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.
Engine and engine cooling, May 6, 2004
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER, AND TECHNICIAN DETERMINED ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *AK
Power train, May 4, 2004
I HAVE A 2000 VW JETTA TDI THAT I PURCHASED NEW. THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING AND HAD TO BE REPLACED AT 51,203 MILES. ACCORDING TO TOM SAPELAK, THE SERVICE MANAGER AT THE VW DEALER, THERE IS A RUBBER PIECE (MASS DAMPENER?) BETWEEN THE TWO PLATES OF THE FLYWHEEL. ON MY FLYWHEEL, THIS PIECE HAD 2.5" OF MOVEMENT, BUT THE SPECS INDICATED THAT IT SHOULD ONLY MOVE .1 MM. EVEN THOUGH THE OWNERS MANUAL INDICATES THAT THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY FOR THIS VEHICLE WAS SUPPOSED TO COVER THE FLYWHEEL, I WAS TOLD THAT THIS FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. I HAD TO PAY $1381.08 FOR A NEW CLUTCH KIT (CLUTCH, FLYWHEEL, CLUTCH RELEASE BEARING) AND THE LABOR TO REPLACE IT. I DO NOT BELIVE THAT THIS FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY DRIVING HABITS. I HAD A 1985 VW GOLF DIESEL THAT HAD OVER 130,000 MILES WHEN I SOLD IT, AND I NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH IN THAT VEHICLE. MY HUSBAND HAD A 1996 VW JETTA TURBODIESEL THAT HAD OVER 238,000 MILES ON IT WHEN WE SOLD IT, AND WE NEVER HAD ANY PROBLEMS WITH THE CLUTCH IN THAT VEHICLE EITHER. MY HUSBAND AND I ARE THE ONLY PEOPLE THAT DRIVE MY CAR AND WE ARE NOT "HARD" ON CLUTCHES.*AK
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 20, 2004
I AM EXPERIENCING A LOSS OF POWER ON HILLS AND WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE AN INTERMITANT CHECK ENGINE LIGHT APPEARS. I OWN A VW JETTA TDI 2000. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM 1ST AS A TURBO CONTROL MODULE, $252.00. SOME INCREASE IN POWER BUT NOT VERY MUCH, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OFF. 2ND TRIP TO DEALER AFTER AN 1-1/2 HOUR DISCUSSION ABOUT CHARGING ME ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC FEE AND MY CONSENTING THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS CARBON IN INTAKE AND EGR VALVE REPLACEMENT. I ASKED 4 QUESTIONS :HOW DOES CARBON GET IN AN AIR INTAKE?, HOW DID THE TECHNICIAN DETERMINE THIS WAS PROBLEM? WHY WASN'T IT IDENTIFIED THE 1ST TIME I TOOK CAR IN AND WHAT GUARANTEE WOULD I GET? THE DEALER WOULD NOT OR COULD NOT ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS AND THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP AT VW AMERICA HAS NOT ANSWERED THEM BUT HAS OFFERED TO PAY 100% PARTS AND LABOR FOR THE REPAIR AFTER TWO DAYS OF CALLING AND TRYING TO GET AN ANSWER FROM BOTH OF THEM. DON, IS THE CUSTOMER SERVICE REP WHO OFFERED TO PAY FOR REPAIR UPON MY GOING TO ANOTHER DEALER AND PAYING FOR ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM, AS THE FIRST DEALER HAS REFUSED SERVICE TO THE VEHICLE BECAUSE I INSISTED ON ANSWERS TO MY QUESTIONS BEFORE OK'ING REPAIR. THE NUMBER I CALLED FOR VW AMERICA IS 1-800- 822-8987. I HAVE ABOUT 81,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND THIS PROBLEM CREATES A SERIOUS SAFTEY HAZARD ON THE INTERSTATE OR ANY HIGHWAY WHERE A SLOW MOVING VEHICLE MAY BE A HAZARD. *AK
Exterior lighting, Apr 9, 2004
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONED, CAUSED CAR TO LOCK IN PARK, AND BRAKE LIGHTS BECAME INOPERATIVE. *AK
Exterior lighting, Apr 5, 2004
IN REFERENCE TO THE FOLLOWING RECALL: NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 04V096000 ONE ADDITIONAL PROBLEM SHOULD BE NOTED. I HAVE A 2000 VW JETTA WITH AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND WHEN THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILS, AS IT DID ON MY CAR AT THE END OF LAST YEAR, THE SHIFTER CANNOT BE MOVED OUT OF THE PARK POSITION. THIS EFFECTIVELY LEAVES THE VEHICLE IMMOBILIZED AND THE OWNER NEEDING A TOW. I THINK THAT ALL OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THIS DEFECTIVE SWITCH REPLACED SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE SWITCH REPAIR AND TOWING IF APPLICABLE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS ISSUE. DAN ELIADES. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Mar 18, 2004
OIL BURNS EXCESSIVELY. AS A RESULT, CATALYTIC CONVERTER MALFUNCTIONED, AND WAS REPLACED TWICE WITHIN FOUR MONTHS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Mar 9, 2004
REAR BRAKE PADS WORN OUT AT 18,000 K. ROTOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. CALIPER WAS NAMED AS DEFICTIVE AND NO EXPLANATION WAS GIVEN
Visibility, Mar 3, 2004
NUMEROUS WINDOW REGULATOR ISSUES, ONE TOTAL REPLACEMENT. SOME ACTIONS MUST BE TAKEN, THIS IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND MOST LIKELY AN EASY REMEDY AT THE FACTORY. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON WINDOW REGULATORS!*AK
Seats, Mar 2, 2004
PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT HEATER HAD A CIGARETTE SIZE BURN HOLE IN IT. WHILE DRIVING CONSUMER SMELLED A BURNING ODOR, WHICH BECAME STRONGER AS TIME PROGRESSED. ALSO, SMOKE CAME FROM THE SEAT. WHEN HEATER WAS TURNED OFF THE SMELL AND THE SMOKE CEASED. *AK VEHICLE WAS TAKEN AT THE DEALERSHIP. *LA
Electrical system, Feb 25, 2004, fire
WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH A FIRE STARTED UNDER THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE CAUSE OF FIRE WAS UNDETERMINED. ALSO, DEALERSHIP FLOOR MANAGER INDICATED THERE WERE MANY VOLKSWAGEN JETTAS WITH THIS KIND OF PROBLEM. *AK
Air bags, Feb 20, 2004, crash
REAR-ENDED WHILE AT A STOP. AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Feb 17, 2004
REQUEST FOR FULL REIMBURSEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $1898.94 FOR UNWARRANTED REPAIRS. (NAR) *PH *CB
Engine and engine cooling, Feb 11, 2004
VW JETTA TDI- THE TURBO HASN'T BEEN WORKING. APPARENTLY, THIS VEHICLE IS EQUIPPED WITH A CCV (CRANKCASE VENT) SYSTEM AND AN EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATION) SYSTEM. OILY FUMES FROM THE CCV SYSTEM COMBINE WITH CARBON PARTICLES FROM THE EGR SYSTEM TO FORM A BLACK STICKY TAR IN THE INTAKE SYSTEM. THIS EVENTUALLY STARTS RESTRICTING THE AMOUNT OF AIRFLOW INTO THE ENGINE, RESULTING IN GRADUAL POWER LOSS AS THE VEHICLE AGES AND THE INTAKE CLOGGING BECOMES WORSE. THIS IS APPARENTLY PREVENTABLE BY ADJUSTING THE INTAKE AIR VOLUME OF 370 MG/STROKE USING A COMPUTER TO REPROGRAM THE EGR. REPLACING THE MANIFOLD & EGR IS AN EXPENSIVE PROPOSITION THAT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.*AK
Air bags, Jan 27, 2004, crash
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING HOME AT APPROXIMATELY 11:15 PM IN SNOWING CONDITIONS WHEN SHE STRUCK A SNOW PLOW TRUCK IN THE REAR. THE FRONT OF THE CAR WAS DEMOLISHED AND THE SPREADER DEVICE CAME THROUGH THE WINDSHIELD, CAUSING SEVERE FACIAL LACERATIONS. THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO AIRBAG MALFUNCTION LIGHT ON THE DASH PRIOR TO THE ACCIDENT. THERE IS NO BRUISING ACROSS HER SHOULDER OR CHEST FROM THE SEATBELT (YET), THOUGH SHE WAS WEARING IT. THE AIRBAG CONTROLLER AND ECM HAVE NOT BEEN CHECKED FOR STORED FAULT CODES. *JB
Power train, Jan 23, 2004
CONSUMER STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. HE HAD TO PULL TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE TRANSMISSION MOUNTS BROKE AND CAUSED THE ENGINE TO DROP DOWN. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS FAIRLY NEW AND HAD ONLY 42,182 MILES ON IT, AND THIS SHOULD NOT HAVE HAPPENED. *AK *SC *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jan 21, 2004
MY WIFE AND I BOUGHT A 2000 JETTA TDI WITH A DEFECTIVE MASS AIR SENSOR, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT ENGINE OIL VAPOR LEAKS DOWN THE AIR INTAKE AND CREATES A OIL FILM OVER SENSOR WHICH RENDERS IT INOP. WITH IT NOT WORKING THE CAR ACCELERATES VERY SLOWLY AND HAS VERY LITTLE POWER. MY MECHANIC SAID A REPLACEMENT IS $274.00 FOR THIS ITEM AND THERE IS NO GUARANTEE IT WONT HAPPEN AGAIN AFTER BUYING THE NEW PART. I FIND THIS PROBLEM UNACCEPTABLE AND FIGURE THE ENGINEER THAT DESIGNED THIS PART MUST HAVE GOT A HUGE BONUS FOR THIS RECURRING PROBLEM.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Equipment, Jan 15, 2004
MY VEHICLE IS A TDI DIESEL -COMPUTER/ENGINE - ENGINE DIAGNOSIS LIGHT HAS COME ON - DIAGNOSIS ($85.00) GATE ON TURBO CHARGER DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WAS TOLD COULD DRIVE VEHICLE BUT PERFORMANCE MAY DETERIORATE. ENGINE LIGHT STILL COMES ON OCAAISIONALY. REAR BRAKES SEIZED AND WORE COMPLETELY OUT - DEALER REFUSED ANY WARRANTY - WROTE V/W CUSTOMER SERVICE - THEY REFUNDED ABOUT 90% OF MY COST
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
BRAKE PADS WENT CALLIPERS WENT AND ROTTERS WENT WITH BRAKES. VW USED THE WRONG CALLIPERS FOR THE CAR. AC WENT DID NOT GO COLD. STARTER WENT HAD TO REPLACE WITH NEW ONE THAT WAS THE OTHER. PAINT STARING CHIPPING PART OF THE COST WAS A KEY SCRATCH. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON HAD TO REPLACE MASSIVE AIR FLOW METER.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Seat belts, Tires, Equipment, Other or unspecified, Jan 15, 2004
REPLACED REAR BRAKE LIGHT 4 TIMES; EMERGENCY FLASHER & TURN SIGNALS FAIL TO WORK RANDOMLY. TWICE HAD REAR BRAKE PADS REPLACED; ROTORS TURNED SECOND TIME -- TOTAL COST $550. REPEATED SENSOR FAILURES -- KNOCK SENSOR, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, COOLANT TEMPERATURE SENSOR; INDUCTION COIL FAILURE & VEHICLE IMBOLIZED. DRIVER MIRROR REPAIRED TWICE; PASSENGER P/WINDOW STUCK DOWN; DRIVER WINDOW LOCK TWICE; SEAT BELT CRACKED
Air bags, Jan 15, 2004
WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD. *AK *JB *NM
Exterior lighting, Jan 13, 2004
WHEN TURN SIGNAL AND/OR HAZARD WARNING SIGNALS ARE USED AND LEFT IN THE "ON" POSITION, THE RATE AND WHICH THE SIGNAL LIGHTS BLINK GRADUALLY "SLOWS". AFTER THE SIGNALS ARE LEFT ON FOR ABOUT 2 MINUTES, THE SIGNAL LIGHTS CEASE TO "BLINK" AND EVENTUALLY "FREEZE" AND ARE CONSTANTLY LIT. IF CAR WERE TO BECOME DISABLED, THE HAZARD WARNING LIGHTS WILL WORK FOR ABOUT 1 OR 2 MINUTES, AND THEREAFTER REMAIN CONSTANTLY LIT, THUS RENDERING THEM USELESS TO WARN APPROACHING MOTORISTS OF A DISABLED VEHICLE. THE DEALER REPLACED THE HAZAED SWITCH TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
Power train, Jan 12, 2004
THE TRANSMISSION GRINDS FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR ON A NON-REPEATABLE RANDOM BASIS. *LA
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jan 2, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH DRIVER HEARD A LOUD POP. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR AND CONTINUED THIS WAY UNTIL THE DRIVER PULLED INTO A PARKING LOT. THERE WERE NO BRAKES. *AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 29, 2003
2000 JETTA GL, CANNOT MOVE THE CAR OUT OF PARK. VEHICLE IS LOCKED. I HEARD THAT THIS IS COMMON WITH THE 2000 JETTA FROM MANY PEOPLE, AND I WAS TOLD THAT THE CAR HAS LOCKED WHILE DRIVING. I FEEL THIS IS DANGEROUS.*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 16, 2003
REAR BRAKES ON VW JETTA -- CALIPERS SEIZED, ROTORS RUINED, PADS METAL-TO-METAL. FRONT BRAKES VIRTUALLY IN FACTORY CONDITION. *AK