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2000 Volkswagen JettaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 439 owner complaints about the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

31
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.2× the Jetta median · #10 of 40 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints43965 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage58kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through October 3, 2024. Updated daily.

Complaints by system

Where the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta has problems

439 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Engine and engine cooling1218
Visibility771
Electrical system604
Air bags4123
Service brakes, hydraulic413
Power train371
Exterior lighting341
Equipment221
Structure201
16 other systems11114

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2000 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Hazard flashing warning lights: switch

Recall 04V-584 · Dec 16, 2004 · 410,000 vehicles

Risk. THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Brake lights: switch

Recall 04V-096 · Feb 20, 2004 · 377,130 vehicles

Risk. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

58kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 54 engine and engine cooling complaints. 78% were reported before 100,000 miles.

Only 41% of complaints for this model year include a mileage.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
9under 30k miles42under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

10 owners mentioned a cost

$700median

Middle half: $293 – $1,150

Visibility

8 owners mentioned a cost

$365median

Middle half: $300 – $516

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2000 vs. every other Jetta year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Jetta median. How we score

'80'81'82'83'84'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26'27
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2000 Volkswagen Jetta safety ratings

2000 Volkswagen Jetta 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2000 Volkswagen Jetta frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2000 Volkswagen Jetta side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
6 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, and the recalls they led to.

  1. ENGINE STALLINGDP05004 · closed Dec 8, 2005
    No recall
  2. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREEA00028 · closed Jan 29, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-026
  3. FUEL TANK PUNCTUREPE00033 · closed Dec 28, 2000
    No recall
  4. TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILUREPE04073 · closed Dec 16, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-584
  5. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHRQ03010 · closed Mar 1, 2004
    Led to recall 04V-096
  6. BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FAILURERQ06004 · closed Aug 7, 2006
    Led to recall 06V-183
In owners' words

What Jetta owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN FAR ENOUGH TO WARM-UP THE ENGINE. MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES--UP TO AN HOUR--BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN. THE PROCESS OF TRYING A RESTART RESULTS IN MUCH UNBURNED FUEL VAPOR IN THE EXHAUST STREAM. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT TURN ON OR OFF WITH THE OPENING OF…
Complaint 10446012 · Jan 31, 2012 · 84,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE MASS FLOW AIR SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED…
Complaint 10404303 · Jun 3, 2011 · 42,000 miles
I PURCHASED A 2000 VW JETTA ON 6/16/10. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS & SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS HAD TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: 2 FANS, ABS SENSOR WOULD COME ON & LOCK UP THE WHEELS, SO THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE UNPLUGGED, COOLANT SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED,…
Complaint 10362521 · Oct 26, 2010 · 115,241 miles

Own a 2000 Jetta?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.