2002 Volkswagen GTI vs 2003 Volkswagen GTI
Complaints, recalls, TSBs, investigations and safety ratings side by side, from official federal data. Last verified Aug 7, 2026. Raw complaint counts are not adjusted for sales volume.
| Metric | 2002 Volkswagen GTI | 2003 Volkswagen GTI |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 124 | 53 |
| Recall campaigns | 2 | 1 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 113 | 113 |
| Investigations | 2 | 1 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 7 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 21–24 | 22–24 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 18,366 mi | 39,750 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Volkswagen GTI | Volkswagen GTI |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 42 | 9 |
| Air Bags | 23 | 18 |
| Wheels | 22 | 0 |
| Power Train | 10 | 12 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 7 | 8 |
| Visibility | 8 | 2 |
| Exterior Lighting | 4 | 2 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 4 | 2 |
Symptoms owners describe
| Rust / corrosion | 14 | 0 |
| Stalling | 8 | 0 |
| Loss of power | 6 | 0 |
| Check engine light | 0 | 5 |
2002 Volkswagen GTI
2003 Volkswagen GTI
Compare all Volkswagen GTI vs Volkswagen GTI years →
Method. Complaints are unique NHTSA reports. A vehicle that sold more units will naturally accumulate more complaints — use shares and read the underlying reports before drawing conclusions.