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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Beetle 2002 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2002 Volkswagen Beetle: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

165Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
2Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
4Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
23Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Air Bags43 complaints

43 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System40 complaints

40 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine25 complaints

25 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Power Train23 complaints

23 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting15 complaints

15 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 06V183000, 07V063000.

Brakes14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts12 complaints

12 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Wheels1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

06V183000Reported May 24, 2006 - 646,246 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on May 24, 2006. The campaign covers an estimated 646,246 vehicles across all affected models.

07V063000Reported February 20, 2007 - 1,002,000 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 20, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 1,002,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA03002Opened April 8, 2003 - Closed August 20, 2003

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. Resulted in recall campaign 03V265000.

EA03002Opened April 8, 2003 - Closed August 20, 2003

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. Resulted in recall campaign 03V265000.

RQ06004Opened February 28, 2006 - Closed August 7, 2006

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 06V183000.

RQ06004Opened February 28, 2006 - Closed August 7, 2006

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 06V183000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200220
20039
20048
200512
200612
200710
200822
200914
201015
201112
20125
20135
20145
20152
20168
20171
20182
20211
20231
20241
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.