2000 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 439 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (23% 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 439 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2020
“My vehicle kept over heating urns out it was the cooling system I had to replace the water pump and I had to replace the timing belt and radiator..”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“2000 volkswagen jetta. Consumer writes in regards to engine and warning lights coming on. *ld the consumer stated the day after purchasing the vehicle the engine, ABS, and traction control lights, illuminated. The dealer offered to repair the vehicle if the consumer bought the parts. The consumer declined. *js”Owner report · Traction Control System · Mar 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2017
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2016
“Vehicle completely stalls for several seconds sporadically whenever the fuel guage reads 3/8 or less. Both my vw car do the exact same thing. It is common knowledge this occurs with most vw cars. Extremely unsafe and should be recalled.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2015
“I own a 2000 vw jetta. My son and I were heading home after a college visit, he turned on his seat heater and began to nap. 20 minutes later, he popped up rubbing his shoulder, the seat heater caused the seat to catch fire and burned a portion of the seat, his shirt and shoulder. I called the dealer and was told they've never heard of that issue and that there has never been a recall for such an issue. I then did an internet search and found where it's a very common issue. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2015
“Brand new tire completely failed at highway speed. This tire was 7 days old and there was a total sidewall failure. Looking online after the incident, there are countless complaints of the same issue. *tr”Owner report · Tires · Jan 2015
“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. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Apr 2014
“Heat seat control at 5 only available. After a number of times started burning seats. Leather is melted. No longer use. *tr”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 27 of these complaints and injuries in 35 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta 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 Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 439 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (23% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 65,000 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
5 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.