2002 Volkswagen CABRIO problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
0 distinct recall campaigns
52,450 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2002 model year. Data snapshot: . 12 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 23 complaints (34.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 3 | 13.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.7% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 8 |
| Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module | 2 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 2 |
| Structure:Body:Door | 2 |
| Tires | 2 |
| Visibility | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Electrical System: 8; Air Bags:Frontal:Driver Side:Inflator Module: 2; Engine And Engine Cooling: 2; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 2; Structure:Body:Door: 2; Tires: 2; Visibility: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 1 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 4 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 1; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 4; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (4). 11 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2002 | 2 |
| 2003 | 5 |
| 2004 | 1 |
| 2005 | 2 |
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 3 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 1 |
| 2012 | 1 |
| 2013 | 1 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
2002: 2; 2003: 5; 2004: 1; 2005: 2; 2006: 1; 2007: 1; 2008: 3; 2010: 3; 2011: 1; 2012: 1; 2013: 1; 2014: 1; 2018: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10116539 · 2005-04-07 (April 7, 2005)
PURCHSED VEHICLE NEW.. HAVE RETURNED IT VARIOUS TIMES FOR ENGINE LIGHT - FIRST TIME WAS SIX MONTHS AFTER IT WAS PURCHASED. SO FAR I HAVE HAD THE ENGINE SENSOR GAUGE REPLACED TWICE, A GAS SENSOR REPLACED ONCE, THE O2 SENSOR REPLACED TWICE. I TOO HAVE HAD TO TAKE MY CAR IN THREE TIMES FOR THE REAR LIGHTS MALFUNCTIONING - THE LAST TIME THE REPAIR TECHNICIAN 'MISSED' A WIRING ISSUE; THE VINYL NEAR THE POWER WINDOW CONTROLS IS PEELING OFF FOR THE SECOND TIME (FIRST TIME VW REPLACED AT NO COST AFTER I COMPLAINED TO VW AMERICAN); WITH JUST 45000 MIL…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10116539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10370454 · 2010-12-13 (December 13, 2010)
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 REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 60,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10370454 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10367126 · 2010-11-22 (November 22, 2010)
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 OFF. NOW I HAVE TO MANUALLY TURN EVERYTHING ON AND OFF, THIS IS NOT THE VEHICLE GUARANTEE THAT I BOUGHT INTO. I BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE FIXED AS IT IS A REAL HAZARD ON THE ROAD, HOWEVER VOLKSWAGEN THIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 108,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10367126 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10407604 · 2011-06-20 (June 20, 2011)
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 FUEL FILTER YET THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE IGNITION WAS REPLACED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THERE WAS A SHORTAGE IN THE COMPUT…
Owner-reported narrative. 28,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10407604 at NHTSA ↗