Owners have filed 58 complaints
about the 2000 Volkswagen GTI with NHTSA between 2000 and 2020.
The largest single group is the windows, mirrors & wipers.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 of 29 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 44
Against the median year of the Volkswagen GTI. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 45
8.6% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 68
40% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a
system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and
knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.
Power Window Devices AND Controls
1954.3%
Emission Control
514.3%
Manual Transmission
411.4%
Engine
38.6%
Inflator Module
12.9%
Side/Window
12.9%
Lower ARM
12.9%
Sensor/Control Module
12.9%
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
416.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles
416.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
416.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
520.0%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
312.0%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
312.0%
150,000+ miles
28.0%
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Mar 2000peak 6Dec 2020
NHTSA investigations into the 2000 Volkswagen GTI
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
PE04079Opened 29 Nov 2004Closed 19 Apr 2005FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
FUEL PUMP LEAKS
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON NOVEMBER 29, 2004, BASED ON FIVE CONSUMER REPORTS ALLEGING FUEL LEAKING FROM THE FUEL PUMP.BY LETTER OF APRIL 14, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA (VOLKSWAGEN) NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 35,000 GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES MANUFACTURED IN WOLFSBURG GERMANY FOR THE NORTH AMERICAN MARKET.THE RECALLED VEHICLES ARE IN MODEL YEARS 1999 AND 2000 AND ARE EQUIPPED WITH GASOLINE ENGINES.VOLKSWAGEN HAS IDENTIFIED A CONDITION IN WHICH THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE FROM THE FUEL DELIVERY MODULE (PUMP) TO THE FUEL FILTER MAY COME UNDER TENSION. IN THIS CONDITION...
PE04073Opened 19 Oct 2004Closed 16 Dec 2004EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HAZARD FLASHING WARNING LIGHTS:SWITCH
TURN SIGNAL/HAZARD FLASHER FAILURE
THIS INVESTIGATION WAS OPENED ON OCTOBER 19, 2004, BASED ON NINE REPORTS ON 2000 THROUGH 2001 JETTA AND GTI VEHICLES ALLEGING THAT THE TURN SIGNALS AND OR HAZARD FLASHERS FAIL TO BLINK, OR FLASH.SOME OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT THE LIGHTS WOULD BLINK ONLY A FEW TIMES AND THEN STOP.SEVERAL OF THE COMPLAINANTS REPORTED THAT HAVING THE HAZARD FLASHER SWITCH REPLACED REPAIRED THEIR VEHICLES.BY LETTER OF DECEMBER 13, 2004, VOLKSWAGEN NOTIFIED THE AGENCY THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF 350,000 MODEL YEAR 2000 THROUGH 2002 JETTA, GOLF AND GTI VEHICLES TO REPAIR THE TURN SIGNAL AND HAZAR...
Recalls on the 2000 Volkswagen GTI
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
07V063000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
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.
05V154000
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
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.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 2006122244,526 units in Canada
Lights And Instruments
On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, the brake lamps could become inoperative; or could come on and stay on, even though the vehicle is parked. Correction: Dealers will replace the brake lamp switch with a newly revised version. This action includes vehicles previously affected by Transport Canada recall 03-184 and 04-075. The switch installed during this prior repair may not function properly. Note: parts available December 2006.
Recall 20051077,709 units in Canada
Fuel System
On certain vehicles equipped with a gasoline engine, fuel supply line tension may cause the fuel pump supply nipple to crack, which could result in a leak. A fuel leak, in the presence of an ignition source, may cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will inspect the fuel supply line for tension, and inspect the fuel pump supply nipple for cracks. If tension is present in the fuel supply line, it will be replaced. If the fuel pump supply nipple is cracked, both the fuel line and the fuel pump will be replaced.
Recall 200443680,752 units in Canada
Electrical
On certain 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. The subject vehicles utilize a 27-watt turn signal bulb, instead of the 21-watt bulb used in other VW vehicles, which results in substantially higher current draw through the hazard switch relay. This may result in intermittent or inoperative turn signal and hazard flasher function. Correction: Dealers will replace the hazard switch relay.
Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.
at 225,000 milesROY, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11382735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesPhoenix, AZCrash
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10088966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 10,000 milesPhoenix, AZCrash
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10088966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BEL AIR, MDCrash
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
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.
NHTSA complaint #10064417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
BEL AIR, MDCrash
PARKING BRAKE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10064417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The most recent complaints
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
at 225,000 milesROY, WAFire
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #11382735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 156,400 milesVirginia Beach, VA
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
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.
NHTSA complaint #10393008 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesMiami, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
NHTSA complaint #10344806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesMiami, FL
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10344806 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kearny, NJ
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10293922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kearny, NJ
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES
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.
NHTSA complaint #10293922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Kearny, NJ
SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC
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.
NHTSA complaint #10293922 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 62,000 milesCarmel, IN
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10242838 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 65,000 milesWhite Bear Lake, MN
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10212575 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 131,098 milesAngier, NC
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY
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.
NHTSA complaint #10209102 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,900 milesKirkland, WA
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
I HAVE OWNED THE 2000 GTI SINCE 10/2001. PURCHASED THE CAR WITH 13,000 MILES ON IT FROM THE ORGINAL OWNER. CURRENTLY THE CAR HAS 80,000 MILES. THE CAR HAS ONLY BEEN SERVICED BY THE DEALER IT WAS PURCHASED FROM CAMPBELL/NELSON 24329 HWY 99, EDMONDS WA, 98026. IN NOV. 2005 THE AIR BAG ICON APPEARED ON THE DASH. I TOOK IT IN AND AFTER DEALER DIAGNOSIS, A $101.28 CHARGE IT WAS RECOMMED DRIVER'S SIDE-AIRBAG WITH HARNESS BE REPLACED. CALLED VW AMERICA AND THEY COVERED REPLACEMENT. IN OCT. 2007 THE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THE SAME DIAGNOSIS WAS GIVEN BUT NEITHER THE DEALER OR VW AMERICA WOULD COVER. SINCE THE CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND THE AIRBAGS NEVER ACTIVATED THE RESPONSE OF COMPONENTS WEARING OUT MAKES NO SENSE. I KNOW OF NO OTHER CASES ON AIRBAG PROBLEMS WITH OTHER MODELS. EITHER THE DEALER FIX IN 2005 OR THE COMPONENT FROM VW HAS PROBLEM. THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE SYSTEM FOR $645.02 SEEMS UNREASONABLE FOR A SAFETY ITEM.
NHTSA complaint #10205886 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,525 milesHummelstown, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
I JUST PURCHASED A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GTI GLS [XXX] FOR MY GRANDSON. WE RECEIVED TWO REMOTE ENTRY KEYS AND ONE PLAIN KEY. THE REMOTE KEY USED AT THE DEALER TO SHOW THE CAR WAS USED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE HOME. UPON ARRIVAL WE TRIED THE SECOND REMOTE ENTRY KEY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WE THEN TRIED THE PLAIN KEY AND STILL NOTHING. ACCORDING TO VICTORY MOTORS IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA THE CHIP IN ONE OF THE KEYS IS DEFECTIVE. NOW THE AUTOMATIC ANTI-THEFT FEATURE IS ON. THE VW GTI NOW SETS IN THE DRIVEWAY WAITING TO BE TOWED 7 MILES WHERE VICTORY MOTORS WILL HAVE TO RESET THE CHIP IN ALL THE KEYS AND DO SOMETHING TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND STORIES ON THE INTERNET WITH OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE MADE TO CONTACT OWNER THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD ALSO HAPPEN TO THEM. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10163157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 42,525 milesHummelstown, PA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
I JUST PURCHASED A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GTI GLS [XXX] FOR MY GRANDSON. WE RECEIVED TWO REMOTE ENTRY KEYS AND ONE PLAIN KEY. THE REMOTE KEY USED AT THE DEALER TO SHOW THE CAR WAS USED TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE HOME. UPON ARRIVAL WE TRIED THE SECOND REMOTE ENTRY KEY. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. WE THEN TRIED THE PLAIN KEY AND STILL NOTHING. ACCORDING TO VICTORY MOTORS IN HARRISBURG, PENNSYLVANIA THE CHIP IN ONE OF THE KEYS IS DEFECTIVE. NOW THE AUTOMATIC ANTI-THEFT FEATURE IS ON. THE VW GTI NOW SETS IN THE DRIVEWAY WAITING TO BE TOWED 7 MILES WHERE VICTORY MOTORS WILL HAVE TO RESET THE CHIP IN ALL THE KEYS AND DO SOMETHING TO THE VEHICLE. I HAVE FOUND STORIES ON THE INTERNET WITH OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. VOLKSWAGEN SHOULD BE MADE TO CONTACT OWNER THAT THIS PROBLEM COULD ALSO HAPPEN TO THEM. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #10163157 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 55,000 milesTopeka, KS
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE IN APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS, SO VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS.
NHTSA complaint #10161044 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 24,000 milesWashington, DC
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE
EVERY MAJOR COMPONENT OF OUR AIRBAG SYSTEM HAS FAILED WITHIN A PERIOD OF SIX MONTHS. - IN 12/05 OUR AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER SAID THE PASSENGER AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO WE DID (VW PAID FOR THE PART AND WE SPLIT THE LABOR WITH THE DEALER FOR A TOTAL COST TO US OF APPROXIMATELY $250) - IN 04/06 OUR AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE DEALER SAID THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG NEEDED TO BE REPLACED SO WE DID (VW SAID WE'D USED UP OUR "GOOD WILL" AND DIDN'T COVER A THING BUT THE DEALER CUT INTO THEIR MARGINS TO GIVE US A BREAK SO THE TOTAL COST TO US WAS IN THE MID $800'S) - AND IN 06/06 OUR AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN AND THE DEALER SAID THE AIRBAG CONTROLLER NEEDED TO BE REPLACED (WE'RE NOT SURE AT THIS POINT WHAT WE'RE GOING TO DO).
NHTSA complaint #10160934 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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.
NHTSA complaint #10158933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Philadelphia, PA
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
NHTSA complaint #10158933 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 396 milesWaunakee, WI
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10155190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 396 milesWaunakee, WI
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:DOORS:LATCH
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.
NHTSA complaint #10155190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 396 milesWaunakee, WI
INTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
NHTSA complaint #10155190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 396 milesWaunakee, WI
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL
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.
NHTSA complaint #10155190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 88,000 milesWaterbury, VT
SEATS
I PURCHASED A 2000 GOLF GTI/VR6 IN MAY OF 2005. A FEW WEEKS LATER WHILE DRIVING, MY SEAT (DRIVER'S) BROKE AWAY FOR NO APPEARANT REASON.
NHTSA complaint #10143391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Bristow, VA
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP
ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GTI.
NHTSA complaint #10140591 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,400 milesBrooklyn, NY
STRUCTURE:FRAME AND MEMBERS
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.
NHTSA complaint #10111449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 58,400 milesBrooklyn, NY
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
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.
NHTSA complaint #10111449 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.