One problem related to manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe has been reported for the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2002 Volkswagen Jetta based on all problems reported for the 2002 Jetta.
Purchased car in January 2002 new from dealer, in shop 2 days later tire not installed, causing it to go flat, happened again 2 days after that, and again the next week, finally rims and tires were replaced problem solved. Then hand brake failed, in shop to fix, 2 weeks after it was returned failed again, fixed, then 3 weeks after that if failed again, then the window brackets broke, then engine failed that was supposedly on a recall part, was fixed, then it failed a few months later again, supposedly fixed, then it failed again only this time they said it was the catalytic converter, then it failed again this time they said it was the oil pump and hose and blamed that on us, then it failed again, was fixed, and now it is completely down again.