2000 Volkswagen Golf: problems, recalls and reliability
8 recalls and 88 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (21% of complaints); the 1998 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 88 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I had just got on the freeway about 5mins. On the car shut down and then there was a back fire then I seen a symbol of a car with a key under it lit in the dashboard, the car would not start back up I had it towed to the house and then the car started but now it has a putter noise I changed the spark plugs the wires and o2 sensors and it still has the puttering noise. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the fuel system pump needed replacing.the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number: 05v154000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump). The failure and current mileages were not available.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2011
“2000 golf gls. Replaced clutch in march 2008 at 135k miles. Replaced clutch failed in november 2009 after 15k miles on highway! Car towed to nearest vw dealership. Clutch replaced. Vw refused to pay for cost of replacing clutch saying not cover under warranty even though failure only after 15k. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Nov 2009
Show 7 more owner reports
“The ABS pump & module are defective. Supposedly, a short on the circuit board causes this malfunction and now ABS and asr are not functioning. Regular brakes are still working. This system problem seems to be common with vw and is a safety issue. *tr”Owner report · Service Brakes, Hydraulic · Jul 2009
“Error code p1128. Many of the vw 2.0 engines get it and end up changing many parts. Then after they change the whole intake does the problem go away. Something should be done about this because this isn't poor driving or poor care for a car its poor quality. I should not have to spend 1500 to replace such a thing on a vehicle that's known to last forever. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jan 2009
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen golf. The contact heard a single knocking sound under the hood when the brake pedal was depressed. The noise became more frequent and the vehicle was taken to a repair shop. She was informed of NHTSA campaign id number 00v280000 (suspension:front:control arm:upper arm). The dealer was notified and kept the vehicle for two days. The contact is currently waiting for a call back from the dealer. The failure and current mileages were 79,500.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 2008
“We own a vw golf . We have an 18 month old. When my wife stops driving her car and gets out of the car and closes the driver's door the car will automatically lock about two thirds of the time. This happens whether her keys are in the ignition or not. If her keys are in the ignition and she closes her door or it happens to close with her keys in the ignition and our son in the car this causes a very dangerous situation. Her car is not supposed to automatically lock as it does - it is some kind of an electronic malfunction. *tr”Owner report · Latches/Locks/Linkages · Aug 2008
“I own a 2000 vw golf which I purchased brand new from a vw dealer. In january of 2007 I had to replace the driver side seat airbag and wiring harness for a cost a little over $600. On 7/14/2008 my airbag light came on again. I need to have the main driver side air bag and wiring harness replaced. My car has never been in an accident, yet this is the second airbag I've replaced. I was told by the dealership, if I do not replace the airbag, it may not deploy if I am in an accident, or it could deploy when I am just driving down the road. I feel as though an airbag should last the lifetime of the vehicle, or only need to be replaced when it is actually deployed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2008
“Tl*the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen golf. When the contact places fuel into the fuel tank, gasoline flows back out. The dealer cleaned the overflow fuel hose, but gasoline continues to pour out. The dealer advised her to place less fuel into the tank. The manufacturer stated that the dealer was responsible for correcting the failure. The failure mileage was 67,000 and current mileage was 68,472. Updated 09/29/08. *lj the consumer stated no one was willing to research why the fuel shut failed. Updated 09/29/08. *jb”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2008
“Car was hard pulling to right side due to cracked tire on right side front, this is the third failure on this set of tires they have less then 4,000 miles on. All tires cracked on same place on the outer edge air loss is fast. 1st crack was right rear tire ( I did think that I run over something I got new tire different manufacturer as they did not have same tire and I do not like fixed tires) 2nd crack was on left rear tire about week later I did try to have it fix but was told and showed that tire just kept on cracking more 3rd crank happen month later right front tire. All cracks are on same place outer edge tires are ultra hp made by republic. *tr”Owner report · Tires · May 2008
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 8 campaigns
CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF TWO BRACKETS USED TO BOLT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BODY STRUCTURE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED SUFFICIENTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE BRACKET AND IF THE WELDING IS INSUFFICIENT, WILL REPLACE THE CONTROL ARM.
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
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.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DOUBLE-LAYER FUEL TANKS, TENSION ON THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE TO CRACK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LEAK.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FOR TENSION, AND INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE FOR CRACKING. IF NECESSARY THE FUEL LINE AND THE FUEL PUMP WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 25, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
How other years compare
Check your exact Golf by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2000 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
NHTSA has 88 owner complaints and 8 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Volkswagen Golf. The most complained-about area is visibility (21% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Golf problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 60,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Golf have open recalls?
8 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning equipment:other:owners/service/other manual. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.