The Lemon Index2000 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2000 Volkswagen Golf is one of the worst years by owner complaints: 70 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 225, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about visibility, it has 8 recalls, and it gets 22 to 33 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 133 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2000 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 37K to 85K miles on the car (53 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 8
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 8 recalls
- lights 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- fuel system, gasoline 2005
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES AND DOUBLE-LAYER FUEL TANKS, TENSION ON THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE MAY CAUSE THE FUEL PUMP SUPPLY NIPPLE TO CRACK WHICH COULD RESULT IN A LEAK.
- lights 2004
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 SUBSTANTI…
- equipment 2002
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 IDENT…
- suspension 2000
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 229 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine pre-heater installation
- Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter
- Technical Bulletin The use of contaminated gasoline, seasonal fuel changes (summer/winter…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedEngine stalling2005
- ClosedTurn signal/hazard flasher failure2004
- ClosedFuel pump leaks2004–2005
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side — · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2850–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
This is a ongoing problem with Volkswagen power windows. A recall should be issued for all cars with plastic power window regulator clips. They are not adequate to support the weight of the window, let alone raise and lower it.
2000 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 767260
More owner reports
Oil pan made from aluminum, way too close to ground damage easy.
NHTSA complaint 719651
Consumer states while the engine driving 60 mph the vehicle shut down causing lost of power steering. Mr
NHTSA complaint 8021464
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew 2.2× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 225; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2000 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are visibility (51%), engine (16%) and brakes (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Golf have?
8 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2000 Volkswagen Golf get?
22 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Golf problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 37,500 and 85,500 miles. The middle report was at 60,000 miles, from 53 complaints.
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 4% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2850 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2020 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works