2000 Volkswagen GTI Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2000 Volkswagen GTI, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Visibility2039.2%
- Engine917.6%
- Airbags47.8%
- Brakes47.8%
- Transmission47.8%
- Interior & seats35.9%
- Electrical35.9%
- Fuel system12.0%
- Powertrain (other)12.0%
- Suspension12.0%
- Body & structure12.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
WAS ON THE WAY HOME DRIVING DURING RAIN AND SNOW. TYPICAL MINNESOTA WINTER. IT WAS ROUGHLY 25-30 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I LOWERED WINDOW TO REMOVE RAIN AND SNOW BEFORE I STARTED DRIVING. WINDOW REGULATOR STOPPED WORKING AND THE WINDOW WOULD NOT COME BACK UP. I HAD TO DRIVE HOME WITH RAIN/SNOW POURING INTO MY CAR. AFTER THE 15 MINUTE DRIVE MY PASSENGER SIDE LEATHER SEATS WERE DESTROYED. THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE IN THESE PARTICULAR CARS. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL. *TR
CONSUMER 2000 GTI MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED TWICE AFTER REPAIRS. *TS ***NAR*** THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE. THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE DOME LIGHT SWITCH WAS BROKEN. *JB
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON MARCH 3, 2006, I WENT TO THE METRO VOLKSWAGEN TO HAVE MY INSPECTION AND AN OIL CHANGE DONE. THE SERVICE REP TOLD ME I HAD A SMALL HOLE IN MY OIL PAN, SO I AGREED TO REPLACE THE PAN. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I STARTED MY CAR IT SHUT OFF THREE TIMES. SINCE THEN, MY CAR HAS SHUT OFF EVERY TIME I START IT. IF I PULL OFF BEFORE THE CAR COMPLETELY HEATS UP, THE CAR SHUTS OFF IN MID DRIVE. THIS CAUSES ME TO PULL OVER AND RESTART THE CAR AND HOLD MY FOOT ON THE GAS IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR FROM SHUTTING DOWN. I HAVE NOTICED WATER IN MY CAR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR (BACK), BUT I THOUGHT IT WAS CONDENSATION CAUSED FROM THE PLASTIC MAT I KEEP UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE RUG. I RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN THE MAIL AND TOOK THE CAR IN ON MAY 25, 2006 FOR A FUEL LINE, AND HAZARD SWITCH REPLACEMENT. AS OF FRIDAY, JUNE 2, 2006, I'VE SMELLED GASOLINE WHEN I TURNED MY CAR ON, AND THE RUG IN THE BACK (DRIVERS SIDE) WAS SOAKED WITH WATER. IT HAD NOT RAINED UNTIL 3:45 PM, AND I HAD NOT DRIVEN THE CALL ALL DAY EXCEPT FOR THAT MORNING. SATURDAY JUNE 3, 2006, I OPENED MY DRIVER SIDE DOOR TO DISCOVER A HUGE PUDDLE ON THE REAR FLOOR OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND THE FRONT RUG AND MAT SOAKED WITH BROWN WATER. IT WAS RAINING SLIGHTLY BUT THERE WAS NO LEAK COMING FROM THE WINDOWS, OR THE MOON ROOF, AND THE TOP OF THE CAR (INSIDE) WAS COMPLETELY DRY. I ALSO SMELLED GASOLINE AGAIN WHICH PROMPTED MY DECISION TO CALL VOLKSWAGEN. I WAS TOLD BY A SERVICE REP TO BRING THE CAR BACK IN ON JUNE 5 2006. *JB
CONSUMER 2000 GTI MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED TWICE AFTER REPAIRS. *TS ***NAR*** THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE. THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE DOME LIGHT SWITCH WAS BROKEN. *JB
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
AIR BAG LIGHT HAS COME ON WITH NO ACCIDENT. THE READINGS ARE THREE MAJOR INTERMITTENT ISSUES. IT SEEMS THIS IS AN ISSUE FOR MANY OWNERS OF THIS YEAR AND MODEL. THE VW DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO GUARANTEE ANY OF THE FIXES TO THE PROBLEM WHICH CAN TOTAL IN COST $1200 - $1500. I HAVE BEEN TOLD BY AN EMPLOYEE AT THE DEALERSHIP THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR MANY MODELS AROUND THE SAME YEAR. WHY HAS THIS SAFETY ISSUE NOT BEEN ADDRESSED? PLEASE HELP THOSE OF US WHO OWN THESE CARS HAVE THIS PROBLEM ADDRESSED SINCE MANY OF US CANNOT PASS STATE INSPECTIONS AND THIS IS UNSAFE. *TR
AFTER HAVING MY AIR BAG LIGHT COME ON DUE TO A FAILED DRIVER AIRBAG SWITCH UNDER THE DRIVER SEAT, & FIXING IT MYSELF, I FOUND OUT THAT THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OTHER VW GOLF MKIV OWNERS THAT HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEMS. ALSO, I HAVE FOUND OUT THAT IF THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON, THEN NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL WORK IN THE EVENT OF AN ACCIDENT!! NOW THE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AGAIN - THIS TIME DUE TO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG SWITCH FAILING. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS SYSTEM. THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AT TIMES AND STAYS OFF FOR A WHILE. THE COMPUTER SCAN DEDUCED THAT ONE OF THE ABS SENSORS WAS FAULTY. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST. NOW COMPUTER SCAN DEDUCES THAT ABS MODULE IS FAULTY. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT'S DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM AND ASR (TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM)SYSTEM FROM THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. ALSO THE DOOR LOCKS AND ALARM SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, IT NEVER HAS. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DON'T LOCK THE DOOR WHEN THE ALARM SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. IN OTHER WORDS, ANYBODY CAN BREAK IN THE CAR WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE ALARM HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1542461 PLEASE CHECK THE LINK FOR MORE DETAILED INFO. ALSO THE HAZARD SWITCH ON THIS CAR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND THE PROBLEM PERSIST. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WILL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS ALL THE DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES, OTHER TIMES IT JUST WON'T. PEOPLE IN THE VOLKSWAGEN COMMUNITY REFERS TO THIS AS GREMLINS WHICH ONLY AFFECT THE EARLY PRODUCTION OF VOLKSWAGEN GTI/GOLF/JETTA BETWEEN 1999.5 TO 2002. THIS ELECTRICAL GLITCH IS A REAL PAIN IN BACK BECAUSE IT TRIGGERS MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE IN APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS, SO VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. *NM
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
MY 2000 VW GTI 1.8T MANUAL TRANSMISSION'S CLUTCH KEEPS FAILING. I ADMIT I DROVE IT AGGRESSIVELY WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT IT... AFTER ALL, THAT'S HOW THEY ADVERTISE THE VEHICLE, AS A SPORTY, FAST CAR. WELL, I'VE REPLACED IT THREE TIMES (YES, I'M ON MY FOURTH CLUTCH IN FOUR YEARS!!!) AND EVEN THOUGH AFTER EACH REPAIR I'VE REDUCED THE AGGRESSIVENESS OF MY DRIVING TO THE POINT WHERE I'M PRACTICALLY A LITTLE OLD GRANNY NOW, THE DURN THING KEEPS WEARING OUT AFTER ABOUT A YEAR, AND I CAN FEEL MY CURRENT ONE GETTING MUSHY, SEEMING TO SLIP, LIKE IT'S ABOUT TO GO OUT AGAIN. ONE INCIDENT IT HAPPENED ON THE HIGHWAY, AND I WAS LUCKY I WASN'T KILLED. BECAUSE I HAD TO COAST TO GET OFF THE FREEWAY, I FELT I NEEDED TO BE AS FAR TO THE RIGHT IN THE 'VEHICLE BREAKDOWN LANE' AS I COULD. WELL, THERE WAS A LARGE CHUNK OF METAL, A LARGE WATER SPIGOT OR SOMETHING, LYING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE EMERGENCY LANE AND, SINCE I COULDN'T VERY WELL SWERVE BACK INTO THE TRAFFIC SPEEDING NEXT TO ME AT WELL OVER TWICE MY OWN VELOCITY, I ENDED UP HITTING IT AND TEARING UP MY TRANSMISSION CASING (THE 'CRASH' I INDICATED). THIS IS GETTING RIDICULOUS. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE. *AK
MY DAUGHTERS 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GTI WAS PARKED AT 11:00P.M. FOUR HOURS LATER ( 3:00 A.M ), THE CAR JUMPED OUT OF GEAR AND ROLLED 30 - 40 FEET AND CRASHED INTO A PARKED CAR. SHE HAD LEFT THE CAR IN GEAR WITH THE BRAKE ON. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS TYPE INCIDENT HAS OCCURRED WITH THIS VEHICLE. WE REPORTED IT TO VW CUSTOMER CARE AND THEY SAID THEY DO NOT HAVE AN ACTIVE CAMPAIGN ON INVOLVING THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM. THEY SAID I COULD TAKE IT TO A VW DEALER AT MY EXPENSE TO DIAGNOSE IF THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THIS IS A RIDICULOUS SOLUTION. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Interior & seats
Reports naming seats, latches, locks, linkages and interior fittings.
From owner reports, verbatim
ABS SYSTEM. THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AT TIMES AND STAYS OFF FOR A WHILE. THE COMPUTER SCAN DEDUCED THAT ONE OF THE ABS SENSORS WAS FAULTY. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST. NOW COMPUTER SCAN DEDUCES THAT ABS MODULE IS FAULTY. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT'S DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM AND ASR (TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM)SYSTEM FROM THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. ALSO THE DOOR LOCKS AND ALARM SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, IT NEVER HAS. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DON'T LOCK THE DOOR WHEN THE ALARM SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. IN OTHER WORDS, ANYBODY CAN BREAK IN THE CAR WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE ALARM HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1542461 PLEASE CHECK THE LINK FOR MORE DETAILED INFO. ALSO THE HAZARD SWITCH ON THIS CAR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND THE PROBLEM PERSIST. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WILL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS ALL THE DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES, OTHER TIMES IT JUST WON'T. PEOPLE IN THE VOLKSWAGEN COMMUNITY REFERS TO THIS AS GREMLINS WHICH ONLY AFFECT THE EARLY PRODUCTION OF VOLKSWAGEN GTI/GOLF/JETTA BETWEEN 1999.5 TO 2002. THIS ELECTRICAL GLITCH IS A REAL PAIN IN BACK BECAUSE IT TRIGGERS MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
CONSUMER 2000 GTI MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED TWICE AFTER REPAIRS. *TS ***NAR*** THE DRIVERS DOOR HANDLE WAS LOOSE. THE LEFT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR WAS REPLACED. THE DOME LIGHT SWITCH WAS BROKEN. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE HAS A PROBLEM WITH CATCHING FIRE FROM EXCESSIVE ELECTRICAL DRAW OVER THE MAIN POWER LEAD. OVER AMP DRAW IS CAUSING MAIN WIRING TO MELT AND ALSO MELT THE FUSE BOX OVER THE BATTERY.
ABS SYSTEM. THE WARNING LIGHTS COME ON AND OFF AT TIMES AND STAYS OFF FOR A WHILE. THE COMPUTER SCAN DEDUCED THAT ONE OF THE ABS SENSORS WAS FAULTY. THE SENSOR WAS REPLACED BUT THE PROBLEM PERSIST. NOW COMPUTER SCAN DEDUCES THAT ABS MODULE IS FAULTY. THERE SEEMS TO BE SOME KIND OF ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT'S DISABLING THE ABS SYSTEM AND ASR (TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM)SYSTEM FROM THIS SPECIFIC MODEL. ALSO THE DOOR LOCKS AND ALARM SYSTEM DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY, IT NEVER HAS. THE DRIVER SIDE DOOR DON'T LOCK THE DOOR WHEN THE ALARM SYSTEM IS ACTIVATED. IN OTHER WORDS, ANYBODY CAN BREAK IN THE CAR WITHOUT ACTIVATING THE ALARM HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/ZEROTHREAD?ID=1542461 PLEASE CHECK THE LINK FOR MORE DETAILED INFO. ALSO THE HAZARD SWITCH ON THIS CAR WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER ABOUT TWO YEARS AGO AND THE PROBLEM PERSIST. THE HAZARD LIGHTS WILL ONLY WORK FOR ABOUT 15 MINUTES. THERE SEEMS TO BE A SERIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEM THAT AFFECTS ALL THE DIFFERENT ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE VEHICLE, THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WORK SOMETIMES, OTHER TIMES IT JUST WON'T. PEOPLE IN THE VOLKSWAGEN COMMUNITY REFERS TO THIS AS GREMLINS WHICH ONLY AFFECT THE EARLY PRODUCTION OF VOLKSWAGEN GTI/GOLF/JETTA BETWEEN 1999.5 TO 2002. THIS ELECTRICAL GLITCH IS A REAL PAIN IN BACK BECAUSE IT TRIGGERS MANY DIFFERENT PROBLEMS THAT AFFECT THE NORMAL OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FAULTY COMPONENT: GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP DEFECT SUMMARY: ON MY 2000 GTI GLX, THE FUEL PUMP NIPPLES THAT CONNECTS THE FUEL LINES ARE CRACKED, THIS TENSION ON THE FUEL SUPPLY LINES ARE CAUSING A SEVERE LEAK INSIDE MY CAR. BECAUSE OF THE SEVERE LEAKING FUEL, MY SAFETY HAS BEEN COMPROMISED DUE TO PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE CAUSED BY THE ELECTRICAL PLUGS OF THE FUEL PUMP, THIS MAY CAUSE AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE AND CAUSE A FIRE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH MY RIGHT CV JOINTS, ON MY 2000 GTI, I DON'T KNOW WHAT'S THE PROBLEM, BUT I HAVE REPLACED IT 4 TIMES AND IM ABOUT TO REPLACE IT AGAIN. I DON'T KNOW IF ITS THE PART OR IF ITS THE LABOR WHO PUT IT IN, BUT IT SEEMS TO ME THAT AFTER I DO SOME WORK I WOULDN'T WANT TO REPLACE IT FOR FREE ONCE MUCH LESS 4 MORE TIMES. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM WHICH BROKE WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT OWNER TO CONTACT THE DEALER , AND WAIT TO SEE WHAT THERE RESPONSE WILL BE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD POP WHEN PULLING FROM A STOP LIGHT. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND NOTICED THE BODY AROUND THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM BUSHING HAD CRACKED. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A PROBLEM WITH THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM WHICH BROKE WHERE IT WAS ATTACHED TO THE BODY. OWNER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER, WHO STATED THAT OWNER TO CONTACT THE DEALER , AND WAIT TO SEE WHAT THERE RESPONSE WILL BE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT HE HEARD A LOUD POP WHEN PULLING FROM A STOP LIGHT. THE CONSUMER PUT THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT AND NOTICED THE BODY AROUND THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM BUSHING HAD CRACKED. *TC
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .