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. Seats, Oct 2, 2002

    DRIVER SIDE SEAT FRAME HAS FRACTURED FOR SECOND TIME, FIRST TIME REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. CONTACTED MANUFACTURER, AND THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS THIS RECURRING PROBLEM. I AM CONCERNED AS TO WHAT WOULD OCCUR SHOULD THE INTACT SEAT FRAME PARTS FAIL. *PH *JB **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768030

  2. Latches/locks/linkages, Oct 2, 2002

    CONTACTED MANUFACTURER ABOUT THIS, AND THEY REFUSED TO ADDRESS PROBLEM BECAUSE OF AGE AND MILEAGE. LR DOOR FAILS TO OPEN FROM BOTH INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR HANDLES. DOOR APPEARS TO LOCK AND UNLOCK NORMALLY. *PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**768028

  3. Seat belts, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2002

    SEATBELT WOULD NOT RELEASE TENSION; 6 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS SITTING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AND WAS TRAPPED IN THE SEATBELT. MY HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO PULL THE SEATBELT TO GET RELEASE THE TENSION BUT IT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THIS ACTION JUST MADE THE SEATBELT TIGHTER. THE SEATBELT HAD TO FINALLY BE CUT OFF OF MY DAUGHTER. MR

  4. Latches/locks/linkages, Sep 24, 2002

    POWER DOOR LOCKS LOCK ON THEIR OWN AFTER CAR REACHES A CERTAIN SPEED. IT HAPPENS QUICKLY, AND IF ARMS OR FINGERS ARE NEARBY, THE SKIN GETS PULLED INTO LOCK HOLE. IT'S VERY PAINFUL, LIKE A VERY STRONG PINCH OR SHOCK. HAPPENS VERY FREQUENTLY AND CAUSES BLEEDING OCCASIONALLY. PH *NLM **DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS**767679

  5. Power train, Sep 22, 2002

    THIS MANUAL TRANSMISSION FROM DAY ONE HAS HAD CLEAR TROUBLES ENGAGING INTO REVERSE WITHOUT ENGAGING REVERSE FIRST, ALSO HAS PROBLEMS SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST & 2ND GEARS IN HIGHER RPM RANGES 3500 RPM AND ABOVE...ALWAYS GRINDS WHILE SHIFTING. *AK

  6. Equipment, Sep 19, 2002

    FACTORY INSTALLED CD PLAYER SKIPS CONSTANTLY -- CHRONIC PROBLEM. *AK

  7. 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

  8. Visibility, Sep 12, 2002

    I'VE BEEN TO THE DEALERSHIP MORE THAN 10 TIMES FOR VARIOUS PROBLEMS, BUT THE WINDOWS FAILURE IS THE MOST SERIOUS ONE.CURRENTLY, REAR LEFT WINDOW STUCK IN UP POSITION.*AK

  9. 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

  10. Visibility, Aug 16, 2002

    WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND WITH NO WARNING DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW WILL FALL INTO WINDOW SEAL, AND WILL BE HARD TO GET IT BACK UP. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

  11. Visibility, Equipment, Aug 14, 2002

    MY FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW MADE A LOUD NOISE AND FELL INTO THE DOOR WHEN I TRIED TO ROLL UP THE WINDOW NOTHING HAPPENED. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY FIXED IT BECAUSE MY CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY. 18 MONTHS LATER IT HAPPENED AGAIN AND I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY TOLD ME SINCE MY CAR WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY THEY WOULD NOT FIX IT. I REMINDED THEM THAT THIS HAPPENED BEFORE AND SHOUL NOT HAPPEN TO THE SAME WINDOW AGAIN IN SUCH A SHORT PERIOD. THE DEARLERSHIP TOLD ME THEY ONLY WARRENTY THEIR WORK FOR ONE YEAR AND THAT THEY COULD NOT HELP ME. SO I CALLED AROUND AND FOR QUOTES AND WAS TOLD BY SEVERAL COMPANIES THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH JETTAS. I HAD TO PAY $300 TO GET IT FIXED. ONE MONTH LATER IT HAPPENS AGAIN ONLY THIS TIME IT HAPPENS TO MY DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. I CALL THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY BASICALLY TELL ME TOUGH LUCK. NOT ONLY HAS THIS HAPPENED TO ME BUT IT HAS HAPPENED TO A FRIEND OF MINE WHO ALSO OWNS A JETTA. LASTLY MY AC GOES OUT RIGHT AFTER ALL MY OTHER PROBLEMS.*AK

  12. Visibility, Aug 7, 2002

    POWER WINDOW REGULATOR ON DRIVERS WINDOW BROKE CAUSING THE WINDOW TO FALL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE DOOR. UNABLE TO RAISE WINDOW. I OWN TWO MODEL YEAR 2000 VW JETTAS AND THIS IS THE SECOND INCIDENCE OF POWER WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE.*AK

  13. Electrical system, Jul 31, 2002

    THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DUE TO IMMOBILIZER BEING ACTIVATED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE A NUMBER OF TIMES FOR THE SAME PROBLEM, BUT WAS UNABLE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. *YH

  14. Visibility, Jul 25, 2002

    RIGHT FRONT WINDOW FAILED TO GO UP OR DOWN AND THE LEFT REAR WINDOW POPPED WHILE CLOSING DUE TO BROKEN LIFTERS. THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR. THE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED TWICE. *YH *CB

  15. Visibility, Jul 23, 2002

    THE WINDOW FELL IN WHEN I WENT TO ROLL IT DOWN. SINCE THEN I HAVE BEEN IN FOR OTHER PROBLEMS TO THE DEALER AND EVERY TIME THERE ARE ATLEAST 4-7 PEOPLE WAITING THAT HAD THEIR WINDOW REGULATORS BREAK ALSO.*AK

  16. Fuel system, Gasoline, Jul 22, 2002

    MY VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR FUEL ISSUES AT AN AUTHORIZED VW DEALERSHIP. SINCE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM, A NEW VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN INVOLVED PRIMARILY BECAUSE OF THE DISTANCE OF THE TOW. THE ORIGINAL DEALERSHIP WHO MADE THE FUEL REPAIRS IS CURRENTLY UNCOOPERATIVE.*AK

  17. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Fuel system, Gasoline, Electrical system, Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Jul 12, 2002

    MY CAR IS NIGHTMARE OF FAILURES. CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT (DEALER CLAIMS THE CAR DOESNT HAVE ONE - BUT YOU CAN SEE IT IF YOU USE A FLASHLIGHT AT AN OBLIQUE ANGLE) FAILURE, ABS MODULE SWITCH FAILURE (ACCORDING TO DEALER) CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL TO UNEXPECTEDLY DISENGAGE. I ALSO LEARNED FROM OTHER MOTORISTS THAT THE SAME SWITCH CONTROLS BRAKE LIGHT ILLUMINATION (ALL BULBS AND OTHER SIGNAL LIGHTS WORK). FUEL INJECTION MODULE OVER INJECTED GAS CAUSING EXCESSIVE PRESSURE. RELIEF VALVE FAILED TO OPEN CAUSING TURBO OVERPRESSURE TO +120PSI. FAILURE CAUSED HOSES TO BLOW SENDING HOSE CLAMPS AS PROJECTILES. THIS WEEK, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW UNEXPECTEDLY DROPPED INTO THE DOOR. DEALER HAS LITERALLY TAPED THE WINDOW UP UNTIL A PART ARRIVES. DEALER ADMITS TO MFG DESIGN DEFECT - NO VOLUNTARY RECALL. NO DEALERS WILL VOLUNTARILY REPLACE CLIPS UNTIL THEY FAIL. VOLKSWAGEN POSITION IS THAT THEY KNOW THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW, BUT WONT REPLACE KNOWN BAD CLIPS UNTIL THERE IS A FAILURE. WINDOW FAILURE COULD CAUSE OBJECTS (STONES KICKED UP BY TIRES OF OTHER CARS) TO HIT PASSENGERS. INFANT / CHILD SAFETY RISK. WINDOW INTEGRITY QUESTIONABLE IN AN ACCIDENT IF IT FAILS WHEN DRIVING 15MPH. HELP!*AK

  18. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Jul 12, 2002

    CRUISE CONTROL FAILURE. LINKED TO ABS BRAKE MODULE - SWITCH FAILURE WHICH ALSO CAUSED REAR BRAKE LIGHTS TO STOP FUNCTIONING.

  19. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jul 12, 2002

    MODULE CONTROLLING ABS BRAKES- SWITCH FAILED, CAUSING REAR BRAKE LIGHTS AND ABS TO STOP FUNCTIONING. NORMAL LIGHTS (NOT BRAKE LIGHTS) CONTINUED TO FUNCTION. BULBS (INCLUDE BRAKE LIGHTS) WERE FINE. BRAKES WORKED (NO ABS) BUT NO ONE BEHIND ME COULD TELL IF I WAS BRAKING. LEARNED OF ISSUE FROM PASSING MOTORIST.*AK

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. Visibility, Jul 9, 2002

    THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVER?S WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE DUE TO MANUFACTURER DEFECT. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPLACEMENT AND THEY TOLD THEM THE WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED AND THE PART WAS ON BACK ORDER. *YH

  23. Visibility, Jul 8, 2002

    CONSUMER STATES BOTH POWER WINDOWS DROPPED INTO DOOR PANEL AND WOULD NOT WORK, DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATORS AND FIXED THE WINDOW.*JB

  24. Visibility, Jul 8, 2002

    WHEN OPENING THE R/F POWEER WINDOW THE WINDOW MADE A STRANGE SOUND AND THEN THE WINDOW FELL TO THE BOTTOM OF THE INSIDE OF THE DOOR AND WOULD NOT GO UP. CANNOT CLOSE THE WINDOW AND THE PART IS ON BACK ORDER. CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE AND THEY SAID THAT SINCE THE CAR IS OVER THE MILAGE (EVEN THOUGH IT IS WITHIN THE 24 MONTH WARRANTY) THEY WOULD ONLY PARTIALLY REIMBURSE ME.*AK

  25. Visibility, Jul 5, 2002

    ELECTRIC POWER WINDOW, WHEN LOWERED DOWN, FAILED DUE TO A WINDOW REGULATOR POPPING. THE PARTS ARE ON BACK ORDER EVEN USED/AFTER MARKET PARTS. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS. *AK