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 GTI owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Yesterday, when I went to raise the (electric) window on the driver's side of my 2000 Volkswagen GTI, the window fell down inside the door! Fortunately, I was in a parking lot and the car wasn't moving. I hate to think what would have happened if I had been on the expressway. After doing some research on the internet, I discovered that I am not the only vw owner who has experienced this problem, and I understand that Volkswagen has redesigned the window mechanism on subsequent models. (my passenger-side window has been stuck closed for several months.)last year, Volkswagen offered a seven-year-from-purchase extended warranty for problems with the windows on my car. They did not specify what the problems were. I think they should have issued a recall. This is a safety issue! Please investivate.
Was on the way home driving during rain and snow. Typical minnesota winter. It was roughly 25-30 degrees outside. I lowered window to remove rain and snow before I started driving. Window regulator stopped working and the window would not come back up. I had to drive home with rain/snow pouring into my car. After the 15 minute drive my passenger side leather seats were destroyed. This is a very common issue in these particular cars. There needs to be a recall.
The window regulator has failed twice on each the driver and passenger side window. The window regulators have been replaced, but the problem persists. I am aware that other post 99.5 vw's suffer from the problem yet no recall has been done by Volkswagen. ****dimsii ivoq entry posted after 12/12/02 cut over to artemis****760763
Consumer 2000 GTI mass air flow sensor failed twice after repairs. ***** the drivers door handle was loose. The left front window regulator was replaced. The dome light switch was broken.
Window regulator failed, causing drivers window to drop into the door. This is a safety and security problem that has been occurring since the introduction of the current model in 1999.5. A recent survey on the vw vortex website indicated that almost 50% of 1000 owners responding had experienced the problem. If this failure had occurred during the rainy seattle winter during my 40 mile commute the car would unsafe to drive.
Failure of window regulator causes window to fall into the door, has to be fixed at dealer, out of warranty repair is approx $500, which is rediculous for a known bad part. This causes a saftey concern, not only because the vehicle can be vandalized with no windows, but due to extereme weather, the driver could be endangered.
Power windows failed on both sides - within 6 weeks of each other and on a car only 6 months old! The windows fail in the down position - not pleasant during a ne winter and leaving the car a potential robbery candidate. This is happening all over - time for a vw re-design and voluntary recall on the power assembly?
Drivers side window regulator failed. Window was stuck down. Oxygen sensor failed the next day. The dealer claims this affects every vw. Why don't they fix them. Now I'm out of warranty and I'm sure my other window regulator and oxygen sensor will be going bad any day now. Vw should be accountable for this.
While attempting to roll window down, window stopped about 1/2 way. Consumer heard a cracking noise. Then, window slamned down into vehicle's door panel. When trying to roll up window it would not roll up. Consumer has yet to contact dealer. Please provide any further information.
Both window regulators have failed twice on me all at separate times, in separate conditions. According to hundreds of other vw drivers on the high popular internet forum vwvortex.com, this is a huge problem to many people and vw needs to take responsibility.
Window & Wiper complaints in other GTI years
Frequently asked questions
How common are window & wiper problems on the 2000 Volkswagen GTI?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the windows, wipers & sunroof of the 2000 Volkswagen GTI, 44% of the model year's 45 complaints. The component named most often is power window devices and controls (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volkswagen GTI window & wiper problems?
No. NHTSA lists no windows, wipers & sunroof recall for the 2000 Volkswagen GTI, though it has 3 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 GTI window & wiper problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 33,000 miles, and 50% before 25,000 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.