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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.

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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

37 reports
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84,000 miles · Jul 4, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER AND SHAKE LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. SHORTLY AFTER I HAD AN EPC LIGHT THAT WOULD FLASH ON EVERY TIME I GOT UP TO SPEED AND IT WOULD START THE STUTTERING SOUND AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL COSTLY TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A COOLANT MIGRATION PROBLEM. WHERE A DEFECTIVE PART THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT LE…

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CAR BEGAN TO STUTTER AND SHAKE LIKE IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS. SHORTLY AFTER I HAD AN EPC LIGHT THAT WOULD FLASH ON EVERY TIME I GOT UP TO SPEED AND IT WOULD START THE STUTTERING SOUND AGAIN. AFTER SEVERAL COSTLY TRIPS TO DEALERSHIP THEY DISCOVERED IT WAS A COOLANT MIGRATION PROBLEM. WHERE A DEFECTIVE PART THAT VW KNOWS ABOUT LEAKS COOLANT IN TO THE WIRE HARNESS. COOLANT CAN MIGRATE THROUGHOUT ALL ELECTRICAL ROUTES THROUGHOUT THE CAR. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE 1998 AND VW WILL NOT DO A RECALL OR REIMBURSE FOR THE WORK. IF YOU HAVE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS WITH YOUR VW THIS IS MOST LIKELY THE CAUSE. WE HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH TAILLIGHTS BLOWING VERY FREQUENTLY. THIS CAN BE A CAUSE OF COOLANT MIGRATING THROUGH THE WIRES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341395

72,879 miles · Jun 7, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. THE PARTS COSTS OVER $200.00. FAI…

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VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. THE PARTS COSTS OVER $200.00. FAIRLY EASY TO REPLACE BUT THE PLASTIC PARTS COULD ALSO BREAK LOOSE AND GET PUMPED THROUGH THE ENGINE AND TURBO AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335151

Mileage unknown · Apr 29, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CARTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SITUATION INVOLVING HIS VW JETTA RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT (DOT/I # 2010-2106) *TGW ON JANUARY 18, 2010 THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A RECALL RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. …

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LETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CARTER ON BEHALF OF CONSTITUENT REGARDING A SITUATION INVOLVING HIS VW JETTA RECALL ANNOUNCEMENT (DOT/I # 2010-2106) *TGW ON JANUARY 18, 2010 THE CONSUMER TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO THE DEALER BECAUSE OF A RECALL RECEIVED, HOWEVER THE DEALER STATED NOTHING COULD BE DONE SINCE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS NOT ON. SIX DAYS LATER, THE ENGINE FAILED WHILE THE CONSUMER WAS MORE THAN 450 MILES AWAY FROM HOME. THE CONSUMER HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO REPAIR SHOP AND THE SERVICE WAS COMPLETED. THE CONSUMER THEN SUBMITTED A CLAIM FOR REIMBURSEMENT ONCE HE RETURNED HOME, BUT TO DATE HAS NOT RECEIVED A RESPONSE FROM VW. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10328528

49,000 miles · Sep 19, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

VOLKSWAGEN JETTA (ALL VW) HAVE PLASTIC IMPELLER WATER PUMP THAT BREAKS, CAUSING RAPID OVERHEATING AND POSSIBLE ENGINE SEIZURE. ENGINE SEIZURE MAY RESULT IN REAR END COLLISION. VOLKSWAGEN KNOWS OF THIS PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO RECALL THE VEHICLES. NEW WATER PUMP IS REQUIRED TO REPAIR THE CONDITION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284588

150,000 miles · Sep 18, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

1. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE VOLKSWAGEN M6 RECALL. OR DEFECTIVE PART ON A VOLKSWAGEN TDI 2004, OR FAULTY DESIGN. 2. THE LOWER EGR COOLER PIPE #038131521CC. THIS PIPE CRACKS CAUSING IMPROPER EMISSIONS AND EXHAUST GASES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEXT TO THE CABIN AIR FILTER INTAKE. POISON GASES IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. …

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1. IMPROPER INSTALLATION OF THE VOLKSWAGEN M6 RECALL. OR DEFECTIVE PART ON A VOLKSWAGEN TDI 2004, OR FAULTY DESIGN. 2. THE LOWER EGR COOLER PIPE #038131521CC. THIS PIPE CRACKS CAUSING IMPROPER EMISSIONS AND EXHAUST GASES INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT NEXT TO THE CABIN AIR FILTER INTAKE. POISON GASES IN THE VEHICLE INTERIOR. 3. REPLACED 3 CRACKED PARTS IN 1 YEAR. VOLKSWAGEN CLAIMS THERE IS NO PROBLEM AND WILL NOT LOOK INTO THE MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284551

85,000 miles · Aug 12, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2001 VW JETTA. WHEN IT GETS HOT OUTSIDE (SOMETIMES) THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THEN REGAINS IT. ALSO WHEN IT STARTS ACTING UP IF U STOP THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND U GAVE TO RESTART IT. I HAVE TOOK THE CARE TO VW THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS (THROTTLE BODY, DWN FLOW 02 SENSOR, C…

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I HAVE A 2001 VW JETTA. WHEN IT GETS HOT OUTSIDE (SOMETIMES) THE VEHICLE LOSES POWER WHILE DRIVING THEN REGAINS IT. ALSO WHEN IT STARTS ACTING UP IF U STOP THE CAR WILL SHUT OFF AND U GAVE TO RESTART IT. I HAVE TOOK THE CARE TO VW THEY DON'T KNOW WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. REPLACED SEVERAL PARTS (THROTTLE BODY, DWN FLOW 02 SENSOR, COIL PACK PLUGS, CATALYTIC CONVERTER) STILL DON'T KNOW. THE ONLY THING THE COMPUTER IS SHOWING IS COOLING SYSTEM PERFORMANCE. ONE VW DEALER SAID THERE WAS A WIRING PROBLEM THAT SOMETIMES CAUSES SIMILAR PROBLEMS. IF THIS IS THE CASE WHY IS IT NOT A RECALL SINCE THE WIRING IS FROM DEALER. THE INSIDE TEMP ON THE CARE NEVER RUNS HOT OR THE RADIATOR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280199

148,000 miles · Jan 5, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DIESEL, WHICH HAS THE PD TYPE ENGINE. THIS PD DESIGN HAS A WELL-KNOWN DEFECT; SPECIFICALLY, AN EXTRA LOAD IS PLACED ON THE CAMSHAFT BECAUSE IT DRIVES THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AS OPPOSED TO PREVIOUS VW TDI MODELS IN WHICH AN EXTERNAL ROTARY PUMP DROVE THE FUEL INJECTORS. BECAUSE OF THIS DEFE…

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I HAVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI DIESEL, WHICH HAS THE PD TYPE ENGINE. THIS PD DESIGN HAS A WELL-KNOWN DEFECT; SPECIFICALLY, AN EXTRA LOAD IS PLACED ON THE CAMSHAFT BECAUSE IT DRIVES THE FUEL INJECTION SYSTEM, AS OPPOSED TO PREVIOUS VW TDI MODELS IN WHICH AN EXTERNAL ROTARY PUMP DROVE THE FUEL INJECTORS. BECAUSE OF THIS DEFECT, VW INSTITUTED A SPECIAL OIL REQUIREMENT FOR THIS CAR TO SATISFY THE ADDITIONAL LUBRICATION DEMANDS OF THIS DESIGN. INITIALLY THAT OIL SPECIFICATION WAS VW 505.01; MOST RECENTLY IT HAS BEEN CHANGED TO VW 507 OR CASTROL OE PROFESSIONAL 5W/30. I BOUGHT THIS CAR USED WITH 80,000 MILES ON IT IN JULY, 2006, AND HAVE ALWAYS HAD MY OIL CHANGES DONE AT VW DEALERSHIPS: ONE IN MERRILLVILLE, IN AND ONE IN BENSENVILLE, IL. ON ALL BUT ONE OCCASION, BOTH DEALERSHIPS DOCUMENTED THE USE OF VW 505.01 COMPLIANT OIL IN MY CAR. ON THE ONE OCCASION IN WHICH VW 505.01 OIL WAS NOT USED, THE DEALER IN BENSENVILLE, IL PUT A GENERIC OIL IN MY CAR THAT HAD NO IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS, OTHER THAN ITS DRAMATICALLY LOWER PRICE PER QUART. I DID NOT NOTICE THIS AT THE TIME, BECAUSE AT THIS FEBRUARY 23, 2008 SERVICE THE DEALER HAD ALSO POINTED OUT THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED, SO I DID NOT HAVE A LOWER SERVICE COST TO ALERT ME; THIS SERVICE COST FAR MORE THAN USUAL AND I DID NOT REALIZE AT THE TIME THAT I COULD TELL EXACTLY WHAT OIL THEY WERE PUTTING IN MY CAR FROM THE PART NUMBER ON MY INVOICE; I THOUGHT THAT PART NUMBER CORRESPONDED TO THE OIL CHANGE SERVICE ITSELF. ON AUGUST 8, 2008, I HAD A CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE OF THE SORT THE VW SERVICE MANUAL WARNS ABOUT IF THE WRONG OIL IS USED, "...EVEN IF ONLY A SMALL AMOUNT OF INCORRECT OIL IS ADDED TO THE CORRECT OIL TO TOP OFF THE LEVEL." I DID NOT HAVE AN ACCIDENT, AND THERE WERE NO OTHER CARS AROUND ME WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, BUT I INCURRED ABOUT $8,000 OF REPAIR COSTS DUE TO DAMAGE TO MY CAMSHAFT, VALVE LIFTERS, TOTAL EGR-INTAKE SYSTEM AND TURBOCHARGER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253809

70,000 miles · Nov 18, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipment

VWOA HAD A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE EGR COOLER SYSTEM ON 2004 AND 2005 VW TDI'S. SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER EGR FLEX PIPE IS KNOWN TO CRACK ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN WHICH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS PERFORMED. WHEN THE EGR PIPE CRACKS, DIESEL EXHAUST IS SUCKED INTO THE CABIN WHEN THE HEATER FAN IS OPERATED CAUSING …

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VWOA HAD A RECALL CAMPAIGN FOR THE EGR COOLER SYSTEM ON 2004 AND 2005 VW TDI'S. SUBSEQUENT TO THE RECALL CAMPAIGN, THE LOWER EGR FLEX PIPE IS KNOWN TO CRACK ON NUMEROUS VEHICLES IN WHICH THE RECALL CAMPAIGN WAS PERFORMED. WHEN THE EGR PIPE CRACKS, DIESEL EXHAUST IS SUCKED INTO THE CABIN WHEN THE HEATER FAN IS OPERATED CAUSING DISCOMFORT AND LIGHT HEADED FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. VWOA HAS REFUSED TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM AND OFFERS NO SOLUTION TO THE VEHICLE OWNER OR A FIX. NOT ONLY IS IT AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR, BUT IT CAN ALSO BE CAUSING MEDICAL PROBLEMS FOR THE DRIVER AND OCCUPANTS. MY EGR PIPE WAS CRACKED FOR 2-4 MONTHS BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT WAS HAPPENING. IT MAY HAVE BEEN CRACKED LONGER WITH OUT MY KNOWLEDGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10249159

50,000 miles · Jul 9, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD AN EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RECALL, SPECIFICALLY REGARDING THE EGR COOLER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK COOLANT SO HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRST REPAIR WAS NOT PERFO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HAD AN EMISSIONS CONTROL DEVICE REPLACED BECAUSE OF A RECALL, SPECIFICALLY REGARDING THE EGR COOLER IN SEPTEMBER OF 2006. THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO LEAK COOLANT SO HE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DIFFERENT DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FIRST REPAIR WAS NOT PERFORMED CORRECTLY AND WAS DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE RECALL NUMBER WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 77,866 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233644

52,000 miles · Mar 14, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingLatches/locks/linkagesPower Train

CLUTCH FAILED AT 52K MILES, WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, MECHANIC DEEMED IT A FAULTY PART, VW SAID IT ONLY COVERED MANUFACTURER DEFECTS UP TO 50K MILES, PAID $1500 TO REPLACE CLUTCH. TRUNK POPS OPEN RANDOMLY AND LATCH MAKES CLICKING NOISES. AIR COOLING SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, MY CAR IS …

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CLUTCH FAILED AT 52K MILES, WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANT DUE TO WEAR AND TEAR, MECHANIC DEEMED IT A FAULTY PART, VW SAID IT ONLY COVERED MANUFACTURER DEFECTS UP TO 50K MILES, PAID $1500 TO REPLACE CLUTCH. TRUNK POPS OPEN RANDOMLY AND LATCH MAKES CLICKING NOISES. AIR COOLING SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, MY CAR IS READING A RUNNING TEMP OF -54 WHEN IT SHOULD BE 160. CAR STALLS IF I TURN IT OFF AFTER DRIVING MORE THAN A FEW MILES THEN DOESN'T TURN OVER IF THE ENGINE CUTS OFF. BLACK SMOKE POURS OUT OF TAILPIPE AND IT BURNS DOUBLE THE GAS IT SHOULD. LUCKILY THEY EXTENDED THE FACTORY WARRANTY ON THE SENSOR LAST WEEK AND IT CAN BE FIXED FOR FREE AT A VW DEALERSHIP ONLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10221165

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.