The 2002 Volkswagen Jetta is a wagon that came with a choice of 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl and 2.8L 6-cyl engines. At 24 years old, many are reaching the point where repairs cost more than the car is worth. Running or not, we'll make you an offer and tow it away for free.
| Body style | Compact Cars, Small Station Wagons |
|---|---|
| Engines | 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl (turbocharged versions available) |
| Transmissions | Automatic 5-spd, Manual 6-spd, Manual 5-spd, Automatic (S5), Automatic 4-spd |
| Drive | Front-Wheel Drive |
| Fuel | Regular Gasoline, Premium Gasoline, Diesel |
| Fuel economy | 17–35 city / 24–45 highway / 19–39 combined MPG |
| EPA annual fuel cost | $2,450–$3,750 a year (EPA estimate at current fuel prices, 15,000 miles) |
| Tailpipe CO₂ | 261–468 grams per mile |
| Versions tested by EPA | 18 configurations: Jetta, Jetta Wagon |
| Age | 24 years |
Specs, fuel cost and emissions from the EPA's fueleconomy.gov data. Your car's exact equipment may differ.
NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls covering the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. Open recalls don't stop you from selling or junking the car, but check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which apply to yours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
On some passenger vehicles, short circuits can occur within the electronic control unit of the anti-lock braking system (ABS).
Risk: This can result in a fire.
Owners have filed 704 complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta with NHTSA. 31 reports involved a crash and 71 reports involved a fire. Owners reported 74 injuries.
Complaints are reports from owners and aren't verified by NHTSA. One complaint can list several components. Mileage is the median odometer reading owners reported for that component.
Manufacturers have filed 242 technical service bulletins and communications with NHTSA covering the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. These are repair instructions for known issues, not recalls.
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Update model year applicability to include 2023.
Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications (technical service bulletins).
NHTSA opened 7 defect investigations covering the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta.
Brake light switch failure
By letters dated may 24, 2006 and august 4, 2006, Volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA recall no 06v-183) involving model year (my) 1998-2002 Volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.Volkswagen?s recall covers 646,246 vehicles
Engine stalling
By letter received on june 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 Volkswagen Jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling even
Inadvertent side-airbag deployment
The subject vehicles are equipped with side-thorax and side-head curtain airbags to protect the front and rear outboard occupants in a side-impact crash.this investigation identified a total of 499 reports (482 owners reports and 17 warranty claims).the crash sensing system?s algorithm may recognize certain non-crash i
Turn signal/hazard flasher failure
This investigation was opened on october 19, 2004, based on nine reports on 2000 through 2001 Jetta and gti vehicles alleging that the turn signals and or hazard flashers fail to blink, or flash.some of the complainants reported that the lights would blink only a few times and then stop.several of the complainants repo
Driver side front seat overheats
This investigation concerns the electric seat heater installed in some my 2002-2003 Volkswagen (vw) Jetta vehicles.consumers allege that the seat heater may overheat, resulting in burn damage to the seat cover and to the driver's clothing and/or skin.this ea addresses whether such failures may pose a risk to motor vehi
Brake light switch
The number of duplicates between odi and manufacturer failure reports cannot be determined due to missing and or inaccurate information.the injury noted above was minor.on february 26, 2004, Volkswagen of america, inc. (vw) submitted a defect notification (per 49cfr573) to the national highway traffic safety administra
Driver seat overheats/burns
The subject vehicles are equipped with optional electrically heated driver and front passenger seats.information received during pe03-052 disclosed a significant number of incidents of malfunctioning/overheating of the driver seat heater in the subject vehicles.additional incidents may occur during the final months of
It depends on its condition, whether major parts like the engine, transmission and catalytic converter are still there, and current scrap and parts prices where you live. Its parts make up much of its value. Enter your ZIP code above for a free offer on your specific car.
Yes. We buy 2002 Jettas that don't start, were in an accident, failed inspection or have a blown engine or transmission. Towing is always free.
Yes. Open recalls don't prevent a junk sale. NHTSA lists 5 recalls for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta; you can check whether any are still open on yours with the VIN lookup at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Usually the title and a photo ID. Rules differ by state, including what to do with your plates and whether to file a notice of sale. Check our state-by-state car title guides for the official forms.
Data retrieved October 2026.
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