2000 Volkswagen Passat Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 46about this part
- Share
- 9%of 507 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 65,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 46 complaints about the fuel system of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, 9% of the 507 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 65,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 3 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“While driving on the highway, we started smelling gasoline in the cabin. We pulled over and checked under the hood. A fuel line attached to the firewall had a leak directly above the exhaust system, and was spraying gasoline everywhere in the engine bay, including the catalytic converter and exhaust system. We were informed by tow truck driver that we were incredibly lucky no fire got started in the engine bay while we were driving down the highway.”
NHTSA complaint #10940191, filed 2017-01, 10 miles“The fuel line on my 2000 Volkswagen Passat simply broke as I was driving. I don't know how it occurred. The fuel line was repaired at a Volkswagen dealership in glastonbury, ct. I am filing this complaint because I am not getting a satisfactory answer to why this problem is not being handled through a recall earlier this year of 412,000 1999-2005 passats and the possibility that others are having the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10254072, filed 2009-01, 134,000 miles“Events leading to failure. First the fuel tank door switch became inoperable forcing me to remove the opening mechanism which allowed me to open it manually. Two days later the alarm began to sound on it's own, and did so for at least 8 hours or more. By the end of the night the car would not turn over and all the functions in the drivers side door as well as the alarm, ceased to operate apart from the locks. …”
NHTSA complaint #10214736, filed 2008-01, 113 miles“Fuel level sending unit reading wrong causing fuel to run out causing a hazardous situation on the road. This is identified in 01v157000. My car is vw Passat glx 2000 listed on the campaign, but manufacturer and dealer say not included in this campaign. I need to cover the repair myself which is a shame. Old part is available.”
NHTSA complaint #10118225, filed 2005-04, 70,000 miles“I kept noticing a smell of gasoline. One morning when I backed up and looked forward there was a puddle. I got out, bent down and smelled it. It was gas. I backed up a little more and there was another small puddle. It also was gas. When I first saw the puddles of gas I called Volkswagen and was told there was no recall for this and that any recall that was on my vehicle has been complete (nothing to do with the fuel leak). Just this past week (5/2/15) I noticed the same smell. This time I could actually see the fuel leaking from the back passenger side and I filmed it on my cell.”
NHTSA complaint #10715961, filed 2015-05, 132,000 milesRelated recalls
- 08V156000Apr 7, 2008Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1999–2005
- 02V026000Jan 25, 2002On 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…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1998–2003, Jetta 1997–1999, Cabrio 1998
- 01V157000May 3, 2001Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. Sulfur in fuel interacts with certain additives found in widely available gasoline causing sulfur to become deposited…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2000–2001, Audi A6 1998–2001
Related service bulletins
- 10121123Feb 5, 2016Technical tips on what to do if improper gasoline has been added to the vehicle.
- 10121246Jan 20, 2015Discusses the issues associated with using contaiminated gasoline. There are recommendations to use top tier gasoline retailers
- 10121536Oct 10, 2014Tech Tips (ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear): This document informs to clear static ECM fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low", add fuel to vehicle and complete a…
- 10238568Sep 12, 2014For long crank/ difficulty starting with the engine hot: Before replacing any components for this complaint, drain the fuel from the vehicle and replace with known good diesel…
- 10238954Aug 29, 2014Use the diagram below to test the N75 Solenoid Valve in the event of a turbocharger fault code such as P0299 or P0234. This applies to Mechanical Injection Style Diesel Engines…
- 10238572May 9, 2014Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10238960Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10238959Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10242399Mar 4, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 6 | 13% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 50 | 8% |
| 2013 | 88 | 12% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 19% |
| 2010 | 33 | 20% |
| 2009 | 53 | 36% |
| 2008 | 63 | 38% |
| 2007 | 42 | 16% |
| 2006 | 64 | 11% |
| 2005 | 23 | 16% |
| 2004 | 57 | 20% |
| 2003 | 169 | 27% |
| 2002 | 73 | 11% |
| 2001 | 44 | 10% |
| 2000 | 46 | 9% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 21% |
| 1991 | 5 | 21% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat
207 complaintsEngine cooling
94 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSuspension
36 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
26 complaintsSteering
25 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
19 complaintsAir bags
17 complaintsVehicle speed control
15 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsExterior lighting
11 complaintsBody and structure
10 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2000 Volkswagen Passat
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology