2000 Volkswagen Jetta Problems, Recalls & Reliability
633 owner complaints sit in the federal file for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, alongside 5 recall campaigns and 6 defect investigations. It scores 59/100 on the trouble index — one of the years to avoid for this model. Engine leads the reports, typically around 69,000 miles.
Avoid this year if you can. The 2000 Volkswagen Jetta sits at the top of this model's complaint rankings. Quieter picks in the same family: 1991–1992, 1994, 2008, 2018, 2020–2022.
Avoid
Where 2000 sits among all Jetta years
What owners report
“Consumer noticed engine consuming every 1000 miles one quart of oil. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Mr”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Jetta
“While parking the vehicle consumer turn off the electrical ignition switch, took the key and vehicle was still running. Dealer has been notified. Please provide further information. Ts”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Jetta
“Window regulator broke 3 times and i have been told it is a "bad part"- and vw is not doing anything to fix it.”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Jetta
“Rear brake pads worn out at 18,000 k. Rotor had to be replaced. Caliper was named as defictive and no explanation was given”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Jetta
“Replaced rear brake light 4 times; emergency flasher & turn signals fail to work randomly. Twice had rear brake pads replaced; rotors turned second time -- total cost $550. Repeated sensor failures -- knock sensor, mass air flow sensor, coolant temperature sensor; induction coil failure & vehicle…”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Jetta
“Vehicle taken in for warranty service on the airbag system six times, each time prompted by the airbag warning light. Cj”— owner report to NHTSA, 2000 Jetta
Mileage when trouble shows up
Among the 251 reports that include an odometer reading, problems most often appear around 55,400 miles. Half of those reports fall between 38,000 and 98,361 miles — a useful range to weigh against the mileage of the exact car you're looking at.
Recalls (5)
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…
Fix: 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 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.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
Fix: 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…
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…
Fix: 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…
Federal defect investigations
Led to recall campaign 06V183000.
Led to recall campaign 04V584000.
Led to recall campaign 04V096000.
Led to recall campaign 02V026000.
Technical service bulletins
236 manufacturer communications — service bulletins, the biggest share on electrical and engine — are on file for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. A TSB is factory repair guidance, not a recall — the repair is not automatically free.
Complaint history for this model year
When owners filed their reports — a long tail means problems kept surfacing for years.
Questions buyers ask
Is the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
The 2000 Volkswagen Jetta drew 633 complaints in federal safety records — one of the years to avoid for this model. Its trouble index is 59/100, scored against the model's worst year (2002).
What are the most common 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
The top reported problems for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta are engine (145 complaints), electrical (102), and visibility & wipers (79).
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems show up?
Owners most often report 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems around 55,400 miles. Half of all reports that include an odometer reading fall between 38,000 and 98,361 miles.
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?
5 recall campaigns apply to the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer.
Every number on this page is a count of records in the federal complaint, recall, and investigation files published by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation. Check any specific vehicle's open recalls by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.