Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
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).
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. …
Was driving down the road, when my Jetta lost complete power. I managed to steer of the road, put vehicle in park an turned the key off, then smoke started pouring out from under my hood. Raised the hood to only see flames! Thank god a gentleman stopped an had gallon of water. Had the vehicle towed to my house(3 miles) an there it sits! Most the damage is contained to the top of the motor on the drivers side. The car wasn't even over heating!! The only issue iv had in the year iv owned it is the transmission seemed to not go past third gear, which caused the RPM to rise, of course... Honestly ,just thankful a stranger stopped...signed, with out a car.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 2-60 MPH, the vehicle would not accelerate when she depressed the accelerator pedal. The contact had to release then reapply the accelerator pedal. The repair shop stated that the EGR cooler clogged the intake manifold. The intake manifold was cleared. The contact drove approximately twenty miles, and then noticed smoke coming from under the hood. The contact took the vehicle back to the repair shop and they stated that the EGR leaked. The failure mileage was 87,000 and the current mileage was 92,000.
I purchased this vehicle recently and have noticed a distinct diesel smell when idling or driving at low speeds. Smells strong like leaking diesel fuel. The car idles very rough and sometimes stalls when coming to a stop. There is a very bad odor whenever I enter the vehicle. I am concerned that the car will stall and I might be in an unsafe position during traffic. I think the clutch might be defective. It sounds very loud. The vehicle has 260,000 miles. Diesls are supposed to run forever but I feel like I bought a lemon.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. While driving 80 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was maneuvered to the shoulder of the road and towed back to the contact's residence. The contact stated that the vehicle would not restart. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 245,000.
My sister was killed in a fire caused by a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. She fell asleep with the car on. The car caught on fire and she was killed. The investigated are saying it was a failure of the exhaust system.
I am experiencing a loss of power on hills and when trying to accelerate an intermitant check engine light appears. I own a vw Jetta tdi 2000. The dealer diagnosed the problem 1st as a turbo control module, $252.00. Some increase in power but not very much, check engine light off. 2nd trip to dealer after an 1-1/2 hour discussion about charging me another diagnostic fee and my consenting the problem was diagnosed as carbon in intake and EGR valve replacement. I asked 4 questions :how does carbon get in an air intake?, how did the technician determine this was problem? Why wasn't it identified the 1st time I took car in and what guarantee would I get? …
This complaint concerns the 2000 vw Jetta tdi diesel. Apparently, the EGR system, in conjunction with the closed crankcase ventilation system, provides an opportunity for the crankcase oil vapors and soot from the EGR to mix in the engine intake manifold. With time, the intake manifold becomes almost completely clogged with this oil/soot mixture, causing the engine to lose power and hamper such normal driving activities such as highway merging, passing, and emergency accident avoidance procedures due to loss of power. Volkswagen USA, the manufacturer, in many cases refuses to acknowledge the safety issue in regards to this gradual and severe loss of power, resulting in owner paid service charges which May exceed $1000 dollars (in some cases). …
One year after purchasing this vehicle from a private owner, today was the second incident I've had regarding the clutch and the fumes it emits. Six months ago I noticed the clutch slipping and immediately took it into a repair shop. On top of the slipping clutch, the coolant and emissions workshop and electrical became a problem. "stop coolant low" would always appear on my dash, however the coolant would be filled. The engine light also stayed on. The mechanic did all he could to fix it. Six months later, today, I'm having the same issue with this vehicle. Only difference is, I immediately became ill while driving and breathing in the fumes the vehicle emit. I became nausea, dizzy and vomited. This issue regarding the clutch is an ongoing digression to the vehicle and the safety and health of myself and other drivers. …
Engine complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 129 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, 29% of the model year's 439 complaints. The component named most often is engine (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volkswagen Jetta engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling 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 engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 70,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 9 fires and 4 injuries and 1 death to engine & cooling 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.