2004 Volkswagen Passat Problems, Complaints & Recalls
- Compared with other Passat years
- More complaints than other years 11th of 28 for complaints
- Safety recalls
- 3 recalls: check your VIN
- NHTSA crash rating
- Not rated
Owners have filed 279 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat. That ranks 11th out of 28 Passat model years for complaints. The most reported problem area is engine and engine cooling (59 complaints, 21%), typically at around 75,000 miles. Complaints mention 9 crashes, 25 fires, 23 injuries. There are 3 safety recalls covering this model year. NHTSA has opened 3 defect investigations involving it.
- 279owner complaints
- 3safety recalls
- 3NHTSA investigations
- 9complaints mentioning a crash
Complaints are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for sales volume.
Most common 2004 Volkswagen Passat 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine and Engine Cooling problems | 59 | 21% | 75,000 | “oil sludge” (22%) | $4,300 |
| Power Train | 38 | 14% | 34,240 | — | — |
| Seats | 34 | 12% | 78,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 28 | 10% | 88,500 | — | — |
| Electrical System | 23 | 8% | 55,999 | — | — |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 22 | 8% | 130,000 | — | — |
| Engine | 18 | 6% | 117,000 | — | — |
| Exterior Lighting | 16 | 6% | 28,000 | — | — |
| Structure | 16 | 6% | 75,001 | — | — |
| Visibility | 13 | 5% | 68,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 11 | 4% | 22,000 | — | — |
| Air Bags | 8 | 3% | 29,740 | — | — |
| Unknown or Other | 8 | 3% | 74,675 | — | — |
| Tires | 7 | 3% | 12,500 | — | — |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 6 | 2% | 2,500 | — | — |
| Equipment | 5 | 2% | 54,780 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 4 | 1% | 89,000 | — | — |
| Fuel System, Other | 4 | 1% | 24,000 | — | — |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | 1% | 67,025 | — | — |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 2 | 1% | 133,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes | 2 | 1% | 178,000 | — | — |
| Steering | 2 | 1% | 96,000 | — | — |
| Suspension | 2 | 1% | 76,000 | — | — |
| Child Seat | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0% | 120,000 | — | — |
| Seat Belts | 1 | 0% | 85,000 | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Air | 1 | 0% | — | — | — |
| Service Brakes, Electric | 1 | 0% | 117,500 | — | — |
One complaint can list several problem areas, so shares can add up to more than 100%.
Complaints by year received
2004 Volkswagen Passat recalls (3)
Tap a recall to see the problem, the risk and the fix.
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery
Problem: Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
Risk: A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
Fix: Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
- Engine Compartment Fire (EA11002) — opened Jan 26, 2011, closed Feb 17, 2012.
- Fuel tank leak (PE08008) — opened Jan 31, 2008, closed May 30, 2008, led to recall 08V156000.
- Passenger engine compartment fires (EA07014) — opened Sep 28, 2007, closed Jul 7, 2008, led to recall 08V156000.
Recent owner reports
Short excerpts of the latest complaints filed with NHTSA, with personal details removed. Full reports can be searched on NHTSA.gov.
A fuel leak has developed from the top side of the fuel tank on the drivers side of me vehicle. A fuel leak in this manner is a serious critical and immediate safety risk. Recall 08V156000 was 'performed' on my vehicle back in 2008 but the exact same fuel system safety defect has returned. VW…
There was a recall reported by the manufacturer, Volkswagenm in 2008. There were multiple Fuel System issues: A Heat Shield that may contact the exhaust system and result in a vehicle fire; a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead…
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that there was gasoline leaking in his driveway where the vehicle was parked, after he had refueled the vehicle the day before. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic informed the contact that it was a known…
When you fill up the fuel tank it leaks it leaks a quarter of a tank of fuel roughly 4 to 5 gallons of fuel drip out there's a factory recall on this issue i took it to the volkswagen dealer paid money to have them inspect it and they said yes it's leaking at the factory recall i've had an…
A coil for heated seats has melted a hole in the driver's side seat. This caused pain and confusion while driving on the highway. The seat now has an ugly melted hole in it.
Other Volkswagen Passat years
| Year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Passat | 13 | 0 |
| 2021 Passat | 18 | 1 |
| 2020 Passat | 18 | 3 |
| 2019 Passat | 12 | 1 |
| 2018 Passat | 46 | 4 |
| 2017 Passat | 110 | 7 |
| 2016 Passat | 106 | 5 |
| 2015 Passat | 243 | 7 |
| 2014 Passat | 594 | 10 |
| 2013 Passat | 748 | 9 |
| 2012 Passat | 484 | 11 |
| 2011 Passat | 16 | 0 |
| 2010 Passat | 163 | 4 |
| 2009 Passat | 146 | 4 |
| 2008 Passat | 168 | 4 |
| 2007 Passat | 262 | 7 |
| 2006 Passat | 576 | 7 |
| 2005 Passat | 148 | 3 |
| 2004 | 279 | 3 |
| 2003 Passat | 628 | 6 |
| 2002 Passat | 636 | 3 |
| 2001 Passat | 430 | 3 |
| 2000 Passat | 507 | 3 |
| 1999 Passat | 664 | 5 |
| 1998 Passat | 331 | 4 |
| 1997 Passat | 37 | 0 |
| 1996 Passat | 40 | 1 |
| 1995 Passat | 93 | 1 |
See all Volkswagen Passat problems by year, every Volkswagen model, or the Volkswagen VIN decoder.
Similar Volkswagen models
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Frequently asked questions
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Passat?
Owners most often report engine and engine cooling, power train, seats problems. The top one, engine and engine cooling, accounts for 59 complaints.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat?
Yes, 3 safety recalls. Enter your VIN at NHTSA.gov to check whether the repairs were done on your car.
Was the 2004 Volkswagen Passat a good year?
Complaint data can't fully answer that, because counts aren't adjusted for sales. Compared with other Passat model years, the 2004 has more complaints than most years. Always get a pre-purchase inspection and check the VIN for open recalls.