The Lemon Index2000 Volkswagen Jetta.
The 2000 Volkswagen Jetta is worse than average by owner complaints: 249 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 156, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about engine, it has 5 recalls, and it gets 19 to 33 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Jetta year is 2018.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 439 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Jetta 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 40K to 98K miles on the car (179 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 40K–95K miles
- visibility complaints mostly came at 29K–60K miles
- electrical complaints mostly came at 25K–72K miles
Recalls 5
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- lights 2006
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 0…
- 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…
Show all 5 recalls
- lights 2004
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH ON THESE VEHICLES MAY MALFUNCTION.
- 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…
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 233 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Throttle pedal vibration at idle and / or rapping noise against engine cover heard
- Hybrid oil pan, installing
- Engine pre-heater installation
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- ClosedBrake light switch failure2006
- ClosedEngine stalling2005
- ClosedTurn signal/hazard flasher failure2004
- ClosedBrake light switch2003–2004
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
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, 2.8L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Hit rock on highway puncturing oil pan. Engine light did not come on and engine seized.
2000 Volkswagen Jetta owner · NHTSA complaint 725560
More owner reports
Left and right front power windows failed, powered down the front windows and heard a loud noise, when consumer tried to roll them up noting happened.
NHTSA complaint 784935
Engine check light came on, engine codes determine a faulty mass air flow sensor.
NHTSA complaint 763771
Quick answers
Is the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
No, it is worse than average by government complaints. It drew 1.6× the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 156; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Jetta year by this measure is 2018.
What are the most common 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are engine (28%), visibility (25%) and airbags (13%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have?
5 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 Jetta get?
19 to 33 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2000 Volkswagen Jetta problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 40,000 and 98,500 miles. The middle report was at 64,400 miles, from 179 complaints.
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 11% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta cost in fuel a year?
About $2850 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta have?
1.8L 4-cyl, 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.8L 6-cyl.
What Volkswagen Jetta year is better than the 2000?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2018, 2020 and 2015.
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