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

451 reports, newest first.

  1. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 17, 2003

    PREMATURE WEAR OF FRONT BRAKE PADS.*AK

  2. Service brakes, Air, Feb 4, 2003

    THE ROTORS AND PADS FAILED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Feb 4, 2003

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

  4. Electrical system, Jan 31, 2003

    PROBLEMS WITH EMISSION RELATED PARTS. EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE HAS TO TAKE A EMISSION TEST THE VEHICLE FAILS AND THAT THE MANUFACTURE IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT AT THE SAME TIME THEY ARE NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX IT. TS

  5. Suspension, Jan 21, 2003

    WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE VIBRATES AND SUDDENLY TAKES OFF FASTER THAN NORMAL. THERE IS A SMELL OF SULFUR. TOOK TO DEALER AND THE DEALER STATED THE IGNITION COILS ARE FAULTY. DEALER IS REPLACING WITH THE SAME DESIGN COIL. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. PH

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

    WINDOW REGULATOR: FAILED CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: ON

  7. Visibility, Jan 7, 2003

    WHEN RAISING THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW UP, GLASS DROPS INTO DOOR PANEL AND WILL NOT COME UP. MAKES LOUD GRINDING NOISE WHEN PRESSING BUTTON TO RAISE WINDOW. DEALERSHIP REPLACES WINDOW ASSEMBLY AND SAYS THEY "GOODWILL" IT TO ME WITH NO CHARGE - EVEN THOUGH THIS WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN CHARGED IN THE FIRST PLACE. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT HAVE PART IN STOCK AND I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH A TRASHBAG TAPED WHERE MY WINDOW SHOULD BE IN RAINY WEATHER DURING MY 30-MILE (ONE-WAY) ALL HIGHWAY COMMUTE TO AND FROM WORK. THE ONLY WINDOW I EVER OPERATE NOW IS MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW AND ONLY AS NECESSARY. VERY COSTLY AND DANGEROUS WINDOW SITUATION.

  8. 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.

  9. Electrical system, Dec 31, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES THAT VEHICLE IS EXPERIENCING ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WHICH CAN RESULT IN A FIRE. DEALER CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. TS

  10. Electrical system, Dec 31, 2002

    I WOULD LIKE TO REGISTER A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE COIL PACK FAILURE ON MY 2000 VW JETTA - THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE THAT VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO ADDRESS. THIS COIL PACK FAILS AND CAUSES IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER IN THE ENGINE - I WAS DRIVING AND LOST POWER IN 2 OF THE 4 CYLINDERS. VW DID NOT COVER MY REPLACEMENT. THIS IS HAPPENING ON NUMEROUS VWS. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL - IT IS A DEFECT.

  11. Other or unspecified, Dec 16, 2002

    2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. DIMS 11 IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT-OVER TO ARTEMIS .......770761. *AK *JB

  12. Suspension, Visibility, Other or unspecified, Dec 9, 2002

    THIS CAR HAS LITERALLY COME UNSCREWED SINCE I PURCHASED IT 2.5 YEARS AGO-PARTS INSIDE AND OUT! MOST RECENTLY THE AXLE "CAME UNSCREWED" FOR NO REASON AND THE BOLTS SNAPPED. THE WINDOWS HAVE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE REAR SUSPENSION HAD TO BE SCREWED BACK TOGETHER SHORTLY AFTER I BOUGHT IT. THE PLASTIC COVERING UNDERNEATH ALSO FELL OFF FOR NO REASON-ALSO WHILE I WAS DRIVING. THE WINDSHIELD WIPERS HAVE COME UNSCREWED TWICE AND CEASED TO FUNCTION ONCE ON THE HIGHWAY AT HIGH SPEED DURING A RAIN STORM. THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND CUP HOLDERS HAVE ALL FALLEN OUT. I BOUGHT THIS CAR NEW 2 1/2 YEARS AGO AND I KNOW FEAR FOR MY LIFE EVERY TIME I GET INTO IT. I HAVE REPORTED THIS TO BOTH THE DEALER AND TO VOLKSWAGEN. NEITHER HAVE EXPRESSED ANY CONCERN WHATSOEVER. DT

  13. Electrical system, Nov 26, 2002

    WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE CONSUMER TURN OFF THE ELECTRICAL IGNITION SWITCH, TOOK THE KEY AND VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION. TS

  14. Electrical system, Nov 6, 2002

    VEHICLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILED WHILE DRIVING. CAUSING THE VEHICLE AUTOMATIC DOOR LOCK,TURN SIGNALS AND FACTORY INSTALLED ALARM SYSTEM TO BE INOPERATIVE. WIRING IN THE TURN SIGNAL LEVER WAS SHORTED.

  15. Air bags, Nov 6, 2002

    AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT VOLKSWAGEN AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIR PAID $73 OUT-OF-POCKET TO GET DIAGNOSTIC AIRBAG INDICATOR LITE ADMISSION OF PROBLEM ONLY PAID FOR REPAIR? LITE OFF WANT $73 REFUNDED. DT

  16. Visibility, Nov 4, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES EVERY TIME THEY OPEN THE SUNROOF A YELLOW POWDERY SUBSTANCE, BLOWS INTO CONSUMER FACE. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION ON THE YELLOW SUBSTANCES. MR

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. Fuel system, Other, Oct 30, 2002

    I HAVE CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE SEVERAL TIME TO TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM. THEY MAKE OVER $300.00 FOR EVERY BAD SENSOR. IN DOING MY HOMEWORK ON THIS PROBLEM, A PART DEALER OVER THE INTERNET TOLD ME THEY SELL 30 MAF SENSORS A WEEK. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. IT NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. DT

  20. Steering, Oct 25, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING UPHILL THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER . TS

  21. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Electrical system, Visibility, Air bags, Structure, Other or unspecified, Oct 20, 2002

    DATE OF FIRST KNOWN PROBLEM PROVIDED. HAVE ALREADY BEEN THROUGH BBB AUTOLINE REGARDING MOST OF THE DEFECTS LISTED AND THOUGHT MANUFACTURER HAD FIXED THEM. NOW VEHICLE HAS THE SAME PROBLEMS PLUS MORE. ALL WORK BEING DONE AT DEALERSHIP IS AT MANUFACTURER'S EXPENSE, HOWEVER, THIS CAR IS A MAJOR INCONVENIENCE DUE TO UNRELIABILITY. ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS AREN'T SOLVED WITH REPLACED WIRING HARNESSES, UNSAFE DOOR HINGES AND WINDOW REGULATORS MAKE FOR HAZARDOUS DRIVING CONDITIONS, AIRBAG SENSOR PROBLEMS, AND QUICK TO WEAR OUT REAR BRAKES ARE ALL VERY DANGEROUS DEFECTS FOR A NEW CAR OWNER TO SUFFER WITH. DT

  22. Electrical system, Oct 18, 2002

    NO ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I LOST POWER UP HILL ALL OF A SUDDEN AND WAS ALMOST HIT BY A CAR AND A SEMI IN BACK OF ME. I TOOK IT TO DICK HANNA IN VANC. WA AND THEY LOOKED AT IT. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS THE MASS AIR SENSOR . I CALLED VOLKSWAGON AND THEY ONLY WOULD OFFER TO PAY 50/50 ON THE JOB. BUT THIS IS AFTER I JUST PAID 1300.00 FOR TH E 40,000 MILE CHECK UP. THEN I REFUSED I SAID I WANTED TO GO TO ANOTHER DEALER AND HAVE IT LOOKED AT. VOLKSWAGON THEN SAID THAT THEY MIGHT NOT PAY ANYTHING ON IT IF I DID GO TO ARMSTRONG,(WHERE I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT THE CAR) WHEN I ASKED THEM WHY THEY ARE WILLING TO PAY 100% TO OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM THEY SAID THEY REVIEW THESE CASES (CASE BY CASE). WHEN ASKED WHY WOULD THEY NOT OFFER 50/50 IF I WENT TO ARMSTRONG THEY GOT REALLY NASTY ON THE PHONE. I THINK THAT VOLKSWAGON NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED, THERE SOUNDS LIKE THERE IS SOMETHING ILLEGAL GOING ON. DT

  23. Electrical system, Oct 14, 2002

    BRAKE ASSEMBLY SWITCH WAS FAULTY WHICH DOES NOT ALLOW THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION TO BE SWITCHED OUT OF PARK. COST TO REPAIR APPROXIMATELY $150.00. CAR HAD 18,032 MILES AND WAS 28 MONTHS OLD, PURCHASED CAR NEW. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA DID NOT COVER WORK UNDER WARRANTY. PER WWW.NEWBEETLE.ORG FORM, THERE HAVE BEEN NUMEROUS OTHER FAULTY SWITCHES. MR

  24. 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

  25. Engine and engine cooling, Oct 7, 2002

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