2000 Volkswagen Passat Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) Problems
- Complaints
- 26about this part
- Share
- 5%of 507 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,520miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 26 complaints about the visibility of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 507 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,520 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I needed to replace the rear driver side window regulator on my 2000 vw Passat. A week ago I the rear passenger side window regulator failed. Today my front passenger regulator failed. This seemed like a little more than bad luck. It turns out I'm not the only vw owner who has had extremely bad luck with their window regulators.”
NHTSA complaint #10341954, filed 2010-07, 82,051 miles“On raising the window, the glass falls into the door without warning. This happens with both front and rear doors, driver and passenger sides. Each time, the diagnosis is the same: the regulator failed. Repairs cost approximately $400 per window. My wife and I own identical cars and of the eight windows, four have failed. After roughly $1600 for the four windows, I'm losing patience. A coworker owns a similar car and has had the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10251410, filed 2008-12, 75,000 miles“There were no events leading up to this incident. The heater core broke on my 2000 Volkswagen Passat. When this happened white smoke was emitting into the passenger compartment causing a film on the windshield. This caused a fog on the windows reducing my visibility severely causing me to have to pull over quickly. The smoke has an odor of antifreeze and in fact that is what it was. When I got home I checked the antifreeze and it had dropped to half of what it was. …”
NHTSA complaint #10181006, filed 2007-01, 79,000 miles“Purchased my 2000 Passat in 2003, had numerous problems since. It seemed like everything on the car had to be replaced. The control arms, o2 sensors, twice, belts, stereo didn't turn on, all new hoses right away, all 4 window regulators, and now to top it all off, the ABS lights kept coming on. My husband has a 2000 audi a4, virtually the same car, and had to replace all of the same things. The ABS seemed to work fine, but the dealer said it would be $1800 to fix it. I looked at some online forums and found thousands of people with similar problems. …”
NHTSA complaint #10186383, filed 2007-03, 82,500 miles“2000 Passat - 82000 miles - front right power window - regulator failed allowing window to drop into door. Technician found plastic part which rides in track broken and pieces in door. Vw has similar problem in mulitple vehicles. Extended warranty issued to cover repair on other vehicles but not on Passat.”
NHTSA complaint #10128147, filed 2005-07, 82,040 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10123011Jul 22, 2015Technical Bulletin (Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear): Windshield or rear window is streaked, has a snakeskin appearance, or the surface feels rough. To avoid unnecessary…
- 10122956May 8, 2015Tech Tips (Heated Rear Window, One or More Lines Inoperative): To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open…
- 10122911Apr 20, 2015Technical Bulletin (Rear Door Glass Inoperative): The rear glass cannot be opened / closed, the rear glass may slide down into the door, or the rear glass motor operates but the…
- 10242998Dec 22, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242997Dec 15, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239541Sep 24, 2014Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10239534Apr 18, 2014HVAC, Unpleasant Odor
Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors): other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 1 | 6% |
| 2019 | 1 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 5% |
| 2016 | 3 | 3% |
| 2015 | 12 | 5% |
| 2014 | 16 | 3% |
| 2013 | 23 | 3% |
| 2012 | 6 | 1% |
| 2010 | 3 | 2% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 8 | 3% |
| 2006 | 21 | 4% |
| 2005 | 4 | 3% |
| 2004 | 13 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 4% |
| 2002 | 27 | 4% |
| 2001 | 31 | 7% |
| 2000 | 26 | 5% |
| 1999 | 33 | 5% |
| 1998 | 27 | 8% |
| 1997 | 16 | 43% |
| 1996 | 12 | 30% |
| 1995 | 20 | 22% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 17 | 25% |
| 1992 | 7 | 18% |
| 1991 | 6 | 25% |
| 1990 | 8 | 24% |
Other parts of the 2000 Volkswagen Passat
207 complaintsEngine cooling
94 complaintsFuel system
46 complaintsElectrical system
43 complaintsSuspension
36 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