2000 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 2.0 AEG from North America

Summary:

Great reliable car - small issues are easy to fix if you know the basics

Faults:

Minor electrical issues like door sensors and horn, which were easily fixed with some basic know-how and great online tutorials.

Rear wheel bearing has been the only other issue.

General Comments:

I've owned 4 MKIV (1999.5-2005) Jettas, and would buy one again. Early models up to 2001 had common electrical issues, but they generally aren't anything more than annoying.

The 2.0 engine is very solid and reliable, as long as the timing belt is kept up on. Many early 2.0 engines do consume some oil, so checking at every fill up is a good idea.

Overall I've put about 150,000 miles on my Jettas, and each of them has ended (or currently has) over 150k miles. My wife's '00 has 207k, while mine has 176k, and the original 2002 I owned and sold to a friend has 150k (I've known that one for 9 years and have not known of any problems).

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 23rd April, 2015

2000 Volkswagen Jetta 2.8L VR6 from North America

Summary:

The car has been generally dependable, but there have been countless minor flaws

Faults:

- Trunk release motor quit after two years with infrequent use.

- Trunk lock hard to turn, causing the key to eventually break.

- Interior finish layers bubble and peel.

- Plastic glove box mechanism broke with rare and gentle use.

- Window regulators failed.

- Replaced window regulator failed with light use

- Innumerable plastic clips, pieces, and parts crumbled.

- Perpetual tail light problems.

- Almost inaccessible (inexpensive part, expensive to replace) coolant component failed.

- AM frequencies on the radio never worked.

- Gear shift knob metal decoration peeled, causing pain handling it.

- Cheap wrap of the gearshift knob disintegrated.

- Wheel well plastic failure.

- Plastic spoiler below front bumper too low, causing snags.

- Serpentine belt pulley and tensioner failed.

- Cylinder 5 low compression (a recent development at 150,000 miles).

General Comments:

I have been generally content with this car, but after listing things that have gone wrong, I realize that I am able to put up with things more than what most people might. I have been pleased that there really have been no major problems and I expected to continue with this car for a few more years, but now there is low compression in one cylinder, which caused my mechanic to say "it's time to let it go and move on".

I am fairly gentle on vehicles; front brakes lasted me 106,000 miles. I still haven't had to replace the clutch at 150,000. I haven't had to replace struts or any suspension parts. The paint still looks great. The seats and interior in general are still nice except for the peeling and bubbling of a rubbery finish coat over much of the plastic on doors and console. I did most minor work myself, and when I would call my mechanic for an appointment, he had assumed I'd sold the car or found a new mechanic.

It was the little stuff that was annoying, such as the tail lights and the trunk latch motor and all the little plastic pieces that fail; these parts were outrageously expensive through the dealer, and junk yards didn't have them because they were all broken on their cars as well. The engine seems shoe-horned into its compartment, making it very difficult for a mechanically-inclined person to work on and expensive to pay a mechanic to get in there.

I've owned two Jettas, which have lasted me a combined 30 years. I was so pleased with the 1985 version that I bought the 2000 when the 1985 one hit 300,000 miles. I will not be looking at another Jetta.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Don't Know

Review Date: 15th March, 2015

17th Apr 2023, 15:22

You guys in the USA got a bad deal with VW's circa year 2000. I live in the UK and here they are known as solid reliable cars. Maybe they are built in different parts of the world for different markets and different quality standards...

20th Apr 2023, 13:40

Might have a lot to do with several things. First of all we have a LOT of Japanese cars here. And many, like those made by Honda and Toyota will easily go 250,000-300,000 miles without a problem. VW has always been a brand that had sort of sketchy long-term reliability, and so seeing as how Europe was a lot slower to adopt Japanese cars perhaps VW was the best of the major offerings. Secondly, unlike in the EU where most travel is done on secondary roads, here it's mostly freeway. Driving 75+ MPH is going to place the engines at a higher prolonged RPM. Perhaps VW engines aren't as specifically tuned for that.