2000 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 507 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is service brakes, hydraulic (30% of complaints).
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 507 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle after being parked overnight, he noticed a fuel odor. The contact stated that the fuel tank was half empty after being refilled. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed that the seam in the fuel tank was fractured which caused the fuel leak. The fuel tank was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Nov 2020
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Apr 2018
“While driving on the highway, we started smelling gasoline in the cabin. We pulled over and checked under the hood. A fuel line attached to the firewall had a leak directly above the exhaust system, and was spraying gasoline everywhere in the engine bay, including the catalytic converter and exhaust system. We were informed by tow truck driver that we were incredibly lucky no fire got started in the engine bay while we were driving down the highway.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2017
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“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. The contact smelled fuel inside and outside the vehicle. While inspecting the vehicle, the contact discovered fuel leaking under the rear passenger side of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The vehicle was repaired per NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system), but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 49,000. Updated 11/01/16*lj”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2016
“My husband pickup would not start, so I lift my hood of my passat to give him a jump and the whole section all the way across that holds the battery have at least 6 inches of water just standing in there. We have had some down pours of rain,but rain water should never be standing on the inside of my hood. This could have potentially killed me if I never had to lift my hood and try to drive this with water standing around all of my electrical wires and battery. I have taken two pictures for visibility, but I do not know how I am going to get that water out without electrocuting myself. Somebody please help me.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jun 2015
“As with similar reports the car was driven then sat for 24hrs, when it was started again a strong gas smell was noticed and a puddle of gas was found under the passenger rear panel. Immediately took to repair station where they could not find a leak. They filled the tank with gas and left it to sit overnight and under pressure. No leak. 3 weeks have passed with typical driving, not excessive use and no leaks until today september 5th 2014. Started the car up and backed up to find a gas puddle again. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that when the vehicle was started, there was a fuel odor coming from the hood of the vehicle. The contact lifted the hood and noticed that fuel was leaking from the fuel pipe. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was not diagnosed. The VIN was unavailable. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 134,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jul 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that the transmission was fractured and there was fuel leaking. The contact stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 (fuel system, gasoline:delivery). The approximate failure mileage was 149,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2014
“I kept noticing a smell of gasoline. One morning when I backed up and looked forward there was a puddle. I got out, bent down and smelled it. It was gas. I backed up a little more and there was another small puddle. It also was gas. When I first saw the puddles of gas I called volkswagen and was told there was no recall for this and that any recall that was on my vehicle has been complete (nothing to do with the fuel leak). Just this past week (5/2/15) I noticed the same smell. This time I could actually see the fuel leaking from the back passenger side and I filmed it on my cell.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2013
“Engine mounts broke and I replaced them on may 10, 2014, then they broke again on july 6, and I again replaced them now they broke again today as I was pulling out of the gas station. Was there any type of recall relative to the mounts of the engine in this model which is the 200 passat wagon with manual transmission. The windows also keep steaming up and strong smell of anti freeze. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · May 2012
When filing, owners marked a crash in 11 of these complaints and injuries in 12 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SENDING UNITS MOUNTED INSIDE THE FUEL TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ FULL WHILE THE FUEL TANK MAY NOT IN FACT BE FULL OR COULD BE EMPTY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS AND REPLACE THEM WITH FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS USING A NEW ALLOY COMPOSED OF GOLD, SILVER, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF NICKEL, WHICH WILL NOT CHEMICALLY REACT WITH SULFUR. VW/AUDI WILL ALSO CALL BACK VEHICLES THAT WERE REPAIRED UNDER A PREVIOUS RECALL LAST JUNE IN ORDER TO INSTALL THE UPDATED FUEL SENDING UNITS NHTSA 00V137/AUDI LB). OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MAY 1, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT AUDI AT 1-866-892-2834.
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 SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION PROTECTION IN THE EVENT OF TIRE DISINTEGRATION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JUNE 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat 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 Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 507 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is service brakes, hydraulic (30% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 69,600 miles or less.
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning exterior lighting:headlights. 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.