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2002 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 74 owner complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2002 Volkswagen Golf
45
CarFlaw IndexSolid year1.2× the Golf median · #7 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints7411 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage57kAir bags, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 25, 2026. Updated daily. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Volkswagen Golf has problems

74 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Air bags226
Engine and engine cooling130
Exterior lighting111
Electrical system110
Visibility70
Power train40
Steering30
Structure30
Service brakes, hydraulic31
9 other systems131

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2002 Volkswagen Golf recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hazard flashing warning lights: switch

Recall 04V-584 · Dec 16, 2004 · 410,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Golf year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Golf median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Volkswagen Golf safety ratings

2002 Volkswagen Golf 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2002 Volkswagen Golf, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE STALLINGDP05004 · closed Dec 8, 2005
    No recall
  2. TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILUREPE04073 · closed Dec 16, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-584
  3. INADVERTENT SIDE-AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTPE04081 · closed Apr 1, 2005
    No recall
In owners' words

What Golf owners report

Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

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:…
Complaint 11000923 · Jun 23, 2017 · 225,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10348119 · Aug 9, 2010 · 160,000 miles
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
Complaint 10276939 · Jul 16, 2009 · 280,000 miles

Own a 2002 Golf?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.