Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
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).
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.
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.
While driving, my 2000 Jetta gls, vehicle hesitates and stalls (engine light also would come on at times). On six occasions to service, vw claimed that nothing could be found. The seventh time, conveniently after warranty expiration, they found a bad ignition coil...which obviously, I had to pay for. Speaking to four acquantainces that had same vehicle, all reported similar issues with the hesitation and stalling. The kicker came from my friend who received a recall on this issue (ignition coil recall) for his 1.8t Jetta. A call to vw (1800-822-8987) to inquire about reimbursement for my expenses revealed that my Jetta VIN did not match the recalled VIN's!!! How can a part that has been recalled not be covered for my vehicle that has the same part? This is absolutely preposterous. …
2000 vw Jetta, vr6 engine, 49,3331 mile. Whenever my car was idle for more than 6-8 hours and was exposed to rainy\wet weather, the engine would experience performance issues. Immediately after starting the car under these circumstances, the engine would sputter and sound like it was on the verge of stalling. If I attempted to drive the car without letting it fully warm-up, the engine would experience a severe performance degradation, characterized by poor, rough acceleration. The check engine light would also illuminate, and I would receive the emissions workshop warning message. This problem has occured several times over the past 1-2 years. At first the problem was mild, but over time it worsened. I took the car into the dealer for service and was informed that the ignition coil and ignition leads needed replacement to resolve the problem. …
I am the primary repair person for this vehicle. Over its history, there have been numerous component failures that in my opinion are unacceptable for a vehicle with this mileage and age. I personally know the owner, and know that it is not operated under unusually harsh conditions. The vehicle was involved in a minor cosmetic crash early on, otherwise, there have been no unusual outside factors. At this point, the car has only 37,000 miles on the odometer. Primary use is on long trips. The vehicle is parked and stored for about 3-6 months each year. First problem: air conditioning system leak: the expansion valve failed, requiring replacement. Check engine/ malfunction indicator light: has come on several times, each time with the same DTC, a manufacturer specific code related to the mass air flow sensor. …
I am requesting that the agency please investigate the performance of the ignition coil plugs on the model year 2000, Volkswagen, Jetta. I have experienced multiple stalling events and car not starting up after up or being parked after shutting off engine as a result of one or more ignition plus malfunctioning on my 2000 Volkswagen Jetta gl. As a result of the engine stalling and not starting when ignition is accelerated, I have also I experienced a loss of power steering and increased breaking efforts when I pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road. The car would not start when sitting for a while. After about 45 minutes or longer - I was able to start the vehicle although the engine operated at a reduced power. The vehicle will stall and will not start up for no reason at all. …
My car had recall #04V096000 performed approx 1.5 years ago (a switch was replaced). That same switch had been replaced several times before. It is the switch that detects whether or not I have pressed the brake, allowing me to shift out of park. Sometimes it also affects my brake lights, causing them to not turn on when the brake is depressed. However, on May 14, 2005 I brought the car in again for the same problem, even after the recall. This is the 4th time it has happened. This time it did affect the brake lights - they would not come on when I depressed the brake. The dealership stated that the cause of the brake light failure was not due to a fuse, but due to that switch, and that the two are connected. When the switch malfunctions the brake lights could malfunction as well. The dealership replaced the switch (again). This is the 4th time that part has been replaced. …
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that the driver's side brake light would illuminate intermittently. The dealer changed the bulb. Afterwards, she was pulled over by a police officer who pointed out the malfunctioning brake light. She provided the officer with the paperwork of her recent repair. The officer instructed her to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The contact checked the bulb and realized that it worked. She purchased new bulbs, but they would not illuminate. She assumed that the issue was due to the electrical system. On August 12, 2008, the contact had her daughter follow her to a dealer 30 miles away. Her daughter was instructed to sound the horn everytime her brake light malfunctioned. Her daughter sounded the horn a total of 13 times on the 30 mile trip to the dealer. …
I have a 2000 vw Jetta already have had experienced multiple stalling events as a result of one or more ignition coil plugs malfunctioning on my 2000 vw Jetta as a result of the engine stalling I experienced a loss of power steering and increased braking efforts when I pulled vehicle over to the side of the road to control the vehicle. After a few minutes parked on the shoulder was able to restart vehicle although the engine operated at reduced power............................also my brake lights have been sticking on and not working all the time as well.................not sure how to explain this one but here goes right by my ac switch on my car there is a button that is supposed to circulate the air through the car but when I push it in a light on my dashboard comes on and says brake!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …
NHTSA investigations
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…
Electrical complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are electrical problems on the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 60 complaints about the electrical system of the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, 14% of the model year's 439 complaints. The component named most often is ignition (13 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volkswagen Jetta electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system 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 electrical problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 50,000 miles, and 19% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 2 fires and 2 injuries to electrical system 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.