Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2000 Volkswagen Jetta owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
Dt: was driving on an interstate at 70 MPH and was involved in head on collision with the center divider of the highway. Upon impact, air bags did not deploy. This was front impact, no other vehicles were involved. Did not take vehicle to a dealer or repair shop, vehicle was totaled. The car was taken to a salvage yard. No one had inspected the vehicle.
2000 Volkswagen Jetta I rearended a car at 40 MPH my front bumper is hanging off and seatbelts did not work. Volkswagen was notified and is having a vw member look at the car in bellivill auto salvage 310 oakhill rd exeter ri. Due to faulty air bags my head hit windshield and chest hit wheel due to seatbelts.
During head-on collision with a metal bridge, airbags failed to deploy. Approximate speed at impact 40 MPH. Drive & passenger injured and car front end completely demolished. Awaiting insurance co. Investigation as to extent of damage, possibly total loss.
I lost control of my vehicle and struck a tree on the drivers side door. Door deformation was severe and none of the four airbags went off. Because of the blunt trauma to my chest and lower body, I suffered a collapsed left lung, a ruptured spleen, a broken scapula, four fractured ribs and a shattered pelvis. My wife who was in the passenger recieved a fractured collarbone because of the force of me colliding into her. I was in intensive care for a week and in critical conditon for four days, my left lung was 70% filled with blood and I recieved two chest tubes as well as my ruptured spleen was removed. I have not recieved all of my bills yet and allready all of these procedures are going to cost over $100K.
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.
My automobile was involved in a driver side impact from another vehicle driving at 30 MPH, my auto was throwen aproximately 50 feet into a wall hitting the front of the car and the right rear quarter. My forward speed was aproximately 30 MPH at time of impact. Zero airbags deployed. Caused injuries to myself from non-deployment of airbags.
Airbag failure light on dash came on at 65,000 miles. I have read many reports of an internal fault with the firmware in the original factory crash sensor, I think the manufacture (Volkswagen) should recall and replace these defective sensors. The airbag May deploy at any time or not deploy in a wreck.
While pulling from a light,another vehicle ran a red light and t-boned Jetta on passenger's side at fifty five miles per hour. Vehicle slammed into utility pole on driver's side, and neither side airbag deployed. Please provide further details.
My vehicle was broadsided on the drivers side, vehicle thrown into a wall50' away. Vehicle sustained major damage to front left side door/ front left wheel assembly/ front right side/ rear right side and trunk areas received major damages.
Airbag complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 41 complaints about the air bags of the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, 9% of the model year's 439 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (19 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volkswagen Jetta airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags recall for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, though it has 4 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 Jetta airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 65,000 miles, and 11% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 23 crashes, 0 fires and 24 injuries to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.