VehicleVerdict

2004 Volkswagen Passat engine problems

The 2004 Volkswagen Passat has 80 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 23% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

80

Engine complaints

23%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

1

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Passat engine complaints by model year156 complaints1990: 13 complaints1991: 6 complaints1992: 18 complaints1993: 20 complaints1994: 10 complaints1995: 21 complaints1996: 12 complaints1997: 14 complaints1998: 46 complaints1999: 92 complaints2000: 109 complaints2001: 100 complaints2002: 150 complaints2003: 156 complaints2004: 80 complaints2005: 63 complaints2006: 131 complaints2007: 60 complaints2008: 53 complaints2009: 64 complaints2010: 41 complaints2011: 6 complaints2012: 44 complaints2013: 109 complaints2014: 81 complaints2015: 55 complaints2016: 19 complaints2017: 7 complaints2018: 11 complaints2019: 2 complaints2020: 5 complaints2021: 2 complaints2022: 3 complaints
Passat engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

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.

What owners report

“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

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have?

NHTSA has 80 complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat engine — 23% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 14E007000.

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.