RoadVitals

2000 Volkswagen Jetta Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
129
Latest Jul 7, 2020
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
29%
of 439 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
9
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
5

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 129 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming engine

The 25 most recent of 129, in the owner's own words

EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jul 7, 2020

I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE RECENTLY AND HAVE NOTICED A DISTINCT DIESEL SMELL WHEN IDLING OR DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS. SMELLS STRONG LIKE LEAKING DIESEL FUEL. THE CAR IDLES VERY ROUGH AND SOMETIMES STALLS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THERE IS A VERY BAD ODOR WHENEVER I ENTER THE VEHICLE. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE CAR WILL STALL AND I MIGHT BE IN AN UNSAFE POSITION DURING TRAFFIC. I THINK THE CLUTCH MIGHT BE DEFECTIVE. IT SOUNDS VERY LOUD. THE VEHICLE HAS 260,000 MILES. DIESLS ARE SUPPOSED TO RUN FOREVER BUT I FEEL LIKE I BOUGHT A LEMON.

NHTSA ID
11337826
Incident
Jul 1, 2020
Mileage
260,000 mi
BrakesEngineOther / unspecified
Filed May 11, 2018

2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ENGINE AND WARNING LIGHTS COMING ON. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DAY AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE, ABS, AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHTS, ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER OFFERED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE IF THE CONSUMER BOUGHT THE PARTS. THE CONSUMER DECLINED. *JS

NHTSA ID
11091809
Incident
Mar 22, 2018
Engine
Filed Jan 25, 2017
Fire reported

I WAS DRIVING IN TRAFFIC AROUND 35 MPH. SAW SMOKE IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR SO IMMEDIATELY PULLED OFF TO SIDE OF ROAD. THE CAR WASNT OVERHEATING, AND NO WARNING LIGHTS CAME ON UNTIL AFTER I BEGAN SLOWING DOWN TO PULL OVER. AS I STOPPED AND TURNED OFF THE CAR, I REALIZED THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS ON FIRE, I GRABBED MY PHONE AND CALLED 911 AS I GOT AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10947693
Incident
Jan 25, 2017
Mileage
192,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 10, 2016

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 80 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS MANEUVERED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD AND TOWED BACK TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 245,000.

NHTSA ID
10873602
Incident
Jun 3, 2016
Mileage
245,000 mi
EngineExterior lighting
Filed Jan 10, 2016

WATER PUMP AND BACK HOUSING THE COOLANT SYSTEM

NHTSA ID
10819243
Incident
Dec 6, 2015
EngineSteering
Filed Jul 5, 2014

I OWN A 2000 VW JETTA 2.0 GLS AUTOMATIC. I WAS COASTING DOWN A HILL AND COMING TO A STOP. I STARTED USING MY BRAKES AND ALL OF A SUDDEN WITH OUT ANY WARNINGS CHIMES OR INDICATION MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF, BRAKES AND STEERING WHEEL FELT LOCKED UP AND I ALMOST CRASHED IF NOT FOR MY FRIEND HELPING ME MOVE MY STEERING WHEEL TOWARDS A SIDE STREET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT HAPPEN. CAR WOULD NOT RESTART. ONLY AFTER AN HOUR OR SO OF WAITING FOR A TOW TRUCK DID MY CAR START BUT WAS DIFFERENT. THIS HAPPENED TO ME 4 MORE TIMES. LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED I WAS ON MY WAY HOME FROM NEW JOB AT AROUND 2 AM EST I GOT LOST AND CAR STALLS OUT ON ME WITH NO INDICATION AND IT DOES NOT JUST STALL AND STOP IT STALLS AND CONTINUES TO ROLL UNTIL YOU LOOSE MOMENTUM THIS IS NOT SAFE. THANKFULLY THIS PROBLEM DID NOT HAPPEN TO ME WHILE ON A HIGH WAY THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY OR EVEN DEATH IF ONES CAR STALLS AND THEY CAN NOT CONTROL IT. I TOOK THE CAR TO MY MECHANIC AND CONFIRMED BAD COIL PACK AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10608272
Incident
Apr 2, 2014
Mileage
119,892 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2014
Fire reported

WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHEN MY JETTA LOST COMPLETE POWER. I MANAGED TO STEER OF THE ROAD, PUT VEHICLE IN PARK AN TURNED THE KEY OFF, THEN SMOKE STARTED POURING OUT FROM UNDER MY HOOD. RAISED THE HOOD TO ONLY SEE FLAMES! THANK GOD A GENTLEMAN STOPPED AN HAD GALLON OF WATER. HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO MY HOUSE(3 MILES) AN THERE IT SITS! MOST THE DAMAGE IS CONTAINED TO THE TOP OF THE MOTOR ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. THE CAR WASN'T EVEN OVER HEATING!! THE ONLY ISSUE IV HAD IN THE YEAR IV OWNED IT IS THE TRANSMISSION SEEMED TO NOT GO PAST THIRD GEAR, WHICH CAUSED THE RPM TO RISE, OF COURSE... HONESTLY ,JUST THANKFUL A STRANGER STOPPED...SIGNED, WITH OUT A CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10596046
Incident
Apr 29, 2014
Mileage
141,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Jun 16, 2013
1 injury reported

ONE YEAR AFTER PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE FROM A PRIVATE OWNER, TODAY WAS THE SECOND INCIDENT I'VE HAD REGARDING THE CLUTCH AND THE FUMES IT EMITS. SIX MONTHS AGO I NOTICED THE CLUTCH SLIPPING AND IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT INTO A REPAIR SHOP. ON TOP OF THE SLIPPING CLUTCH, THE COOLANT AND EMISSIONS WORKSHOP AND ELECTRICAL BECAME A PROBLEM. "STOP COOLANT LOW" WOULD ALWAYS APPEAR ON MY DASH, HOWEVER THE COOLANT WOULD BE FILLED. THE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO STAYED ON. THE MECHANIC DID ALL HE COULD TO FIX IT. SIX MONTHS LATER, TODAY, I'M HAVING THE SAME ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE. ONLY DIFFERENCE IS, I IMMEDIATELY BECAME ILL WHILE DRIVING AND BREATHING IN THE FUMES THE VEHICLE EMIT. I BECAME NAUSEA, DIZZY AND VOMITED. THIS ISSUE REGARDING THE CLUTCH IS AN ONGOING DIGRESSION TO THE VEHICLE AND THE SAFETY AND HEALTH OF MYSELF AND OTHER DRIVERS. I HOPE VW WILL TAKE THIS SERIOUSLY AND INVESTIGATE THIS CASE, I HAVE FRIENDS WHO'VE ALSO EXPERIENCE SIMILAR INSTANCES WITH THEIR VW VEHICLES. I HOPE TO GET MINE AND ALL VEHICLES WHO HAVE DISPLAYED SIMILAR ISSUES REPAIRED PROPERLY BY THE CORRECT MECHANICS BEFORE ANYONE ELSE BECOMES SUDDENLY ILL LIKE I HAVE TODAY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10520011
Incident
Jun 16, 2013
Mileage
127,000 mi
ElectricalEngineExterior lighting
Filed Jan 31, 2012

CAR WILL NOT START AFTER BEING DRIVEN FAR ENOUGH TO WARM-UP THE ENGINE. MUST WAIT SEVERAL MINUTES--UP TO AN HOUR--BEFORE IT WILL START AGAIN. THE PROCESS OF TRYING A RESTART RESULTS IN MUCH UNBURNED FUEL VAPOR IN THE EXHAUST STREAM. THE INTERIOR LIGHTING DOES NOT TURN ON OR OFF WITH THE OPENING OF A DOOR. HORN DOES NOT SOUND WHEN LOCKING THE CAR, AUTO-DRIVERS SEAT POSITIONING DOES NOT WORK. ON THE HIGHWAY, THE CAR PERFORMS QUITE WELL--GOOD ENGINE POWER, STEERING, ETC. HOWEVER, THE NON-STARTING AFTER BEING DRIVEN A DISTANCE COULD RESULT IN BEING STRANDED AND PLACED IN DANGER. *TT

NHTSA ID
10446012
Incident
Mar 10, 2010
Mileage
84,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jun 3, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD JERK ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO ADVISED THAT THE MASS FLOW AIR SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT HAD RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A VOLUNTARY MANUFACTURERS RECALL IN REGARDS TO PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL. LESS THAN FOUR YEARS LATER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS THEN CONTACTED YET THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 42,000. UPDATED 07/20/11*LJ THE SENSOR LIGHT FOR THE MASS AIR FLOW REPLACED TWICE IN DECEMBER 2007 AND AGAIN IN JUNE 2011. UPDATED 07/25/11

NHTSA ID
10404303
Incident
Nov 3, 2003
Mileage
42,000 mi
BrakesEngineTransmission
Filed Oct 26, 2010

I PURCHASED A 2000 VW JETTA ON 6/16/10. TWO WEEKS AFTER PURCHASE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO HAVE PROBLEMS & SINCE I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE, IT HAS HAD TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS: 2 FANS, ABS SENSOR WOULD COME ON & LOCK UP THE WHEELS, SO THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE UNPLUGGED, COOLANT SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED, A TRANSMISSION REPLACED & A CERTIFIED TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST FOUND IT HAD BEEN TAKEN OUT PRIOR & 4 CYL PARTS WERE USED IN A 6 CYL VEHICLE, & THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF REPAIRS TO DATE ARE APPROX. $5,200 & I ONLY PAID $4,995 FOR THE VEHICLE. THIS VEHICLE IS NOT SAFE AND SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN SOLD IN THE CONDITION IT WAS IN. THE SELLER FAILED TO DISCLOSE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD UNDERLYING PROBLEMS AFTER I INQUIRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE BUSINESS SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR SELLING AN UNSAFE VEHICLE AND I WONDER HOW MANY OTHER VEHICLES THE BUSINESS HAS SOLD LIKE THIS. I HAVE THIS VEHICLE IN FOR REPAIRS MORE THAN I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO DRIVE IT & WHEN I PURCHASED IT, THE SELLER WAS AWARE I NEEDED A RELIABLE VEHICLE TO GET TO THE KIDNEY TRANSPLANT VERY QUICKLY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10362521
Incident
Jul 23, 2010
Mileage
115,241 mi
Engine
Filed Aug 2, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE AS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND ADVISED HAVING IT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10346895
Incident
Jun 1, 2010
Mileage
82,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 5, 2010

WHILE DRIVING OUR 2000 VW JETTA THE TIMING BELT THAT IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE SERVICED UNTIL 105K SNAPPED, DESTROYING THE ENGINE AND LEAVING THE CAR PARALYZED ON THE HIGHWAY. ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE WAS DONE AT DEALER FOR THIS CAR. IT HAD 89K WHEN THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OCCURRED. *TR

NHTSA ID
10298381
Incident
Dec 2, 2009
Mileage
89,999 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 11, 2009

MY 2000 JETTA GLS VR6 HAS ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS LOST POWER WHEN DRIVING AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. ON ALL THREE OCCASIONS, I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO HAVE IT DIAGNOSED AS A FAULTY COIL PACK AND WIRES. EACH TIME I REPLACED PAYING OVER $1000 OUT OF MY OWN POCKET, FOR WHAT IS CLEARLY A DEFECTIVE PART WITH THE VW COIL PACKS IN VR6 ENGINES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10295379
Incident
Dec 11, 2009
Mileage
113,000 mi
ElectricalEngine
Filed Oct 17, 2009

I OWN A 2000 VR6 JETTA AND I HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL TWICE DUE TO THE DEFECTS OF THE IGNITION COIL CRACKING. I READ A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE ON THIS WEBSITE BACK IN 2005 AND IT IS VERY EXPENSIVE TO REPLACE THE IGNITION COIL. WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, I LOST POWER AND IT STARTED TO STALL ON ME. I ALMOST GOT INTO A CAR ACCIDENT ON THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE I PANIC. I AM A COLLEGE STUDENT THAT RELIES ON MY CAR AND I TRAVEL 300 MILES TO COLLEGE. I NOTICED A LOT OF SPARKS BY THE IGNITION COIL AND I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT MIGHT CATCH ON FIRE. PLEASE HELP!!! *TR

NHTSA ID
10288773
Incident
Oct 10, 2009
Mileage
120,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 13, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE SPARK PLUGS WERE CHANGED ON THE VEHICLE. SHE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND THEY NOTICED THAT THE SIXTH VALVE WAS LOSING PRESSURE. THE MANUFACTURER RECOMMENDED THAT THE ENGINE BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD REPLACE THE ENGINE BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WITH THE NEW ENGINE WAS 2,000 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WITH THE OLD ENGINE WAS 188,000. UPDATED 08/21/09. *LJ DUE TO THE CYLINDER 5 FAILURE, THE ENGINE IS BURNING EXCESSIVE AMOUNTS OF OIL, EMITTING SMOKE FROM THE TAILPIPE. THE ENGINE HAD ALREADY BEEN REPLACED, BUT PERFORMING POORLY. UPDATED 08/26/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10276541
Incident
Apr 7, 2009
Mileage
188,000 mi
BrakesEngine
Filed May 7, 2009

SINCE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED, THERE HAS BEEN NUMEROUS PROBLEMS AND ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE. THE MOST TROUBLESOME AND EXPENSIVE IS THE COOLING SYSTEM. I HAVE HAD 3 DIFFERENT REPAIR SHOPS LOOK AT IT AND "FIX IT" ONLY TO HAVE THE CAR DO THE SAME THING. THE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DOES NOT INDICATE THAT THE CAR IS OVERHEATING, HOWEVER, IT MUST BE. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED MULTIPLE TIMES (ALMOST EVERYDAY IN MY COMMUTE TO FROM WORK AND SCHOOL), AFTER I SIT IN TRAFFIC OVER 20 MINUTES, OUT OF NOWHERE THE RADIATOR CAP BLOWS OFF THE COOLING RESERVOIR SPILLING THE LIQUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SMOKE. I HAVE EVEN BURNED HAD A SECOND DEGREE BURN FROM HAVING TO PULL OVER AND OPENING THE TRUNK SO I CAN REFILL AFTER IT COOLS. SOMEONE HAS YET TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON FOR YEARS, AGAIN ONLY TO HAVE MULTIPLE PEOPLE LOOK AT IT, AND NOT HAVE THE PROBLEM SOLVED. I WILL CRANK THE ENGINE BUT THE CAR WILL DIE OUT. BUT IF I HIT THE SPEED CONTROL TO SET THE SPEED IT WILL STAY ON. THE CAR WILL HESITATE AND I WILL START OFF SLOW THEN IT WILL GO AT NORMAL SPEED. LAST BUT NOT LEAST I HAVE GOTTEN PULLED OVER 3 TIMES IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS BECAUSE THE BRAKE LIGHTS GO OUT. I HAVE REPLACED THESE BRAKE LIGHTS ALL RECENTLY BUT THEY WILL BURN OUT WITHIN DAYS WITH OUT ME KNOWING. IT IS HORRIBLE VEHICLE, I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF MONEY TRYING TO GET IT REPAIRED. EVERYTIME IT GOES IN THE SHOP IS FOR DAYS I HAVE TO GET A RENTAL CAR EVERYTIME. ENOUGH TO SAY THAT THE CAR RENTAL PEOPLE KNOW ME BY NAME! MY JOB AND SCHOOL ARE AFFECTED BY THIS EACH AND EVERYTIME. I SUFFER FROM ANXIETY EVERY TIME I GET IN THE CAR BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT! IT IS STRESSFUL AND RIDICULOUS HAVING TO DEAL WITH THIS. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ID
10268149
Incident
Apr 20, 2009
Mileage
103,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 14, 2009

MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA NEEDED A FULL REPLACEMENT OF THE OIL PAN AND GASKET. THERE IS NO REASON THAT THIS PART SHOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO AT 121,000 MILES THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED AND VOLKSWAGEN HAD IT UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY UP TO 120,000 AND WOULD NOT REPLACE THE PART FOR ME. THERE IS NO REASON THESE PARTS SHOULD NEED REPLACEMENT. THE CAR HAS 129,500 MILES ON IT, HAS BEEN GARAGED, NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS MOSTLY HIGHWAY MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ID
10258662
Incident
Feb 10, 2009
Mileage
129,200 mi
Engine
Filed Jan 29, 2009

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR MAINTENANCE WORK. WHILE IT WAS BEING TEST DRIVEN AT 30 MPH, THE ENGINE FAILED. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT A SEAL FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED THE ENGINE TO FAIL. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF WHICH SEAL WAS AFFECTED. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE VEHICLE AND INSTALLED A NEW ENGINE. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THEY WERE AWARE OF THE FAILURE DUE TO NUMEROUS OTHERS THAT HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,900 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. UPDATED 03/05/09 *CN THE ENGINE HAD 2 BROKEN RODS THE #3 AND #4 AND THERE WERE LARGE HOLES IN THE BLOCK. THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO HYDRAULIC LOCK OR A VOLUME OF OIL GETTING IN THE CYLINDER AND STOPPING THE PISTON. UPDATED 03/12/09. *JB

NHTSA ID
10256832
Incident
Oct 31, 2008
Mileage
86,900 mi
ElectricalEngineOther / unspecified
Filed Nov 27, 2008

I OWN A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, THE CAR HAS HAD NUMEROUS PROBLEMS, I REALIZE THE CAR IS OLD AND WAS BOUGHT AS IS IT STILL SHOULD MAINTAIN TO PROPERLY RUN. IT HAS CAUSED A SAFETY HAZARD WHEN THE CARS WATER PUMP FAILED WHILE I WAS ON THE FREEWAY DOING 75MPH, IT STARTED TO STALL I WAS IN THE FAR LEFT LANE, I PULLED OVER THREW HEAVY TRAFFIC, IT WAS A 1000 DOLLAR REPAIR, I HAVE RESEARCHED THE PROBLEM AND FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT A FAILED WATER PUMP, ALSO, THE CAR STARTS AND REVS AT 2000 RPMS OR IT HAS TROUBLE STARTING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON FREQUENTLY AND CANT FIND THE PROBLEM, ENGINE MALFUNCTIONS ARE NUMEROUS, I FEEL I SHOULD HAVE SOME COMPENSATION FROM THE VW CORPORATION AND ALL THE OTHER OWNERS OF A VW OF THIS YEAR WITH THE SAME ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250024
Incident
Jul 4, 2008
Mileage
102,000 mi
Engine
Filed Nov 3, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN APRIL OF 2008, IT STALLS AND SHUTS DOWN WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE FAILURE CODE WAS LOCATED AT THE GAS THROTTLE POSITION SENSOR. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 113,770.

NHTSA ID
10247572
Incident
Apr 1, 2008
Mileage
107,000 mi
Engine
Filed Jul 15, 2008
Fire reported

MY 2000 VW JETTA WAS BEING DRIVEN TODAY BY MY FIANCE ON 295 SOUTH IN RHODE ISLAND. HE NOTICED THE COOLANT LIGHT COME ON, AND SO LOOKED AT THE TEMP GAUGE AND SAW THAT IT HAD NOT RISEN ANY HIGHER THAN NORMAL. AFTER KEEPING AN EYE ON THE GAUGE FOR A FEW MINUTES, HE NOTICED IT SUDDENLY DROP TO 0 AND SO HE PULLED OVER, FIGURING A HOSE HAD BROKEN OR SOMETHING TO THAT EXTENT. WHEN HE EXITED THE VEHICLE HE NOTICED SOME BLACK SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD, AND THE HOOD ITSELF STARTING TO BUBBLE FROM THE HEAT. THE CAR ITSELF BURST INTO FLAMES AT THAT POINT AND MY FIANCE HAD TO BACK AWAY FROM IT IMMEDIATELY FOR FEAR THAT IT WOULD EXPLODE. THE CAR HAD RECENTLY BEEN INSPECTED AND WAS WORKING PERFECTLY FINE EXCEPT FOR A SMALL COOLANT LEAK UP UNTIL TODAY, SO WE HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSED SUCH A SUDDEN COMBUSTION. NO ONE WAS HURT, THANKFULLY, BUT IT WAS ONLY A MATTER OF MINUTES BEFORE THE CAR WENT FROM OPERATING NORMALLY TO BEING COMPLETELY ENGULFED IN FLAMES, SO HE COULD VERY WELL HAVE BEEN HURT OR WORSE. THE FIRE DEPT AND STATE POLICE ARRIVED AND SECURED THE AREA, WHICH INCLUDED BLOCKING TRAFFIC COMPLETELY ON THE HIGHWAY FOR FEAR OF AN EXPLOSION, AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE CAR WAS COMPLETELY BURNED BEYOND RECOGNITION. *TR

NHTSA ID
10234479
Incident
Jul 15, 2008
Mileage
155,000 mi
Engine
Filed Mar 7, 2008
Fire reported1 death reported

MY SISTER WAS KILLED IN A FIRE CAUSED BY A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. SHE FELL ASLEEP WITH THE CAR ON. THE CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE AND SHE WAS KILLED. THE INVESTIGATED ARE SAYING IT WAS A FAILURE OF THE EXHAUST SYSTEM. *TR

NHTSA ID
10220390
Incident
Feb 12, 2008
Mileage
70,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 9, 2007
Fire reported

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 2-60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE WHEN SHE DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT HAD TO RELEASE THEN REAPPLY THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE REPAIR SHOP STATED THAT THE EGR COOLER CLOGGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD. THE INTAKE MANIFOLD WAS CLEARED. THE CONTACT DROVE APPROXIMATELY TWENTY MILES, AND THEN NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THE EGR LEAKED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000.

NHTSA ID
10205231
Incident
Apr 1, 2007
Mileage
87,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)+1 more
Filed Oct 3, 2007

I PURCHASED A USED CERTIFIED 2000 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA IN JANUARY 2004, AFTER ONLY ONE WEEK OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE ACCELERATOR WAS MAKING A VIBRATING SOUND AND STALLING CONTINUOUSLY. OKAY, THE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AND IT HAD TO BE REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE - I PURCHASED A USED TRANSMISSION AND THEN THE ENGINE THROTTLE FAILED AND THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN START ONE DAY - HAD THAT REPLACED AT MY EXPENSE $1700. NO THE OLD PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. OKAY, THERE'S MORE, THE BRAKES HAVE BEEN REPLACED A TOTAL OF FOUR TIMES WITHIN THREE YEARS, THE ENGINE LIGHT IS STILL ON, AIR BAG LIGHT ON, BRAKE LIGHT ON, LIGHTS AND FOG INTERIOR FUSES AND EXTERIOR LIGHTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED I DON'T KNOW HOW MANY TIMES, I HAVE PUT SO MUCH MONEY INTO THIS VEHICLE - AND IT STILL IS RUNNING BADLY. AS OF TODAY, THE CAR WON'T MOVE WITHOUT WARMING IT UP FIRST FOR ABOUT 45 MINUTES FULLY - WHEN YOU PRESS ON THE ACCELERATOR WITHOUT WARMING IT UP FIRST - IT WILL STALL AND MAKE A LOUD EMBARRASSING NOISE AS IF THE ENGINE IS GOING TO EXPLODE - AND YOU HAVE TO LITERALLY MAKE IT MOVE BY PRESSING VERY HARD ON THE ACCELERATOR AND PRAYING THAT IT WON'T JUST SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND NEVER START AGAIN. MY VEHICLE HAS 117,000 MILES ON IT HAD 43,500 WHEN I BOUGHT IT (I KNOW STUPID WASN'T I) IT WAS MY FIRST VEHICLE. I KNOW A CAR IS NOT SUPPOSE TO LAST FOREVER, BUT DAM DOES IT HAVE TO COST SO MUCH TO TRY AND KEEP IT RUNNING UNTIL IT DIES. PLEASE HELP ME WITH ANY INFORMATION YOU MAY HAVE TO ASSIST ME IN THIS MATTER. *JB

NHTSA ID
10204787
Incident
Aug 28, 2007

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.

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