The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 129 of 439 complaints (29%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 349 in 1999 to 439 in 2000.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 439
- Recall campaigns
- 5
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,500–$3,500
- Combined MPG
- 19–38
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | vs. 2000 Compact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,550–3,300 | 2,500–3,300 | 2,500–3,500 | 2,500–3,500 | 2,400–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–37 | 19–38 | 19–38 | 19–38 | 19–39 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–33 / 23–44 | 16–35 / 23–44 | 17–35 / 24–44 | 17–35 / 24–44 | 17–35 / 24–45 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 275–468 | 268–468 | 268–468 | 268–468 | 261–468 | |
| Complaints filed | 192 | 349 | 439 | 668 | 702 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 11 | 33 | 27 | 40 | 31 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 8 | 9 | 14 | 12 | 71 | |
| Injuries reported | 10 | 29 | 35 | 47 | 75 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10 | |
| Configurations compared | 5 | 11 | 8 | 8 | 10 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have?
5 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta?
Engine: 129 of 439 NHTSA complaints (29%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta get?
EPA rates it 19–38 MPG combined across 8 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2000 Volkswagen Jetta?
EPA estimates $2,500–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (8)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $3,500 (high) | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,200 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Compact Cars | 29 mpg | 40 mpg | 33 mpg | $2,850 | 308 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Compact Cars | 35 mpg (high) | 44 mpg (high) | 38 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 268 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 19 mpg | 26 mpg | 22 mpg | $2,850 | 404 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 24 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 | 468 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 2.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Compact Cars | 17 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 20 mpg | $3,100 | 444 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 129 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 37 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 22 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 60 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Brakes | 45 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 48 | 23 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 45 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 109 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Other | 40 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (5)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy
- 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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- THIS MAY RESULT IN INTERMITTENT OR INOPERATIVE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZARD FLASHER FUNCTION.
- Remedy
- 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 LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
- Defect
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
- Consequence
- IF THIS HAPPENS, THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR COME ON AND STAY ON, EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE IS PARKED.
- Remedy
- 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.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.
- Remedy
- 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.