2000 Volkswagen Passat recalls and problems

The 2000 Volkswagen Passat has 3 safety recalls and 507 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Volkswagen dealer.

Recalls
3
Complaints
507
Crashes / fires
11 / 25
Injuries / deaths
12 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2000 Volkswagen Passat vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2000 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Recall 08V-156: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Apr 7, 2008 · 412,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

Problem: 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 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.

Risk: 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.

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 ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Recall 02V-026: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Jan 25, 2002 · 487,284 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Problem: 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.

Risk: Fuel leakage can occur increasing the risk of a fire.

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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Recall 01V-157: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported May 3, 2001 · 70,000 vehicles affected · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Problem: 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 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.

Risk: Running out of fuel without warning while the fuel gauge indicates that there is sufficient fuel in the tank lead to safety problems.

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 recall last june in order to install the updated fuel sending units NHTSA 00v137/audi lb). Owner notification began may 1, 2001. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact audi at 1-866-892-2834.

2000 Volkswagen Passat problems reported by owners

Problem areaReports
Service Brakes, Hydraulic165
Engine and Engine Cooling101
Electrical System43
Suspension42
Service Brakes, Air36
Fuel System, Gasoline30
Visibility26
Steering25
Power Train19
Air Bags17
Vehicle Speed Control15
Service Brakes, Electric14

Most reported parts

  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip — 59
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip › Control Unit/Module — 56
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine — 25
  • Service Brakes, Air › Antilock › Control Unit/Module — 24
  • Steering › Linkages › Tie Rod Assembly — 19
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control — 17
  • Suspension › Front › Control Arm — 17
  • Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine › Gasoline — 15

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 69,500 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2000 Volkswagen Passat complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Air Bags · reported Dec 16, 2025
Side airbag deployed for no reason while driving straight at the speed limit of 75 mph. The local VW dealer determined the side impact sensor is defective. This is a very interesting situation because a fail safe exists in these systems in that the supplemental restraint control module in the center of the car must simultaneously "see" a side impact g force in order to deploy the side air bag. In other words even with a defective side impact sensor The side air bag should not have deployed. At the time of the incident the vehicle was travelling straight ahead next to a semi truck. No such…
Fuel System, Gasoline · at 45,000 miles · reported Dec 21, 2020
The contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle after being parked overnight, he noticed a fuel odor. The contact stated that the fuel tank was half empty after being refilled. The contact took the vehicle to a certified mechanic and was informed that the seam in the fuel tank was fractured which caused the fuel leak. The fuel tank was replaced. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 45,000.
Engine · reported Jul 10, 2019
The contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. While driving approximately 20 MPH, smoke billowed from under the hood of the vehicle. The contact was able to safely leave the roadway, the hood was raised and flames appeared in the engine compartment. The fire department arrived and extinguished the fire. A fire report was filed. The vehicle was not towed and remained at the scene. There were no injuries. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. An unknown dealer was notified of the fire. The vehicle was included in NHTSA campaign number: 08v156000 (Fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was…
Engine · at 185,000 miles · reported May 15, 2018
The contact owns a 2000 volkswagen passat. While driving at any speed, the vehicle would overheat and cause the engine to fail. The contact stated that the failure was recurring and the "emissions work" indicator illuminated sometimes during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the cooling system failed. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The contact believed the failure was related to NHTSA campaign number: 14e007000 (Engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 185,000. The VIN was not…
Fuel/Propulsion System · at 10 miles · reported Jan 6, 2017
While driving on the highway, we started smelling gasoline in the cabin. We pulled over and checked under the hood. A fuel line attached to the firewall had a leak directly above the exhaust system, and was spraying gasoline everywhere in the engine bay, including the catalytic converter and exhaust system. We were informed by tow truck driver that we were incredibly lucky no fire got started in the engine bay while we were driving down the highway.

Other Volkswagen Passat years

Compare all Volkswagen Passat years · All Volkswagen models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat: 08V-156 (fuel system, gasoline), 02V-026 (fuel system, gasoline), 01V-157 (fuel system, gasoline). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2000 Volkswagen Passat?

Owners report service brakes, hydraulic problems most often (165 reports), followed by engine and engine cooling (101). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 69,500 miles.

Are Volkswagen recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Volkswagen dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.