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.
Power train, Jul 5, 2002
VEHICLE LOCKED UP WHEN PUT ITTO GEAR. DEALER CONTACTED.*AK
Visibility, Jul 5, 2002
THE PASSENGER SIDE POWER WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR FRAME DUE TO REGULATOR FAILURE. *YH
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 2, 2002
02 SENSOR FAILURE.*AK
Visibility, Jul 2, 2002
DRIVERS SIDE POWER FRONT WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR BECAUSE OF FAULTY POWER WINDO REGULATOR. *AK
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
Structure, Jul 2, 2002
THE BUMPER DISLODGED FROM IT BRACE WHILE BACKING UP. THE BUMPER WAS AGAINST A CURB WHEN MOVED, NO ADDTIONAL WEIGHT WAS ADDED WHEN MOVING INTO OR OUT OF PARKING SPOT, BESIDES THE WEIGHT OF THE DRIVER. *AK
Air bags, Jun 28, 2002, crash
AT 60MPH VEHICLE CRASHED, AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. CAUSE UNKNOWN. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK
Visibility, Jun 25, 2002
BOTH FRONT SIDE DOOR WINDOWS DROPPED INSIDE THE DOORS BECAUSE OF A REGULATOR FAILURE. DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATED THE FALLING DOWN OF BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOWS INSIDE THE DOORS IS A DEFECT OR A DESIGN FLAW IN WORKMANSHIP. *YH
Visibility, Jun 19, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING TRIED TO OPEN WINDOW BY PUSHING ELECTRONIC WINDOW LEVER; HOWEVER, WINDOW WAS NOT OPERABLE.*AK
Visibility, Jun 19, 2002
BOTH FRONT WINDOWS ON MY JETTA FELL DOWN INTO THE DOOR WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD. THE WINDOW WAS UP AND WITHOUT ME TOUCHING ANY CONTROLS IT JUST FELL INTO THE DOOR. BOTH FRONT DOORS FELL WITHIN 1 WEEK OF EACH OTHER. I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THIS HAPPENING WHEN A FAMILY MEMBER IS TRAVELING THE ROADS OF THIS RURAL COMMUNITY. WE GET SNOW IN OCTOBER THAT LASTS THROUGH MAY. IF WE GET CAUGHT OUT IN A SNOW STORM AND THE WINDOWS FALL DOWN INSIDE THE DOORS WE ARE IN TROUBLE. I HAVE CHECKED THE WEB AND FOUND TH IS TO BE A NORMAL PROBLEM NOW BEING EXPERIENCED IN THE 2000 VW JETTA. I CALLED VW REPRESENTATIVE AARON GEISTER, (800)822-8987 WHO TOLD ME THAT I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY SO I WAS OUT OF LUCK. I AM UNDER TWO YEARS BUT MY 75000 MILES PUT ME OUT OF LUCK. I ARGUED THAT THIS WAS NOT NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR ON A VEHICLE. WINDOWS SHOULD NOT UNEXPECTANTLY FALL OUT OF ANY VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. I CALLED THE LITHIA DEALER TO GET MY CAR FIXED AND WAS TOLD IT WILL BE AWHILE AS THE REGULATOR PART IS ON BACK ORDER. HE TOLD ME THAT TJHERE WAS A BUNCH OF 2000 JETTA OWNERS WAITING FOR THE EXACT SAME SERVCIE. THIS POOR DESIGN IS GOING TO GET SOMEBODY KILLED. VW NEEDS TO DO A RECALL AND FIX THE REGULATOR NOT WITH ANOTHER REGULATOR JUST LIKE THE ONE THAT FAILS AFTER TWO YEARS BUT A NEW SET UP THAT PREVENTS THE WINDOW FROM SPORADICALLY FALLING INTO THE DOOR.*AK
Visibility, Jun 18, 2002
FROM WHAT I HAVE SEEN AND HEARD, THIS IS A TOO FAMILIAR PROBLEM WITH LATE MODEL VOLKSWAGENS. THE WINDOW MADE A STRANGE CLICKING SOUND AND THEN THE WINDOW FELL ALL OF THE WAY INTO THE DOOR UNEXPECTEDLY. APPARENTLY VOLKSWAGEN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND HAS RE-ENGINEERED THE PART. IF THIS IS THE CASE, WHY ARE THEY NOT REQUIRED TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS ITEM AND REPAIR/REPLACE AT NO COST TO THE OWNER. I WOULD CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. WHAT IF A WINDOW FAILED WHILE DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR SNOW?*AK
Visibility, Jun 14, 2002
VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH WHEN I TRIED TO ROLL THE PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW DOWN. THERE WAS A CLICKING NOISE, FOLLOWED BY THE WINDOW DROPPING RAPIDLY INTO THE DOOR. IT WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY SEE THIS OFTEN, AND THAT THE REGULATOR CABLE WAS STRIPPED. THE COST OF REPAIR WAS $430, AND VW OF AMERICA REFUSES TO COVER THIS BECAUSE MY WARRANTY IS OVER. AFTER FURTHER RESEARCH, I'VE FOUND THAT THERE ARE MANY CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THEIR 2000 JETTA'S.*AK
Visibility, Jun 13, 2002
I TRIED TO ROLL DOWN MY WINDOW AND IT GOT STUCK PART OF THE WAY DOWN AND WHEN I TRIED TO ROLL IT BACK UP, THERE WAS A LOUD CRACK AND THE WINDOW FELL DOWN IN THE DOOR. I TOOK IT TO A VW DEALER AND I WAS CHARGED $565 TO REPLACE THE MOTOR AND REGULATOR. THERE NEEDS THE BE A RE-CALL. THERE ARE TOO MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ONE ITEM.*AK
Visibility, Jun 12, 2002
ON SEPT 14, 2001, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THROUGH DRIVE IN AT MCDONALD'S. SHE PRESSED THE DRIVER WINDOW POWER BUTTON AND THE WINDOW MALFUNCTIONED. THE WINDOW WENT DOWN BUT WOULD NOT GO UP. THE DEALER REPLACE LEFT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR AT NO CHARGE TO ME. ON JUNE 7, 2002, MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON FORT BENNING THROUGH THE SECURITY GATE. THE WINDOW MALFUNCTION. IT WENT DOWN AND WOULD GO UP. I TOOK THE JETTA TO THE DEALER. I SPOKE WITH VW'S CUSTOMER RELATIONS OFFICE, 1.800.822.8987, REF # 20166271. SINCE MY CAR WAS 971 MILES OVER THE 12 MONTH WARRANTY, VW WOULD ONLY PAY 50% AND I HAD TO PAY 50%. IT IS MY OPINION THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT. THERE WAS A LADY AT THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE SAME PROBLEM.*AK
Visibility, Jun 11, 2002
BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED AND I THINK ITS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT BECAUSE I KNOW ANOTHER VW OWNER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS SAME FAILURE. I TRIED TO GET IT FIXED AT A VW DEALERSHIP BUT THEY REFERRED ME TO A GLASS SHOP/INDEPENDENT SHOP BECAUSE OF THE WAIT-TIME TO GET IT FIXED. IN ADDITION THE A/C FAILED BEFORE I BOUGHT IT FROM THE ORIGINAL OWNER AND AGAIN FAILED 6 MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT BECAUSE OF DIFFERENT OWNERSHIP I COULD'T CLAIM THE WARRANTY COVERAGE ON THE PARTS.*AK
Visibility, Jun 11, 2002
WHILE DRIVING CAR ON 06/08/02, DRIVER SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND WINDOW FILL INTO DOORFRAME. I TOOK CAR TO WINDOW REPAIR SHOP. TECH AT SHOP SAID THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH VW'S AND SUGGESTED I CHECK WITH DEALER ON REPLACEMENT. CAR IS PAST WARRANTY PERIOD. THE CAR HAS 4 POWER WINDOWS. I CAN'T AFFORD NOR SHOULD I HAVE TO PAY FOR A NEW REGULATOR FOR EACH WINDOW. THIS IS A SERIOUS HAZARD ESPECIALLY IF IT HAPPENS WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING.*AK
Visibility, Jun 4, 2002
WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE 3 TIMES AND I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT IS A "BAD PART"- AND VW IS NOT DOING ANYTHING TO FIX IT.
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
Fuel system, Gasoline, May 10, 2002
PART/PARTS BROKE IN THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK THAT PREVENTS FUEL FROM BEING PUMP IN. FUNNEL MAYBE USED BUT GASOLINE MAY OVERFLOW AND SPILL. *AK
Structure, May 8, 2002
ON MARCH 19, 2001, I PARKED THE ABOVE MENTIONED JETTA IN A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF A RETAIL STORE WHERE THERE WAS A CONCRETE BLOCK TO PREVENT CARS FROM PULLING TOO FAR UP. AS I WAS LEAVING, THE BUMPER WHICH WAS OVERHANGING THE BLOCK WAS PULLED OFF. GOSSETT INITIALLY DIDN'T WANT TO FIX AT N/C SINCE THINGS LIKE THIS WERE NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR NORMAL WARRANTY. THEY SAID THE BUMPER WAS DESIGNED SO IF THERE WAS ANY IMPACT FROM COLLIDING IT WOULD COLLAPSE FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE VOLKSWAGEN OFFICE AGREED TO FIX IT AT N/C. ON 4/109/01, A MR. BRANNON, A GOSSETT REP. CALLED TO SEE IF I WAS SATISFIED. I TOLD HIM THAT I WASN'T BECAUSE IT HAD COME OFF A 2ND TIME. BUT I NEVER HEARD FROM THEM AGAIN ABOUT THIS MATTER.ON 4/09/01, THE BUMPER HAD PULLED OFF A 2ND TIME WHEN PARKED IN A NORMAL PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF MY MOTHER'S ASSISTED LIVING FACILITY. THIS TIME A NORMAL CURVE WAS THE CULPRIT. ON 4/10, I HAD AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP FIX IT. IT HAS COME OFF SLIGHTLY THREE TIMES SINCE WHEN COMING OUT OF 2 DIFFERENT DRIVEWAYS, AND TURNING LEFT ON MY STREET. SINCE THE DAMAGE WAS NOT TO THE EXTEND OF THE FIRST 2, I WAS ABLE TO PUSH THE BUMPER UP AND REATTACH THE FEW SCREWS HOLDING IT TOGETHER. THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN COUNTLESS OTHER INCIDENTS IF NOT FOR THE FACT THAT I HAVE DRIVEN IT GINGERLY. I WAS TOLD BY AN INDEPENDENT BODY SHOP IN MEMPHIS AND AN AUTHORIZED HONDA/VW BODY SHOP IN COLLEGE PARK, MD THAT THE LOW DESIGN OF THE JETTA, AS WELL AS MANY OTHER CARS, IS SUCH THAT THE BUMPERS ARE EASILY PULLED OFF. THEY SAID THAT THEY SEE THESE BUMPER PROBLEMS. THE BUMPERS ARE POORLY ENGINEERED. AT THE TIME OF THE ORGINAL PROBLEM, I FOUND ON THE NHTSA BOARD THE FOLLWING INCIDENTS OF THE SAME THING 10/09/00 ODI ID#735047, 01/28/01 ODI ID#741248, 09/22/00 ODI ID#733361 ALL HAD THE SAME PROBLEM I REPORTED TO YOUR AGENCY. AND THERE WERE MANY MORE REPORTED ON YOUR SITE THEN. THE JETTA GETS WONDERFUL SAFETY SCORES, BUT A BUMPER THAT COMES OFF SO EASILY IS A DANGER TO ME. IT IS LUDICROUS.*AK
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
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
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
Electrical system, Apr 17, 2002
WHEN OPERATING DRIVER POWER WINDOW IT WENT DOWN 2 INCHES THEN FELL IN THE DOOR. THE SAME HAPPENED TO THE PASSENGER FRONT WINDOW ON 16 APRIL 2002. DEALER REPLACED THE REGULATOR IN BOTH WINDOWS. NLM
Air bags, Apr 11, 2002, crash
WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY, AND WITHOUT PRIOR WARNING ANOTHER VEHICLE VEERED INTO CONSUMERS VEHICLE. UPON IMPACT, NONE OF THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYES. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *MJ