Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
Limited mileage data: 9 of 12 reports include usable mileage. There isn’t enough coverage to show a useful chart.
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Electrical System. Review the 4 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 3 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 2 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
0 crash reports1 fire reports0 injury reports
What owners actually said
12 reports
97,400 miles · Dec 31, 2007
Electrical SystemFire
MY 2000 VW PASSAT CAUGHT ON FIRE DEC 28, 2007. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. THE FINAL COST TO REPAIR (IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED) IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED. I FIND IT VERY PERTURBING TO FIND OUT THAT VW KNEW OF THESE (COIL) DEFECTS YET DID NOTHING…
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MY 2000 VW PASSAT CAUGHT ON FIRE DEC 28, 2007. I HAD IT TOWED TO A NEARBY DEALER FOR SERVICE AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FIRE WAS CAUSED BY A FAULTY IGNITION COIL. THE FINAL COST TO REPAIR (IF IT CAN BE REPAIRED) IS STILL BEING INVESTIGATED. I FIND IT VERY PERTURBING TO FIND OUT THAT VW KNEW OF THESE (COIL) DEFECTS YET DID NOTHING TO INFORM OWNERS. I HAD TWO SMALL CHILDREN AGES 2 AND 4 IN THE VEHICLE AT THE TIME OF THE FIRE. FORTUNATELY, MY QUICK INSTINCTS PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH LIMITED ENGINE DAMAGE AND WITHOUT CASUALTIES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10213327
58,000 miles · Aug 8, 2006
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE. ANNOYING!!WE HAVE A 2000 PASSAT W/AN ABS WARNING LIGHT & CHIMES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING ON SINCE NOV. 2004 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROX 50-65,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD QUOTES OF$900 & 1300 FOR REPAIRS. BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY IT"S A SHORT IN THE MODULE. NO PROBLEM, I HOPE NOT. BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COMPLAINING. GETT…
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SAME AS EVERYONE ELSE. ANNOYING!!WE HAVE A 2000 PASSAT W/AN ABS WARNING LIGHT & CHIMES THAT HAVE BEEN COMING ON SINCE NOV. 2004 WHEN THE CAR HAD APPROX 50-65,000 MILES ON IT. WE HAVE HAD QUOTES OF$900 & 1300 FOR REPAIRS. BUT THEY ALWAYS SAY IT"S A SHORT IN THE MODULE. NO PROBLEM, I HOPE NOT. BECAUSE WE ARE NOT COMPLAINING. GETTING IT REPAIRED. WE ARE SICK & TIRED OF THIS POORLY MADE MONEY PIT CAR IT MAY BE THE FIRST CAR WE TRADE IN. . WHY CAN'T THERE BE DARN RECALL WITH ALL OF US. VW HAS NO CUSTOMER SERVICE MANNER. WE LIKE SOME OTHERS RESEARCHED CARS BEFORE BUYING. THIS CAR CAME HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. BY VEHICLE PUBLICATIONS.& WEBSITES, NOT BY US. I AM TOTALLY AFRAID OF DRIVING IT EXCEPT TO WORK & HOME,.WE HAVE HAD OTHER PROBLEMS TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THIS USUALLY HAPPENS IN CARS THAT HAVE BEEN IN ACCIDENTS, I CAN SEE BY THIS E-MAIL POSTER THAT IS NOT TRUE.. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10164879
35,000 miles · Jul 9, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment
PURCHASE VW PASSAT 2000 1.8 TURBO AFTER ONE FROM PURCHASE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY REMOVED AND INSTALLED TEMP SENSOR. AFTER COUPLE OF MONTH LATER AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT SAID THEY HAVE TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO FIND OUT AND THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR THA…
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PURCHASE VW PASSAT 2000 1.8 TURBO AFTER ONE FROM PURCHASE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON. TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP AND THEY REMOVED AND INSTALLED TEMP SENSOR. AFTER COUPLE OF MONTH LATER AGAIN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT GOES ON AGAIN. DEALER'S SERVICE DEPT SAID THEY HAVE TO PERFORM DIAGNOSTIC CHECK TO FIND OUT AND THEY WOULD CHARGE FOR THAT SERVICE. VERY ANNOYING THAT LIGHTS GO ON SO FREQUENTLY. THEN WE DISCOVERED THAT THE OIL CHECKING ROD WHICH THE CAP IS MADE OUT OF PLASTIC MATERIAL CRACKED. WITH MY JAPANESE CAR I NEVER HAD THAT KIND OF PROBLEM. I ALWAYS THOUGHT THE VOLKSWAGEN WAS VERY TROUBLE FREE CAR. BUT IT SEEMS LIKE IT WASN'T TRUE.
NHTSA ODI #10128168
62,000 miles · May 9, 2005
Suspension
NOTICE CLUNKING AND SCHREECHING SOUND WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. INDEPENDENT MECHANIC INFORMED OF LOWERCONTROL ARM DEFECTIVE. CAR CONTINUED TO MAKE CLUNKING SOUND WHEN TURNING, MECHANIC DIAGNOSED UPPER CONTROL (BALL JOINT) FAILURE.
NHTSA ODI #10120308
63,000 miles · Mar 12, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
MY VOLKSWAGEN 2000 PASSAT HAS A MALFUNCTION OF THE ABS ELECTRONIC UNIT. THIS MALFUNCTION HAS BEEN REPORTED FREQUENTLY AMONG AUDI AND VW CUSTOMERS. THE EARLY MALFUNCTION OF THIS VITAL VEHICLE SAFETY COMPONENT IS UNACCEPTABLE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10114006
93,000 miles · Mar 1, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
1) STOP ENGINE LIGHT 2) NO POWER, ENGINE FAILURE 3) POSSIBLE NEW ENGINE NEEDED 4) WARRANTY NO GOOD FROM VW BECAUSE I DON'T HAVE 2 RECEIPTS FROM OIL CHANGES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! WHAT?!! ALL OTHER RECEIPTS ARE THERE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10112374
82,081 miles · Feb 7, 2005
Electrical System
THE ABS MODULE HAS AN INTERNAL ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT FAILURE. THE WARNING LIGHT AND BEEPER CANNOT BE DISCONNECTED. THE BRAKES ARE OK BUT THE WARNING LIGHTS CONTINUE TO ACTIVATE SPORADICALLY. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10110032
52,000 miles · Dec 7, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
RADIATOR FAILURE. CRACKED RADIATOR ON PASSENGER SIDE BOTTOM. RADIATOR FAN FAILURE. BEARINGS IN MOTOR SQUEALING. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10102299
47,000 miles · Jul 12, 2003
Power Train
CAR WILL NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK, WITH IGNITION ON, CAR RUNNING DESPITE BRAKE PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10025937
Mileage unknown · Nov 6, 2002
Air Bags
AIRBAG INDICATOR LIGHT VOLKSWAGEN AGREED TO PAY FOR REPAIR PAID $73 OUT-OF-POCKET TO GET DIAGNOSTIC AIRBAG INDICATOR LITE ADMISSION OF PROBLEM ONLY PAID FOR REPAIR? LITE OFF WANT $73 REFUNDED. DT
NHTSA ODI #769393
Official recalls
0
No recalls in this snapshot.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0
No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.
2000 Volkswagen Volkswagen Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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