VehicleVerdict

2004 Volkswagen Passat problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 348 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 1.9 times the median Passat year — the 2004 model ranks #12 of 35 Passat years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 27 injuries in total across these filings.

No single system dominates the record — complaints spread across engine (80), fuel system (62), and transmission (38), which usually points to general build quality rather than one defect.

348

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

3

Investigations

12

Crash-involved

31

Fires reported

27

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2004 compare to other Passat years?

Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted1,026 complaints1988: 0 complaints1989: 0 complaints1990: 50 complaints1991: 30 complaints1992: 60 complaints1993: 90 complaints1994: 36 complaints1995: 142 complaints1996: 185 complaints1997: 105 complaints1998: 476 complaints1999: 854 complaints2000: 625 complaints2001: 558 complaints2002: 772 complaints2003: 823 complaints2004: 348 complaints2005: 172 complaints2006: 779 complaints2007: 341 complaints2008: 240 complaints2009: 211 complaints2010: 226 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 660 complaints2013: 1,026 complaints2014: 785 complaints2015: 388 complaints2016: 179 complaints2017: 173 complaints2018: 65 complaints2019: 18 complaints2020: 24 complaints2021: 28 complaints2022: 19 complaints
Passat NHTSA complaints by model year, 2004 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Passat years to avoid →

What are the most common 2004 Volkswagen Passat problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine8023%
Fuel System6218%
Transmission3811%
Seats3510%
Electrical System278%
Lighting195%
Brakes165%
Body & Structure165%
Visibility & Wipers134%
Other123%
Tires & Wheels82%
Airbags82%
Speed Control62%
Suspension21%
Steering21%
Child Seat10%
Latches & Locks10%
Climate Control (A/C & Heat)10%
Seat Belts10%

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

14E007000EngineMarch 7, 2014 · 50 units

Defect

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence

A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy

Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

08V156000Fuel SystemApril 7, 2008 · 412,000 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

Remedy

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.

07V063000LightingFebruary 20, 2007 · 1,002,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

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.

04V586000Fuel SystemDecember 15, 2004 · 19,284 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

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

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE ENGINE BEGAN TO SHUTTER. THE CONTACT SMELLED RUBBER BURNING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC. THE CAUSE OF FAILURE WAS DIAGNOSED AS A FAILED IGNITION COIL. THE VEHICLE WAS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · June 11, 2007 · fire

“THE PASSAT IGNITED IN OUR DRIVEWAY AT 4:00 A.M. IT HAD NOT BEEN STARTED/DRIVEN IN A WEEK. WE WOKE TO THE SOUND OF THE TIRE BURSTING. THERE IS A HOUSTON POLICE DEPARTMENT /ARSON CASE # [XXX] - PHONE # [XXX]. INSPECTOR [XXX]. HE SAID THE IGNITION AREA OF THE CAR WAS THE START OF THE FIRE. I THINK HE…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · May 7, 2014 · fire

“WHEN SLOWING DOWN AT TRAFFIC LIGHT CAR HESITATED AND THEN JERKED FOWARD, AS IF I HAD BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND. IT WAS ENOUGH TO MAKE MY BACK AND NECK SORE. I TOUCHED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL TO GIVE THE CAR SOME GAS AND THE ENGINE FREELY REVVED, EVEN THOUGHT THE TRANSMISSION INDICATED IT WAS IN 'DRIVE'.…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · September 28, 2004 · crash

“MY SEAT WARMER ON MY 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT 1.8 TURBO WAS TURNED TO A SETTING OF "2". AFTER JUST TWO MINUTES I SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING AND FELT A BURNING SENSATION ON MY LEG. I LOOKED DOWN AND THE SEAT WARMER HAD BURNT A TWO INCH WHOLE THROUGH MY CLOTH SEATS, AND BURNT MY JEANS AS WELL. IT ALSO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Seats · January 25, 2007 · fire

“ON AUGUST 22 ABOUT 2:45 I WAS RETURNING HOME FROM TAKING MY DAUGHTER TO WORK ABOUT3-MILES AWAY AND I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM MY CAR I GET OUT TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD AND I NOTICE FLAMES COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT END UNDER THE HOOD. I PANICKED GRABBED MY BELONGINGS AND CALLED 911 THE FIRE DEPT…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · August 22, 2009 · fire

2004 Volkswagen Passat — common questions

Is the 2004 Volkswagen Passat reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 348 complaints put the 2004 model at #12 of 35 Passat years. It is one of the Passat years to avoid.

What are the most common 2004 Passat problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (80 complaints), fuel system (62 complaints), transmission (38 complaints).

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2004 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Is the 2004 Volkswagen Passat under NHTSA investigation?

NHTSA opened 3 investigations into this model year; all are now closed.

Which Volkswagen Passat years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Passat years to avoid are 2013, 1999, 2003, 2014, 2006, 2002, 2012, 2000, 2001, 1998, 2015, 2004, 2007, 2010, 2011. The cleanest record among Passat 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.