Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 / Wikimedia Commons
2000 Volkswagen Golf: common problems and reliability
· 4th generationOne of the weaker Golf years.
102 owner complaints, most about visibility. 8 recalls.
Should I buy a 2000 Golf?The 2000 Volkswagen Golf has 102 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 8 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are visibility and air bags. Owners most often flag electrical system failures (multiple warning lights, ccm failure, window regulators).
Safety record for the 2000 model year
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for 2000 Volkswagen Golf vehicles (US, public record).
The Year Score compares this year with other Golf years only. How we score it
Is 2000 a good year for the Golf?
Across the 27 Golf model years we track, complaint volume runs from 1 (2008) to 317 (2015). With 102 complaints, the 2000 Golf sits above the model's median of 44.
These are raw NHTSA complaint totals, not adjusted for how many cars sold or how long each model year has been on the road. Older and higher-selling years accumulate more complaints.
Where owners report problems
Recalls affecting the 2000 Golf
engine and engine cooling:engine
Campaign 14E007000The 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 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. 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.
exterior lighting
Campaign 09E012000SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 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.
exterior lighting:headlights
Campaign 09E025000DOPE, 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.
fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump
Campaign 05V154000ON 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.
Show 4 more recalls
exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Campaign 07V063000ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
exterior lighting:hazard flashing warning lights:switch
Campaign 04V584000ON 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.
suspension:front:control arm:upper arm
Campaign 00V280000VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: PASSENGER VEHICLES. ONE OF TWO BRACKETS USED TO BOLT THE FRONT SUSPENSION CONTROL ARM IN FRONT OF THE VEHICLE TO THE BODY STRUCTURE MAY NOT HAVE BEEN WELDED SUFFICIENTLY.
equipment:other:owners/service/other manual
Campaign 02V244000CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.
What owners report on the 4th generation Golf
Owners express strong affection for the 4th generation Golf, calling it a future classic and praising its timeless, clean design.
- Very frequentElectrical system failures (multiple warning lights, CCM failure, window regulators)
- RecurrentWindow regulators failing (windows go down and won't come back up)
- RecurrentCentral Control Module (CCM) failure (car becomes completely inoperable)
- IsolatedOil consumption (about 1 quart every 2,000 miles on some examples)
- IsolatedSteering creaking when turning right
Owner insights for the 4th generation Golf. Read the full 4th generation owner report.
Other Golf model years
Compare every Golf year side by side to see how 2000 ranks against the rest.
Compare the Golf against its rivals
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