🚗 AutoDefect IQ

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio problems, complaints & recalls

Most-reported problem areas: Electrical System (3) · Visibility (2) · Structure:body:door (2)

🧭 Reliability snapshot

92 /100
✓ Typical or better for this model

Compared against other Volkswagen Cabrio model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →

23
Complaints
0
Recalls
143
Service bulletins
3
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
0
Deaths

Safety recalls (0)

No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).

Service bulletins (143)

Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.

Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-08-21 · V171901201285565 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

update to volkswagen engine oil standards

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication 2023-05-30 · V171901201285562 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

volkswagen engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication 2023-04-24 · V171901201285560 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2022-12-12 · V941901201152119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

update model year applicability to include 2023.

Electrical System 2022-12-06 · V271901201189422 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

battery testing and charging using special tools vas6161 & grx3000vas charger. updated to include additional model year applicability.

Electrical System:software 2021-12-15 · A002155201173212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions

this bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.

Showing the 6 most recent of 143 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.

What owners report

2018-01-11 · Visibility · 44,375 mi

“tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen cabrio. on august 29, 2017, the vehicle was taken to the dealer (david maus volkswagen, 1050 lee rd, orlando, fl 32810) for routine maintenance. the contact returned on september 13, 2017 to retrieve the vehicle and noticed that the air conditioner was no longer working. the contact informed the technician tha…”

2014-08-19 · Steering · 50,213 mi · 🔥 fire

“while driving this vehicle it just stopped would not start. went to lift the hood it was hot and it seems to have had a fire. at a vw dealer for over 2 wks and they still can't figure it out. so far they said it appears engine harness fire had started at the starter and this part is discontinued there is a repair kit. vw claims a lot of items must …”

2013-09-30 · Electrical System · 150,000 mi

“engine coil suddenly went bad. had prior repair. *ln…”

2012-10-10 · Visibility:glass, Side/Rear

“2002 volkswagen cabrio. consumer states the rear window fell out *tgw the consumer stated it appeared, her model year was the only year, where the windows were glued in, instead of sealed, in the convertible tops. …”

2011-06-20 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 28,000 mi · 🔥 fire

“tl* the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen cabrio convertible. the contact was driving approximately 35 mph and attempting a turn when the vehicle stalled with the intermittent illumination of the abs warning light. smoke began pouring from under the hood and the vehicle was towed to the nearest dealer. the technicians replaced the starter and the fue…”

2010-12-13 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · 60,000 mi

“tl*the contact owns a 2002 volkswagen cabrio. while driving approximately 45 mph, the contact pushed on the brakes to stop the vehicle when the brake pedal felt as if it was pulled down to the floor and the tires locked up. the vehicle was taken to the dealer where the technicians stated the abs module needed to be replaced. the vehicle was not re…”

2010-11-22 · Electrical System · 108,000 mi

“2002 vw cabrio convertible, when it rains the lights, electrical locks and dome lights turn on and off, the whole electrical lighting and electronic switch failure occurs. like the care is possessed, i called volkswagen and they said this is not a safety issue, however have you ever driven a car at night with the lights inside and out going on and …”

2010-01-03 · Visibility · 75,000 mi

“the passenger side window would not roll up. i was told it was the window regulator. it completely failed once it broke and the window remained open. the consequences are no security and unsafe. this week the driver's side window did the same thing after i paid for the passenger side to be repaired. *tr…”

2008-05-31 · Electrical System

“i own a 2002 volkswagen cabrio, manufactured by volkswagen of america, inc. my turn signal and hazard flasher have stopped functioning. initially it was intermittent, but it has finally stopped working. fuses have been checked. it's exactly like the nhtsa campaign# 04v584000 - the same problems other vw models of the same year had. *tr…”

2008-04-16 · Exterior Lighting:hazard Flashing Warning Lights:switch

“2002 volkswagen cabrio experiencing recall symptoms. consumer states that her turn signal and hazard flashers have stopped functioning. she stated that it was intermittent at first. she would like to know if her vehicle falls under the recall. *kb recall # 04v584000. *jb…”

Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.

Other Volkswagen Cabrio years