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2000 Volkswagen Jetta

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 451 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 451

Of the 2000 reports, 27 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 35 people were injured and 2 people died.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling123 reports · 27% of complaints
Owner complaints451Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling123
  2. Visibility77
  3. Electrical system64
  4. Service brakes44
  5. Air bags41
  6. Hydraulic41
  7. Power train37
  8. Exterior lighting32

Recalls and investigations

  1. Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 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 manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

    A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    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.

    Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchMay 24, 2006

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AND CRUISE CONTROLS, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY DURING SAFETY RECALLS 03V-265 OR 04V-096.

    THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 27, 2006. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 06V183000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Exterior lighting, hazard flashing warning lights, switchDec 16, 2004

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HAZARD SWITCH AND FLASHER SYSTEM FUNCTION MAY DEGRADE OVER TIME BECAUSE OF DISTORTION AND MATERIAL TRANSFER OF THE CONTACTS OF CERTAIN HAZARD SWITCH RELAYS WHICH OCCURS DUE TO SUBSTANTIALLY INCREASED ELECTRICAL CURRENT LOAD FROM HIGHER WATTAGE TURN SIGNAL BULBS.

    THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH/RELAY KIT. THE RECALL BEGAN ON MARCH 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 04V584000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 20, 2004

    ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.

    IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

    THIS RECALL HAS BEEN SUPERCEDED BY 06V-183. OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD A REMEDY PERFORMED UNDER THIS RECALL SHOULD RETURN TO THEIR DEALER FOR THE REDESIGNED REMEDY. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 04V096000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Equipment, other, owners/service/other manualSep 12, 2002

    CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.

    THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

    OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 02V244000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine and engine cooling

123 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 30, 2003

    CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND NO WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL STALL ,AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

  2. Engine and engine cooling, May 17, 2003

    VW JETTA GLS. BOTTOM IS FIRST DATE OF PROBLEM. EXCESSIVE FUEL BURNING AND ALARM/LIGHT WENT ON AT 8,000 MILES - RESULTED IN BLOWN HEAD GASKET @37,000 AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUOUSLY ON. VW DENIES THAT EVEN THOUGH IT WAS SERVICED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM SO MANY TIMES, THE VEHICLE WAS NOT IMPAIRED. *JB

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 27, 2003

    EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (2.5 QUARTS IN 300 MILES). *NLM

  4. Engine and engine cooling, Apr 8, 2003

    A STRONG SMELL OF ANTI FREEZE CAN BE SMELLED INSIDE HE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *NLM

  5. Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2003

    VEHICLE STALLS SUDDENLY AND THE POWER STEERING LOCKS UP. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

  6. Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Jan 14, 2003

    WINDOW REGULATOR: FAILED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: ON

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Jan 7, 2003

    THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM SENSOR FAIL DUE TO DEFECT. ONCE THE WARRENTY IS OUT AT 28,000 MILES, CAR BEGIN TO FALL APART. I HAVE TO REPLACE THE CANISTER, NEW BRAKE SYSTEM, THE O2 SENSORS AND OTHER MINOR FIXES. PLEASE CHECK IF VW KNOW ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND STILL RELEASE THE NEW 2000 JETTA MODEL WITH ALL THE PROBLEM.

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 4, 2002

    CONSUMER NOTICED ENGINE CONSUMING EVERY 1000 MILES ONE QUART OF OIL. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. MR

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 30, 2002

    WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE VEHICLE WILL SHUT OFF CAUSING CONSUMER TO PULL OVER. DEALER NOTIFIED. TS THE STEERING DOESN'T LOCK WHEN THE VEHICLE DIES. THE VEHICLE OPERATES AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ENGAGED. *JG

  10. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 11, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND WILL STAY ON THE REMAINDER OF THE TIME THE VEHICLE IS IN MOVEMENT. CONSUMER REPLACE NUMEROUS OF TIME. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 7, 2002

    TURBO CHARGER FAILED SENDING METAL PIECES INTO ENGINE CYLINDERS CAUSING CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE TO ENGINE. MR

  12. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 14, 2002

    ON 6/15/02 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. DEALER DIAGNOSED AS P0411 VACUUM HOSE LEAK AND REPAIRED. LIGHT CAME BACK ON ON 7/8/02. DEALER DIAGOSED A MALFUNCTIONING RECIRCULATING VALVE TO TURBO CHARGER AND REPAIRED ON 7/23/02. LIGHT CAME BACK ON 7/24/02 AND REMAINED ON UNTIL 9/6/02 WHEN IT WENT OUT BY ITSELF. LIGHT CAME BACK ON 9/11/02 AND REMAINS ON. I AM VERY UNHAPPY WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WONDER IF THE REPAIRS I HAVE HAD MADE WERE NECESSARY. I WOULD LIKE THIS PROBLEM RESOLVED. PLEASE RELAY TO VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA MY DISSATISFACTION WITH THIS WARNNG LIGHT PROBLEM. I ALSO AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE RESPONSE I HAVE RECEIVED FROM GREEN TOYOTA. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT CLAIMED THEY WERE NOT FAMILIAR WITH THIS RECURRING CHECK ENGINE PROBLEM AND EVEN SUGGESTED I WAS LOW ON FUEL OR HAD FAILED TO TIGHTEN MY GAS CAP. AFTER REVIEWING THE COMPLAINTS ON THIS WEB-SITE, I BELIEVE PROBLEM IS RELATIVELY COMMON, AND THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAS AN OBLIGATION TO SERVE THE CUSTOMER MORE HONESTLY. NLM

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 11, 2002

    ENGINE IMMOBILIZER REPEATEDLY AND RANDOMLY ENGAGES. ENGINE WON'T START. DEALER CANNOT DIAGNOSE. VW REFUSES TO HELP.*AK

  14. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2002

    ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON DEC 01. TOOK CAR TO DEALER AND CODE FOR GLOW PLUGS WAS DISCOVERED. WAS INFORMED THAT THIS WAS NOT THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE, AND REPAIRS WERE NOT MADE. CODE PULLED UP AGAIN BY 2 OTHER VOLKSWAGEN MECHANICS, NOT FIXED UNTIL 7/02 AFTER THE DEALER CONCLUDED THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.*AK

  15. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 11, 2002

    TURBO HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS SINCE DEC 2001 - VOLKSW FAILED TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM CORRECTLY AFTER $1100 WORTH OF REPAIRS. TURBO WENT OUT ON VEHICLE, CAUSING OIL TO NOT BE CIRCULATED THROUGH THE ENGINE, AND INSTEAD FLOWED STRAIGHT INTO THE EXHAUST. VOLKSWAGEN ARRANGED TO REPLACE THE ENGINE IN MY VEHICLE PER MY WARRANTY, BUT LATER CHANGED THEIR DIAGNOSIS AND ONLY REPLACED THE TURBO.*AK

  16. Engine and engine cooling, Jul 2, 2002

    02 SENSOR FAILURE.*AK

  17. Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jul 2, 2002

    ENGINE CHECK LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE CODES DETERMINE A FAULTY MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR. *AK

  18. Engine and engine cooling, May 1, 2002

    CHECK ENGINE LIGHT (MLI) CAME ON. CHECKED ENGINE OIL AND FOUND TO BE NEARLY TWO QUARTS LOW. REFILLED AND CALLED DEALERSHIP. DELAERSHIP REPLACED O2 SENSOR - INDICATED THAT OIL CONSUMPTION OF THIS AMOUNT WAS UNUSUAL AND SHOULD BE TRACKED. SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, CHECKED OIL AND WAS NEARLY TWO QUARTS LOW. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP, TWEAKED ECM SETTINGS AND FIXED THE PROBLEM. NEW SERICE MANAGER CLAIMS THAT HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION IS TYPICAL WITH THIS ENGINE (NOTICE - VERY DIFFERENT RESPONSE FROM FIRST ENCOUNTER). TWO DAYS LATER, WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. I HAVE AN APPPOINMENT WITH DEALER ON FRIDAY. CAR IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY (2 YEARS) AND HAS ONLY 15K MILES ON IT.*JB

  19. Engine and engine cooling, Mar 28, 2002

    VEHICLE CONSUMING OIL SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT. DEALER CHANGED PISTONS AT 15232 MILES BUT CAR IS STILL CONSUMING OIL AT 33853 MILES. HAVE RETURNED 13 TIMES TO THE DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE JUNE 2000 BUT MANUFACTURER INSISTED CONSUMER KEEP COMING BACK FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS REGULARLY EVERY 1000 MILES. CONSUMER PERSUING COURT ACTION AT THIS TIME. NLM

  20. Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 1, 2002

    FOR A NEWER CAR THIS VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN VERY PROBLEMATIC. ON THREE OCCASIONS AFTER STARTING THE CAR THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE A NOTICEABLE SPUTTERING NOICE AND SHAKING LIKE IT WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP RUNNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ACCOMPANIED BY A SULFUROUS SMELL AND BLUISH EXHAUST. UPON ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AFTER IDLING FOR A WHILE, THE CAR WOULD STALL AND NOT RESTART. USUALLY WITHIN AN HOUR TO A DAY LATER IT WOULD START AGAIN ONLY AFTER REVING THE ENGINE TO HIGH RPMS FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURED (TOO BUSY TO SEE MY CAR) THEY THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MOISTURE IN THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER OR AROUND RAINY/SNOWY WEATHER. I HAD A TUNE UP RECENTLY AND THE CAR STILL FEELS LIKE IT MAY STALL WHEN IT IS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT OR IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS UNACCEPABLE FOR SUCH A NEW CAR. AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS I HAD THE INDASH CD PLAYER REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF DEFECT AND THE FUSES THAT ILLUMINATE THE TEMP/RADIO CONTROLS REPLACE TWICE ALL WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP DUE TO MALFUNCTION.*AK

  21. Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2001

    ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS COME ON THREE (3) DIFFERENT TIMES. FIRST TIME WAS OXYGEN SENSOR, 2ND TIME WAS A VALVE ON THE TURBO, AND THE 3RD TIME WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.*AK

  22. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2001

    NO INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ON TEMPERATURE CONTROL. VEHICLE BEEN AT THE DEALER SHOP FOR FOUR DAYS, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

  23. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 24, 2001

    THE ENGINE FAILED AFTER LEAKING OIL SEVERAL TIMES, CONSUMER WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPLACEMENT ENGINES ARE ALSO HAVIG SIMILIAR PROBLEMS.*YH

  24. Engine and engine cooling, Sep 8, 2001

    THIS JETTA, LIKE MANY OTHER OWNERS REPORT, BURNS AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. CONTACTED DEALER, MANUFACTURER. BURNS 1 QT PER 1000 MILES. RIDICULOUS. THE MANUFACTER REPORTS THIS IS "NORMAL". THIS IS A COVER-UP FOR A BIGGER DEFECT IN THIS MODEL.*AK

  25. Engine and engine cooling, Aug 9, 2001

    THE ENGINE COOLANT SYSTEM ON THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN RIGHT. ONE MONTH AFTER PURCHASE WE BROUGHT THE CAR INTO THE DEALER BECAUSE THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED POORLY WHEN THE CAR BECAME HOT. IT WOULD UP SHIFT AND DOWNSHIFT FOR NO REASON. THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. THAT THIS IS HOW THEY SHIFT. THE TRANSMISSION STILL SHIFTS IN THIS MANNER. THEN IN OCTOBER OF 2000 THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. WE WERE TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET. THEY RESET THE SENSOR AND ON 10/27/2000, JUST TWO WEEKS LATER, THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY REPLACED THE COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR. THEN ON 7/16/2001 THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND WE NEEDED TO HAVE THE SECONDARY WATER PUMP REPLACED. NOW ON 8/9/01 THE VEHICLE IS AT THE DEALER AGAIN BECAUSE THE COOLANT WARNING LIGHT CAME ON. I AM WRITING A LETTER TO THE MANUFACTURER. ANY FURTHER ADVICE OR ASSISTANCE YOU CAN GIVE WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.*AK