Model year guide

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 10 on record.

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio at a glance

Safety recallsNone
Owner complaints32
Combined23–24 mpg
Typical price$1,635

Included: that car's specs and build sheet, model-year recall campaigns and a fair price.

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio recalls 0

No NHTSA safety-recall campaigns are on record for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio.

Source: U.S. NHTSA, checked 4 Nov 2026. A campaign covers the model year; to see whether a particular car still needs the repair, check its VIN on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer.

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio common problems

The most-reported problem areas across all 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio MPG & running costs

Combined23–24 mpg
City21 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$2,850
EPA size classSubcompact Cars
TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd or Manual 5-spd
Passenger volume82 cu ft
Cargo volume8 cu ft
5-yr fuel cost vs average new car$2,250 more

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. The EPA lists 2 versions of this model year; combined is shown as a range and the other figures are averages.

What's a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio worth?

Low
$600
Typical price
$1,635
High
$2,900

From 10 comparable 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$14,250
Fuel only$14,250
Per mile$0.19

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

Dimensions & weight

Length
160.2 in
Width
66.5 in
Height
55.9 in
Wheelbase
97.2 in
Curb weight
2,831 lb
Front track
57.5 in
Rear track
56.3 in

Manufacturer-reported figures for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. Source: Transport Canada vehicle specifications via NHTSA.

Investigations & service bulletins

Manufacturer service bulletins 151

Technical notes the manufacturer sent to dealers about known issues and fixes. Useful to mention to a mechanic — they are not recalls and repairs may not be covered. Showing the 10 most recent of 151.

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

Bulletin V171901201285565 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Aug 2023

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Bulletin V171901201285562 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2023

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

Bulletin V171901201285560 · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2023

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

Bulletin V941901201152119 · Equipment · Dec 2022

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

Bulletin V271901201189422 · Electrical System · Dec 2022

This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.

Bulletin A002155201173212 · Electrical System · Dec 2021

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

Bulletin V171901201285534 · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2021

Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A

Bulletin V871806201994714 · Equipment · May 2020

Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon.

Bulletin V011812_2014603 · Electrical System · Jul 2019

Update vehicle metadata.

Bulletin V871812-2005566 · Equipment Adaptive/mobility, Equipment · Jun 2019

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation, listed for the CABRIO. Model-year data, not specific to one car.

About the Volkswagen Cabrio

The Volkswagen Golf is a compact car/small family car (C-segment) produced by the German automotive manufacturer Volkswagen since 1974, marketed worldwide across eight generations, in various body configurations and under various nameplates – including as the Volkswagen Rabbit in the United States and Canada, and as the Volkswagen Caribe in Mexico (Mk1). The Golf is Volkswagen's bestseller and the third best-selling automobile of all time, with over 37 million units sold worldwide.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Describes the model line in general, not this model year specifically.

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio trims & engines on record

Trims
GLX
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 115 hp

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio vehicles on record

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V82M805739 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V12M811690 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V52M800191 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21VX2M804883 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V82M804929 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V12M804822 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V12M806120 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V92M808309 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V62M801656 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX3VWDC21V52M801888

Other Volkswagen Cabrio model years

2001 2000 1999 1998

2002 Volkswagen Cabrio — frequently asked questions

Does the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio have any safety recalls?

NHTSA lists no safety-recall campaigns for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. Whether an individual car still needs a recall repair depends on its VIN — check it on NHTSA.gov or ask a franchised dealer. Recall repairs are done at no charge.

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio?

Across all 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are electrical system, engine and engine cooling, power train.

What gas mileage does the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio get?

The 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio has U.S. EPA estimates of 23–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and trim (2 versions).

How much is a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio worth?

Comparable 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio listings run roughly $600–$2,900, typically around $1,635 (from 10 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.