Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
050201/14/200510012457Diagnostic trouble code (dtc) p1603 (18011) stored in dtc memory. *tt03/02/2005
042010/27/200410010538Malfunction indicator light is on in the instrument cluster. *tt11/30/2004
040106/03/200410008081Malfunction indicator lamp (mil) on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtc) p1347/17755 and p1340/17748 stored in memory. including various models volkswagen 2002-2003. *mj07/21/2004
041205/19/200410007887Malfunction indicator light (mil) on, diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) stored in diagnostic trouble code (dtc) memory. *mj07/14/2004
040204/08/2004040110007205Malfunction indicator light (mil) on with diagnostic trouble code p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, or p0304 stored. ignition coil overlay harness, installing. *tt06/03/2004
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
SAC-28F3/P1-REV08/01/201010036496Volkswagen: gasoline engine vehicles inspect, and if necessary, replace ignition coils. vehicles affected by this action may have ignition coils that could malfunction under certain conditions. models passat and wagon; golf; gti; jetta a03/23/2011
040103/31/200410007016Ignition coil overlay harness, installing. malfunction indicator light (mil) on with diagnostic trouble codes (dtcs) p0300, p0301, p0302, p0303, or p0304 stored. *tt05/21/2004
WG04/01/2004WG10005665Replacement of the ignition coils. it is possible that if one of the vehicle's ignition coil fails, rough idling or reduced driving power could occur in addition to illumination of the malfunction indicator lamp light. *tt *mj03/10/2004

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
DP05004VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC08/11/200512/08/2005ENGINE 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 events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a result of the engine stalling, the petitioner experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when he pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle.after a few minutes parked on the shoulder he was able to restart the vehicle although the engine operated at reduced power.vw issued a customer satisfaction campaign (csc) on january 31, 2003 to instruct their dealerships to inspect the vehicles for any malfunctioning ignition coil packs and to replace them at no cost to the consumer.consumers were notified to bring their vehicles to their dealerships via owner letters mailed out on june 6, 2003.while vw initially instructed the dealerships to only replace the malfunctioning ignition coil packs, a revised csc was issued to dealerships in december 2003 and january 2004, instructing dealerships to replace all ignition coil packs regardless of their performance.a reminder to the dealerships was sent by vw on april of 2004.although the concerns of the petitioner could theoretically create a safety problem, the risk is very small, due to the engine still running on either 3, 5, or 7 cylinders.there are no reported crashes or injuries due to the alleged defect.once drivers are aware of the problem (loss of power due to one of the ignition coil packs malfunctioning), drivers are able to take precautionary and compensatory measures and still maintain control of their vehicles.in addition, four fires were reported to odi.these were ignition coil burnouts with no additional damage to the vehicle and were localized on top of the engine. during the last 24 months the number of stall and drivability complaints reported to odi has greatly diminished from a peak of 195 in january of 2003 to only 3 in august of 2005.this coincides with the csc released by vw.a safety-related defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by nhtsa that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
03/08/2011150000
 Tl* the contact owns 2002 volkswagen golf. the contact stated that the vehicle would not start in rainy weather. the vehicle was taken to the dealer who advised that the ignition coil would need to be replaced. the contact located a voluntary manufacturers recall for the failure but was advised by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included in the voluntary recall. the failure mileage and current mileages were 150,000.
03/08/2011150000
 Tl- the contact owns 2002 volkswagen golf. the contact stated the vehicle will not start whenever it rains. the contact took the vehicle to the dealer and was told the ignition coil needed to be replaced. the contact looked a mylemon.com and found a voluntary recall done by volkswagen in regards to the ignition coil. the contact spoke with the manufacturer and was told they did do a voluntary recall on the ignition coils, but that their vehicle was not included. the failure mileage and current mileages were 150,000.rl
05/09/20081300001
 My 2002 vw golf has a defect in the immobilizer that dealers can not diagnose or repair. once the key is turned off, the car sometimes will not restart. it has been towed to the dealer on multiple occasions - but after a variable time interval the car starts again. since it starts - three dealers have been unable to diagnose why it fails to recognize the key. i am furious that the immobilizer circuit can not be repaired or inactivated. i live in the country and am afraid to turn the car off in a remote location for fear it will not restart - and leave me stranded 20 miles from nowhere. it could strand my wife and invalid daughter. the car could not be moved in an emergency, like clearing the way for emergency vehicles, or getting off the side of the road if i pull over and stop. volkswagen is unresponsive to the problem - i have spoken to usa headquarters who has not responded. the car is not safe to take on the road because it can unpredictably fail to drive. this has happened 8 times in the past 12 months, and has been to service department 3 times with no cure. *tr
12/24/20061
 There is a faulty brake switch which causes the car to be locked in park. it had to be towed to a dealer for repairs. other models of the 2002 golf have a recall for the same problem.
05/22/20061
 Hello, my wife has a volkswagen golf. her volkswagen is having certain problems with the electrical system. the sunroof is operating when the car is on or off by itself. rain is some how getting into the car and into the overhead light. her tail lights have a mind of there own. so days the tails will work and others they won't. i have physically checked the bulbs and have put new ones in and still they do not work. her radio will not work. and her transmission has been looked at several of times and still continues to have the same problem. is there anyway you can check these problems? *jb
03/25/20035415103/13/2003
 Multiple problems included: malfunction indicator lamp on, vehicle cut off, trunk switch fell out, driver door lock inoperative, fuel gauge inoperative, engine rattle. multiple replacements - camshaft sensor, trunk switch, power door locks, fuel lines installed, fuel sender unit, timing belt and tensioner. *tt *jb
11/07/20025
 The coil pack was damaged. *mr the coil pack was replaced. then the coil pack in the cylinder failed. the consumer requested for vw to compensate her for lost time. the engine light had come on due to the evaporative emission system experienced an incorrect purge flow. the windshield washer reservoir leaked coolant. the expansion tank was replaced. scc *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR
08/11/200726466205/25/2002
 2002 volkswagen golf has had numerous problems. the most recent problem is that the coil spring broke while the consumer was driving causing damage to the strut. now the consumer has to pay to get the vehicle fixed. *kb the consumer stated the problems started after the warranty ended. the battery died. 5 days later, the mil appeared and the vehicle was misfiring. in march of 2007 the engine light illuminated due to a faulty coil. in april of 2007 the battery light illuminated due to a failed alternator. *jb the right headlight was inoperative, the catalytic converter was replaced. updated 12/12/07
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - BATTERY
08/11/200726466205/25/2002
 2002 volkswagen golf has had numerous problems. the most recent problem is that the coil spring broke while the consumer was driving causing damage to the strut. now the consumer has to pay to get the vehicle fixed. *kb the consumer stated the problems started after the warranty ended. the battery died. 5 days later, the mil appeared and the vehicle was misfiring. in march of 2007 the engine light illuminated due to a faulty coil. in april of 2007 the battery light illuminated due to a failed alternator. *jb the right headlight was inoperative, the catalytic converter was replaced. updated 12/12/07
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
02/18/2006110000103/26/2002
 The car has a tilt/telescope steering column, after adjusting the column the turn signals quit working. could not restart the car after turning it off because immobilizer would not recognize the key. multiple fuses were blown out, including the one for the hazard flasher. upon investigation the failure was from the wiring harness for the steering column, the insulation on most of the wires was cracked and the turn signal wires shorted out. the insulation for the main power wires running into the ignition switch also were cracked, if these shorted out it could have caused a fire. most of the insulation in this area has hardened and is not very flexible, making it prone to cracking. temporary repair has been taping up all the exposed wires with electrical tape. have not yet checked into the availability of a replacement wiring harness. *jb
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
08/11/200726466205/25/2002
 2002 volkswagen golf has had numerous problems. the most recent problem is that the coil spring broke while the consumer was driving causing damage to the strut. now the consumer has to pay to get the vehicle fixed. *kb the consumer stated the problems started after the warranty ended. the battery died. 5 days later, the mil appeared and the vehicle was misfiring. in march of 2007 the engine light illuminated due to a faulty coil. in april of 2007 the battery light illuminated due to a failed alternator. *jb the right headlight was inoperative, the catalytic converter was replaced. updated 12/12/07
06/02/2002241
 Intermittently vehicle will lose all power without warning when driving. dealership indicated that it is a result of a problem with ignition coil.ts.*ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - SWITCH
12/24/20061
 There is a faulty brake switch which causes the car to be locked in park. it had to be towed to a dealer for repairs. other models of the 2002 golf have a recall for the same problem.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
02/18/2006110000103/26/2002
 The car has a tilt/telescope steering column, after adjusting the column the turn signals quit working. could not restart the car after turning it off because immobilizer would not recognize the key. multiple fuses were blown out, including the one for the hazard flasher. upon investigation the failure was from the wiring harness for the steering column, the insulation on most of the wires was cracked and the turn signal wires shorted out. the insulation for the main power wires running into the ignition switch also were cracked, if these shorted out it could have caused a fire. most of the insulation in this area has hardened and is not very flexible, making it prone to cracking. temporary repair has been taping up all the exposed wires with electrical tape. have not yet checked into the availability of a replacement wiring harness. *jb
01/02/200550000107/15/2002
 Turn signal/hazard relay activates randomly. while driving down the road i can hear the turn signal relay clicking at a faster speed, like when you have a burned out turn signal bulb. but, when you go to use the turn signal/hazard signal, they still function as normaly. i believe this issue is related to recal 04v584000, yet volkswagen of america does not recognize my vehicle as being part of this recal. *ak
03/02/200201/01/2002
 1) while driving, door ajar light suddenly came on for no reason. no doors were ajar. after parking, the factory installed alarm system came on several times for no apparent reason. 2) the instrument panel defect relates to a persistent buzzing noise from the instrument cluster.