2000 Volkswagen Passat: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2000 Volkswagen Passat: 3 recalls, 507 owner complaints and up to 24 mpg combined.
Recalls
3 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 2 equipment/tire recalls that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #01V157000 · 2001 · 70,000 vehicles
What's wrong: Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited on the contact points of three fuel sending units mounted inside the fuel tank. This could cause the fuel gauge to read full while the fuel tank May not in fact be full or could be empty.
Why it matters: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.
The fix: 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 chemically react with sulfur. Vw/Audi will also call back vehicles that were repaired under a previous…
Fuel system Vehicle recall #02V026000 · 2002 · 487,284 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.
The fix: 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 protection in the event of tire disintegration. Owner notification began June 13, 2003.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #08V156000 · 2008 · 412,000 vehicles
What's wrong: These vehicles May have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions May have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
Why it matters: A heat shield that May contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
The fix: 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. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank…
2 aftermarket equipment / tire recalls replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #09E025000 · 2009 · 42,540 vehicles
What's wrong: 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 conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, "lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment." these lamps do not contain the required amber side reflectors.
Why it matters: Decreased lighting visibility May result in a vehicle crash.
The fix: Dope, Inc. will notify owners and offer a full refund for the noncompliant combination lamps. The safety recall began on July 28, 2009.
Engine & cooling Equipment recall #14E007000 · 2014 · 50 vehicles
What's wrong: These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi a4, 2000-2006 Audi tt, 1998-2005 Volkswagen beetle, 1999-2006 golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt May develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Why it matters: A failure of the timing belt May cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
The fix: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 25 mention a fire, 12 injuries and 1 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Brakes (hydraulic) (160): the most common themes are warning light on (41), brake failure / soft pedal (19).
- Engine & cooling (94): the most common themes are warning light on (28), stalls / loses power (15), fire / smoke (14).
- Electrical (43): the most common themes are electrical failure (13), fire / smoke (10), door / lock issues (9).
- Suspension (36): the most common themes are noise or vibration (13), steering problems (8).
The 2000 Volkswagen Passat has 507 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 33 Passat model years for complaints (2.1× the average Passat year). Complaints peaked in 2005 (94 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 5 years old, at a median of 69,250 miles. Neighboring years: 1999 (664 complaints, 5 recalls), 2001 (430 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 | 29 | 24 | Premium |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 27 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 | 26 | 21 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 16 | 24 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 vehicle recalls for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, plus 2 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2000 Volkswagen Passat problems?
Owners have filed 507 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are brakes (hydraulic) (160), engine & cooling (94), electrical (43).
What gas mileage does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA ratings run up to 24 mpg combined (1.8 L, Manual 5-spd), across 4 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2000 Volkswagen Passat repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.