2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2002

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI repairs by problem area

Engine (42%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (4%)

Brakes and Traction Control (9%)

Suspension and Steering (12%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (7%)

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Chart based on 139 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI.

2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (14%)

$100 - $499 (34%)

< $100 (41%)

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Chart based on 29 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD

60000 mi

£1
blown brake light fuse, causes the glowplug warning light to flash and failure of brake lights 
186000 mi

C $250
alternator died, needed to be replaced with refurbished one 
357000 mi

US $320
replaced alternator 
426000 mi

US $110
replaced mass air sensor 
395000 mi

US $52
replaced heater/ac blower 
119000 mi Broken drivers side window regulator mechanism, fixed under 'stealth' recall. 
129000 mi

US $60
Headlight out and securing bolts were too decayed to remove myself; shop replaced bulb and bolts. 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch

115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

12000 mi Alternator replaced. 
52000 mi

US $210
Replace turn-signal stalk. 
90000 mi

US $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. 
124000 mi

US $75
High mount break light failure due to short in the electric system 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 4dr Hatch

115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

80000 mi

US $400
Driver door locked jammed. Door closed but indicator stayed on (electronic problem) 
85000 mi

US $1500
A/C compressor was bad 
81000 mi Blower motor replaced. Loud groaning, and vibration from a/c. Compressor and other a/c parts replaced. 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch

turbocharged 90hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD

129500 mi

US $1000
Alt. locked up, alt belt failed, replaced the tensioner at the same time 
85000 mi

US $265
Brake light switch failed, lighting CEL light- Replacement solved that. 
110000 mi

US $40
Air Bag light went on, went off, then on again. I plan to see my regular mechanic about it later. 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch

turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 6-speed manual FWD

74400 mi

C $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) 
71000 mi

C $580
The airbag light was on due to a faulty connection in the seat belt hardware. Expensive, but now both are done. Apparently the contact inside just wears out with use. 
86280 mi

C $50
Airbag light on. Traced to seatbelt buckle. Not yet repaired. 
89900 mi

C $3000
Airbag light on. The sensor in the seatbelt had broken off. This was repaired a few years earlier by replacing the seatbelt harness. Shop soldered the piece on for free. 
91760 mi

C $600
Had to replace keys. 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch

turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

136000 mi Door open sensor failed. Did not get repaired. 
152000 mi

US $42
Replaced driver side headlight. 
162000 mi

US $17
Replace headlight 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch

turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

123000 mi

US $170
Broken ignition locking cylinder. Metal "key like" piece connecting ignition cylinder to ignition switch broke. Common problem when researched on VWvortex.com. 
99000 mi

US $476
Door open indicator kept popping up while driving and would go away when opening door. Door latch needed to be replaced. 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

86000 mi

US $300
Replaced the control comfort module. Mechanical actuators in th CCM stick over time as the lubricant decays. Complex and difficult to diagnose electrical issues arise. 

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2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI 2-door

turbocharged 4-cylinder manual 2WD

89000 mi

US $600
Starter motor died and needed to be replaced. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Volkswagen models.

2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI Electrical Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Volkswagen Golf / Rabbit / GTI problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.