Model year record

2000 Volkswagen Passat

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 626 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V156000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected: 412,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2008-04-07
Owners notified: 2008-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer remedy

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 campaignNHTSA 02V026000

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

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 487,284
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-01-25
Owners notified: 2003-06-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE CAN OCCUR INCREASING THE RISK OF A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

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 campaignNHTSA 01V157000

Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
Manufacturer: VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC
Vehicles affected: 70,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2001-05-03
Owners notified: 2001-05-01

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

RUNNING OUT OF FUEL WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATES THAT THERE IS SUFFICIENT FUEL IN THE TANK LEAD TO SAFETY PROBLEMS.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	59	72,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: control unit/module	56	70,428 mi
Electrical system	30	80,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	27	94,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	25	72,500 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: control unit/module	24	65,000 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly	19	50,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	17	58,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm	17	55,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	15	—
Fuel system, gasoline	15	106,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	14	76,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	14	92,000 mi
Air bags	12	86,700 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls	12	82,051 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	11	104,413 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip: ABS warning light	11	68,900 mi
Vehicle speed control	10	72,500 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	9	50,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	9	53,000 mi
Unknown or other	9	80,000 mi
Engine	8	137,700 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system	8	37,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	7	114,248 mi
Suspension: front	7	100,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition	6	37,400 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights	6	65,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	6	38,000 mi
Tires	6	78,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	5	50,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	5	62,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	5	48,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly	5	22,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	4	103,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor	4	78,000 mi
Exterior lighting	4	82,000 mi
Service brakes	4	125,526 mi
Structure	4	52,700 mi
Structure: body	4	138,179 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper arm	4	65,000 mi
Air bags: frontal	3	1,200 mi
Electrical system: 12V/24V/48V battery	3	61,336 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: turbo/supercharger	3	57,000 mi
Equipment	3	78 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: injectors	3	35,234 mi
Power train: axle assembly	3	80,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly	3	20,899 mi
Suspension	3	116,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	3	48,000 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	3	65,600 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	3	59,998 mi
Air bags: side/window	2	40,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys	2	60,586 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	2	66,823 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights	2	88,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	2	55,000 mi
Power train	2	—
Seat belts	2	95,000 mi
Seat belts: front	2	55,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: recliner	2	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc	2	—
Steering	2	51,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	2	100,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower arm	2	63,011 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	2	55,000 mi
Visibility: windshield	2	—
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	—
Child seat	1	78 mi
Child seat: tether: strap/webbing	1	—
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator	1	111,000 mi
Electrical system: software	1	113 mi
Electrical system: wiring: front underhood	1	—
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash	1	44,270 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: hoses/lines/piping/fittings	1	82,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: other fuel types: turbo/supercharger	1	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: crankcase (PCV)	1	31,796 mi
Equipment adaptive/mobility	1	80,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	1	82,500 mi
Equipment: mechanical: accessory scissor/screw/bottle jack/lift	1	—
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery	1	50,300 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	1	7,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap	1	—
Fuel system, other	1	80,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch	1	110,470 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/TECM)	1	—
Power train: driveline: constant velocity joint	1	25,000 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	1	—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly	1	—
Seats	1	43,500 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock	1	57,000 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: interconnecting assembly(wiring)	1	11,750 mi
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor	1	11,750 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: brake fluid low warning: lamp	1	62,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: drum	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: master cylinder	1	58,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist	1	—
Steering: gear box (other than rack and pinion)	1	—
Steering: linkages	1	—
Steering: linkages: rod: relay: connecting	1	37,000 mi
Steering: rack and pinion	1	—
Structure: body: door	1	—
Suspension: front: shock absorber	1	—
Tires: sidewall	1	—
Tires: tread/belt	1	—
Unknown	1	9,900 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal	1	—
Vehicle speed control: cables	1	—
Vehicle speed control: linkages	1	—
Visibility	1	75,000 mi

The 1999 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.