VehicleVerdict

2000 Volkswagen Cabrio problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 18 complaints on file for the 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but one recall campaign applies to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

18

NHTSA complaints

1

Recalls

1

Investigations

1

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

1

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2000 compare to other Cabrio years?

Cabrio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted66 complaints1989: 1 complaints1991: 7 complaints1992: 12 complaints1993: 18 complaints1995: 19 complaints1996: 7 complaints1997: 20 complaints1998: 37 complaints1999: 66 complaints2000: 18 complaints2001: 58 complaints2002: 39 complaints
Cabrio NHTSA complaints by model year, 2000 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Cabrio years to avoid →

What are the most common 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Transmission528%
Electrical System211%
Speed Control211%
Engine211%
Body & Structure211%
Seats16%
Other16%
Seat Belts16%
Airbags16%
Steering16%

Does the 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio have recalls?

1 NHTSA recall campaign on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

02V244000OtherSeptember 12, 2002 · 332,950 units

Defect

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." CHILD SEAT ANCHORAGES INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE'S REAR SEATS MUST BE IDENTIFIED BY MARKINGS, AND THEIR LOCATION AND USE BE DESCRIBED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL.

Consequence

THESE VEHICLES WERE NOT MARKED OR DESCRIBED AS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

Remedy

OWNERS WILL BE PROVIDED WITH A SUPPLEMENT FOR THE OWNER'S MANUAL AND ALSO ONE SET OF FOUR GUIDANCE FIXTURES INTENDED TO USE IN CONJUNCTION WITH CHILD SEATS EQUIPPED WITH RIGID OR SEMI-RIGID LOWER ANCHORAGE ATTACHMENTS. ALSO ENCLOSED WILL BE FOUR DECALS TOGETHER WITH INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS AND A TEMPLATE FOR ATTACHING THE DECALS TO THE LOWER SEAT BACKS. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN SEPTEMBER 15, 2002. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“MANUAL TRANSMISSION IN 2000 VW CABRIO WENT BAD SEPT. 05, REPLACED CAR GARAGED FOR WINTER DRIVEN VERY LITTLE APPROX 15OO MILES IN APRIL 06 TRANSMISSION WENT AGAIN - SAME SYMPTOMS PROBLEM - TRANSMISSION REPLACED AGAIN OCT 07 - TRANSMISSION BAD AGAIN AFTER APPROX 5000 MILES. GEARS CHIPPING ACCUSED OF…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · October 15, 2007

“WATER CONTINUOUSLY ENTERS INTO THE COMPARTMENT OF THE VEHICLE THROUGH POORLY DESIGNED RUBBER SEALS ALONG THE CONVERTABLE TOP, PERMENANTLY DEFORMED DUE TO POOR DOOR DESIGN. REPLACEMENT SEALS EXCESSIVELY PRICED (500 PER SEAL, 4 SEALS TOTAL, PLUS LABOR).”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · October 1, 2003

“WHEN THE SET BUTTON IS PRESSED ON THE CRUISE CONTROL, THE SPEED WILL ACCELERATE, WHEN PRESSING THE RES BUTTON, NOTHING HAPPENS, CRUISE CONTROL IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *SLC”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Speed Control

“ I HAVE HAD VARIOUS ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH THIS CAR THE SPEEDOMETER FREEZING OR THE SINCE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY. SOMETIMES MY AIR CONDITIONER WON'T START. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ABS OR THE CHECK TRUNK COMES ON HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE THE CAR WAS UNDER WARRANTY. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS JUST THE SUMMER…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 25, 2005

“MY ENTIRE EXHAUSE SYSTEM ALL THE WAY UP TO THE MANIFOLD WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. I HAVE HAD THE MAIN PART OF THE SYSTEM REPLACED BUT NOW AM TOLD THAT THE PIPE LEADING TO THE MANIFOLD AND THE HEAT SHIELD ARE ALSO BAD AND ARE VIBRATING BADLY. I WAS TOLD BY THE VW DEALER-WHERE I HAVE MY WARRANTY…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · July 9, 2003

2000 Volkswagen Cabrio — common questions

Is the 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio reliable?

The record is thin — 18 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 1 recall should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2000 Cabrio problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are transmission (5 complaints), body & structure (2 complaints), speed control (2 complaints).

Does the 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign affecting the 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2000 Volkswagen Cabrio under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened one investigation into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Cabrio years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Cabrio years to avoid are 1999, 2001, 2002, 1998. The cleanest record among Cabrio years belongs to 1989.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.