2000 Volkswagen Jetta: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta: 4 recalls, 439 owner complaints and up to 38 mpg combined.

Recalls
4 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Equipment Vehicle recall #02V244000 · 2002 · 332,950 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: These vehicles were not marked or described as required by the standard.
The 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 anchorage attachments. Also enclosed will be four decals together with installation instructions and a…
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #04V096000 · 2004 · 377,130 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain passenger vehicles, a brake light switch on these vehicles May malfunction.
Why it matters: If this happens, the brake lights could become inoperative, or come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked.
The fix: This recall has been superceded by 06v-183.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 1-800-822-8987.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #04V584000 · 2004 · 410,000 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: This May result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.
The 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.
Exterior lights Vehicle recall #06V183000 · 2006 · 646,246 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
The 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 in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen…
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #14E007000 · 2014 · 50 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A failure of the timing belt May cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 14 mention a fire, 35 injuries and 2 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (121): the most common themes are warning light on (35), stalls / loses power (27).
- Visibility (wipers, glass) (77): the most common themes are noise or vibration (12), warning light on (5).
- Electrical (60): the most common themes are warning light on (24), electrical failure (21), stalls / loses power (18).
- Airbags (41): the most common themes are fails to deploy (15), warning light on (5).
The 2000 Volkswagen Jetta has 439 owner complaints, ranking #11 of 37 Jetta model years for complaints (1.6× the average Jetta year). Complaints peaked in 2002 (78 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 3 years old, at a median of 64,700 miles. Neighboring years: 1999 (349 complaints, 6 recalls), 2001 (668 complaints, 6 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 35 | 44 | 38 | Diesel |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 29 | 40 | 33 | Diesel |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 28 | 24 | Regular |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.0 L 4-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Regular |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 4-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 24 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
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FAQ
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 4 vehicle recalls for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
Owners have filed 439 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (121), visibility (wipers, glass) (77), electrical (60).
What gas mileage does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA ratings run up to 38 mpg combined (1.9 L, Manual 5-spd), across 8 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.