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
451 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Aug 12, 2003
PROBLEM WITH ENGINE CONTROL MODULE WHICH CAUSED ELECTRICAL FAILURE THROUGHOUT VEHICLE, IN PARTICULAR, DISABLED ALL DOOR LOCKING SYSTEMS, TRUNK AND GAS DOOR BUTTONS, OVERHEAD LIGHTS AND HEATING/COOLING PANNEL LIGHTS. THIS CAUSED SERIOUS ISSUE AS OWNER WAS UNABLE TO MANUALLY OPEN GAS DOOR TO FILL VEHICLE DUE TO BUTTON ON THE DOOR BEING DIABLED AND WAS UNABLE TO SET VEHICLE ALARM SYSTEM DUE TO LOCKING SYSTEM BEING DISABLED. ISSUE WAS TRACED TO COMFORT COVENIENCE MODULE, AND TRACED TO MAIN WIRING HARNESS THAT WAS CAUSING A SHORT AND BLOWN FUSES. TO MERELY FIND AND DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM TOOK DEALER OVER 11 HOURS TO REPLACE $2.88 WORTH OF PARTS---AN EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF TIME. VOLKSWAGON USA STANDS BY DEALER AND REFUSED ASSISTANCE EVEN THOUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE REPS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT REPAIR TIME SEEMED EXTREMELY EXCESSIVE IN NATURE. HAVE SEEN SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING VW ELECTRICAL SYSTEM ISSUES AND WILL BE FILING COMPLAINTS WITH OAG'S IN MA AND NH.*AK
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2003
MY AIR CONDITIONER WENT OUT ON MY 2000 VW JETTA. I FIGURED IT WAS SOMETHING SIMPLE. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THAT THE COMPRESSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY SAID IT WAS GOING TO COST $1,400.00+ TO FIX IT! I DON'T UNDERSTAND HOW SOMETHING THIS MAJOR COULD HAPPEN ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD!
Steering, Aug 7, 2003
CONSUMER STATED WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND NO WARNING THE STEERING BOLT CAME LOOSE. THIS CAUSED THE STEERING WHEEL TO JUMP AROUND AND MADE IT HARD FOR CONSUMER TO STEER THE VEHICLE. DEALER WAS NOTIFIED. *PH
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Aug 6, 2003
CONSUMER CALLED COMPLAINING ABOUT GAS RECIRCULATION VALVE ( EGR VALVE). VEHICLE WON'T ACCELERATE EVEN THOUGH SHE WA S STEPPING ALL THE WAY ON THE GAS PEDAL. DEALER WAS CONTACTED, AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HAD TO REPLACE BRAKES AND ROTORS AT 35000 MILES, WHICH SHE THOUGHT THAT IT WAS NOT USUALLY NORMAL ON ANY VEHICLE. *AK
Electrical system, Aug 6, 2003
APROX. DATES. SEVERE HESITATION @ 2000 MILES ON MAY 23 2001. PURCHASED NEW ON APRIL 8 2001. REPAIRED THREE MORE TIMES AFTER FIRST "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" APPEARED. LIGHT IS ON AT CURRENT TIME AND NOT UNDER WARRANTY ANY MORE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF VW SHOP TO MANY TIMES FOR HOW NEW IT IS.
Power train, Aug 5, 2003
THE ENTIRE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY IN MY 2000 JETTA 2.0L NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AFTER 2 YEARS OF OWNING THE NEW VEHICLE AT 17,000 MILES. IT WAS REPLACED BUT I HAD TO PAY THE DEALER $1,700.00 WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BECAUSE DEALER SAID IT WAS ABUSE AND IT WAS AWARE ITEM. TODAY AT 24,000 MILES THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY BLEW OUT AGAIN AND I STILL HAVE NOT HERD FROM THE DEALER.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 5, 2003
ON THREE OCCASIONS MY DRIVER/AND OR PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS FELL INTO THE DOORS. VW FIXED THEM AT NO CHARGE...AFTER MUCH ARGUING. EVER SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT THE CAR (BRAND NEW), MY CAR IS DOWN 2 QUARTS BEFORE THE 3000 MILE OIL CHANGE. VW SAYS THAT THIS IS NORMAL.I DON'T THINK THAT IS RIGHT. *AK
Parking brake, Power train, Electrical system, Jul 28, 2003
BRAKE SENSOR FAILED. EPC LIGHT ACTIVATED AND CAR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK. MECHANICAL BRAKE ON TRANSMISSION FAILED TO RECOGNIZE BRAKE WAS DEPRESSED. FAULTY SENSOR REQURED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Equipment, Jul 28, 2003
2000 VW JETTA GLX. AIR CONDITIONER FAILED. CLIMATE CONTROL READS NO PROBLEMS AND FREON LEVELS CHECK FINE A/C CYLINDER PRODUCES HIGH PITCH SQUEALING NOISE. FINAL DIAGNOSTIC NOT COMPLETE FOR ROUTE SOURCE OF PROBLEM.*AK
Visibility, Jul 27, 2003
FRONT WINDOW ON DRIVER'S SIDE FELL INTO DOOR... POWER WINDOW SWITCH FAILED TO BRING IT BACK UP... MADE HORRIFIC GRINDING SOUND... ONLY 46,000 MILES ON CAR. *AK
Exterior lighting, Jul 16, 2003
VW JETTAS. COMMON PROBLEM IS THAT THE BRAKE LIGHTS STOP WORKING WITHOUT WARNING. OWNERS ARE UNAWARE OF THIS. THIS IS DANGEROUS. 2000 AND NEWER YEARS. YOU SHOULD MAKE THEM ISSUE A SAFETY RECALL.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 16, 2003
EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION. HE CAR CONSUMED APPROXIMATELY 1 QT OF OIL PER 1500 MI. TAKING INTO CONSIDERATION THIS CAR HAD 8 MILES WHEN I LEASE IT, AND I DRIVE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS THIS ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION, FOR ME, IS TOTALLY UNREASONABLE. IF I WOULD NOT REFILL THE ENGINE OIL BETWEEN OIL CHANGE INTERVALS (5000 MI), THE CAR WOULD CONSUME 74% OF ITS TOTAL ENGINE OIL, EASILY BURNING ITS ENGINE. AT THE DEALER SUGGESTION I ENDED UP TRADING THIS CAR YET FOR ANOTHER JETTA, ALSO CONSUMING OIL. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 13, 2003
MY 2000 JETTA RAN DRY ON OIL AT 21,000 MILES BUT NOT UNDER 2YR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY (6K MILES AFTER A FACTORY OIL CHANGE). THEY DID A CONSUMPTION TEST FOR 1500 MILES AND ASSURED US EVERYTHING WAS OK. IT WAS OK FOR 1500 MILES THEN IT WAS EMPTY AGAIN. THEY HAD TO CHANGE THE PISTON RINGS AND PRETENDED THAT THIS WAS A UNIQUE PROBLEM FOR OUR CAR. I HAVE SINCE READ OTHER REPORTS OF SIMILAR EXPERIENCES.*AK
Power train, Jul 12, 2003
CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, WITH IGNITION ON, CAR RUNNING DESPITE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. *AK
Fuel system, Diesel, Jul 3, 2003
PROBLEMS WITH ACCELERATION ON MY 2000 VW TDI WHICH HAVE BECOME INCREASINGLY HAZARDOUS. VEHICLE ACCELERATES WHEN IT CHOOSES TO DO SO. CONDITION IS ONGOING. WILL NOT SPEED UP OFF EXIT RAMPS NOR WHEN GOING UPHILL. SOURCE OF ROAD RAGE AT THIS POINT. BRAKES (REAR) DISINTEGRATED BEFORE REACHING 40,000 MILES. NOT PLEASED WITH THIS CAR'S PERFORMANCE AND IT APPEARS TO BE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. SPOKE WITH SOMEONE ELSE HAVING THE SAME MODEL AND YEAR WHO HAD THE SAME SYMPTOMS. REPORTEDLY IT IS SOME SORT OF AIR FLOW DEFECT. WANT TO KNOW IF THIS IS COVERED UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY AND WHY THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL.
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
Electrical system, Jun 12, 2003
THE COIL HAD STARTED GOING FAULTY ABOUT 1 YEAR PRIOR. DUE TO MOISTURE IN THE COIL, THE CAR WAS BARELY RUNNING -- IT BACK FIRED, AND WAS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE TO GET IT ROLLING UP A HILL, ALMOST CAUSING ME TO ROLL INTO A CAR BEHIND ME AT A STOP SIGN. I WAS ABLE TO GET IT REPLACED UNDER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED BY THE RECALL ON ALL THE OTHER COILS -- THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS OF 2000 MODELS WITH THE VR6 ENGINE HAVING THE SAME COIL FAILURE. *JB
Other or unspecified, Jun 2, 2003
NAR 6-03-2003 *MR 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SEATING THE AUTOMATIC ADJUSTMENT MECHANISM. * CB
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
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 27, 2003
EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION (2.5 QUARTS IN 300 MILES). *NLM
Fuel system, Gasoline, Apr 24, 2003
I COMPLAINED TO THE DEALERSHIP ABOUT SMELLING GASOLINE, TEMPERATURE LIGHT, AND ENGINE LIGHT KEPT COMING ON. THEY TOLD ME A VALVE ON THE FILLER TUBE OF THE GAS TANK WAS BROKEN AND I WOULD NEED TO REPLACE THE GAS TANK. THEY TOLD ME THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ANTIFREEZE SYSTEM AND A "FLANGE" WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. *NLM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 16, 2003
2000 JETTA - VIN [XXX] WHEN REPLACING MY BRAKE DISC PADS I NOTED THAT THE FRONT DISCS PADS ARE IN SHOW ROOM QUANTITY. IT APPEARS THAT ONLY THE REAR BRAKES ARE WORKING. TO HAVE 40000 MILES ON A CAR AND HAVE VIRTUALLY NO WEAR ON THE FRONT DISC PADS GIVES ME CAUSE FOR CONCERN. WHAT IS THE BRAKE DESIGN BASIS FOR THE 2000 JETTA? IS THE OPERATION OF ONLY THE REAR BRAKES A SAFETY CONCERN? CAN THE 2000 JETTA MEET THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION (NHTSA) STANDARDS FOR ALLOWABLE STOPPING DISTANCE WITH ONLY REAR DISC BRAKE OPERATION? VW INTERNATIONAL RESPONDED BY PHONE CALL NOTING THAT THEY WERE NOT CONCERNED IF THE FRONT WHEEL BRAKES WERE NOT WORKING. OUR FAMILY PURCHASED TWO 2000 JETTA'S AT THE SAME TIME. THE SECOND JETTA HAD THE REAR BRAKES REPLACED AT 30000 MILES AT DEALER COST. THEY CALLED IT PREMATURE WEAR. ALSO AT 40000 MILES THE SECOND JETTA FRONT BRAKES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER CALLED THIS NORMAL WEAR. I'M NOT SURE WHAT IS CONSIDERED NORMAL BASED ON WHAT VW SAYS. I DO KNOW I AM CONCERNED THAT THE FRONT BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING. *NLM INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
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
Visibility, Apr 3, 2003
WHENEVER YOU USE THE WINDSHIELD WASHER, SOME OF THE FLUID GETS INTO THE VENT AND YOU CAN SMELL IT IN THE CABIN AND EVEN SOMETIMES TASTE IT AS YOU ARE DRIVING. I BELIEVE WINDSHIELD WASHER FLUID IS TOXIC. I HAVE TWO LATE MODEL VOLKSWAGENS, THEY BOTH DO THIS EVERYTIME. I'VE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY OTHER CAR I'VE DRIVEN BEFORE.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 18, 2003
THE BRAKES LOCKED UP CAUSING EXTEND STOPPING DISTANCE. DEALER NOTIFIED. *NLM