2000 Volkswagen GTI: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 45 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (43% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2007
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 45 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Vehicle has a problem with catching fire from excessive electrical draw over the main power lead. Over amp draw is causing main wiring to melt and also melt the fuse box over the battery.”Owner report · Electrical System · Dec 2020
“Air bag light has come on with no accident. The readings are three major intermittent issues. It seems this is an issue for many owners of this year and model. The vw dealership refuses to guarantee any of the fixes to the problem which can total in cost $1200 - $1500. I have been told by an employee at the dealership this has been a problem for many models around the same year. Why has this safety issue not been addressed? Please help those of us who own these cars have this problem addressed since many of us cannot pass state inspections and this is unsafe. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2010
“Faulty component: gasoline: delivery: fuel pump defect summary: on my 2000 gti glx, the fuel pump nipples that connects the fuel lines are cracked, this tension on the fuel supply lines are causing a severe leak inside my car. Because of the severe leaking fuel, my safety has been compromised due to presence of an ignition source caused by the electrical plugs of the fuel pump, this may cause an electrical failure and cause a fire. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2010
Show 7 more owner reports
“Was on the way home driving during rain and snow. Typical minnesota winter. It was roughly 25-30 degrees outside. I lowered window to remove rain and snow before I started driving. Window regulator stopped working and the window would not come back up. I had to drive home with rain/snow pouring into my car. After the 15 minute drive my passenger side leather seats were destroyed. This is a very common issue in these particular cars. There needs to be a recall. *tr”Owner report · Visibility · Dec 2007
“I have a problem with my right cv joints, on my 2000 gti, I don't know what's the problem, but I have replaced it 4 times and im about to replace it again. I don't know if its the part or if its the labor who put it in, but it seems to me that after I do some work I wouldn't want to replace it for free once much less 4 more times. *tr”Owner report · Power Train · Sep 2007
“After having my air bag light come on due to a failed driver airbag switch under the driver seat, & fixing it myself, I found out that there are hundreds of other vw golf mkiv owners that have had the same problems. Also, I have found out that if the airbag light is on, then none of the air bags will work in the event of an accident!! Now the airbag light is on again - this time due to the passenger airbag switch failing. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2006
“I purchased a 2000 golf gti/vr6 in may of 2005. A few weeks later while driving, my seat (driver's) broke away for no appearant reason. *nm”Owner report · Seats · Jul 2005
“Vehicle experienced a problem with the right control arm which broke where it was attached to the body. Owner contacted the manufacturer, who stated that owner to contact the dealer , and wait to see what there response will be. *ak the consumer stated that he heard a loud pop when pulling from a stop light. The consumer put the vehicle on a lift and noticed the body around the right control arm bushing had cracked. *tc”Owner report · Suspension · Feb 2005
“While driving check engine light flashed followed by non acceleration, then stalling. Vehicle was towed to the dealership, who kept it for six weeks. Several engine components were replaced. The failure recurred two weeks later. The cause of the failure had not been determined.*ak”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2004
“My daughters 2000 volkswagen gti was parked at 11:00p.m. Four hours later ( 3:00 a.m ), the car jumped out of gear and rolled 30 - 40 feet and crashed into a parked car. She had left the car in gear with the brake on. This is the second time this type incident has occurred with this vehicle. We reported it to vw customer care and they said they do not have an active campaign on involving this type of problem. They said I could take it to a vw dealer at my expense to diagnose if there was a problem. This is a ridiculous solution. *jb”Owner report · Parking Brake · Mar 2004
When filing, owners marked a crash in 2 of these complaints and injuries in 0 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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.
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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2000 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact GTI 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 GTI reliable?
NHTSA has 45 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Volkswagen GTI. The most complained-about area is visibility (43% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen GTI problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 62,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Volkswagen GTI have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:brake lights:switch. 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.