2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Problems and Repair Histories
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI problems reported via the Car Repair History and Car Reliability Surveys
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Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI
Non-members can see only ten 2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI
Engine not specified
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Connecticut, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jun | 2009 | 175000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2009 | 175000 | 0 | Skipping badly. Check engine light blinking. Had timing belt replaced before. Could be cat converter or coil pack. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 97000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 108000 | 35 | Coolant temperature sensor Glow plug harness |
| Mar | 2011 | 116000 | 450 | Replaced entire exhaust after OEM pipe hangar broke and aggravated rusted area behind the catalytic converter, causing pipe to shear. |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2007 | 98000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2007 | 98000 | 340 | Exhaust Repair, brake light repair |
| Feb | 2008 | 101000 | 300 | Failed glow plug, replaced all 4 proactively. |
| Mar | 2009 | 119000 | 0 | Broken drivers side window regulator mechanism, fixed under 'stealth' recall. |
| Jan | 2010 | 129000 | 60 | Headlight out and securing bolts were too decayed to remove myself; shop replaced bulb and bolts. |
| May | 2011 | 141700 | 300 | Turbo malfunction, cleaned and lubed, vacuum control lines replaced |
| Oct | 2011 | 147300 | 1250 | Exhaust replaced |
| Mar | 2012 | 150000 | 1000 | Brake Calipers corroded and replaced; brake lines replaced, emergency brake cable replaces |
| Dec | 2012 | 156000 | 450 | Intake manifold clogged with carbon deposits |
| Mar | 2013 | 157000 | 1500 | Turbo replaced prior to failure, due to repeated CEL and out-of-spec turbo shaft play |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 178560 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2011 | 186000 | 250 | alternator died, needed to be replaced with refurbished one rear hatchback locking latch failed |
| Mar | 2012 | 197780 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2009 | 324000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jul | 2010 | 333000 | 65 | window regulator clips |
| Oct | 2010 | 339000 | 800 | Replaced turbo. |
| Jun | 2011 | 357000 | 70 | replaced large radiator fan |
| Aug | 2011 | 357000 | 320 | replaced alternator |
| Oct | 2011 | 362000 | 100 | rear shocks |
| May | 2012 | 377000 | 30 | Lower Control Arm bushings replaced |
| Jun | 2012 | 378000 | 70 | replaced glow plug harness |
| Mar | 2013 | 396000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2003 | 0 | Alternator replaced. | |
| Sep | 2004 | 0 | Driver and passenger window clips replaced. | |
| Dec | 2006 | 120 | Replace thermostat | |
| Oct | 2007 | 210 | Replace turn-signal stalk. | |
| Jun | 2009 | 250 | Oxygen sensor replaced. | |
| Jun | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Dec | 2008 | 65000 | First odometer entry | |
| Nov | 2010 | 90000 | 143 | Rear turn signal went off, cruise Control stopped working. VW/Audi shop did electrical testing and determined place where wires had a short. They isolated the problem and changed worn fuse as well. |
| Nov | 2011 | 110000 | 31699 | Check engine went on due to problems with fuel pump. Owner st least patrtially at fault as lately was driving with less than half a gallon only in the tank. |
| Aug | 2012 | 120300 | 160 | Rear hatch latch and lock become unoperable. Shop had to remove and replace the latch |
| Dec | 2012 | 124000 | 75 | High mount break light failure due to short in the electric system |
| Mar | 2013 | 125000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch
115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Maryland, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2011 | 84000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2011 | 85000 | 1500 | A/C compressor was bad also had to repair the ignition system and had a leak in the sunroof drain system. |
| Mar | 2013 | 88000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2009 | 101000 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2010 | 106000 | 1900 | The car was overheating because the water pump failed. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Mar | 2007 | 250 | spark plug cables rusted. Needed to be changed. | |
| Aug | 2007 | 400 | Driver door locked jammed. Door closed but indicator stayed on (electronic problem) | |
| Jun | 2008 | 92000 | 1400 | Engine overheated; necessitated replacement of cooling fan, water pump, timing belt, temperature sensor |
| Mar | 2009 | 112000 | 700 | Brake pads and rotors worn, needed replacement. |
| Oct | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Ontario, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2009 | 67580 | First odometer entry | |
| Apr | 2009 | 69440 | 10 | Turbo started to make sucking noise. Finally got around to bringing it into the shop (needed an oil change anyway). The pipe was still connected, but the clamp was missing. Shop replaced clamp. Cost $80 for LOF and new clamp. |
| Jul | 2009 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Colorado, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2007 | 64000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2007 | 64000 | 1650 | Car was in the shop:1) to replace shocks and install a lift kit; 2) timing belt replacement; 3) leaking diesel fuel injection pump. Pump was on national back order with VW (!), so I had it rebuilt and reinstalled. Cost of shop visit includes the suspensi |
| Apr | 2007 | 69000 | 240 | I had two OEM ignition keys replaced. This involved laser cutting and programming to match the car's immobilizer. The original keys had failed at their attachment rings so they couldn't be attached to a keychain. Subsequently, they were lost. VW keys are |
| Jul | 2007 | 77000 | 300 | Needed intake manifold and EGR cleaning from accumulated sludge. |
| Aug | 2007 | 78000 | 0 | engine goes into limp mode with no other indications of trouble, no CEL. Error codes were ambiguous. Mechanic, a TDI specicialist, says he's never seen anything like it before. Problem is less frequent now, but occasional. |
| Nov | 2007 | 85000 | 265 | Brake light switch failed, lighting CEL light- Replacement solved that. Also we did maintenance items, incl. oil change & rear brake pad change. |
| Nov | 2008 | 110000 | 40 | Air Bag light went on, went off, then on again. I plan to see my regular mechanic about it later. |
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Aug | 2012 | 70000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2013 | 75500 | 2500 | Ten-year-old Garrett T-28 BB Turbo went south. APR III system. If original owner it's covered. Unfortunately I'm not. Can't fully rebuild BB Turbo. $1,650 cost of Turbo- the rest labor to take out and install. Not related to any other issues. |
| Mar | 2013 | 76000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Alberta, Canada | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Apr | 2011 | 62000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 64440 | 250 | Replaced a tie-rod end |
| Dec | 2012 | 74400 | 900 | The airbag light was lit due to a fauly relay in the seatbelt assembly. After 10 years, both headlights went within 1 week of each other. Impressive! The door lock mechanism was repair as car would lock door even when the door was open (worn wire) |
| Mar | 2013 | 74400 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Wisconsin, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Oct | 2010 | 123000 | First odometer entry | |
| Aug | 2011 | 135700 | 0 | Engine replacement |
| Dec | 2011 | 141000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Virginia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2011 | 1000 | Timing belt broke. I had to replace the cylinder head and timing belt, including the water pump. I assumed the previous owner replaced the timing belt. Timing belt supposed to be changed at 100k miles. | |
| Aug | 2012 | 170 | Broken ignition locking cylinder. Metal "key like" piece connecting ignition cylinder to ignition switch broke. Common problem when researched on VWvortex.com. | |
| Nov | 2012 | 100 | Failed ignition coils. I have had to replace ignition coils about once every 2 years. Symptoms are a loss of power when accelerating and a rough idle. | |
| Mar | 2013 | 125000 | Most recent odometer entry. | |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Indiana, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2007 | 61000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2007 | 64000 | 125 | Bad cooling sensor, intermittent check engine light. |
| Mar | 2008 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Texas, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2010 | 94000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2010 | 97000 | 160 | Check engine light came on for faulty coolant sensor. |
| Feb | 2011 | 98300 | 921 | Check Engine light came on again. Hoses needed to be replaced. Check engine light came on yet again. This time taken to dealership and more hoses were replaced and parts relevant to the coolant system. |
| Apr | 2011 | 99000 | 476 | Door open indicator kept popping up while driving and would go away when opening door. Door latch needed to be replaced. |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in California, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2008 | 142000 | First odometer entry | |
| Dec | 2008 | 145000 | 375 | Thermostat jammed causing overheating. Leaking rad hose also replaced at this time. |
| May | 2009 | 151000 | 145 | Within 10 days: CEL came on, car started to overheat, A/C went out and clutch started to slip. I was quoted between $4500-6000 in total repair costs. The only thing spent money on was replacing the cooling system fan switch. Sold to mechanic. |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in New Jersey, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Jan | 2010 | 60000 | First odometer entry | |
| Feb | 2010 | 62000 | 2000 | The overall cost of my issue was around $1000 in parts and the dealer charged me a little over $1000. This is one of the main reasons I might switch car companies, just because of the cost of repairs..... |
| Jun | 2012 | 85000 | 900 | thermostat, waterpump, and timing belt |
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Pennsylvania, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Nov | 2010 | 96000 | First odometer entry | |
| May | 2011 | 101000 | 58 | coolant malfunction reset |
| Sep | 2011 | 104000 | 0 | light came on indicated problem with brakes - mechanic said brakes were down to the "nubby" (not his words.) |
| Oct | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| May | 2010 | 62000 | First odometer entry | |
| Jun | 2010 | 63000 | 1100 | replaced all brakes. Had a bent caliper also. |
| Jun | 2011 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch
115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Georgia, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Sep | 2009 | 57000 | First odometer entry | |
| Oct | 2009 | 58000 | 150 | Car overheated while driving and engine light came on. Went to shop and they replaced the thermostat. Works fine now. |
| May | 2010 | 61500 | 545 | Engine sensor was broken and had to be replaced. |
| Oct | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2-door
turbocharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD
| Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI in Massachusetts, United States | ||||
| Month | Year | Odometer (in miles) |
Cost | Problem/Repair Description |
| Feb | 2008 | 85000 | First odometer entry | |
| Mar | 2008 | 89000 | 600 | Starter motor died and needed to be replaced. |
| Mar | 2010 | Most recent odometer entry. | ||
Expert 2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Repair Advice
Non-members can see only ten 2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI problems and repair histories. Log in or join us to see them all.
What People Are Saying about Problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI
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