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.
Of the 2000 reports, 27 involved a crash and 15 involved a fire. 35 people were injured and 2 people died.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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: visibility
77 reports, newest first. Show all
Visibility, May 20, 2002
DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE POWER WINDOWS REGULATOR BROKE. WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. UNABLE TO WIND THE WINDOWS UP.*AK THE FIRST OCCURRENCE WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND OCCURENCE WAS 75 PERCENT COVERAGE. DEALER REPLACED WINDOW REGULATOR. *TT
Visibility, May 3, 2002
WHILE DRIVING HEARD A LOUD NOISE , FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW SHATTERED INSIDE OF VEHICLE WITH AN EXPLOSION INTO PIECES. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Visibility, Apr 21, 2002
LOCAL VW AUTHORIZED SERVICE CENTER INDICATES THAT THIS PROBLEM IS COMMON ON THE MAKE AND MODEL. THEY INDICATE THAT WE SHOULD EXPECT TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM AGAIN, ON BOTH DOORS. THE REPAIR COST $300 EACH TIME. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOW THAT SOME VW SERVICE CENTERS REPLACE THE PART AT NO COST. OURS DID NOT. *AK
Visibility, Mar 18, 2002
SIX MONTHS AGO THE REAR PASSENGER WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. NOW THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW HAS DONE THE SAME. CAR IS USED FOR BUSINESS TRAVEL AND IS OUTSIDE OF WARRANTY. FROM THE VOLUME OF COMPLAINTS I BELIEVE THIS ITEM SHOULD BE A RECALL.*AK
Visibility, Mar 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INSIDE OF DOOR. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Visibility, Feb 1, 2002
WHILE PUSHING POWER BUTTON FOR WINDOW TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW WILL GET STUCK HALF WAY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED, DELAER REPLACED WINDOW MOTOR THREE TIMES.*AK CONSUMER STATED THERE SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT WITH THE POWER WINDOWS.*SLC
Visibility, Dec 30, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility, Nov 25, 2001
VW KNOWS THAT THIS IS A JUNK WINDOW REGULATOR, PLENTY OF FOLKS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. IT'S UNSAFE TO HAVE WINDOW PROBLEMS, ESPECIALLY WITH A NEW CAR.*AK
Visibility, Nov 16, 2001
WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED 35 MILES FROM HOME. FAILURE WAS SUDDEN AND RAPID. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING, THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. *AK
Visibility, Oct 26, 2001
PLASTIC HANDLE THAT WAS USED TO CHANGE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDEVIEW MIRRORS BROKE FREQUENTLY. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Visibility, Oct 21, 2001
THE FRONT PASSENGER DOOR WAS OPENED WHILE THE DRIVER WAS LOWERING THE PASSENGER WINDOW, WITH A 'POP' THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE DEALER WOULD NOT COVER THE $300 COST BECAUSE IT WAS OUT OF WARRANTY EVEN THOUGH WE WERE TOLD THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *AK
Visibility, Latches/locks/linkages, Jul 19, 2001
A WAX MELTED OUT OF THE DOORS OF THE CAR, THEN A FEW DAYS LATER THE RIGHT PASSENGER WINDOW MADE A SCREACHING NOISE THEN DROPPED DOWN INTO THE DOOR WHILE ELECTRICALLY ROLLING IT UP. ALL OTHER WINDOWS ARE MAKING THE SAME NOISE SO I CAN'T USE THEM IN FEAR I THEY TOO WILL FALL DOWN INTO THE DOOR. SUN ROOF COVER CAME OFF THE TRACK WHILE SHUTTING IT. THE LEVER THAT YOU PUSH TO OPEN THE ARM REST POPPED OFF WHILE OPENING IT. THE DRINK HOLDER FIRST KEPT STICKING INSIDE THE CONSUL, THEN IT SLOWLY BROKE APART. THE DEALERSHIP IS GOING TO CHARGE ME HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TO FIX THESE THINGS THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE BROKE IN THE FIRST PLACE. MY WARRANTY EXPIRED AFTER ONLY 24000 MILES. MY COOLANT (WATER) PUMP JUST BROKE LAST WEEK, BUT THEY FIXED IT BECAUSE IT WAS COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY. THAT SHOULDN'T HAVE NEEDED REPAIR EITHER. I'M IN NEED OF HELP AND I DON'T LIKE THE WAY THIS DEALERSHIP IS TREATING ME. THIS CAR IS AN EXPENSIVE PIECE OF JUNK. I'M WAITING FOR THE NEXT PROBLEM TO HAPPEN. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP!
Visibility, Jul 19, 2001
MY PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FAILED. THE WINDOW COLLAPSED INTO THE DOOR AND WOULDN'T OPERATE CORRECTLY AGAIN. THIS IS A DRIVING HAZARD, PARTICLUARLY WHEN COVERED BY PLASTIC UNTIL REPAIRED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Structure, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jul 12, 2001
BOTH REAR DOOR PANELS VIBRATE--DEALER UNABLE TO FIX. ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED--TEMP. SENSOR REPLACED BY DEALER. PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED TWO DAYS LATER--DEALER REPLACED TEMP. SENSOR. PASSANGER FRONT WINDOW WENT DOWN AND WOULDN'T GO UP--DEALER FIXED. THREE MONTHS LATER, WINDOW WENT DOWN AGAIN--DEALER FIXED. AIR CONDITIONER EMINATES MUSTY SMELL--DEALER SAYS PROBLEM IS DUE TO A PLUGGED DRAIN HOLE IN A/C UNIT--WILL NO FIX. REAR PASSANGER DOOR LEAKS A THICK, GREASY SUBSTANCE. B-PILLAR TRIM VIBRATES ON DRIVER SIDE.*AK
Visibility, Jul 11, 2001
FRONT DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW CABLE BROKE ON TWO SEPARATE OCCASIONS, CAUSING GLASS TO BREAK. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE BEEN CONTACTED. BUT, UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN EXPLANATION FOR THESE INCIDENTS. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
Steering, Visibility, Jul 3, 2001
POWER STEERING BEGAN MAKING A WHEEZING, STRAINED NOISE AFTER THE 20000 MILE SERVICE. PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR; REGULATOR WAS REPLACED BY WARRANTY.*AK
Visibility, Jul 3, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Visibility, Jul 3, 2001
THE FIRST DEFECT WAS AT NIGHT, BUT WHEN THE DRIVERS WINDOW BROKE, IT WAS POURING DOWN RAIN. VERY HARD TO SEE AND DRIVE WHEN THE RAIN IS SOAKING YOU.
Visibility, Jul 2, 2001
POWER WINDOW REGULATOR BREAKS PREMATURELLY CAUSING WINDOW TO FALL DOWN INTO DOOR. PROBLEM OCCURS WITH EITHER DOOR ON BOTH THE TWO DOOR AND FOUE DOOR JETTA AND GOLF. THERE IS A LONG LIST OF OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAVE RECIEVED VERY LITTLE ASSISTANCE FROM DEALER OR VW ABOUT ISSUE. MOST OF THE COMPLAINTS CAN BE VIEWED ON THE INTERNET AT, "WWW.VWVORTEX.COM." LOOK FOR THE FOROUM SECTION, THEN PROCEED TO JETTA AND GOLF IV. DO A SEARCH FOR WINDOW REGULATORS AND VOLLA YOU WILL FIND A LONG LIST OF OWNERS HOW HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS TO THE DEALERS AND TO VWOA ABOUT ISSUE. VWOA STANCE HAS NOT BEEN SET AS A WHOLE AS OF YET, IT SEEMS THAT THEY WILL STRADDLE THE GATE ON THIS ISSUE UNTIL SOMEONE MAKES THEM ACCOUNTABLE. AND WITHOUT VWOA ADDMITTING THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM, THE DEALERSHIPS WILL CONTINUE TO DENY THAT THERE IS A DEFECT AND MAKE THE OWNER LIABLE. PLEASE, CAN YOU INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER AND GIVE THE MAJORITY OF UUS VW OWNERS SOME RELIEF. THANK YOU
Visibility, Jun 14, 2001
BACK DOOR WINDOW REGULATORS MALFUNCTIONED UPON ACTIVATION, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED DOWN TO DEFOG, AND THEN FAILED WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES FOR THEM TO GO BACK UP. DEALER WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE THEY CANNOT "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM." THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, AND MANY FEEL IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY HAVE FAILED ON ME BEFORE, AND I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING WHEN I AM AWAY FROM HOME, LEAVING MY CAR VULNERABLE TO RAIN OR OTHER WEATHER DAMAGE, AS WELL AS THEFT AND VANDALISM.
Visibility, May 16, 2001
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY 'DROPPED' DOWN INTO THE DOOR, LEAVING THE WINDOW TOTALLY OPEN WITH NO ABILITY TO CLOSE.*AK
Visibility, Apr 14, 2001
ON 10/2000 D/S PWR WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR FRAME, CAR UNDER WARRANTY AND PART REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECH AT DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART FAILING. SIX MONTHS LATER ON 04/11/2001 THE PASSENGER SIDE PWR WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR FRAME. ON THIS OCCASION I CONTACED VW SINCE MY CAR HAD JUST PASSED OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, VW TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME. I AM HOPING THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH THE REAR WINDOWS. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH VW AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, POSSIBLY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED SINCE WHEN THE REGULATOR BREAKS THE NOISE IS VERY FRIGHTENING (SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT) AND POSSIBLY MIGHT CAUSE SOMEONE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Electrical system, Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2001
ECU FAILURE: (5K MILES) ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, ENGINE COMPUTER LIGHT LIT, ATTEMPED TO START USING 3 DIFFERENT POWER SOURCES (DEALER, TOW, ANOTHER CAR) FAILED - BATTERY FINE. ENGINE COMPUTER WAS RESET AFTER TEST INDICATED FAULTY COMPUTER SETTINGS. ERROR 2: (14K MILES) ENGINE DISPLAYED "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP" MESSAGE, MIL LIGHT LIT. DEALER REPORTED FAULTY ENGINE COMPUTER, REPLACED COMPUTER. ERROR 3: 20 MILES AFTER PICKING CAR UP FROM DEALER, ENGINE DISPLAYED "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP" MESSAGE, MIL LIT AGAIN. RETURNED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED ECU A SECOND TIME. DEALER ALSO REPLACES MAF (MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR). THIS SEEMS TO HAVE RESOLVED THE ECU PROBLEMS... FOR NOW? ERROR 3: (15K MILES) PASSENGER POWER WINDOW FAILED WITH LOUD "POP" DEALER REPLACED WINDOW REGULATOR, STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT VW WAS WORKING ON A MORE ROBUST WINDOW DESIGN -- WILL FUTURE FAILURE BE REPLACED BY VW AFTER WARRENTEE PERIOD? ERROR 4: CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FAILED, REPLACED BY DEALER.
Visibility, Oct 10, 2000
LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT POWER WINDOWS FAILED, POWERED DOWN THE FRONT WINDOWS AND HEARD A LOUD NOISE, WHEN CONSUMER TRIED TO ROLL THEM UP NOTING HAPPENED.*ET
Visibility, Aug 28, 2000
WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IN MY BRAND NEW VW JETTA COLLAPSED INSIDE THE DOOR AND BROKE. I COULD NOT ROLL UP MY WINDOW. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THEY SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON, DUE TO HOT WEATHER. I THINK A RECALL IS IN ORDER, TO REPLACE THE PART THAT CANNOT HANDLE HOT WEATHER, AND ALERT THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU.