2000 Volkswagen GTI

Routine

Owners filed 45 complaints about this vehicle with federal regulators, most often about the visibility. It has been recalled 3 times.

Not among the Volkswagen GTI years to avoid. Which Volkswagen GTI years to avoid →

Most common 2000 Volkswagen GTI problems

17 of the 45 complaints (38%) are about the visibility.

ComponentReportsCrashesFiresInjuries
Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls16
000
Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control · engine5
000
Power Train › Manual Transmission · transmission4
200
Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine · engine3
000
Unknown or Other2
000
Electrical System2
010
Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear1
000
Structure › Frame and Members · body and frame1
000
Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip · brakes1
000
Service Brakes, Electric · brakes1
000

3 safety recalls

Part 573 reports
Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch07V063000
Filed Feb 20, 20071,002,000 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 Pump05V154000
Filed Apr 19, 200530,708 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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 › Switch04V584000
Filed Dec 16, 2004410,000 vehiclesVolkswagen of America, Inc

Defect. 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.

Remedy. 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.

All 3 campaigns on file, newest first.

What owners reported

Newest filings
Electrical SystemFire
Filed Dec 9, 2020225,000 milesWA

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.

Air Bags › Side/Window
Filed Mar 27, 2011156,400 milesVA

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. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jul 22, 2010104,000 milesFL

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. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Nov 29, 2009NJ

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. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Sep 18, 200862,000 milesIN

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. *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Dec 22, 200765,000 milesMN

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. *TR

Power Train › Axle Assembly
Filed Nov 16, 2007131,098 milesNC

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. *TR

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module
Filed Oct 16, 200778,900 milesWA

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. *TR

Electrical System
Filed Jul 22, 200642,525 milesPA

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)

Exterior Lighting › Brake Lights › Switch
Filed Jun 29, 200655,000 milesKS

BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED TWICE IN APPROXIMATELY 18 MONTHS, SO VEHICLE WAS OPERATING WITHOUT BRAKE LIGHTS. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jun 27, 200624,000 milesDC

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). *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Jun 4, 2006PA

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. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Mar 29, 2006396 milesWI

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. *JB

Seats
Filed Nov 21, 200588,000 milesVT

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. *NM

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed Oct 24, 2005VA

ABS CONTROL MODULE FAILURE ON A 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. *JB

Structure › Frame and Members
Filed Mar 8, 200558,400 milesNY

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. *TC

Power Train › Manual TransmissionCrash
Filed Sep 1, 200410,000 milesAZ

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. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Aug 17, 200475,000 milesSC

WHILE DRIVING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT FLASHED FOLLOWED BY NON ACCELERATION, THEN STALLING. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO KEPT IT FOR SIX WEEKS. SEVERAL ENGINE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO WEEKS LATER. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED.*AK

Power Train › Manual TransmissionCrash
Filed Apr 2, 2004MD

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. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 20, 200324,500 milesMI

YESTERDAY, WHEN I WENT TO RAISE THE (ELECTRIC) WINDOW ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF MY 2000 VOLKSWAGEN GTI, THE WINDOW FELL DOWN INSIDE THE DOOR! FORTUNATELY, I WAS IN A PARKING LOT AND THE CAR WASN'T MOVING. I HATE TO THINK WHAT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED IF I HAD BEEN ON THE EXPRESSWAY. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY VW OWNER WHO HAS EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM, AND I UNDERSTAND THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS REDESIGNED THE WINDOW MECHANISM ON SUBSEQUENT MODELS. (MY PASSENGER-SIDE WINDOW HAS BEEN STUCK CLOSED FOR SEVERAL MONTHS.)LAST YEAR, VOLKSWAGEN OFFERED A SEVEN-YEAR-FROM-PURCHASE EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR PROBLEMS WITH THE WINDOWS ON MY CAR. THEY DID NOT SPECIFY WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE. I THINK THEY SHOULD HAVE ISSUED A RECALL. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! PLEASE INVESTIVATE.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jan 23, 2003VA

MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR FAILED AND WAS REPLACED.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 23, 2003VA

POP-OUT CUP HOLDER BROKE TWICE. REPLACED ONCE, I HAVN'T BOTHERED TO REPLACE IT A SECOND TIME. THE SPRING POPS OUT OF THE ARM THAT HOLDS THE CUP IN PLACE. I USE THE CUP HOLDER EVERY DAY, AS MOST COMMUTERS DO.

Unknown or Other
Filed Jan 23, 2003VA

GLOVE BOX DOOR HINGE BROKE. REPLACED TWICE. I REPLACED THE DOOR MYSELF THE SECOND TIME AND FOUND THAT LUBRICATING THE HYDRALIC MECHANISM REDUCED THE STRESS ON THE HINGE.

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jan 17, 200331,000 milesFL

MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR FAILED PREMATURELY. DEALER REFUSES TO COVER PART UNDER EMISSIONS WARRANTY. WHEN MAF SENSOR FAILS, DAMAGE IS CAUSED TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSING PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CONVERTER, DECREASE IN FUEL ECONOMY AND DECREASED ENGINE PERFORMANCE. TS

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 16, 2002FL

THIS IS A ONGOING PROBLEM WITH VOLKSWAGEN POWER WINDOWS. A RECALL SHOULD BE ISSUED FOR ALL CARS WITH PLASTIC POWER WINDOW REGULATOR CLIPS. THEY ARE NOT ADEQUATE TO SUPPORT THE WEIGHT OF THE WINDOW, LET ALONE RAISE AND LOWER IT.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 31, 2002WA

WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED, CAUSING DRIVERS WINDOW TO DROP INTO THE DOOR. THIS IS A SAFETY AND SECURITY PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN OCCURRING SINCE THE INTRODUCTION OF THE CURRENT MODEL IN 1999.5. A RECENT SURVEY ON THE VW VORTEX WEBSITE INDICATED THAT ALMOST 50% OF 1000 OWNERS RESPONDING HAD EXPERIENCED THE PROBLEM. IF THIS FAILURE HAD OCCURRED DURING THE RAINY SEATTLE WINTER DURING MY 40 MILE COMMUTE THE CAR WOULD UNSAFE TO DRIVE.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 16, 200232,775 milesCA

THE WINDOW REGULATOR HAS FAILED TWICE ON EACH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WINDOW. THE WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE BEEN REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I AM AWARE THAT OTHER POST 99.5 VW'S SUFFER FROM THE PROBLEM YET NO RECALL HAS BEEN DONE BY VOLKSWAGEN. *TS ****DIMSII IVOQ ENTRY POSTED AFTER 12/12/02 CUT OVER TO ARTEMIS****760763

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jan 4, 2002MI

DRIVERS SIDE WINDOW REGULATOR FAILED. WINDOW WAS STUCK DOWN. OXYGEN SENSOR FAILED THE NEXT DAY. THE DEALER CLAIMS THIS AFFECTS EVERY VW. WHY DON'T THEY FIX THEM. NOW I'M OUT OF WARRANTY AND I'M SURE MY OTHER WINDOW REGULATOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR WILL BE GOING BAD ANY DAY NOW. VW SHOULD BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THIS.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 27, 2001PA

DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER'S SIDE POWER WINDOW REGULATOR MECHANISM IS DEFECTIVE WHICH CAUSES WINDOWS TO ROLL UP SLOWLY AND A COME OF THE TRACK. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTATCED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Nov 22, 2001TX

I HAVE EXPERIENCED FOUR WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURES IN TWO YEARS. I AM CONCERNED THAT THIS PROBLEM IS NOT BEING PROPERLY ADDRESSED. I RECOMMEND AN ACTION BE INITIATED TO FORCE VOLKSWAGEN TO RECALL ALL DEFECTIVE WINDOW REGULATORS. THANK YOU. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Jul 18, 2001NH

MASS AIR SENSOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING, CAUSING CAR TO LURCH UNCONTROLLABLY - DEALER IN KEENE, NH STATED THE MAF IS NOT COVERED BY POWERTRAIN WARRANTY.*AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 5, 2001WA

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Visibility › Glass, Side/Rear
Filed Jul 3, 2001CA

FAILURE OF WINDOW REGULATOR CAUSES WINDOW TO FALL INTO THE DOOR, HAS TO BE FIXED AT DEALER, OUT OF WARRANTY REPAIR IS APPROX $500, WHICH IS REDICULOUS FOR A KNOWN BAD PART. THIS CAUSES A SAFTEY CONCERN, NOT ONLY BECAUSE THE VEHICLE CAN BE VANDALIZED WITH NO WINDOWS, BUT DUE TO EXTEREME WEATHER, THE DRIVER COULD BE ENDANGERED.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 2, 2001OH

NO SUMMARY LISTED FOR ABOVE VEHICLE. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jul 2, 2001TX

BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE FAILED TWICE ON ME ALL AT SEPARATE TIMES, IN SEPARATE CONDITIONS. ACCORDING TO HUNDREDS OF OTHER VW DRIVERS ON THE HIGH POPULAR INTERNET FORUM VWVORTEX.COM, THIS IS A HUGE PROBLEM TO MANY PEOPLE AND VW NEEDS TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 20, 2001TX

WHILE ATTEMPTING TO ROLL WINDOW DOWN, WINDOW STOPPED ABOUT 1/2 WAY. CONSUMER HEARD A CRACKING NOISE. THEN, WINDOW SLAMNED DOWN INTO VEHICLE'S DOOR PANEL. WHEN TRYING TO ROLL UP WINDOW IT WOULD NOT ROLL UP. CONSUMER HAS YET TO CONTACT DEALER. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jun 14, 2001UT

BOTH WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING BOTH WINDOWS TO DROP INTO THE DOOR CAVITY.

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Jan 6, 2001DC

POWER WINDOWS FAILED ON BOTH SIDES - WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF EACH OTHER AND ON A CAR ONLY 6 MONTHS OLD! THE WINDOWS FAIL IN THE DOWN POSITION - NOT PLEASANT DURING A NE WINTER AND LEAVING THE CAR A POTENTIAL ROBBERY CANDIDATE. THIS IS HAPPENING ALL OVER - TIME FOR A VW RE-DESIGN AND VOLUNTARY RECALL ON THE POWER ASSEMBLY?*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Dec 18, 2000MA

PROBLEM WAS REPORTED TO DEALER AND LOOKED AT. DEALER STATED THERE WASN'T ANY PROBLEM. FAILED AFTER 24,000 MILES AND DEALER WILL NOT FIX UNDER WARRANTY. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 28, 2000VA

THIS PART SEEMS TO BE FAILING ON CARS ALL OVER THE NATION. THERE HAS EVEN BEEN A SHORTAGE OF REPLACEMENT PARTS AS A RESULT.*AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 18, 2000TX

POWER WINDOW REULATOR HAS FAILED 3 TIMES, ONCE ON THE RIGHT SIDE TWICE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE. *ET

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 1, 2000FL

PROBLEM WITH WINDOW REGULATOR/SEEMS TO BE NATIONWIDE (WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/TOWNHALL). *AK

Power Train › Manual Transmission
Filed Jul 26, 2000TX

VERY COMMON WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR AT OVER 3500 IT GRINDS. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 4, 2000NY

OIL PAN MADE FROM ALUMINUM, WAY TOO CLOSE TO GROUND DAMAGE EASY. *AK

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 3, 2000NJ

I HAVE CRACKED THE OILPAN TWICE, DUMPING ALL OF THE ENGINE OIL. I HAVE SPOKEN TO SOMEONE AT VW AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE DAMAGE. I HAVE DOCUMENTED VIA THE INTERNET THAT THIS IS NOT AN UNCOMMON PROBLEM. VW HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THERE IS A P

All 45 complaints, reproduced as filed.

Across model years

Worst on record: 2019
YearComplaintsRecallsFiresDeathsAssessment
20250100Routine
202429200Routine
20236500Routine
202229600Routine
20214100Routine
20208300Routine
2019179400Routine
201817302Do not drive
201752200Routine
201667400Routine
201597610Routine
201410110Routine
201334211Fatalities reported
201240210Routine
201155210Routine
201053100Routine
2009167220Routine
200867100Routine
200777101Fatalities reported
200643230Routine
20058100Routine
20047100Routine
200353111Fatalities reported
2002124200Routine
200174230Routine
2000 — this page45310Routine
19998200Routine
199810000Routine
199710010Routine
19969110Routine
199518200Routine
19940200Routine
19930200Routine
19920100Routine
19911100Routine
19900200Routine

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Reading this record

No unusual pattern of severe incidents in the complaint record.

Complaint counts track how many cars were sold and how long they have been on the road as much as they track quality. A common model from 2013 has had a decade to accumulate reports; a rare one from last year has not. The signal worth weighing is in the severity columns, in whether the same component keeps appearing, and in whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Recall repairs are free for as long as the recall stands. Check whether a specific car still has open work at NHTSA's VIN lookup.

Most recent recall on file: Feb 20, 2007. Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.