Does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, the most recent reported on April 7, 2008 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volkswagen Passat?

Owners have filed 507 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (160 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (94).

How many 2000 Volkswagen Passat complaints mention a crash or fire?

11 of 507 complaints report a crash and 25 a fire; 12 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2000 Volkswagen Passat recalls and problems

3 recalls and 507 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat.

recalls

507

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2000 Volkswagen Passat recalls

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

NHTSA campaign 08V156000 · reported April 7, 2008 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC · 412,000 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The 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.
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 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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly, filler pipe and cap

NHTSA campaign 02V026000 · reported January 25, 2002 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC · 487,284 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: 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. 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.

Fuel system, gasoline: storage, tank assembly

NHTSA campaign 01V157000 · reported May 3, 2001 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC · 70,000 vehicles potentially affected

The 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.
The risk: 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 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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Service brakes, hydraulic160
Engine and engine cooling94
Electrical system43
Suspension36
Fuel system, gasoline30
Service brakes, air29
Visibility26
Steering25
Power train19
Air bags17

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Dec 16, 2025 · Air bags
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…

Dec 21, 2020 · Fuel system, gasoline · 45,000 miles
TL* 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…

Jul 10, 2019 · Engine · fire reported
TL* 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…

May 15, 2018 · Engine · 185,000 miles
TL* 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…

Feb 27, 2017 · Electrical system · 16,301 miles
PROBLEMAS ELCTRICOS

Passat model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	3	507	11	25
2001	3	430	14	14
2002	3	636	10	46
2003	6	628	14	94

Across all years, the 2013 Passat has the most complaints (749). All Volkswagen Passat years →

Questions

Does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, the most recent reported on April 7, 2008 (Fuel system, gasoline: delivery). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2000 Volkswagen Passat?: Owners have filed 507 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is service brakes, hydraulic (160 complaints), followed by engine and engine cooling (94).
How many 2000 Volkswagen Passat complaints mention a crash or fire?: 11 of 507 complaints report a crash and 25 a fire; 12 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received December 16, 2025.