2004 Volkswagen Golf Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Golf years
- Fewer complaints than other years 16th of 29 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 2 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volkswagen Golf. That ranks 16th out of 29 Golf model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is electrical system (4 complaints, 14%), typically at around 17,528 miles. Complaints mention 3 crashes, 1 fire. There are 2 safety recalls covering this model year.
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- 28owner complaints
- 2safety recalls
- 0NHTSA investigations
- 3complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Volkswagen Golf problems
Complaints grouped by the part of the car owners reported, with the median mileage when the problem happened.
| Problem area | Complaints | Share | Median miles | Owners mention most | Typical repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 | 14% | 17,528 | — | — |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 4 | 14% | 899 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 3 | 11% | 53,000 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 3 | 11% | 139,480 | — | — |
| Power Train | 3 | 11% | 71,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 | 7% | 70,617 | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 7% | 38,415 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 2 | 7% | 2,399 | — | — |
| Equipment | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 1 | 4% | 32,256 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 1 | 4% | 147,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 4% | 68,621 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 4% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 1 | 4% | 7,910 | — | — |
| Structure | 1 | 4% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Tires | 1 | 4% | 3,400 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 1 | 4% | 75,192 | — | — |
| Visibility | 1 | 4% | 35,000 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Volkswagen Golf recalls (2)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch
Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.
Fix: Dealers will install the newly designed brake light switch free of charge. The recall began on april 27, 2007, and will be conducted in several staggered mailings through september 21, 2007. Vehicles within the make, model, and model year of this population may be involved in either this recall or 06v-183, but not both. The remedy is the same for each recall. Volkswagen dealers will apply the remedy based on the vin number of the vehicle. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, diesel
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles, the high pressure diesel pumps were produced with an improper fastener, which could allow diesel fuel to escape from the pump.
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
To see whether a specific car still has an open recall, enter its VIN on NHTSA's official recall lookup. You can also decode a VIN here.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
Car will shut off while driving around town or cruising on the highway (very dangerous) once fuel tank drops to 1/4 tank. I believe it to be faulty fuel pump design.
I started smelling fuel inside my car, and i replaced the gas cap. The smell kept getting stronger and it gave me headaches while driving. Today i opened up the back seat to expose the fuel pump and the pump leaks and from the top of the fuel pump where the connectors and it fills up with liquid…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that gasoline fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the…
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen golf. The contact was traveling 50 mph when unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed that the wiring for the fuse box needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted…
I noticed a strong smell of diesel fuel while driving my car. Next i noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I took my car to autohaus in royal oak, mi where they diagnosed the problem as a leak in the return fuel line. *tr
Other Volkswagen Golf years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 Golf | 11 | 0 |
| 2022 Golf | 81 | 0 |
| 2021 Golf | 7 | 1 |
| 2020 Golf | 6 | 2 |
| 2019 Golf | 63 | 6 |
| 2018 Golf | 29 | 6 |
| 2017 Golf | 117 | 5 |
| 2016 Golf | 85 | 9 |
| 2015 Golf | 131 | 12 |
| 2014 Golf | 12 | 5 |
| 2013 Golf | 43 | 5 |
| 2012 Golf | 48 | 6 |
| 2011 Golf | 110 | 6 |
| 2010 Golf | 69 | 4 |
| 2009 Golf | 3 | 0 |
| 2008 Golf | 1 | 0 |
| 2007 Golf | 2 | 0 |
| 2006 Golf | 12 | 1 |
| 2005 Golf | 19 | 2 |
| 2004 | 28 | 2 |
| 2003 Golf | 26 | 2 |
| 2002 Golf | 74 | 3 |
| 2001 Golf | 116 | 5 |
| 2000 Golf | 88 | 5 |
| 1999 Golf | 64 | 4 |
| 1998 Golf | 18 | 1 |
| 1997 Golf | 7 | 0 |
| 1996 Golf | 3 | 1 |
| 1995 Golf | 43 | 4 |
See all Volkswagen Golf problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Golf?
Owners most often report electrical system, engine and engine cooling, air bags problems. The top one, electrical system, accounts for 4 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Volkswagen Golf?
Yes, 2 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Volkswagen Golf a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Golf model years, the 2004 has fewer complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.