Volkswagen · Jetta · 2000
5
Recalls
451
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2000 Volkswagen Jetta has 5 recalls and 451 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: engine and engine cooling (83 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
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 Status
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.
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 Status
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, 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 Status
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 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 Status
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
Remedy Status
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.
The contact owns a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving with the front driver’s side seat heater activated, the seat became extremely hot. The contact started smelling a burning odor coming from the seat. The contact felt a hole in the seat, which burned the contact's middle finger. The contact immediately pulled over and turned off the vehicle. The contact’s back started burning due to the extreme heat of the seat back. Upon inspection, the contact discovered a hole in his jacket and approximately four holes that had formed in the front driver seat due to the seat heater failure. The contact was not treated for the burns to his back. The contact stated that two dealers were notified of the failure but neither provided immediate assistance. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls on the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 489,000.
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.
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..
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
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
WENT TO BUCKLE UP AND HEARD A NOISE. LOSS AT TENSION ON SEAT BELT.
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.
WATER PUMP AND BACK HOUSING THE COOLANT SYSTEM
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.
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
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
BRAKE LIGHTS DON'T FUNCTION DUE TO FAULTY BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH. SUBJECT OF TWO PREVIOUS RECALLS. *TR
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
I OWN A 2000 VW JETTA 2.0 GLS AUTOMATIC. I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL AND COMING TO A STOP. I STARTED USING MY BRAKES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH OUT ANY WARNINGS CHIMES OR INDICATION MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL FELT LOCKED UP AND I ALMOST CRASHED IF NOT FOR MY FRIEND HELPING ME MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS A SIDE STREET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPEN. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. ONLY AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK DID MY CAR START BUT WAS DIFFERENT. THIS HAPPENED TO ME 4 MORE TIMES. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM NEW JOB AT AROUND 2 AM EST I GOT LOST AND CAR STALLS OUT ON ME WITH NO INDICATION AND IT DOES NOT JUST STALL AND STOP IT STALLS AND CONTINUES TO ROLL UNTIL YOU LOOSE MOMENTUM THIS IS NOT SAFE. THANKFULLY THIS PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME WHILE ON A HIGH WAY THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IF ONES CAR STALLS AND THEY CAN NOT CONTROL IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND CONFIRMED BAD COIL PACK AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS. *TR
ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, TODAY WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT I'VE HAD REGARDING THE CLUTCH AND THE FUMES IT EMITS. SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE CLUTCH SLIPPING AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT INTO A REPAIR SHOP. ON TOP OF THE SLIPPING CLUTCH, THE COOLANT AND EMISSIONS WORKSHOP AND ELECTRICAL BECAME A PROBLEM. "STOP COOLANT LOW" WOULD ALWAYS APPEAR ON MY DASH, HOWEVER THE COOLANT WOULD BE FILLED. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYED ON. THE MECHANIC DID ALL HE COULD TO FIX IT. SIX MONTHS LATER, TODAY, I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONLY DIFFERENCE IS, I IMMEDIATELY BECAME ILL WHILE DRIVING AND BREATHING IN THE FUMES THE VEHICLE EMIT. I BECAME NAUSEA, DIZZY AND VOMITED. THIS ISSUE REGARDING THE CLUTCH IS AN ONGOING DIGRESSION TO THE VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HOPE VW WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND INVESTIGATE THIS CASE, I HAVE FRIENDS WHO'VE ALSO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR INSTANCES WITH THEIR VW VEHICLES. I HOPE TO GET MINE AND ALL VEHICLES WHO HAVE DISPLAYED SIMILAR ISSUES REPAIRED PROPERLY BY THE CORRECT MECHANICS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE BECOMES SUDDENLY ILL LIKE I HAVE TODAY. *TR
HEAT SEAT CONTROL AT 5 ONLY AVAILABLE. AFTER A NUMBER OF TIMES STARTED BURNING SEATS. LEATHER IS MELTED. NO LONGER USE. *TR
FOUR NEW CONTINENTAL CONTIPROCONTACT TIRES WERE PURCHASED AND INSTALLED ON MY 2000 VW JETTA. AFTER APPROX. 2 DAYS, ONE TIRE WENT FLAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. TIRE SENT TO SELLER, AND THEY PRONOUNCED IT WAS AN INSTALLATION ISSUE. THIS TIRE WAS SENT TO SELLER, AFTER PURCHASING A NEW ONE. AFTER 4 TO 5 WEEKS OF DRIVING, A SECOND TIRE (DIFFERENT WHEEL) FROM THE SAME ORIGINAL SET OF 4, FAILED SUDDENLY. THIS TIRE "SUDDENLY" FAILED WITH A "GUN SHOT" LIKE NOISE WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. REVIEW AT THE SERVICE SHOP SHOWED NOTHING UNUSUAL IN THE INSTALLATION. PICTURES OF THE SECOND TIRE WERE SENT TO THE MANUFACTURER, AND THEY COMMENTED THAT THIS WAS AN INSTALL ISSUE. I WORK FOR AN AUTOMOTIVE ENGINEERING COMPANY, AND HAD ONE OF OUR EXPERT TECHNICIANS REVIEW THE SECOND TIRE. HE HAS 30 YEARS OF SERVICE EXPERIENCE WITHIN CHRYSLER DEALERSHIPS. HE WAS CONVINCED THAT THIS WAS A TIRE DEFECT, HAD NEVER SEEN SUCH A FAILURE, AND STATED THAT THIS TYPE OF FAILURE WOULD NOT HAPPEN DURING INSTALLATION. THIS WAS BASED ON THE LOOSE CONDITION OF THE STEEL RING ON THE INNER TIRE, AND THE FACT THAT THEIR WERE NO WITNESS TOOL MARKS ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE TIRE. THE ORIGINAL INSTALLER OF THE TIRES ALSO STATED THAT THE RUBBER ON THE INNER BEAD OF THE TIRE WAS "TOO THIN" AND OF POOR CONSTRUCTION. I HAVE THE SECOND TIRE IN MY POSSESSION, AND HAVE REQUESTED THE ORIGINAL FIRST TIRE BACK FROM THE SELLER. I HAVE NOT YET RECEIVED THIS, NOR HAVE I RECEIVED ANY FORMAL CONCLUSIVE REPORT WITH MEASUREMENTS AND ANALYSIS TO PROVE THEIR CONCLUSION. RIGHT NOW THEY ARE ONLY STATING THEIR PERSONAL OPINION, WITHOUT THOROUGH ANALYSIS. I AM STILL DRIVING ON THE REMAINING TIRES WITH AN "UNEASY" FEELING THAT I AM AT RISK OF ANOTHER CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. I AM ONLY AFTER THE TRUTH IN THIS MATTER, AND UP TO NOW HAVE FELT AS THOUGH IT HAS NOT BEEN PRESENTED. I DIDN'T CREATE THIS FAILURE, AND I HAVE A HARD TIME SEEING HOW THE INSTALLER, WHO DOES THIS FOR A LIVING, COULD HAVE DONE IT TO 2 TIRES. *TR
THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT NO LONGER STAYS IN A LOCKED POSITION, AND THE SEAT MOVES FREELY, SLIDING FROM BACK TO FRONT, MAKING CONTROL OVER THE VEHICLE'S PEDAL VERY DIFFICULT AND DRIVING HAZARDOUS. AFTER INSPECTING UNDERNEATH THE SEAT, A LARGE COILED PIECE OF METAL WAS FOUND LYING ON THE CARPET. THIS PIECE OF METAL MATCHES EXACTLY ANOTHER PIECE OF METAL THAT FELL OUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE PASSENGER SEAT OVER SIX YEARS AGO. I CONTACTED THE DEALER, (FRESNO MICHAEL AUDI VW) TO HAVE THEM REPLACE THE PART BACK INTO THE SEAT SO THAT THE SEAT NO LONGER MOVED FREELY AND THE SERVICE MANAGER REFUSED TO CARRY OUT ANY SUCH WORK ON MY VEHICLE. AFTER SPEAKING WITH TWO OTHER EMPLOYEES OF MICHAEL AUTOMOTIVE AND GETTING THE SAME REFUSALS EACH TIME, I ABANDONED THE ATTEMPT TO SOLICIT THEIR HELP IN REPAIRING MY VEHICLE. *TR
WHILE DRIVING AND LIGHTLY BRUSHING THE BRAKE PEDAL TO BEGIN SLOWING, THE BRAKE PEDAL AUTOMATICALLY ENGAGES FULLY, SLAMMING ON BRAKES UNEXPECTEDLY. IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWED BY A SOUND OF AIR PRESSURE BEING RELEASED. IF YOU PRESS THE BRAKE PEDAL AFTER THE AIR IS RELEASED, THE PEDAL WILL RETURN TO REST AND THE BRAKES WILL FREE UP. NO EXISTING DEALER RECALLS AND VW (AND VW SERVICE DEPARTMENTS) HAVE NO RECORD OF THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM. MY LOCAL VW SPECIALTY REPAIR SHOP SAYS THIS IS COMMON ON 2000 JETTA TDI'S. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY ISSUE. IF YOU EXPERIENCE A SIMILAR ISSUE, PLEASE REPORT IT! THERE ARE THREE OTHER ISSUES POSTED THAT APPEAR TO BE RELATED: 10116640, 10139585, 10052281.
HAD THE CAR CLEANED AND WHEN I GOT THE CAR BACK THE SEAT ADJUSTMENT WOULD NO LONGER WORK. IT HASN'T WORKED SINCE. THE SEAT SLIDES FORWARD AND BACK AT WILL. *JS
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2000 Volkswagen Jetta has 5 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 451 owner-reported complaints for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta are engine and engine cooling (83 reports), visibility (59 reports), air bags (35 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 5 recalls on record for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.