Two problems related to coolant leaking have been reported for the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2000 Volkswagen Jetta based on all problems reported for the 2000 Jetta.
My 2000 vw Jetta was being driven today by my fiance on 295 south in rhode island. He noticed the coolant light come on, and so looked at the temp gauge and saw that it had not risen any higher than normal. After keeping an eye on the gauge for a few minutes, he noticed it suddenly drop to 0 and so he pulled over, figuring a hose had broken or something to that extent. When he exited the vehicle he noticed some black smoke coming out from under the hood, and the hood itself starting to bubble from the heat. The car itself burst into flames at that point and my fiance had to back away from it immediately for fear that it would explode. The car had recently been inspected and was working perfectly fine except for a small coolant leak up until today, so we have no idea what caused such a sudden combustion. No one was hurt, thankfully, but it was only a matter of minutes before the car went from operating normally to being completely engulfed in flames, so he could very well have been hurt or worse. The fire dept and state police arrived and secured the area, which included blocking traffic completely on the highway for fear of an explosion, and put out the fire. The car was completely burned beyond recognition.
Vehicle was leaking water coolant and vehicle was at dealership. Mechanic replaced the engine and transmission twice.