Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
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 am 8 months pregnant driving with my one year old daughter in the car and was hit in the rear of my 2000 Jetta while stopped at a light. The women who hit me told me brake lights weren't on. Thankfully both the baby I am pregnant with and my 1 year old are OK but I had already brought my car in for this problem in 2004. Now the brake lights stay on constantly. Vw needs to address this problem before they kill me or my babies!!
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. …
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!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! …
No event leading up to the failure. I did not receive notification of any recalls relating to my brake light switch. Brake light switch no longer functions reliably on '00 Jetta with 70,000+ miles; car does not shift out of park until brake pedal is pressed repeatedly and then only works inconsistently, cruise control system is inoperable- there is an apparent malfunction with brake light switch and relates to descriptions of recalls on 99-02 Jetta / new beetles. I called vw regarding open recalls for brake light switch defects and I was told my VIN was not subject to any recalls. Will follow up with local dealer who will repair the problem- I have been advised by NHTSA customer service to retain my receipts and documentation for matters relating to this issue as it seems to relate to recalls: 03v-265 or 04v-096 and vw recall no. N4.
I would like to report yet another failure of the safety/signalling light system on my 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. Recently, my reverse lights ceased to function, reducing visibility when backing up at night and failing to signal other drivers that I was backing up. I attempted to correct this problem myself by checking the bulb and fuse. Both of these "wear and tear" items were fine. I then took my car to the dealer who informed me that the "reverse light switch" had to be replaced. Dealer replaced the switch for about $100 and the problem is now corrected. I have recently taken part in the recall campaigns for the brake light switch and hazard light switch on this car, and I stongly feel that there is a comprehensive problem with the safety/signaling light electronic system on this car.
In 2004, my 2000 vw Jetta's break lights failed to turn off. When I took the car in for service, the dealer replaced a switch. Several months later, vw were issued a recall on vehicle to replace the brake light switch which would either fail to turn off or fail to turn the break lights on. Vw refunded the amount I had paid to repair my vehicle. On September 16, 2005, a driver notified me after a near miss at an intersection that my break lights were failing to light. I brought my car to the dealership and they claimed that the switch had failed, but said that it was not covered under the original recall because the switch had already been replaced. The recall repair work did not repair my vehicle. The break light switch failed after the recall repair was made.
Vehicle suffered a lost of power when check engine light illuminates. On March 7 2002 university vw discovered a defective airflow meter. The windshield was replaced for a cracked rain drain. The brake servo was changed for a pin hole air leak. Consumer was told that the glow plug harness might be the cause as to why the brake lights come on. The hazard switch switched on and off distressing other drivers behind. Replaced the hazard relay switch (on the dash) by myself. Back brake pad wore down to the rivets. Vehicle overheated on 3 occasions had pressure test and thermostat changed and problem still exist.
Car will not start after being driven far enough to warm-up the engine. Must wait several minutes--up to an hour--before it will start again. The process of trying a restart results in much unburned fuel vapor in the exhaust stream. The interior lighting does not turn on or off with the opening of a door. Horn does not sound when locking the car, auto-drivers seat positioning does not work. On the highway, the car performs quite well--good engine power, steering, etc. However, the non-starting after being driven a distance could result in being stranded and placed in danger.
In reference to the following recall: NHTSA campaign id number : 04V096000 one additional problem should be noted. I have a 2000 vw Jetta with an automatic transmission and when the brake light switch fails, as it did on my car at the end of last year, the shifter cannot be moved out of the park position. This effectively leaves the vehicle immobilized and the owner needing a tow. I think that all owners who have had this defective switch replaced should be reimbursed for the switch repair and towing if applicable. Thank you for your attention to this issue. Dan eliades.
When turn signal and/or hazard warning signals are used and left in the "on" position, the rate and which the signal lights blink gradually "slows". After the signals are left on for about 2 minutes, the signal lights cease to "blink" and eventually "freeze" and are constantly lit. If car were to become disabled, the hazard warning lights will work for about 1 or 2 minutes, and thereafter remain constantly lit, thus rendering them useless to warn approaching motorists of a disabled vehicle. The dealer replaced the hazaed switch to correct the problem.
Related recalls
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.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Headlight complaints in other Jetta years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the lights of the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, 8% of the model year's 439 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (12 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 06V-183 (switch, May 24, 2006); NHTSA recall 04V-584 (switch, Dec 16, 2004); NHTSA recall 04V-096 (switch, Feb 20, 2004). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Jetta headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 79,000 miles, and 5% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 0 injuries to lights 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.