2000 Volkswagen Golf Problems, Complaints & Recalls

Source: NHTSA · Updated Jun 25, 2014 · 88 owner complaints analyzed

Compared with other Golf years
Far more complaints than other years 5th of 29 for complaints
NHTSA crash rating
Not rated

Owners have filed 88 complaints with NHTSA about the 2000 Volkswagen Golf. That ranks 5th out of 29 Golf model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is visibility (20 complaints, 23%), typically at around 60,131 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire, 4 injuries. There are 5 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.

Volkswagen Golf
VW Golf GOAL (VIII, Facelift). Representative photo; appearance varies by model year. Photo: © M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons.

Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.

Compare with another car

Most common 2000 Volkswagen Golf problems

Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.

Visibility20 · ~60,131 mi
Air Bags16 · ~58,080 mi
Engine and Engine Cooling13 · ~60,013 mi
Service Brakes, Hydraulic12 · ~52,028 mi
Electrical System5 · ~60,000 mi
Fuel System, Gasoline5 · ~55,500 mi
Power Train5 · ~56,014 mi
Suspension5 · ~52,028 mi
Structure4 · ~32,000 mi
Unknown or Other4 · ~38,000 mi
Problem areaComplaintsShareMedian milesOwners mention mostTypical repair cost
Visibility2023%60,131——
Air Bags1618%58,080——
Engine and Engine Cooling1315%60,013——
Service Brakes, Hydraulic1214%52,028——
Electrical System56%60,000——
Fuel System, Gasoline56%55,500——
Power Train56%56,014——
Suspension56%52,028——
Structure45%32,000——
Unknown or Other45%38,000——
Exterior Lighting33%86,000——
Tires33%129,306——
Vehicle Speed Control33%———
Equipment22%———
Latches/locks/linkages22%45,100——
Seats22%52,028——
Steering22%52,028——
Fuel/propulsion System11%———
Fuel System, Other11%21,000——
Interior Lighting11%———
Seat Belts11%60,000——
Wheels11%———

One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.

Complaints by year received

Peak: 2002, with 21 complaints
2000: 4200042001: 112001112002: 212002212003: 8200382004: 112004112005: 8200582006: 9200692007: 4200742008: 5200852009: 4200942011: 1201112012: 1201212014: 120141

n = 88 complaints · Source: NHTSA

2000 Volkswagen Golf recalls (5)

Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.

Exterior lighting:brake lights:switchFeb 20, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V063000 · 1,002,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.

Fix: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through september 21, 2007. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the vin number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.

Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pumpApr 19, 2005 · NHTSA campaign 05V154000 · 30,708 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Risk: Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, may cause a fire.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the fuel supply line for tension, and inspect the fuel pump supply nipple for cracking. If necessary the fuel line and the fuel pump will be replaced free of charge. The recall began on july 25, 2005. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switchDec 16, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V584000 · 410,000 vehicles

Problem: 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 substantially increased electrical current load from higher wattage turn signal bulbs.

Risk: This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function.

Fix: Dealers will replace the hazard flasher switch/relay kit. The recall began on march 31, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Equipment:other:owners/service/other manualSep 12, 2002 · NHTSA campaign 02V244000 · 332,950 vehicles

Problem: 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 identified by markings, and their location and use be described in the owner's manual.

Risk: These vehicles were not marked or described as required by the standard.

Fix: Owners will be provided with a supplement for the owner's manual and also one set of four guidance fixtures intended to use in conjunction with child seats equipped with rigid or semi-rigid lower anchorage attachments. Also enclosed will be four decals together with installation instructions and a template for attaching the decals to the lower seat backs. Owner notification is expected to begin september 15, 2002. Owners should contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.

Suspension:front:control arm:upper armSep 20, 2000 · NHTSA campaign 00V280000 · 4,218 vehicles

Problem: Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. One of two brackets used to bolt the front suspension control arm in front of the vehicle to the body structure may not have been welded sufficiently.

Risk: The control arm could gradually loosen and ultimately separate from its bracket in normal driving which could cause the vehicle to be difficult to control or result in loss of control. As the bracket loosens, loud metallic knocking sounds in from the vehicle will be heard.

Fix: Dealers will inspect the bracket and if the welding is insufficient, will replace the control arm.

To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.

NHTSA defect investigations

  • Engine stalling (DP05004) — opened Aug 11, 2005, closed Dec 8, 2005.
  • Fuel pump leaks (PE04079) — opened Nov 29, 2004, closed Apr 19, 2005, led to recall 05V154000.
  • Turn signal/hazard flasher failure (PE04073) — opened Oct 19, 2004, closed Dec 16, 2004, led to recall 04V584000.

Recent owner reports

Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.

I had just got on the freeway about 5mins. On the car shut down and then there was a back fire then i seen a symbol of a car with a key under it lit in the dashboard, the car would not start back up i had it towed to the house and then the car started but now it has a putter noise i changed the…

Vehicle Speed Control · received Jun 25, 2014 · NHTSA complaint 10606059

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and the dealer stated that the fuel system pump needed replacing.the vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted…

Fuel/propulsion System · received May 29, 2012 · NHTSA complaint 10459952

Tl* the contact owns a 2000 volkswagen golf. The contact stated the material that was used to insulate the vehicle released a toxic odor that caused the contact to have headaches, and a rash. The manufacturer filed complaint 110328029 and advised him to have the dealer diagnose the failure. The…

Structure · received Jul 29, 2011 · NHTSA complaint 10416272

2000 golf gls. Replaced clutch in march 2008 at 135k miles. Replaced clutch failed in november 2009 after 15k miles on highway! Car towed to nearest vw dealership. Clutch replaced. Vw refused to pay for cost of replacing clutch saying not cover under warranty even though failure only after 15k. *tr

Power Train · received Nov 21, 2009 · NHTSA complaint 10293090

2000 vw golf 2.0l engine; driving to work on freeway (65-70mph). Heard "pop" and a hissing noise from front of vehicle. Slowed down and pulled over to shoulder, saw coolant leaking. Engine would not restart. Towed to dealership, found internal engine damage to valves and pistons. Cause was a faulty…

Engine and Engine Cooling · received Sep 9, 2009 · NHTSA complaint 10283481

Other Volkswagen Golf years

← 1999 Golf · 2001 Golf →

See all Volkswagen Golf problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.

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Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volkswagen Golf?

Owners most often report visibility, air bags, engine and engine cooling problems. The top one, visibility, accounts for 20 complaints.

Was there a recall on the 2000 Volkswagen Golf?

Yes, 5 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.

Was the 2000 Volkswagen Golf a good year?

Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Golf model years, the 2000 has far more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.