINE | | N/A miles
Unknown
#11617386 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
Unknown
#11516155 | SERVICE BRAKES | | N/A miles
I was driving down the road an the car started accelerating all by it's self so I pulled over but every time I let off the break it acted like I had the gas to the floor. The O2 sensor wire's shorted and burnt up the ECM making the CPU light to come on.
#11516155 | UNKNOWN OR OTHER | | N/A miles
I was driving down the road an the car started accelerating all by it's self so I pulled over but every time I let off the break it acted like I had the gas to the floor. The O2 sensor wire's shorted and burnt up the ECM making the CPU light to come on.

View all Air Bags complaints →

Safety Rating for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 5 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

Edition70 — TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

VW Elsa Newsletter

TT 87-09-03 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Tech Tips (Coolant fan control module J293 pinout): 1.8L and 2.0L (Except Engine Code BBW), Fan Module J293 Pinout Chart which informs of the terminal types, the inputs, and outputs, the signal purpose, and the signal type

TT57-13-04 — EQUIPMENT

SUMMARY TO BE PROVIDED ON A FUTURE DATE.

V171302 2017813 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Technical Bulletin (Oil Consumption Measurement): Customer states oil consumption is higher than the Volkswagen oil consumption standard of up to 0.5 quarts per 600 miles, or 0.5 liters per 1000 km. In order to provide effective lubrication and cooling of internal engine components, all internal combustion engines consume a certain...

SAC-28F3/P1-REV — ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

VOLKSWAGEN: GASOLINE ENGINE VEHICLES INSPECT, AND IF NECESSARY, REPLACE IGNITION COILS. VEHICLES AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION MAY HAVE IGNITION COILS THAT COULD MALFUNCTION UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS. MODELS PASSAT AND WAGON; GOLF; GTI; JETTA AND WAGON; NEW BEETLE AND CONVERTIBLE; PHAETON; EOS; RABBIT, ETC. *PE

NHTSA Investigations for the 2002 VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN BEETLE

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Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

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Check any vehicle history by VIN - Free vehicle history report