2002 Volkswagen Golf vs 2004 Volkswagen Golf
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 Golf | 2004 Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| NHTSA complaints | 73 | 28 |
| Recall campaigns | 3 | 2 |
| Service bulletins (TSBs) | 222 | 239 |
| Investigations | 3 | 0 |
| Crash reports | 2 | 3 |
| Fire reports | 0 | 1 |
| NCAP overall rating | — | — |
| EPA MPG (combined) | 23–38 | 24–36 |
| Median reported incident mileage | 59,940 mi | 48,532 mi |
Reported problems side by side
| Component | Volkswagen Golf | Volkswagen Golf |
|---|---|---|
| Air Bags | 22 | 3 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 13 | 4 |
| Electrical System | 11 | 4 |
| Exterior Lighting | 11 | 1 |
| Visibility | 7 | 1 |
| Power Train | 4 | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 3 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 3 | 1 |
2002 Volkswagen Golf
2004 Volkswagen Golf
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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.