2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX
3VWDC21V52M801888
Vehicle history report for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio GLX (VIN 3VWDC21V52M801888). Red. 75,896 mi reported. Registered in Md. No open recalls. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio worth?
What comparable 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
Is the seller's price fair? Get this exact VIN's current market value — retail, trade-in & loan value — in the full report.
See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 3VWDC21V52M801888
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls None found
No open NHTSA recall campaigns were found for this 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio.
We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 32 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
🔥 2 involved a fire
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Test wipers, washers, defrosters and all mirrors. Check the windshield for cracks and any camera/sensor for fogging or faults.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 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.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 32
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,VISIBILITY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. ON AUGUST 29, 2017, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (DAVID MAUS VOLKSWAGEN, 1050 LEE RD, ORLANDO, FL 32810) FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. THE CONTACT RETURNED ON SEPTEMBER 13, 2017 TO RETRIEVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NO LONGER WORKING. THE CONTACT INFORMED THE TECHNICIAN THAT THE AIR …
NHTSA ODI #11062171STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
WHILE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE IT JUST STOPPED WOULD NOT START. WENT TO LIFT THE HOOD IT WAS HOT AND IT SEEMS TO HAVE HAD A FIRE. AT A VW DEALER FOR OVER 2 WKS AND THEY STILL CAN'T FIGURE IT OUT. SO FAR THEY SAID IT APPEARS ENGINE HARNESS FIRE HAD STARTED AT THE STARTER AND THIS PART IS DISCONTINUED THERE IS A REPAIR KIT. VW CLAIMS A LOT OF ITEMS MUST BE REPLACE…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10626270ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
ENGINE COIL SUDDENLY WENT BAD. HAD PRIOR REPAIR. *LN
NHTSA ODI #10546171VISIBILITY
2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. CONSUMER STATES THE REAR WINDOW FELL OUT *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED IT APPEARED, HER MODEL YEAR WAS THE ONLY YEAR, WHERE THE WINDOWS WERE GLUED IN, INSTEAD OF SEALED, IN THE CONVERTIBLE TOPS.
NHTSA ODI #10480282SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO CONVERTIBLE. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE VEHICLE STALLED WITH THE INTERMITTENT ILLUMINATION OF THE ABS WARNING LIGHT. SMOKE BEGAN POURING FROM UNDER THE HOOD AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER. THE TECHNICIANS REPLACED THE STARTER AND THE FUEL FILTER Y…
Fire · NHTSA ODI #10407604SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 VOLKSWAGEN CABRIO. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CONTACT PUSHED ON THE BRAKES TO STOP THE VEHICLE WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL FELT AS IF IT WAS PULLED DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND THE TIRES LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS STATED THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…
NHTSA ODI #10370454ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2002 VW CABRIO CONVERTIBLE, WHEN IT RAINS THE LIGHTS, ELECTRICAL LOCKS AND DOME LIGHTS TURN ON AND OFF, THE WHOLE ELECTRICAL LIGHTING AND ELECTRONIC SWITCH FAILURE OCCURS. LIKE THE CARE IS POSSESSED, I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID THIS IS NOT A SAFETY ISSUE, HOWEVER HAVE YOU EVER DRIVEN A CAR AT NIGHT WITH THE LIGHTS INSIDE AND OUT GOING ON AND OFF. NOW I…
NHTSA ODI #10367126VISIBILITY
THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW WOULD NOT ROLL UP. I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE WINDOW REGULATOR. IT COMPLETELY FAILED ONCE IT BROKE AND THE WINDOW REMAINED OPEN. THE CONSEQUENCES ARE NO SECURITY AND UNSAFE. THIS WEEK THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW DID THE SAME THING AFTER I PAID FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE TO BE REPAIRED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10297895+ 24 more complaints on record.
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Frequently asked questions
Can I find out who owns this vehicle from the VIN?
No — and no legitimate service can. Linking a VIN or plate to a named owner is restricted by the U.S. Driver's Privacy Protection Act, the EU GDPR and equivalent laws. CarLogs shows the vehicle only — specs, recalls, problems and value — never the person.
Is the VIN 3VWDC21V52M801888 valid?
3VWDC21V52M801888 is a structurally valid 17-character VIN with a correct ISO 3779 check digit, assigned to a manufacturer in Mexico. It decodes to the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio.
Does the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio have any open safety recalls?
No open NHTSA safety-recall campaigns were found for the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio. CarLogs checks this against official NHTSA data on every lookup.
What is a fair price for a 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio?
Comparable 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio listings run roughly $600–$2,900, typically around $1,635 (from 10 comparable vehicles). The full report shows this exact VIN's valuation.
What fuel economy does the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio get?
The U.S. EPA rates the 2002 Volkswagen Cabrio at about 24 mpg combined (21 city / 28 highway).
Data last checked 30 Aug 2026 · Sources: NHTSA (recalls & complaints), U.S. EPA (fuel economy), NHTSA vPIC (specifications). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.