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 Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I am the second owner of this 00 vw Passat . This car has been a great running and driving car. I bought it in feb 10 2012 . On sept 17 2012 my wife was driving this car to my sons football game with my mother in law. She was going about 50 MPH when it shuttered and shut off . She was able to get it off the side of the road and stopped and when she opened the car door there were flames coming from under the hood she went to the other side of the car and helped her mother out of the car. The flames were spreading so fast they were not able to get anything out of the car. By the the time they got to the other side of the road away from the car the whole car was on fire. And when the fire department got there there was nothing left but some melted things in the trunk. …
A rainy night, 10:30 pm., on the freeway returning home from a symphony concert, the engine simply quit. I, husband/driver, tried three time to restart it before yelling to my wife to turn on emergency flashers which she did. As we slowed, I remember seeing all icons on dash blinking. Both of us were knocked unconscious and do not remember being hit by the car behind. Air bags did not deploy. Injuries sustained: a contusion and minor whiplash by husband; fractured c-7 and t-1 vertebrates and concussion by my wife. She has been in a neck-to-waist brace from nov. 10, 2013 until present. We always maintained our Passat scrupulously according to vw standards at their service centers by their trained mechanics. One month earlier we had brought the car in to be checked because sometimes it would not start after driving it someplace. Twice had to wait for aaa towing. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Passat. While driving approximately 20 MPH, smoke billowed from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to safely leave the roadway, the hood was raised and flames appeared in the engine compartment. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was not towed and remained at the scene. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the fire. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was not contacted. The insurance company was not made aware of the fire. The contact was unsure if the vehicle was destroyed. The failure mileage was unavailable.
1. Brought 2000 Passat glx to dealer twice to fix 'smoke coming from engine compartment and accompanying burning smell.' dealer charged $430 to replace "in/out transmission cooler lines" the first time in the shop, and "tightened the cams" the second time. 2. Less than 3 weeks after the second service 'tightening the cams', car caught fire while traveling northbound on I-95 at mile marker 8 in ny. After being notified of smoke coming from the car by another motorist, we pulled over. Shortly thereafter, the entire car was engulfed in flames. 3. Nothing was done to correct the failure as the car was totaled. Investigation May or May not be conducted by insurance company to find the cause of the fire.
Bought a vw Passat used from private dealer~I owned the car for exactly 1 year, turbo failed ~ check engine light has been on since owning vehicle. Car has been diagnosed with oil sludge issues from previous owners. Just paid for turbo and two oil lines to be replaced. Vw of America stated they would take responsibility ~ never heard from them, I keep calling ~ check engine light has been on since day one ~ no one wants to help me on this quest to seek action. I owe 11,000.00 more on the vehicle car was smoking severely ~thought it was an undercarriage~but it is near the turbo line so it could be mistaken.
Tl* the contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Passat. While driving at any speed, the vehicle would overheat and cause the engine to fail. The contact stated that the failure was recurring and the "emissions work" indicator illuminated sometimes during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cooling system failed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact believed the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 14e007000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 185,000. The VIN was not provided.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle was parked for over an hour, when the heat shield on the top of the exhaust system began to smolder. No indicator lamp illuminated prior to the problem. The fire department was notified and came, although no flames erupted. The fire department could not determine the cause of the smoke. However, an independent mechanic inspected the vehicle and discovered the cause of the smoke was the heat shield.
Tl contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Passat. While driving 5 MPH, the vehicle began to shake and the front end made a clicking noise. The contact then noticed a burning rubber smell and noticed smoke coming from the front passenger side. A police report was filed. The vehicle caught fire under the hood and has not been diagnosed by the dealer. The failure mileage was 90,000. Updated 05/28/08
2000 Passat auto transmission began to catch on fire near engine and where exhaust meet. My son and a friend both 20yrs old were driving late at night when this occurred. I thank god it did not end tragically.
I drive a 2000 volkswagon Passat glx 4motion. I have felt that I got a bad car since very early on in my lease (I now have 8 months left). On this particular occaision, I had a severe oil leak. The dealer informed me that there was a hole in my oil pan that must have been caused by a rock (I don't recall feeling anything hit the car hard enough to put a hole in anything). I was told that this was not a warranteed item, rather normal wear and tear. I have owned 5 other cars and never had this problem. I also noticed that the car was shaking when the breaks are applied. I was told by the dealer that this is due to warped rotors. I only have 20,000 miles on the vehicle and have never heard of any kind of break problems with that few miles. I was also told that is not covered by warrantee either, again, normal wear and tear. …
Engine complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2000 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 101 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, 20% of the model year's 507 complaints. The component named most often is engine (25 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2000 Volkswagen Passat engine problems?
No. NHTSA lists no engine & cooling recall for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, though it has 3 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 Passat engine 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 1 crash, 13 fires and 3 injuries 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.