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2002 Volkswagen Golf/GTI/R32/Jetta Wagon — R32

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2002 Golf/GTI/R32/Jetta Wagon R32.

Body PASSENGER CAREngine R32

The 2002 Volkswagen Golf/GTI/R32/Jetta Wagon arrives as a passenger car variant powered by the R32 engine, which calls for 4.2 quarts of 5W-30 or 5W-40 API oil. Owner data shows 80 total complaints for this model year, with air bags emerging as the leading concern amid seven recalls. Across the broader 1990–2023 complaint history, the 2002 model sits well below the peak of 187 complaints recorded in 2017 and far above the single-complaint low of 2008, placing it in the middle of the model's reliability spectrum.

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.2 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque89 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 575 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06A115561B. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 575 CCAOEM · verified

Tire size195-65HR15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06A115561B alt 071115444
Engine air filter	1J0129620 alt 1J0129620A
Fuel filter	1J0201511A alt 1J0127401A
Battery	000915105AD alt 000915105AG
Front wiper blades	3A1955427 alt 3A1955425
Serpentine belt	06A145933D alt 06A260849B
Thermostat	050121113C alt 044121113
Cabin air filter	1J0819644A alt 1J0819648

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.2 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 API engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 89 ft-lbs, the oil drain plug to 22.0 ft-lbs.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.2 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt
Engine Oil	5W-40 · 5W-30 · 0W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.8 qt

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	15 ft-lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	15 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug	22.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	11 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	11 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	89 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub	129 ft-lbs

Ignition

Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	870 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	20 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	60 rpm
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	4000-6000 ohms

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.62 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	100
Oil Capacity	Models w/Zexel compressor, 3.9; models w/Sanden compressor, 4.6. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	575 cca

Service checks

Injector Primary Resistance	14-20 ohms
Injector Primary Resistance	13-19 ohms
Engine Oil Pressure	29 psi
Engine Oil Pressure RPM	2000 rpm
Engine Oil Pressure	29 psi @ Idle, 43.5-65.3 psi @ 2000
Engine Oil Pressure	29 psi @ Idle, 43.5-79.7 psi @ 2000 rpm. psi
Intake Valve Lash	Hydraulic in
Exhaust Valve Lash	Hydraulic in

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	26 ft-lbs / 21 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	48 ft-lbs / 89 ft-lbs / 92 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH FS III
Torque Caliper to Bracket	18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	89 ft-lbs
Brake Application	WITH FN3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	18 ft-lbs / 26 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	140 ft-lbs

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 44 ft. lbs., Step 3: 90

22 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

48 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

48 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

48 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

48 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

48 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

48 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 40,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (drain)
Every 5,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 10,000 mi	Battery (inspect electrolyte level) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
At 20,000 mi	Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (drain)
Every 20,000 mi	CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Spark Plugs (replace) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect)
Every 80,000 mi	Drive Belt (replace) · Timing Belt Tensioner (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Owner complaints about the 2002 Volkswagen Golf/GTI/R32/Jetta Wagon lead in one area — the air bags, 21 of 80 reports (26%), well ahead of the next concern. None of this vehicle's 7 recall campaigns target the air bags, so those reports read as owner-reported wear-and-tear rather than an acknowledged defect. 3 of the reports describe a crash and 0 a fire — a small share of the total, but worth weighing against the air bags pattern above. These are tallies of what owners actually reported to the federal government, not an editorial score — and higher-selling models naturally rack up more reports.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

230

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

3 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’90 ’91 ’92 ’93 ’94 ’95 ’96 ’97 ’98 ’99 ’00 ’01’02’03 ’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’23

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 80 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Air Bags21

Engine & Engine Cooling10

Exterior Lighting9

Electrical System6

Power Train6

Visibility4

Service Brakes, Hydraulic3

Seat Belts2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 7 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

14E007000Engine And Engine Cooling:EngineReported 07/03/2014

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and… Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

09E012000Exterior LightingReported 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE… Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 230 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
V171901201285565	2023-08-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
V171901201285562	2023-05-30	Engine And Engine Cooling	Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285560	2023-04-24	Engine And Engine Cooling	Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V941901201152119	2022-12-12	Equipment	Update model year applicability to include 2023.
V271901201189422	2022-12-06	Electrical System	Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Golf/GTI/R32/Jetta Wagon. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.2 qt Engine oil filter 06A115561B Engine air filter 1J0129620 Fuel filter 1J0201511A Battery 000915105AD

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2002 Golf/GTI/R32/Jetta Wagon R32 take?

4.2 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 API SL MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2002 Golf/GTI/R32/Jetta Wagon have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.