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.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Apr 10, 2002
DURING REGULAR SERVICE DEALER ASK FOR REPLACE REAR BRAKE. THEY SAID - REAR ROTOR WARPED AND PADS WORN. THEY CHARGE - BRAKPADSET $55, BRAKE DISC $100 AND LABOR $210. SO TOTAL $370.95. AND THIS IS NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY. I USE CAR IN NOT MOUNTAIN AREA AND AVERAGE SPEED ABOUT 35-50 MILES PER HOUR. *AK
Air bags, Apr 1, 2002, crash
WHILE DRIVING AT 85 MPH CONSUMER LOST CONTROL OF VEHICLE AND IT STARTED FLIPPING. NONE OF FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED, EXCEPT FOR DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WHICH JUST FELL OUT.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 28, 2002
VEHICLE CONSUMING OIL SINCE CAR WAS BOUGHT. DEALER CHANGED PISTONS AT 15232 MILES BUT CAR IS STILL CONSUMING OIL AT 33853 MILES. HAVE RETURNED 13 TIMES TO THE DEALER WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE JUNE 2000 BUT MANUFACTURER INSISTED CONSUMER KEEP COMING BACK FOR OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS REGULARLY EVERY 1000 MILES. CONSUMER PERSUING COURT ACTION AT THIS TIME. NLM
Air bags, Mar 20, 2002
TOOK VEHICLE TO AMOSKEAG EUROPEAN AUTO FOR DIAGNOSIS OF AIR BAG LIGHT FOUND TO BE AN INTERNAL FAULT,(EITHER WIRING OR BAG ITSELF CAME UP WITH 10 CODES) BROUGHT TO DEALER AND CONFIRMED AN INTERNAL FAULT WITH BAG ITSELF! HAD TO REPLACE PASS. SIDE FRONTAL AIRBAG OUT OF MY OWN POCKET AT A COST OF OVER $490.00 DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY BECAUSE OF MILAGE. I DONT FEEL THAT A 1 YR OLD CAR SHOULD HAVE AN AIR BAG PROBLEM!! OBVIOUSLY THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS IN THESE VEHICLES AND I THINK THAT CONSUMERS SHOULD BE INFORMED ABOUT THIS, A RECALL ISSUED, AND ALL OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES REIMBERSED TO CONSUMERS THAT HAVE HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET EXPENSES DUE TO A WELL KNOW (DEALER / MANUFACTUER KNOWN) PROBLEM! ALL THEY CAN SAY IS THAT ITS OUT OF WARRANTY IF YOU WANT IT FIXED YOU HAVE TO PAY. I DONT FIND THAT TO BE A FAIR PRACTICE AT ALL! ANY HELP / INFO. YOU CAN PROVIDE WOULD AND WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED! THANK YOU. *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
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 17, 2002
CALLIPER LEFT FROZEN, CALLIPER RIGHT, WOULD NOT RETRACT WARRANTY UP @24000. *AK
Exterior lighting, Mar 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHTS STOP WORKING. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND DEALER HAS TO REPLACE HEADLIGHT SWITCH.*AK
Visibility, Mar 4, 2002
WHILE DRIVING PASSENGER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL INSIDE OF DOOR. DEALER CONTACTED. *AK
Other or unspecified, Mar 3, 2002
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Mar 1, 2002
FOR A NEWER CAR THIS VOLKSWAGEN HAS BEEN VERY PROBLEMATIC. ON THREE OCCASIONS AFTER STARTING THE CAR THE ENGINE WOULD MAKE A NOTICEABLE SPUTTERING NOICE AND SHAKING LIKE IT WAS STRUGGLING TO KEEP RUNNING. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD COME ON ACCOMPANIED BY A SULFUROUS SMELL AND BLUISH EXHAUST. UPON ATTEMPTING TO PUT THE CAR IN DRIVE, AFTER IDLING FOR A WHILE, THE CAR WOULD STALL AND NOT RESTART. USUALLY WITHIN AN HOUR TO A DAY LATER IT WOULD START AGAIN ONLY AFTER REVING THE ENGINE TO HIGH RPMS FOR ABOUT 5 MINUTES. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE FIRST TIME IT OCCURED (TOO BUSY TO SEE MY CAR) THEY THOUGHT IT MIGHT BE MOISTURE IN THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM SEEMS TO OCCUR AFTER OR AROUND RAINY/SNOWY WEATHER. I HAD A TUNE UP RECENTLY AND THE CAR STILL FEELS LIKE IT MAY STALL WHEN IT IS IDLING AT A STOP LIGHT OR IN THE DRIVEWAY. THIS IS UNACCEPABLE FOR SUCH A NEW CAR. AMONG OTHER PROBLEMS I HAD THE INDASH CD PLAYER REPLACED TWICE BECAUSE OF DEFECT AND THE FUSES THAT ILLUMINATE THE TEMP/RADIO CONTROLS REPLACE TWICE ALL WITHIN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNERSHIP DUE TO MALFUNCTION.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Feb 8, 2002
1. THE REAR BRAKE LINE SNAPPED OFF WHILE INSTALLING NEW PADS. THE BRAKE LINE SNAPPED A CLEAN CUT, NO BENDS ETC. THE BRAKE LINE APPEARED TO BE VERY BRITTLE AND WAS PROBABLY A RESULT OF METAL FATIGUE OR FAULTY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT. IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AT JUST 33964 MILES WHILE THE FRONT PADS APPEARED TO BE NEARLY NEW. THIS IS A REVERSE IN NORMAL WEAR OUT PATTERNS AND WAS PROBABLY CAUSED BY THE CALIPERS OVERHEATING/LOCKED UP ETC. 2. THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE COMPLETELY WORN OUT AFTER ONLY 33964 MILES OF WHICH MOST OF THE TRAVEL WAS ON NON-STOP ON INTERSTATE HIGHWAYS. EITHER THE REAR BRAKE PADS WERE DEFECTIVE OR THERE IS SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE DESIGN OF THE VW JETTA, WHICH CAUSED THE REAR PADS TO WEAR OUT LONG BEFORE THE FRONT.*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
Suspension, Jan 30, 2002
VEHICLE PULLED TO THE SIDE WHEN HITTING BUMPS AND SEEMED TO HIT BUMPS HARDER, CONSUMER TOOK IT TO THE DEALER WHO TIGHTENED THE FRONT END, HOWEVER THE PROBLEMS STILL EXIST. *SLC
Air bags, Jan 29, 2002, crash
AIR BAG ON REAR PASSENGER DOOR DID NOT DEPLOY UPON IMPACT. VEHICLE WAS HIT BY TWO VEHICLES DRIVING 55-60MPH AND WAS TOTALLED. DEALER HAS BEEN NOTIFIED.*AK
Air bags, Jan 28, 2002, crash
AT 15-20 MPH MAKING A LEFT TURN CONSUMER'S VEHICLE WEAS STRUCK BY 2 OTHER VEHICLES, RESULTING IN A COLLISON. REAR PASSENGER DOOR SIDE AIR BAG DIDN'T DEPLOY.*AK
Air bags, Jan 17, 2002, crash
WHILE PULLING FROM A LIGHT,ANOTHER VEHICLE RAN A RED LIGHT AND T-BONED JETTA ON PASSENGER'S SIDE AT FIFTY FIVE MILES PER HOUR. VEHICLE SLAMMED INTO UTILITY POLE ON DRIVER'S SIDE, AND NEITHER SIDE AIRBAG DEPLOYED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK
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
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 12, 2001
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT HAS COME ON THREE (3) DIFFERENT TIMES. FIRST TIME WAS OXYGEN SENSOR, 2ND TIME WAS A VALVE ON THE TURBO, AND THE 3RD TIME WAS THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR.*AK
Structure, Oct 26, 2001
PIECE THAT IS LOCATED UNDERNEATH VEHICLE FALLS DOWN AND DRAGS ON GROUND, AND EVENTUALLY BREAKS. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*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
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 15, 2001
NO INSTRUMENT PANEL LIGHT ON TEMPERATURE CONTROL. VEHICLE BEEN AT THE DEALER SHOP FOR FOUR DAYS, AND WAS UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK
Power train, Oct 9, 2001
IN OCT 2000 MY CAR OVERHEATED, I REPORTED THIS TO VW AND THEY MADE SOME ADJUSTMENTS, I ALSO REPORTED A NOISE FROM THE LEFT FRONT LIKE A WHINING NOISE, THIS WAS ATTRIBUTED TO A FAILURE IN THE TRANSMISSION, VW DID REPAIRS TO RING AND PINION GEARS AND DIFFERENTIAL BEARINGS, NOISE SUBSIDED FOR A FEW WEEKS. THE WARNING: CHECK COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, REPORTED PROBLEM TO VW AND I WAS INSTRUCTED TO ADD WATER TO RAISE COOLANT LEVEL. IN SEPT. 2001, I REPORTED AIR CONDITIONING FAILURE, VW DETERMINED COOLING SYSTEM HAD PROBLEM, REPLACED COOLANT FAN AND SECONDARY WATER PUMP, I ALSO REPORTED RETURN OF WHINING NOISE. CAR HAS NOW BEEN AT VW IN GLENDALE, CA SINCE 10/2/2001, DEALER HAS REPLACED LEFT FRONT AXEL AND DRIVE SHAFT, STILL WHINING, REPLACED TRANSMISSION. I PICKED UP CAR, DROVE 5 MILES AND CAR SLIPPED OUT OF GEAR AND NOW DOES NOT RUN. RETURNED VIA TOW TRUCK TO VW DEALER IN GLENDALE, CA. VW REPLACING VALUE BOX ON 10/9/2001 TECHNICIAN SAID "IN MY OPINION THIS WILL NOT ELEVATE PROBLEM" CAR NOW HAS INTERMITANT PROBLEM WITH STAYING IN GEAR. TECHNICIAN ALSO REPORTED THAT VW JETTAS GLX WITH VR6 ENGINE HAVE TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS AND DEALER HAS REPLACED UP TO 4 TRANSMISSIONS IN ONE CAR IN SEVERAL CASES. VW DEALER AND VW OF AMERICA CUSTOMER RELATIONS DEPARTMENT HAVE BEEN NOTIFIED.