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Research · Midsize Cars

2000 Volkswagen PassatRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 518 owner complaints for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (162) and engine and engine cooling (96). The EPA rates it 18–24 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
18–24mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
5campaigns
Latest Mar 2014
Owner complaints
518
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$3,200est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

5 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling: engine

Free remedy

The 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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Mar 7, 2014NHTSA 14E007000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Apr 7, 2008NHTSA 08V156000
See all 5 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

518 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2000 – Dec 2025
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic162
  2. Engine and engine cooling96
  3. Electrical system46
  4. Suspension37
  5. Fuel system, gasoline30
  6. Service brakes, air29
  7. Visibility26
  8. Steering25
  9. Power train20

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Passat model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1996151
199776
1998330
1999664
2000518
2001441
2002650
2003641
2004283
2005148
2006576
2007273
2008174
2009152
2010172
2012484
2013749
2014594
2015244
2016106
2017110
201846
201912
202018
20210
202213
Crashes reported
11
Fires reported
26
Injuries reported
12
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

162 reports1 crash
“ABS BRAKE PUMP BOSCH 5.3 VOLKSWAGEN PART 8E0 614 111 AH BEGAN LEAKING AND CAUSED BRAKE PRESSURE FAILURE IN BOTH CIRCUITS CAUSING PEDAL TO GO TO THE FLOOR. THIS WAS NOT THE COMMON FAILURE OF THE ABS CONTROL MODULE ELECTRONICS WHICH MERELY CAUSES A FAILURE IN ANTI-LOCK BEHAVIOR. THIS IS A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE HYDRAULIC SYSTEM TO ALL FOUR WHEELS. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 11, 2011Service brakes, hydraulicODI 10424680

Engine and engine cooling

96 reports11 fires
“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 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 PROVIDED.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 15, 2018Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11093885

Electrical system

46 reports1 crash11 fires
“IN APPROXIMATELY JULY OF 2014 MY VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT STARTED EXPERIENCING ON AND OFF AGAIN PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE FIRING. I HAD RECENTLY RETIRED AND WAS NOT DRIVING THE CAR DAILY, AND SO I WAS UNABLE TO ASSOCIATE THE PROBLEM WITH ANY RECENT DRIVING EVENT. HOWEVER, ONE MORNING WHEN THE HESITATION WAS VERY PRONOUNCED I POPPED THE HOOD TO HAVE A LOOK. WATER WAS STANDING ALMOST LEVEL WITH THE TOP OF THE BATTERY IN THE AREA HOUSING THAT PART. I USED MY INDOOR/OUTDOOR VACUUM TO PUMP OUT AS MUCH WATER AS POSSIBLE. WHEN I THOUGHT THE AREA WAS THOROUGHLY DRIED OUT I TOOK THE CAR TO MY LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN CERTIFIED MECHANIC FOR FURTHER INVESTIGATION. HE DIDN'T TAKE LONG TO DETERMINE THAT DRAINAGE HOLES ON BOTH SIDES UNDER THE HOOD WERE CLOGGED. HE WAS ABLE TO UNCLOG THE HOLE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE IMMEDIATELY, BUT THE HOLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IS LOCATED BENEATH PARTS THAT HAVE TO BE MOVED FOR ACCESS. I RECALLED NUMEROUS TIMES OVER THE YEARS WHEN I WAS CERTAIN I WAS HEARING THE SOUND OF WATER SLOSHING AROUND UNDER THE HOOD. I HAD ASKED ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION AT TIME OF SERVICE FOR THE SOUND TO BE INVESTIGATED FURTHER. I WAS ALWAYS TOLD THE SAME THING: THERE WAS NOTHING TO…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 1, 2015Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 10731607
All 2000 Passat problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Midsize Cars, Midsize Station Wagons
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl turbo · 2.8L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Front-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Passat
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Passat Wagon
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
212924$3,200370
Passat
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,700423
Passat
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
Passat Wagon
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo · Front-Wheel Drive
182721$3,700423
Passat Wagon
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
182621$3,700423
Passat
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050468
Passat Wagon
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · Front-Wheel Drive
162419$4,050468
Passat 4motion
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152218$4,300494
Passat Wagon 4motion
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152218$4,300494
  • Passat
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    21 city · 29 hwy · $3,200/yr
    24
    mpg comb.
  • Passat
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Passat
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 1.8 L, Turbo
    18 city · 27 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    18 city · 26 hwy · $3,700/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Passat
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    16 city · 24 hwy · $4,050/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Passat 4motion
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Passat Wagon 4motion
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 2.8 L
    15 city · 22 hwy · $4,300/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4089
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2000 Passat questions

How many recalls does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat have?

5 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2000 Volkswagen Passat problems?

Owners filed 518 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (162), engine and engine cooling (96), electrical system (46). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2000 Volkswagen Passat get?

The EPA rates the 2000 Volkswagen Passat at 18–24 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026