2000 Volkswagen Passat
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1988 | 0 |
| 1989 | 0 |
| 1990 | 34 |
| 1991 | 24 |
| 1992 | 39 |
| 1993 | 68 |
| 1994 | 25 |
| 1995 | 93 |
| 1996 | 40 |
| 1997 | 37 |
| 1998 | 331 |
| 1999 | 664 |
| 2000 | 507 |
| 2001 | 430 |
| 2002 | 636 |
| 2003 | 628 |
| 2004 | 279 |
| 2005 | 148 |
| 2006 | 576 |
| 2007 | 262 |
| 2008 | 168 |
| 2009 | 146 |
| 2010 | 163 |
| 2011 | 16 |
| 2012 | 481 |
| 2013 | 747 |
| 2014 | 592 |
| 2015 | 242 |
| 2016 | 106 |
| 2017 | 107 |
| 2018 | 45 |
| 2019 | 12 |
| 2020 | 15 |
| 2021 | 18 |
| 2022 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
12% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 59 distinct reports on file.
11% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 56 distinct reports on file.
6% of complaints: electrical system — 30 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
FIRE: 2000 VW PASSAT GL - SEDAN/V6. SPONTANEOUSLY COMBUSTED. CAR HAD NOT BEEN DRIVEN FOR 3 HOURS. FIRE STARTED IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT ON RIGHT SIDE AND DESTROYED MAJOR COMPONENTS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20030805
5% of complaints: service brakes, hydraulic — 27 distinct reports on file.
INJURY5% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 25 distinct reports on file.
FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
FUEL TANK PUNCTURE
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. SULFUR IN FUEL INTERACTS WITH CERTAIN ADDITIVES FOUND IN WIDELY AVAILABLE GASOLINE CAUSING SULFUR TO BECOME DEPOSITED ON THE CONTACT POINTS OF THREE FUEL SEN
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REMOVE THE EXISTING FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS AND REPLACE THEM WITH FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNITS USING A NEW ALLOY COMPOSED OF GOLD, SILVER, AND A SMALL AMOUNT OF NICKEL, WHICH WILL NOT CHEMIC
Campaign 01V157000 — check if this car was fixed
PASSENGER SIR DOOR MOUNTING STUD FAILURE
ON SOME PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK FILLER NECK CAN SUFFER ABRASION DAMAGE IF THE REAR TIRE GOES FLAT AND THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN UNTIL THE TIRE DISINTEGRATES.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL FIT PASSAT VEHICLES WITH A NEW WHEEL HOUSE LINER THAT WILL BETTER PROTECT THE CAR'S FILLER NECK. JETTA VEHICLES WILL BE FITTED WITH A DIFFERENT METAL SHIELD DESIGNED TO ENHANCE ABRASION
Campaign 02V026000 — check if this car was fixed
PASSENGER AIR BAG LID FAILURE
ENGINE STALLING
PASSENGER/ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEA
Campaign 08V156000 — check if this car was fixed
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013...
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
Campaign 14E007000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2000 Volkswagen Passat — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (59 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for service brakes, hydraulic issues (56 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (30 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 01V157000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V026000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 08V156000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 14E007000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2000 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2000 Volkswagen Passat is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volkswagen Passat?
The most-reported component is service brakes, hydraulic:antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, accounting for 12% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat have?
5 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.