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, Vehicle speed control, Jul 2, 2001
NUMEROUS ELECTRICAL COMPNENTS HAVE FAILED AND BEEN REPLACED. THE MISFIRING ON ACCELERATION CAUSES CAR TO THRUST FORWARD AFTER APPLYING THE THROTTLE. I CONSIDER THIS TO BE A SAFETY HAZARD, AS I WAS ALMOST STRUCK BY ON-COMING TRAFIC IN AN INTERSECTION.
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 27, 2001
MY 2000 VW JETTA WITH 2.0 LITER ENGINE IS SUFFERING SAME FATE AS MANY OTHERS, EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. I FOLLOWED MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS BY HAVING MY FIRST OIL CHANGE / SERVICING AT APPROX. 5000 MILES. AT 8190, OIL LIGHT FLASHED AND I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION...DIPSTICK WAS DRY. ADDED 2 FULL QUARTS OF OIL TO BRING BACK TO NORMAL. VW HAS BEGUN AN OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON MY CAR.
Air bags, Jun 26, 2001, crash
WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER WAS INVOLVED IN A SIDE IMPACT COLLISION IN WHICH SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. VEHICLE WAS ALSO EQUIPPED WITH FRONT AND REAR AIR BAGS ALL FAILED TO DEPLOY. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Visibility, Jun 14, 2001
BACK DOOR WINDOW REGULATORS MALFUNCTIONED UPON ACTIVATION, ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE WINDOWS WERE ROLLED DOWN TO DEFOG, AND THEN FAILED WHEN TRYING TO CLOSE. I HAD TO PRESS THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES FOR THEM TO GO BACK UP. DEALER WILL NOT FIX BECAUSE THEY CANNOT "DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM." THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIPS AND SERVICE DEPARTMENTS, AND MANY FEEL IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. THEY HAVE FAILED ON ME BEFORE, AND I DON'T WANT THIS HAPPENING WHEN I AM AWAY FROM HOME, LEAVING MY CAR VULNERABLE TO RAIN OR OTHER WEATHER DAMAGE, AS WELL AS THEFT AND VANDALISM.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 6, 2001
BACK REAR BRAKES GRINDED TO A STOP NEEDED NEW PADS & ROTORS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Power train, May 31, 2001
THIS VEHICLE HAS HAS NUMEROUS FAILURES IN DIFFERENT THINGS. RIGHT KNOW IT HAS HAD 3 NEW TRANSMISSION IN 18 MONTHS, THIS LAST ONE IS FAILING AGAIN. *AK
Visibility, May 16, 2001
THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW SUDDENLY 'DROPPED' DOWN INTO THE DOOR, LEAVING THE WINDOW TOTALLY OPEN WITH NO ABILITY TO CLOSE.*AK
Air bags, May 15, 2001
THIS IS THE FIFTH TIME THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR AN AIRBAG FAULT PROBLEM WITH THE TENSION SET TO HIGH IN THE AIRBAG. VWOA HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO APPROPRIATELY FIX THE PROBLEM AND IS PUTTING ME AT RISK DUE TO AIRBAG NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. THE AIRBAG UNIT NOW NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, BUT VWOA DOES NOT KNOW WHAT IS THE ROOT CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM WHICH IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN FOR THOSE WITH THE PROBLEM. ROYAL MOTORS IS THE DEALER THAT THE VECHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING WORKED ON. THE VEHICLE HAS ALSO BEEN TO DUBLIN MOTORS IN DUBLIN, CA AND LOEBER MOTORS IN CHICAGO, IL.*AK
Power train, Apr 18, 2001
TRANSMISSION IS MAKING A FUNNY NOISE AND LEAKING.*AK
Vehicle speed control, Apr 18, 2001
VEHICLE WOULD ACCELERATE ON ITS OWN, WITHOUT TOUCHING GAS PEDAL. *AK
Structure, Apr 18, 2001
DOORS LEAK AN OIL SUBSTANCE, TOOK TO DEALER, AND THEY SAID CAR WAS DESIGNED FOR GERMANY'S COLD WEATHER, AND IT WILL STOP IN ABOUT A YEAR.*AK
Structure, Apr 18, 2001
BUMPER IS THE SAME COLOR AS CAR. BUMPERS ARE ATTACHED BY SNAPS UNDER CAR,RIGHT SIDE OF BUMPER CAME UNHOOKED. TOOK DEALER ABOUT 5 TIMES, CURRENTLY, OTHER SIDE IS COMING OFF.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2001
ENGINE CHECK LIGHT AND EMISSIONS WORK SHOP WARNING KEEPS COMING ON. EACH TIME I TAKE THE CAR IN THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THAT ITS A DIFFERENT REASON THE LIGHT IS COMING ON. TO DATE THEY HAVE MADE THREE DIFFERENT REPAIRS TO THE CAR AND NONE OF THEM HAVE WORKED. I RECEIVED THE LAST CHECK ENGINE/EMISSIONS WORKSHOP ON 4/10/01 AND CAR IS IN THE SHOP BEING FIXED.*AKY
Visibility, Apr 14, 2001
ON 10/2000 D/S PWR WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND WINDOW FELL INTO DOOR FRAME, CAR UNDER WARRANTY AND PART REPLACED. WAS TOLD BY THE SERVICE TECH AT DEALERSHIP THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS PART FAILING. SIX MONTHS LATER ON 04/11/2001 THE PASSENGER SIDE PWR WINDOW REGULATOR BROKE AND THE WINDOW FELL INTO THE DOOR FRAME. ON THIS OCCASION I CONTACED VW SINCE MY CAR HAD JUST PASSED OVER THE WARRANTY PERIOD, VW TOOK CARE OF THE PROBLEM AT NO COST TO ME. I AM HOPING THAT THIS SAME PROBLEM DOES NOT HAPPEN WITH THE REAR WINDOWS. HAVE BEEN TOLD BY BOTH VW AND THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM, POSSIBLY SHOULD BE ADDRESSED SINCE WHEN THE REGULATOR BREAKS THE NOISE IS VERY FRIGHTENING (SOUNDS LIKE A GUNSHOT) AND POSSIBLY MIGHT CAUSE SOMEONE TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Structure, Apr 13, 2001
NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 9, 2001
VEHICLE HAS EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. ENGINE CHECK LIGHT COMES ON. DEALER FOUND NOTHING. CONSUMER THEN WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO DID OIL CONSUMPTION TEST, AND AFTER 6 VISITS FOUND BRAKE IN SEALING RING IN ENGINE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Apr 4, 2001
OIL LIGHT CAME ON APPROXIMATELY 3000 MILES AFTER CONSUMER HAD OIL CHANGED IN VEHICLE. PRIVATE MECHANIC INFORMED CONSUMER THAT ENGINE WAS BURNING OIL, AND WAS ABOUT READY TO BLOW UP. THERE WAS A GAP IN BETWEEN PISTONS THAT WERE CAUSING THIS DEFECT. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS. *AK
Air bags, Mar 21, 2001, crash
I LOST CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE AND STRUCK A TREE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE DOOR. DOOR DEFORMATION WAS SEVERE AND NONE OF THE FOUR AIRBAGS WENT OFF. BECAUSE OF THE BLUNT TRAUMA TO MY CHEST AND LOWER BODY, I SUFFERED A COLLAPSED LEFT LUNG, A RUPTURED SPLEEN, A BROKEN SCAPULA, FOUR FRACTURED RIBS AND A SHATTERED PELVIS. MY WIFE WHO WAS IN THE PASSENGER RECIEVED A FRACTURED COLLARBONE BECAUSE OF THE FORCE OF ME COLLIDING INTO HER. I WAS IN INTENSIVE CARE FOR A WEEK AND IN CRITICAL CONDITON FOR FOUR DAYS, MY LEFT LUNG WAS 70% FILLED WITH BLOOD AND I RECIEVED TWO CHEST TUBES AS WELL AS MY RUPTURED SPLEEN WAS REMOVED. I HAVE NOT RECIEVED ALL OF MY BILLS YET AND ALLREADY ALL OF THESE PROCEDURES ARE GOING TO COST OVER $100K.
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 19, 2001
VEHICLE WAS USING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. DEALER REPLACED ENGINE. CURRENTLY, SAME PROBLEM AGAIN OCCURRED. *AK
Air bags, Mar 14, 2001, crash
I HAD A CAR ACCIDENT. A CAR HIT ME ON MY LEFT SIDE AND THE AIRBAG DIDNT POP OUT THEN I HIT TO OTHER CARS BECAUSE I LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND IN NON OF THE HITS ANY AIR BAGS IN THE FRONT POP OUT EITHER.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 12, 2001
MY 2000 JETTA HAS BEGAN BURNING OIL AT A RATE OF 3/4 QT TO 1 1/4 QT PER 1000 MILES. THE DEALER AND VOLKSWAGEN STATE THIS IS NORMAL BY THEIR STANDARDS AND THEY JUST CONTINUE TO DO OIL CONSUMPTION TESTS AND TELL US TO COME BACK. WHY HAS THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ON THE INTERNET AND I HAVE NEVER EXPERIENCED THIS WITH ANY OTHER NEW CARE THAT I HAVE OWNED. *AK
Suspension, Feb 21, 2001
DEALERSHIP HAS ATTEMPTED TO FIX CREAKING SUSPENSION NOISE 3 TIMES. UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM, OR FIX IT. PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE. EXTERIOR NOISE WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS, HOLES IN ROAD, AND WHEN TURNING RIGHT, OR WHEN STEERING WHEEL IS TURNING RIGHT. DEFINITELY NOT AN INTERIOR CREAKING NOISE. WORRIED ABOUT SAFETY B/C DEALERSHIP IS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE PROBLEM. NOT SURE IF THE PROBLEM IS A SUSPENSION ISSUE. PLEASE HELP GET THIS FIXED?
Air bags, Feb 20, 2001, crash
VEHICLE WAS HIT ON PASSENGER'S SIDE WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH, AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. VEHICLE HAD SIDE AIR BAGS AS WELL. VEHICLE WAS TOTALLED. *AK
Electrical system, Visibility, Vehicle speed control, Feb 17, 2001
ECU FAILURE: (5K MILES) ENGINE WOULD NOT TURN OVER, ENGINE COMPUTER LIGHT LIT, ATTEMPED TO START USING 3 DIFFERENT POWER SOURCES (DEALER, TOW, ANOTHER CAR) FAILED - BATTERY FINE. ENGINE COMPUTER WAS RESET AFTER TEST INDICATED FAULTY COMPUTER SETTINGS. ERROR 2: (14K MILES) ENGINE DISPLAYED "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP" MESSAGE, MIL LIGHT LIT. DEALER REPORTED FAULTY ENGINE COMPUTER, REPLACED COMPUTER. ERROR 3: 20 MILES AFTER PICKING CAR UP FROM DEALER, ENGINE DISPLAYED "EMISSIONS WORKSHOP" MESSAGE, MIL LIT AGAIN. RETURNED TO DEALER, WHO REPLACED ECU A SECOND TIME. DEALER ALSO REPLACES MAF (MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR). THIS SEEMS TO HAVE RESOLVED THE ECU PROBLEMS... FOR NOW? ERROR 3: (15K MILES) PASSENGER POWER WINDOW FAILED WITH LOUD "POP" DEALER REPLACED WINDOW REGULATOR, STATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT VW WAS WORKING ON A MORE ROBUST WINDOW DESIGN -- WILL FUTURE FAILURE BE REPLACED BY VW AFTER WARRENTEE PERIOD? ERROR 4: CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH FAILED, REPLACED BY DEALER.
Other or unspecified, Feb 12, 2001
OIL LIGHT WILL COME ON WHETHER VEHICLE HAS OIL IN IT OR NOT. CONSUMER CHANGES OIL EVERY 2500 MILES. CONTACTED DEALER, AND DEALER SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD FIND WRONG WITH VEHICLE. *AK