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2004 Volkswagen Jetta

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Jetta years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta are substantially higher than the model-year median of 68.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

191 reports with mileage · 40 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 35 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports20 fire reports13 injury reports

Air Bags complaints

21 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2007
Air Bags

TWO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED (DRIVER'S SIDE, CURTAIN AND SEAT) ON MY 2004 VW JETTA W/35,000KM WHILE DRIVING AT 15KM/H, NO BODY DAMAGE, NO FLAT TIRE. VW WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS, SAID TO CALL INSURANCE, NOT A "SENSOR" ISSUE, CRASH DATA RECORDED OF COURSE SINCE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED - AND WHAT IS DISTURBING IS THAT THIS COULD EASILY HA…

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TWO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED (DRIVER'S SIDE, CURTAIN AND SEAT) ON MY 2004 VW JETTA W/35,000KM WHILE DRIVING AT 15KM/H, NO BODY DAMAGE, NO FLAT TIRE. VW WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS, SAID TO CALL INSURANCE, NOT A "SENSOR" ISSUE, CRASH DATA RECORDED OF COURSE SINCE THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED - AND WHAT IS DISTURBING IS THAT THIS COULD EASILY HAPPEN AGAIN IN A POT HOLE, FLAT TIRE, SPEED BUMP AND VW DOES NOT SEEM BE BOTHERED BY THAT FACT... BUT I SHOULD PAY FOR THIS OVER AND OVER AND/OR MAKE CLAIMS WITH MY INSURANCE... TOLD THEM THAT IF THEIR AIR BAGS WERE SO SENSITIVE, THEY SHOULD POST WARNINGS IN THE VEHICLE. VERY DISGUSTED WITH VW AND THE CAR IS STILL AT THE DEALERSHIP AND I AM SURE THEY ARE ANXIOUS TO HAVE IT REMOVED FROM THEIR LOT BECAUSE THEY KEEP CALLING TO SEE IF I CONTACTED MY INSURANCE... *NM

NHTSA ODI #10177817

46,920 miles · Dec 5, 2006
Air BagsSeat BeltsInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, PUSHING THE CONTACT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DAMAGING THE SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WELT ON THE LE…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 35 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAG AND THE REAR LEFT PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING, PUSHING THE CONTACT TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, AND DAMAGING THE SEAT BELT. A POLICE REPORT AND PHOTOS WERE TAKEN OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A WELT ON THE LEFT HIP FROM THE AIRBAG. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A RESIDENCE. THE SERVICE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER THE NEXT MORNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED.

NHTSA ODI #10175226

Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2006
Air BagsCrashFire

I WAS TRAVELING 0 MPH AND WAS HIT HEAD ON AT 60 MPH. I WAS DRIVING A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA AND THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169819

34,140 miles · Sep 28, 2006
Air Bags

WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT THEN MY RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AND RIGHT SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT AND WOULD NOT START ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT GETTING HIT AND NOTIFIED POLICE. WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I THOUGHT I WAS SHOT AT. …

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WHILE DRIVING TO WORK, MY LEFT FRONT TIRE WENT FLAT THEN MY RIGHT SIDE CURTAIN AND RIGHT SIDE SEAT AIR BAG DEPLOYED THUS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT AND WOULD NOT START ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO SAFELY PULL OFF TO THE SIDE WITHOUT GETTING HIT AND NOTIFIED POLICE. WHEN THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED, I THOUGHT I WAS SHOT AT. OTHER THAN A FLAT TIRE AND A SCRATCH ON MY RIM, THERE WAS NO UNDERCARRIAGE OR BODY DAMAGE. I TOOK IT TO MY DEALER IN PLEASANTVILLE, NY THINKING IT WOULD BE COVERED UNDER WARRANTY, SINCE IT IS A 2004 VW JETTA WITH APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES. THEY DID ABSOLUTELY NOTHING TO HELP ME WITH MY PROBLEM. AFTER 2 1/2 WEEKS AT THE DEALER, I WAS TOLD THAT VW WAS NOT AT FAULT AND THEY WERE NOT GOING TO REPAIR THE CAR UNDER WARRANTY. THEY SAID THEY FOUND CRASH DATA WHICH OF COURSE THEY ARE GOING TO FIND SINCE THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THEY SHOULD HAVE CHECKED THE SENSORS INSTEAD. THE REGIONAL COORDINATOR OF VW AMERICA CALLED ME TO LET ME KNOW THAT SINCE NOBODY WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT, THAT'S WHAT CAUSED THE AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I GUESS WE SHOULD ALL HAVE CRASH TEST DUMMIES SITTING IN OUR PASSENGER SEAT SO THAT THIS DOESN'T HAPPEN TO US. THE AMOUNT WOULD BE APPROXIMATELY $4,000 TO FIX. RIGHT NOW I HAVE IT AT AN AUTO BODY SHOP TO BE REPAIRED AND WILL SAVE THE PARTS. THIS IS A VERY EXPENSIVE FLAT AND I REALLY THINK I SHOULD BE REIMBURSED BY VW. THIS IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY NEED TO RECALL THE CARS. AFTER RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET (VWVORTEX.COM), THERE ARE MANY OTHER PEOPLE IN MY SIMILAR SITUATION - SOME GETTING REIMBURSED AND OTHERS NOT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10169544

30,000 miles · Aug 17, 2006
Air Bags

NO IMPACT, NO POT HOLES, NO SPEED BUMPS - DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD THE PASSENGER SIDE (ROOF & SEAT) AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO PASSENGERS WERE IN THE VEHICLE, DRIVER ONLY W/SEAT BELT - NO DRIVER SIDE OR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW DEALER FOUND NO DAMAGE; VW REGIONAL CLAIMS BLACK BOX SAYS "SIGNIFICANT IMPACT" THUS NO DEFECT, REPORT IT …

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NO IMPACT, NO POT HOLES, NO SPEED BUMPS - DRIVING ON A PAVED ROAD THE PASSENGER SIDE (ROOF & SEAT) AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. NO PASSENGERS WERE IN THE VEHICLE, DRIVER ONLY W/SEAT BELT - NO DRIVER SIDE OR FRONT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW DEALER FOUND NO DAMAGE; VW REGIONAL CLAIMS BLACK BOX SAYS "SIGNIFICANT IMPACT" THUS NO DEFECT, REPORT IT TO INSURANCE CO. . INSURANCE CO FINDS NO DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE, DENIES CLAIM. VW SAYS AIRBAGS DEPLOYED DUE TO PASSENGER NOT WEARING SEAT BELT (NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE); ALSO SAID NOT MANUFACTURED TO WITHSTAND POT HOLES OR SPEED BUMPS. INSURANCE CO SAYS AIRBAGS DEPLOY ONLY W/SEAT BELT FASTENED. EITHER WAY, THIS IS A DEFECT - AIR BAGS DEPLOYED W/NO ACCIDENT, NO PASSENGER; IF THERE WAS AN IMPACT, DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS VEHICLE IS STILL UNDER MANUFACTURER WARRANTY. NOBODY WILL PAY FOR THE DAMAGE THE AIRBAGS CREATED. I HAVE FOUND MANY COMPLAINTS - AIR BAGS DEPLOY IN VW JETTA'S WHILE DRIVING ON A ROADWAY, NO IMPACT, NO POT HOLES, NO SPEED BUMPS ... VW HAS A PROBLEM - THIS SHOULD BE A RE-CALL - MAKE THEM FIX IT! THANKS *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165707

Mileage unknown · Dec 21, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

THE CONSUMER SUSPECT A DEFECT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE THE HIGHEST IMPACT (1 OUT OF 14 SCALE) DAMAGE ON THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED FOR AN INSPECTION; THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT IT WAS NO MORE THAN A DESCRIPTION IN T…

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THE CONSUMER SUSPECT A DEFECT OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY DESPITE THE HIGHEST IMPACT (1 OUT OF 14 SCALE) DAMAGE ON THE FRONT. THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND REQUESTED FOR AN INSPECTION; THE MANUFACTURER EXPLAINED WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY BUT IT WAS NO MORE THAN A DESCRIPTION IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS FOR A THIRD-PARTY EXPERTS INSPECTION. 1) ACCIDENT NARRATIVE (BASED ON CITY OF WHEELING, WV, POLICE REPORT): THE VEHICLE (VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 2004) WAS ON THE FIRST LANE OF I-70 W. THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST A CONTROL AND WENT ONTO THE SECOND LANE AND WENT BACK ONTO THE FIRST LANE. THE VEHICLE HIT THE GUARD RAIL WITH THE FRONT LEAVING 25 FEET OF THE GUARD RAIL DAMAGED; THE VEHICLE BOUNCED OFF AND STRUCK A TRUCK TRAILER WITH THE RIGHT REAR END. 2) DESPITE THE SEVERE DAMAGE ON THE FRONT (THE CONSUMER HAS PHOTOS; THE FRONT IS ALMOST GONE), NONE OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED EXCEPT FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE CURTAIN. THE MANUFACTURER IS NOT WILLING TO SEND A TECHNICIAN TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER REQUESTS FOR A THIRD-PARTY EXPERTS INSPECTION. THE CONSUMER IS WILLING TO PROVIDE THE PHOTOS OF THE DAMAGED VEHICLE TO NHTSA FOR AN ANALYSIS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10145857

7,900 miles · Dec 7, 2005
Air BagsInjury

2004 VW JETTA GLI INVOLVED IN FRONTAL OFFSET COLLISION. CAR DECLARED TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. NONE OF THE SIX AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW HAS STATED THAT THE IMPACT DID NOT ENTER THE 60 DEGREE FIELD OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR. I WAS SIDESWIPED SENDING MY CAR INTO THE BACK OF A ROW OF PARKED CARS. I RECEIVED NECK, BACK AND WRIST …

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2004 VW JETTA GLI INVOLVED IN FRONTAL OFFSET COLLISION. CAR DECLARED TOTALED BY INSURANCE COMPANY. NONE OF THE SIX AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. VW HAS STATED THAT THE IMPACT DID NOT ENTER THE 60 DEGREE FIELD OF THE AIR BAG SENSOR. I WAS SIDESWIPED SENDING MY CAR INTO THE BACK OF A ROW OF PARKED CARS. I RECEIVED NECK, BACK AND WRIST INJURIES. THE CAR SHOULD STILL BE AVAILABLE AS I HAVE NOT RELEASED IT YET. I AM CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY EVEN WITH THE FRONT OF THE CAR DESTROYED AND THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT ROOF AND FLOOR BUCKLED. AT THE VERY LEAST, MY NECK INJURIES WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED IF EVEN JUST THE STEERING WHEEL AIR BAG HAD DEPLOYED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10144677

6,700 miles · Mar 16, 2005
Air BagsCrash

MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH HER 2004 VW JETTA. SHE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT ABOUT 15 MPH, CAUSING ABOUT $7000 OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE JETTA. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE JETTA HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER SQUARELY, AND PARTIALLY SLID UNDER THE CAR THAT WAS HIT. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISIO…

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MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH HER 2004 VW JETTA. SHE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT ABOUT 15 MPH, CAUSING ABOUT $7000 OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE JETTA. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE JETTA HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER SQUARELY, AND PARTIALLY SLID UNDER THE CAR THAT WAS HIT. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE OFFICER AT THE SCENE NOTED THAT ONLY THE ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THAT SITUATION NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A VW BODY SHOP, AND I REQUESTED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM BE CHECKED OUT COMPLETELY, SINCE ONLY THE PASSENGER BAG DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT IT WAS "NORMAL" FOR ONLY ONE AIRBAG TO BE ACTIVATED. I FOUND THIS EXPLANATION QUESTIONABLE, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT, SINCE I'M CONCERNED THAT ONLY ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIAL SERIOUS DEFECT SHOULD THE ACCIDENT HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE. THE LOCAL VW DEALER HAS SAID THAT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT, AND THAT WITH ALL THE VARIOUS SENSORS UTILIZED, ONLY ONE AIRBAG CAN DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS THIS. IS THIS CORRECT? THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10114167

Mileage unknown · Jan 31, 2005
Air BagsCrashInjury

WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAG AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERM…

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WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAG AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10109373

25,450 miles · Jan 18, 2005
Air BagsCrash

WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY AND I COULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH. THE COLLISION DID $10,000-14,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SERIOUS INJURY WAS ONLY AVOIDED DUE TO MY WEARING MY SEAT BELT. SUBSEQUENT NECK PAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS FOLLOWED, SCRATCHES ON MY NECK WER…

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WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY AND I COULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH. THE COLLISION DID $10,000-14,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SERIOUS INJURY WAS ONLY AVOIDED DUE TO MY WEARING MY SEAT BELT. SUBSEQUENT NECK PAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS FOLLOWED, SCRATCHES ON MY NECK WERE RECEIVED. THE CAR IS IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF EVALUATION/REPAIR BUT AGREEMENT IS THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. HAVE PICTURES OF CAR AND INTERIOR CABIN AND WILL KEEP ANY AND ALL PART NECESSARY. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10106590

Official recalls

2

07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch

Feb 20, 2007

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 & remedy

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.

04V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel

Dec 15, 2004

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 & remedy

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.