Most common 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of the 439 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by model year
Best Jetta years: 2018, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. Compare all years →
2000 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (4)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: 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…
Exterior lighting › Hazard flashing warning lights › Switch
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.
Remedy: 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.
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles May malfunction.
Remedy: This recall has been superceded by 06v-183.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.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 6 possible defects involving the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta:
Brake light switch failure
By letters dated May 24, 2006 and August 4, 2006, Volkswagen (vw) notified the agency that it is conducting a safety recall (NHTSA recall no 06v-183) involving model year (my) 1998-2002 Volkswagen new beetle and 1999-2002 Volkswagen jetta vehicles equipped with cruise control.Volkswagen?s recall covers 646,246 vehicles.previously, vw recalled these vehicles to replace a defective brake light switch (recalls 03v-265…
Brake light switch
The number of duplicates between odi and manufacturer failure reports cannot be determined due to missing and or inaccurate information.the injury noted above was minor.on February 26, 2004, Volkswagen of America, inc. (vw) submitted a defect notification (per 49cfr573) to the national highway traffic safety administration (NHTSA) advising that certain model year (my) 1999 - 2002 Volkswagen jetta vehicles…
Turn signal/hazard flasher failure
This investigation was opened on October 19, 2004, based on nine reports on 2000 through 2001 jetta and gti vehicles alleging that the turn signals and or hazard flashers fail to blink, or flash.some of the complainants reported that the lights would blink only a few times and then stop.several of the complainants reported that having the hazard flasher switch replaced repaired their vehicles.by letter of December…
Fuel tank puncture
The office of defects investigation opened this investigation on August 10, 2000 based on 9 reports regarding punctured fuel tanks involving the jetta, passat, and cabrio models.the reports indicate additional reports in its response to the preliminary evaluation.this investigation has been upgraded for further study.
Fuel tank puncture
Engine stalling
By letter received on June 24, 2005, mr. Ronald m. Strickland of raleigh, nc, submitted a petition requesting that the agency investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on model year (my) 2000-2003 Volkswagen jetta, golf and passat sedans.the petitioner alleges that he had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on his 2002 vw jetta sedan.as a…
What 2000 Volkswagen Jetta owners say
Engine & cooling all 129 →
I was driving in traffic around 35 MPH. Saw smoke in my rearview mirror so immediately pulled off to side of road. The car wasnt overheating, and no warning lights came on until after I began slowing down to pull over. As I stopped and turned off the car, I realized the engine compartment was on fire, I grabbed my phone and called 911 as I got away from the vehicle.
My 2000 vw Jetta was being driven today by my fiance on 295 south in rhode island. He noticed the coolant light come on, and so looked at the temp gauge and saw that it had not risen any higher than normal. After keeping an eye on the gauge for a few minutes, he noticed it suddenly drop to 0 and so he pulled over, figuring a hose had broken or something to that extent. When he exited the vehicle he noticed some black smoke coming out from under the hood, and the hood itself starting to bubble from the heat. The car itself burst into flames at that point and my fiance had to back away from it immediately for fear that it would explode. The car had recently been inspected and was working perfectly fine except for a small coolant leak up until today, so we have no idea what caused such a sudden combustion. …
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 77 →
I have a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta and within the past 2 months my driver side window just fell down into the door. There's little plastic clips that hold the window on track and they broke. But you cant buy those clips, you have to buy the whole door assembly. 2nd yesterday, oct 6th, my passenger window just fell down into the door, and again, the same thing. I search alot of vw related forums where people around the nation have the same problems and have file numerous complaints with vw and complaints with consumer affairs. Why hasn't vw issued a recall for these clips? I cant afford the outrageous prices to have both of my windows fixed so I have them taped with duck tape to hold them up. Please look into this and figure out why nothing has been done about this. One woman said she had her car in the shop 8 times and they keep breaking. You can verify this through consumer affairs. …
Transmission failed. The dealer replaced the part. However, two weeks later the part failed again. The vehicle would not go into reverse. The transmission slipped and the vehicle had run into a pole at a gas station on the right front side. This problem remained the same. The engine light had come on along with the transmission problems. Other problems were: the tire pressure had to be reset on numerous occasions, rear pads, A/C was not cooling, glove box, power windows, console, power sunroof, interior trim, steering/suspension, driveability, trim electrical, sound system, and heating/cooling. The consumer did not report any damage to vehicle when she hit the pole.
Electrical system all 60 →
The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver's side seat heater activated, the seat became extremely hot. The contact started smelling a burning odor coming from the seat. The contact felt a hole in the seat, which burned the contact's middle finger. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact's back started burning due to the extreme heat of the seat back. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a hole in his jacket and approximately four holes that had formed in the front driver seat due to the seat heater failure. The contact was not treated for the burns to his back. The contact stated that two dealers were notified of the failure but neither provided immediate assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. …
No warning lights illuminated. Periodically the braking pressure was released and a pedal pulse was felt while stopping. The dealer stated that the problem to the ABS pump leaked into the ABS module. The consumer's daughter was unable to stop in a parking lot as a result of the brakes releasing causing her to hit another vehicle. The person in the other vehicle sought medical treatment.
2000 Volkswagen Jetta engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 5-speed manual | FWD | 35 / 44 / 38 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 29 / 40 / 33 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 26 / 22 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 17 / 26 / 20 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 17 / 24 / 19 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?
Based on 439 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2000 Jetta rates use caution: 1.5× as many complaints as a typical year of the Jetta at the same age. It is one of the Jetta years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta?
The engine & cooling — 129 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the windows, wipers & sunroof (77) and electrical system (60).
How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, the most recent from May 24, 2006 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Jetta?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2010. See the full Volkswagen Jetta years comparison.
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 36% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.