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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

What owners actually said

231 reports
70,000 miles · May 12, 2010
Fuel System, DieselFire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. THE POLICE AND FIRE DEPARTMENT WERE CALLED TO THE SCENE WHERE THE FIRE WAS EXTINGUISHED AND A FIRE REPORT WAS FILED ACCORDINGLY. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE AND WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT INQUIRED ABOUT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL) HOWEVER, THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THEY HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF THE RECALL. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10330125

60,000 miles · May 6, 2010
Exterior Lighting

MY CAR'S SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS PERIODICALLY LEADING TO THE SIGNAL LIGHT BECOMING STUCK IN A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN POSITION BLINKING AT A FAST SPEED. THIS IS OCCURRING ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. AS A CONSEQUENCE I HAVE TO MAKE UNSAFE LANE CHANGES (EG. WHEN CHANGING INTO R LANE THE SIGNAL LIGHT BE STUCK IN T…

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MY CAR'S SIGNAL LIGHT SWITCH MALFUNCTIONS PERIODICALLY LEADING TO THE SIGNAL LIGHT BECOMING STUCK IN A LEFT OR RIGHT HAND TURN POSITION BLINKING AT A FAST SPEED. THIS IS OCCURRING ABOUT 25% OF THE TIME WHILE DRIVING. AS A CONSEQUENCE I HAVE TO MAKE UNSAFE LANE CHANGES (EG. WHEN CHANGING INTO R LANE THE SIGNAL LIGHT BE STUCK IN THE LEFT HAND BLINKING SEQUENCES FROM THE PREVIOUS LEFT TURN). TO CORRECT THE FAILURE THE SIGNAL LIGHT ARM HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329213

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 14, 2010
Structure

CAR IS FLOODED AFTER A RAIN; HAD SUNROOF DRAINS CLEANED BY MECHANIC @ $245; DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM; RUGS SMELL OF MILDEW CAUSING RESPIRATORY DISTRESS. THE LAST CONSIDERABLE RAIN STORM WE HAD PRODUCED MEASURABLE WATER BUILDUP. HAD TO USE WET VAC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325679

92,000 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Suspension

I HIT A POT HOLE WITH MY 2004 VW JETTA TDI (I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT). WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER I HEARD A "POPPING" SOUND. DROVE IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC. THE CLOSET VW DEALER IS 70 MILES AWAY. THE SPRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT A…

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I HIT A POT HOLE WITH MY 2004 VW JETTA TDI (I BOUGHT THIS CAR BRAND NEW AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT). WHEN I TURNED THE CORNER I HEARD A "POPPING" SOUND. DROVE IT TO A NEARBY MECHANIC. THE CLOSET VW DEALER IS 70 MILES AWAY. THE SPRING ON THE DRIVER SIDE WAS BROKEN. THE MECHANIC SAID THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURES DEFECT AS HE HAS NEVER SEEN A SPRING BREAK LIKE THAT. THERE WAS EROSION IN THE SPRING. I STILL HAVE THE SPRING. REPLACED AT $347. CONTACTED THE VW DEALERSHIP. THEY FIRST TRIED TO BRUSH ME OFF SAYING THEY DIDN'T SEE THE POT HOLE ETC. EVENTUALLY THEY GAVE ME THE VW HEADOFFICE PHONE #. BRUSHED OFF THERE TOO AS IT'S OUT OF WARRANTY. IT'S NOT THE WARRANTY. IT'S A FAULTY SPRING THAT WAS PLACED IN MY CAR. IT ALSO RUINED THE SHOCK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10318578

75,000 miles · Jan 8, 2010
Seat Belts

1. SEAT BELT BECOMES DIFFICULT TO PULL AND LOCK. THEN FAILS. 2. BACK SEAT, CENTER POSITION SEAT, BELT TENSIONER UNIT FAILS, CANNOT PULL AND FASTEN SEAT BELT. 3. REMOVE SEAT, REPLACE BELT TENSIONER UNIT. OLD PART AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298756

108,000 miles · Dec 8, 2009
Electrical SystemFire

ELECTRICAL FIRE IN IGNITION HARNESS MELTED HARNESS (INCLUDING COILS) WHICH RESULTED IN STALL-OUT. IGNITION FUSE TO COMPUTER WAS DISABLED PREVENTING RE-START OF AUTOMOBILE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295027

Mileage unknown · Oct 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI, WHICH I GARAGE AT MY CONDOMINIUM. IN MARCH 2006, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ISSUED A RECALL OF VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI 2003 CARS WITH 1.8L TURBO ENGINES DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMPS. I RAISE THE POSSIBILITY OF MY CAR BEING INVOLVED IN THE MANUFA…

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I AM THE OWNER OF A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA GLI, WHICH I GARAGE AT MY CONDOMINIUM. IN MARCH 2006, THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION ISSUED A RECALL OF VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI 2003 CARS WITH 1.8L TURBO ENGINES DUE TO ELECTRICAL FAILURE OF THE FUEL PUMPS. I RAISE THE POSSIBILITY OF MY CAR BEING INVOLVED IN THE MANUFACTURING MALFUNCTION, BUT NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. 07/17/2009: CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGEN AUTOBARN OF EVANSTON. COSTS: $74.15. 07/25/2009: INFORMED THAT THE CAR REQUIRED A NEW BATTERY AND FUEL PUMP. PARTS & LABOR COSTS: $905.85. AFTER PAYING FOR THE REPAIRS AND WAITING FOR DELIVERY, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. 07/27/2009: RETRIEVED THE CAR AFTER VW AUTOBARN SERVICE INSTALLS A SECOND FUEL PUMP, DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE PREVIOUS PART. I DROVE THE CAR HOME AND PARKED UNDERGROUND. 07/28/2009: I DROVE TO THE FAA REGIONAL OFFICE IN DES PLAINES, IL. AT APPROXIMATELY 18:30, I ATTEMPTED TO LEAVE HOWEVER, THE CAR DID NOT START IN THE SAME FASHION THAT LED TO THE INITIAL REPAIR. THE CAR IS TOWED BACK TO VOLKSWAGEN. 08/17/2009: INFORMED BY THE VW AUTOBARN SERVICE MANAGER THAT THEY HAVE GONE TO EXTRAORDINARY EFFORTS TO REPAIR THE CAR: DRIVEN THE CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS INCLUDING TAKING IT HOME OVERNIGHT; COMMUNICATED WITH THE GERMAN SERVICE OFFICE TO PURSUE OTHER POSSIBLE CAUSES FOR FUEL PUMP FAILURES. COSTS FOR TOWING, FUSES, RELAY SWITCHES, LEADS, CONNECTORS AND TECHNICIAN LABOR: $574.11. AFTER PAYING FOR THE ABOVE REPAIRS, AGAIN, THE CAR WOULD NOT START. 08/28/2009: INFORMED THE FUEL IN THE CAR CONTAINED 40% ALCOHOL AND IS THE CAUSE OF FAILURE OF THE THREE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMPS. MOREOVER, I WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR VOIDING THE WARRANTY OF THE PREVIOUS FUEL PUMPS AND NOW FINANCIALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR $1400 IN NEW CHARGES, INCLUDING THE COST OF A FOURTH FUEL PUMP. I LAST PURCHASED 12.63 GALLONS PREMIUM FUEL ON JUNE 26 WITHOUT ISSUE UNTIL JULY 17. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288877

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

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.