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.
Steering, Sep 5, 2000, crash
A BRAND NEW CAR - SPINDLE FAILED- NOT GOING VERY FAST10 MILES PER HOUR-NOR HIT ANY POTHOLE OR ANYTHING -PART FAILED ON ITS OWNSHOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY BUT VW NOT REPLACING.WOULD LIKE TO REPORT VWCOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED IF DRIVING AT A HIGHER SPEED.
Air bags, Aug 28, 2000, crash
VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A T-BONE FRONTAL COLLISION WHICH CAUSED VEHICLE TO SPIN SEVERAL TIMES AND HIT THE MEDIUM STRIP AND A POLE AT A IMPACT OF 60-65 MPH. UPON IMPACT, BOTH FRONTAL AND SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Visibility, Aug 28, 2000
WHILE I WAS DRIVING, THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW IN MY BRAND NEW VW JETTA COLLAPSED INSIDE THE DOOR AND BROKE. I COULD NOT ROLL UP MY WINDOW. WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN, THEY SAID THIS IS VERY COMMON, DUE TO HOT WEATHER. I THINK A RECALL IS IN ORDER, TO REPLACE THE PART THAT CANNOT HANDLE HOT WEATHER, AND ALERT THE PUBLIC. THANK YOU.
Power train, Aug 25, 2000
TRANSMISSION GRINDS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEARS. THE PROBLEM IS NEITHER SPEED OR RPM DEPENDENT.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Vehicle speed control, Aug 17, 2000, crash
WHILE APPROACHING A TRAFFIC STOP APPLIED BRAKE PEDAL, AND ALL OF A SUDDEN VEHICLE COMMENCED TO ACCELERATE AND REAR ENDED VEHICLE IN FRONT DEALER/ MANUFACTURER NOTIFIED AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER. PLEASE FEEL FREE TO PROVIDE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Electrical system, Aug 13, 2000
THE RED LIGHTING FOR THE CLIMATE CONTROL KNOBS INTERMITTENTLY FAIL
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 13, 2000
ROTORS BEGAN MAKING NOISE AROUND 6000 MILES. DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS A RUST BUILDUP DESPITE THE CAR BEING DRIVEN DAILY. THE NOISE HAS BECOME MORE PRONOUNCED WITH INCREASED MILEAGE.
Power train, Visibility, Jul 28, 2000
THIS IS A BRAND NEW CAR. A PERSON SHOULD NOT BE EXPECTED TO ACCEPT WHATEVER PROBLEMS. DEALER WISHES TO DELIVER. A PERSON PURCHASES A NEW CAR SO THAT THEY WON'T HAVE THESE KIND OF PROBLEMS. I FIND IT UNACCEPTABLE THAT MY NEW CAR HAS ALREADY NEEDED A NEW REAR WINDOW AND NOW A NEW TRANSMISSION. MY FAMILY ARE PAST VOLKSWAGON OWNERS AND I HAD CONVINCED TWO OF MY FRIENDS TO BY NEW JETTAS. I EXPECT A NEW CAR...BECAUSE I AM PAYING FOR ONE!*AK
Power train, Jul 27, 2000
AT 35MPH W/AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON GLX MODEL, MAKE A VIBRATING NOISE THAT DISSAPEARS AT HIGHER SPEED. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION REPLACED, BUT NOISE STARTED AGAIN IN A SHORT TIME. FACTORY HAS NOT EMITTED A NOTIFICATION YET.*AK
Air bags, Jul 24, 2000
AIRBAG LIGHT WAS ON 5 TIMES.DEALER ATTEMPTED 4 TIMES TO FIX PROBLEM HAVE FAILED.CONCERN THAT WILL NOT DEPLOY WHEN NEEDED OR DEPLOY WHILE DRIVING. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jul 21, 2000
VEHICLE WAS LEAKING WATER COOLANT AND VEHICLE WAS AT DEALERSHIP. MECHANIC REPLACED THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION TWICE.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 17, 2000
HIT ROCK ON HIGHWAY PUNCTURING OIL PAN. ENGINE LIGHT DID NOT COME ON AND ENGINE SEIZED. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 10, 2000
THE O2 SENSOR FAILED. *MJS
Exterior lighting, Jul 8, 2000
REVERSE LIGHTS STAY ON AND CANNOT BE FIXED BETW. 2 DEALERS WHO IN TOTAL HAVE WORKED OVER 32 HOURS OF LABOR WITH OUT RESOLUTION. *AK
Steering, Power train, Jul 6, 2000
SECOND TRANSMISSION FAILURE FOR THIS CAR, UNSURE IF THE DEALER IN FACT REPLACED ORIGIONAL. ALSO HAVE NOTICED SPEEDOMETER MAKING A CLICKING SOUND AT ALL SPEEDS
Power train, Jul 6, 2000
FIRST FAILURE WHILE GETTING ON FREEWAY. DEALER SERVICE HAD CAR FOR 38 DAYS, 2 OR 3 REBUILD ATTEMPTS BEFORE TELLING ME A NEW TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. PROBLEM WAS IN REVERSE GEAR, SAID OUTPUT SHAFT WAS BENT. TWO MONTHS LATER THE TRANSMISSION SUFFERED ANOTHER FAILURE OF THE SAME TYPE WHILE ON VACATION IN SAN FRANSISCO. DEALER IS TELLING ME USER ABUSE, I KNOW OF 6 OTHER 1999 AND 2000 JETTA'S THAT HAVE HAD MANULE TRANSMISSION FAILURES
Air bags, Jun 2, 2000
AIRBAG SYSTEM INDICATOR LIGHT STAYS ON WHICH ACCORDING TO THE VW OWNERS MANUAL, INDICATES A MALFUNCTION IN THE AIRBAG SYSTEM. I TOOK MY JETTA TO A VW SERVICE CENTER ON 5/23/2000. SERVICE CENTER IS TO DATE WAITING FOR VW ENGINEERING IN CHICAGO IL TO PROVIDE REPAIR INSTRUCTIONS AND AUTHORIZATION TO REPAIR VEHICLE. DUE TO AIRBAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION INDICATOR BEING LIT, INDICATING A SAFETY ISSUE, VW ENGINEERING HAS NOT PROVIDED A DIAGNOSES/SOLUTION TO PROBLEM. MY VEHICLE IS NOT IN MY POSESSION BUT AT MCNEVIN VW IN BERKELEY CA SERVICE DEPARTMENT. *AK
Structure, Apr 20, 2000
AUTOMATIC LOCKS KICK IN AFTER A MINUTE OR SO. THE BUTTONS THAT GO DOWN HAVE RIDGES ON THEM THAT ARE VERY DANGEROUS. CONSUMER HAS BEEN REPEATEDLY CUT WHEN ARM WAS CAUGHT ON THE LATCH TO THE POINT WHERE THERES WAS LITTLE BLOOD SHED. CONSUMER FEELS THE LOCKS ARE DANGEROUS. *AK *ML
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 12, 2000
FUEL FILLER NECK OBSTRUCTED WITH NOZZLE FLAP RETAINER. REPLACEMENT ASSEMBLY ORDER HAD TO BE RETURNED TO MANUFACTURER DUE TO DEFECT (PER INFORMATION PROVIDED BY DEALER SERVICE DEPT. REP.) *AK
Fuel system, Gasoline, Feb 11, 2000
WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 20 MPH ON THE HIGHWAY VEHICLE BEGAN TO STALL. AFTER DRIVING FOR ANOTHER 5 MILES, VEHICLE DIED COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. DEALER WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. FUEL FILTER WAS CHANGED, AND CONDTIONER ADDED TO THE FUEL. ALSO, THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED. THE TEMPERATURE WAS SIX DEGREES WHEN THE PROBLEM HAPPENED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED IN ORDER TO THAW OUT. *AK
Exterior lighting, Feb 9, 2000
WHEN DRIVING DOWN A HILL HEADLAMPS DO NOT ILLUMINATE FAR ENOUGH AHEAD TO SEE A PERSON IN THE ROAD. THERE IS A DISTINCT LINE AT EYE LEVEL AND ABOVE THAT IS NOT ILLUMINATED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE UP THE OTHER SIDE OF THE HILL. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW AND WAS NOT NOTICED UNTIL AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR SINCE I DID NOT HAVE THE OPPURTUNITY TO TEST DRIVE THE CAR AFTER DARK. I HAVE CONTACTED CONSUMER RELATIONS SEVERAL TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THE CAR MEETS SAFETY STANDARDS. I FEEL THIS PROBLEM HOLDS THE DISTINCT POSSIBLITY OF CAUSING AN ACCIDENT IN THE FUTURE. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 24, 2000
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED STALLING/CUTTING OFF COMPLETELY WITHIN 10 MINUTES OR LESS AFTER PULLING OFF DEALER'S LOT. VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS. *AK
Air bags, Seat belts, Jan 24, 2000, crash
WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH VEHICLE HAD A FRONTAL IMPACT WITH A STALLED VEHICLE, AND DRIVER'S/PASSENGER'S AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY, WHICH DID NOT PROTECT THE OCCUPANT IN THIS CRASH. ALSO, THE SEATBELT DID NOT RETRACT, CAUSING DRIVER TO FLY INTO THE STEERING WHEEL AND SUSTAIN INJURIES. DEALER DID INSPECT THE VEHICLE, AND DETERMINED NO PROBLEM WITH AIRBAG SYSTEM AND SEATBELT. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 27, 1999
THE PRESENTING PROBLEM WITH THIS JETTA 2000 IS THAT ON THREE (3) DATES, I TURNED THE IGNITION AND THE ENGINE RAN FOR ONLY TWO SECONDS BEFORE DYING. DESPITE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET THE CAR RUNNING, THIS CONTINUED. THIS JETTA HAS BEEN TOWED THREE (3) TIMES FOR WARRANTY REPAIR. AS OF THIS DATE, THE CAR HAS ONLY 2300 MILES AND THE DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED.
Power train, Nov 15, 1999
AFTER COMING TO A STOP AT A LIGHT AND APPLYING THE ACCELERATOR, VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. THIS WAS DUE TO A FAULTY TRANSMISSION. DEALER HAS VEHICLE NOW. *AK