2002 Volkswagen GTI

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.

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.

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 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.

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

DRIVING MY CAR FOR A WHILE, I START NOTICING THE SMELL OF BURNED RUBBER FROM THE ENGINE AND WHEN IS COOLING DOWN AND I DO NOT KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.

MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING OUT OF PARKING LOT, TURNING INTO THE MAIN STREET WHEN SUDDENLY WE HEAR A LOUD EXPLOSION AND INSIDE THE CAR WAS COVER IN A CLOUD OF SMOKE AND WHITE POWER. IT TOOK US FEW MIN TO REALIZE WHAT HAPPENED SINCE WE BOTH HAD RINGING EAR FOR A MOMENT. WE FINALLY WE WERE ABLE TO COME BACK AND THINK STRAIGHT AGAIN TO REALIZE THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND SIDE-HEAD CURTAIN AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WE INSPECTED THE CAR TO SEE IF WE GOT HIT ANOTHER CAR, NO EXTERNAL DAMAGE INDICATION ANY TYPE OF CRASH. *TR

MY CAR AT HIGH SPEEDS (50MPH - 65MPH) THE GAS PEDAL "DIES" OR LOOSES AUTHORITY AND BECOMES UN-RESPONSIVE. AT TIMES AS THE GAS PEDAL GOES DEAD THE CAR ALSO SHUTS OFF AT 65 MPH CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION NOT ONLY FOR MY SELF BUT CARS AROUND ME. I HAVE TAKE MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC BUT CAN NOT FIGURE OUT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. MULTIPLE PARTS AND SENSORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED AND INSPECTED WITH OUT A SOLUTION. THIS IS MY ONLY CAR THEREFORE I CONTINUE TO DRIVE MY CAR WITH HOPES THAT AN ACCIDENT DOES NOT OCCUR. I HAVE TAKEN THE ALL THE STEPS WITHIN MY CONTROL TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM BUT HAVE NOT BEEN SUCCESSFUL. I HAVE NOT HEARD A RESPONDS FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THANK YOU *TR

THE AIRBAG WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT IN THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER ILLUMINATED AND STAYED ON. THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT BUCKLE PART (1Y1858471G - "FCN BUCKLE") HAD FAILED. THIS PART ALSO FAILED 7/06 AT 45,900 MILES ALONG WITH THE COMPARABLE PART FOR THE PASSENGER'S SEAT. THE AIRBAG SYSTEM IS INOPERATIVE WHEN THIS PART DOES NOT FUNCTION. IN 8/06 VW MADE A PARTIAL, GOODWILL WARRANTY ADJUSTMENT. *TR

I WAS DRIVING MY 2002.5 GTI DOWN THE ROAD AT ABOUT 40MPH WHEN THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AND SEAT AIR BAGS WENT OFF. THE ROAD WAS STRAIGHT AND SMOOTH OTHER THAN NORMAL EXPANSION JOINTS. MY WIFE WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AND HAS BRUISING AND MINOR BURNS ON HER ARM. ONCE THE BAGS WENT OFF THE CAR SHUT OFF BUT I WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER IT OFF THE ROAD WAY SAFELY. I HAVE CONTACTED VWOA ABOUT THE INCIDENT AND I HOPE THEY WILL SATISFACTORILY RESOLVE THE ISSUE. *JS

2002 VW GTI VR6 COIL PACK FAILURE WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY ALMOST GOT REARENDED BECAUSE CAR SLOWED DOWN AND BUCKED. 3RD COIL PACK TO FAIL ON THIS CAR. THE 2ND TIME FAILURE DAMAGED MY O2 SENSORS WHICH HAD TO REPLACED DUE TO CAR RUNNING RICH, I BELIEVE. COIL PACKS ON VR6'S NEED TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR

WHILE DRIVING IN A PARKING LOT AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 5 MPH, I HIT A CURB AND THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WAS A LOUD BANG AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID THAT REGARDLESS OF THE SPEED OF THE ACCIDENT IF THE CAR FEELS ANYTHING NEAR THE CRASH SENSORS THE AIRBAGS WILL DEPLOY EVEN THOUGH THERE WAS NO NEED AND ACTUALLY MADE THE SITUATION MORE DANGEROUS AND TROUBLESOME. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG SUDDENLY DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED. THERE WAS NO CRASH OR IMPACT. THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AT THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE AND HAS NOT BEEN INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000. UPDATED 05/19/08 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED VOLKSWAGEN STILL HAS THE VEHICLE AFTER 3 MONTHS, THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO GET THE PARTS. UPDATED 05/20/08

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT DROVE OVER A MEDIUM SIZED POTHOLE, AND THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AND SIDE REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR CRASH INVOLVED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,580 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,570.

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING 75-80 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING AND THE VEHICLE LOST COMPLETE POWER. AS OF DECEMBER 13, 2007, THE DEALER HAD NOT INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 67,000. UPDATED 3/4/08 *CN THE DEALER DECIDED TO FIX THE VEHICLE AT THEIR EXPENSE.

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FIXED THREE TIMES SINCE NEW. NOW TRANSMISSION DESTROYED AT 33K MILES WITHOUT WARNING.*AK

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY IN MY 2002 VOLKSWAGEN GTI WHEN SUDDENLY THE SIDE AND CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON AT ALL. I DID NOT HIT A POTHOLE, ROCK, OR ANY OBJECT OF ANY KIND. THE ENGINE THEN SHUT OFF BUT I MANAGED TO SAFELY MOVE MY CAR TO THE RIGHT LANE. AS A RESULT OF THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT I SUFFERED MINOR BURNS AND A SORE BACK. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA AND THEY IMMEDIATELY BEGAN TELLING ME IT WAS NOT THEIR FAULT AND THAT I MUST HAVE HIT SOMETHING. THEY ADVISED ME TO BRING THE GTI INTO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP TO CHECK FOR DAMAGE. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE CAR AND FOUND NO DAMAGE. THE TECHNICIAN TOLD ME THERE WAS NO REASON FOR THE AIRBAGS TO HAVE DEPLOYED. HE THEN SENT THAT INFORMATION TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. TWO DAY LATER THEY CALLED ME TO ASK ME TO ONCE AGAIN BRING THE CAR INTO THE DEALERSHIP SO THAT A REPRESENTATIVE COULD INSPECT THE CAR. I WILL BE BRINGING THE CAR IN TOMORROW. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED OVER 400,000 TIMES. IT DOES NOT SEEM THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS GOING TO PAY TO FIX THE PROBLEM SINCE MY CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. I AM NOW PURSUING A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA. I AM ABSOLUTELY STUNNED THAT VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CAN GET AWAY WITH NOT TAKING RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR MANUFACTURE DEFECTS. I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER VW AGAIN, AND I WILL DO ALL THAT I CAN TO DISCOURAGE ANYBODY I KNOW FROM PURCHASING A VOLKSWAGEN. THESE CLAIMS NEED TO BE TAKEN SER

REAR BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILED CAUSING ALL REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO FAIL. THIS CAUSED EXTREME DANGER AS IT CAN EASILY CAUSE A REAR-END COLLISION. PART SEEMS TO BE RECOGNIZED AS FAILURE-PRONE SINCE OTHER OWNERS ALSO HAVE REPORTED FAILURES. VW JETTA'S WERE RECALLED, GTI'S WERE NOT, EVEN THOUGH CHASSIS AND PART ARE THE SAME. SWITCH WAS REPLACED BY DEALER AT A COST OF APPROX. $110.00 *JB

AS I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM VISITING MY PARENTS IN LOUISIANA OVER THE HOLIDAYS. I WAS GETTING ONTO 45/75 GOING NORTH FROM INTERSTATE 30W HERE IN DALLAS, TX. AS I CROSS OVER THE LANES, I HEAR A REALLY LOUD POP. THERE WAS A LARGE FLASH AND THE CAR FILLED WITH SMOKE. I WAS REALLY SURPRISED, WHICH CAUSED ME TO SWERVE TO MISS ANOTHER CAR. I HAD NO IDEA WHAT WENT WRONG. MY FIRST ASSUMPTIONS WERE THAT EITHER I BLEW A TIRE OR THAT SOMEONE HAD SHOT A FIREARM AT MY VEHICLE. I PULLED OVER DOWNTOWN AND INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NOTHING WRONG WITH THE EXTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE (TIRES WERE FINE AND I DID NOT HIT ANYTHING). FOR SOME REASON MY PASSENGER SIDE UPPER FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS DEPLOYED AS DID THE SIDE AIR BAG IN THE SEAT. I HAVE NO IDEA WHY THIS HAPPENED AND HAVE NEVER HAD ANY ISSUES WITH THE AIRBAGS. I AM VERY HAPPY AND FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT HAVE A PASSENGER IN MY CAR AT THE TIME AND THAT I DID NOT GET INTO AN ACCIDENT. I AM REPORTING THIS TO VWOA. *NM

"SWITCHES" OR SENSORS IN BOTH FRONT SEAT BELT LATCHES FAILED AT THE SAME TIME REQUIRING THE REPLACEMENT OF BOTH LATCH MECHANISMS. ONE OF THE REPLACEMENT SEAT BELT LATCH MECHANISMS WAS DEFECTIVE. THESE DEVICES COMMUNICATE WITH THE AIR BAG SYSTEM AS TO WHETHER A SEAT BELT IS IN USE. IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT, THE AIR BAG(S) MAY NOT DEPLOY PROPERLY AS THE RESULT OF A FAULTY "SWITCH" OR SENSOR LEADING TO UNINTENDED INJURY OR DEATH (VIS-A-VIS A PROPER DEPLOYMENT) TO THE DRIVER AND/OR PASSENGER.. *NM

I OWN A 2002 JETTA VR6 AND MY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS GONE OUT. I HAVE READ THE LATEST RECALL NUMBER 06V183000, HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN WANTED TO CHARGE ME FOR THE REPAIR STATING MY CAR WAS NOT FOUND TO HAVE ANY RECALLS ON IT. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT WHILE DRIVING AND I DID NOT KNOW IT. SOMEONE ALMOST RAN INTO THE BACK OF MY CAR. *NM

DEFECTIVE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH, MULTIPLE FAILURES (4) IN GTI/GOLF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 06V183000 THE ABOVE RECALL SHOULD INCLUDE THE GOLF/GTI SINCE IT IS THE SAME PART THAT FAILS REPEATEDLY. *NM

BOTH DRIVER SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS (POWER) "FELL" DOWN INTO THE DOOR. INDEPENDENT SERVICE STATION REPAIRED WITH A WINDOW REPAIR KIT. *NM

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, WHEN THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND THE ABS LIGHT CAME ON. *JB

LEFT WORK AFTER SUNSET. ON MY WAY HOME MY HEADLIGHTS STOPPED WORKING. I THEN NOTICED THAT MY TURN SIGNALS, WIPERS, AND DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. LUCKILY I AM A MECHANIC SO I WAS ABLE TO FIND THE PROBLEM AS SOON AS I GOT HOME. THAT WAS AFTER DRIVING 5 MILES WITH NO LIGHTS AT ALL ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE CAR. THE PROBLEM WAS THE IGNITION SWITCH. WHEN I TOOK EVERYTHING APART I NOTICED THAT THE WIRE AND CONNECTOR WAS MELTED. I REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH, MELTED WIRE, AND CONNECTOR. I HAVE THE OLD PART AND THE RECEIPT. MY ONLY CONCERN IS THAT MY CAR COULD HAVE CAUGHT FIRE. *JB