Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power windows, windshield, wipers, mirrors, sunroof).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Volkswagen Golf owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
1. Passenger front window drops down in door. Has happened twice. There were four other people at the dealer for the same problem at the same time I was there. I was told it was an "arizona" problem and that the part that holds the window up melts and breaks. I was driving down the highway when my window fell down causing me to become distracted by the incident and nearly causing an accident. 2. Air bag light went on for no reason. Cost tom me was $618 to replace a faulty airbag and wiring harness. I believe that should be covered even out of warranty since there is nothing I could have possibly done to cause the airbag to become defective. 3. Cruise control disengages when the right turn signal is applied. This happened for months unti the cruise control went out completely. I have heard this failure is due to a ribbon cable which gets broken in the steering column. …
While driving my 2000 vw Golf, with 78000 miles, I squirted my windshield with fluid to clear it, and the wipers, instead of the usual 2-wipe cycle slowed down, struggled and then, without warning, ceased to operate, stopping halfway on the upswing. I was unable to physically move the wiper back to rest position. Luckily, it was not raining and I was driving on a city road where I could pull over safely to the curb. I did drive the car home that day, as it was clear, but was unable to use the car for the next few days, as rain threatened, and obviously I could not afford to be driving in even a light rain as the front wipers were non-operational. I had the wipers repaired at minuteman vw, bedford ma, on September 14. They found that the wiper linkage on the passenger side was completely in a bind and were physically unable to move it, while the driver's side moved freely. …
My window, while driving, just dropped into the door. I was in the countryside and not able to fix immediately due to no dealers. I was concerned about my safety --and the security of my car/belongings. The dealer told me this happens frequently and they would cover cost of parts ($150) if I cover labor ($156). I had no choice--and I appreciate their willingness to help. Vw dealer tells me this happens frequently. I have since had 3 different individuals in my neighborhood have the same thing happen. I called corporate -- they said, "it happens" and "cars aren't perfect". My car is just 2 years old...and shouldn't present these kind of problems. I sure hope vw is prepared for the day that someone is attacked, robbed, etc. B/c their windows broke! What can I do???
Once again, inconvenienced by window slider/regulator failure. First it was the passenger side window, now the driver's side. The window froze in the down position with only a grinding noise when I attempted to power the window back up. I immediately got on the phone and attempted to schedule an appointment for repair. Unfortunately, none of the local dealerships could offer me an appointment that would get make back on the road in a couple of days. Thus, I just showed up at one dealership when it opened and managed to get my car serviced quickly and the repair was billed as a warranty item. Filing this report because this is the second window on my car and this could be a safety issue depending on the conditions involved. Thank you.
Although my power window regulator and clips have not failed yet, this is a know problem to vw. They have recently designed a "kit" which has upgraded metal parts, and not plastic parts. They are replacing the pieces after they break, after window falls down into the track. Some dealers cover part of the cost ($200!?), some don't. This is a known defect and I think vw should be recalling the cars before failure to replace the window clips and regulators. The years affected are 2000 - 2002, the Golf and jetta (and maybe the beetle). Presently repair parts are backordered due to the demand.
1. Rust on brakes pad guides blocked the pads on the rotors. Rotors were warped from the heat, brake pad on left rear side wore from 1/2" all the way to the metal in short time. Vehicle was inspected to the dealer for 30K service 25 days prior to incident. Vw customer service considers the incident due to "elements and normal wear and tear". Cost of repair: $418.74 not covered by manufacturer. 2. Window clamps and cable defective, repair covered by the manufacturer, no recall on parts, hundreds of cases experienced by the dealership, as per dealership employees. Nlm
While rolling up the passenger side power window of my 2000 Golf the window fell between the door panels. I live and generally drive alone, hence the passenger side window is rarely used. Since discovering your site and the consumeraffairs.com web site on jetta windows with repeated complaints about just this problem it is clear that vw has a problem that they need to acknowledge and fix.
I have had 3 out of 4 power windows (one twice) go down and fail to come back up. I was originally told that this was an isolated incident. I have come to find out that this is occuring with such regularity my dealership can not keep the part in stock. I am just waiting for window #4 to break while I am at work which is not the most savory neighborhood.
Power windows on three occasions on both front windows, with no cause fell down in window well. This occurred once on driver's side, and twice on passenger's side. Owner stated while trying to get this repaired three other people were at the dealer for the same problem. Dealership was backed up due to numerous replacement requests.
The local dealership was not willing to repair the problem under warranty or research the problem. There were three vheicles in front of mine in the service bay with the same problem but the service writer stated he had never heard that there was a malfunction with the side windows.
Window & Wiper complaints in other Golf years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2000 Volkswagen Golf?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2000 Volkswagen Golf, 23% of the model year's 88 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volkswagen Golf window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2000 Volkswagen Golf, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Golf window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 78,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.