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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
22,000 miles · Aug 31, 2007
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT LIFT BACK UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE CLUTCH. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CLUTCH PEDAL EXTENDED TO THE FLOOR AND WOULD NOT LIFT BACK UP. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY EXCESSIVE WEAR TO THE CLUTCH. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 22,000.

NHTSA ODI #10201592

Mileage unknown · Aug 26, 2007
Tires

THE COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE TIRES OF THE JETTA VW THAT WE PURCHASED IN 2004/2005 MODEL. THE TIRE THAT FALLS UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE AT THE TOP CONTINUES TO LOOSE WEIGHT CONSIDERABLY COMPARED TO THE OTHER TIRES. IT IS NOT THAT SPECIFIC TIRE, BECAUSE I HAVE ROTATED ALL FOUR TIRES AND IT HAPPENS TO ALL TIRES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENI…

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THE COMPLAINT IS REGARDING THE TIRES OF THE JETTA VW THAT WE PURCHASED IN 2004/2005 MODEL. THE TIRE THAT FALLS UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE AT THE TOP CONTINUES TO LOOSE WEIGHT CONSIDERABLY COMPARED TO THE OTHER TIRES. IT IS NOT THAT SPECIFIC TIRE, BECAUSE I HAVE ROTATED ALL FOUR TIRES AND IT HAPPENS TO ALL TIRES. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT SIX MONTHS NOW. I CALLED THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID ITS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10200803

21,517 miles · Jul 19, 2007
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE PARKED VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MIL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A PARKED VEHICLE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES OR POLICE REPORT. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUMPER OF THE PARKED VEHICLE. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 21,517. THE CONSUMER LISTED NAMES OF POSSIBLE REPAIR SHOPS. UPDATED 08/07/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10196879

54,000 miles · Jun 26, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND COOLANT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS ENGINE OIL SL…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE AND COOLANT LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT HEARD A SCRAPING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. SHE PULLED OVER AND THE ENGINE LOST POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE CAUSE OF FAILURE AS ENGINE OIL SLUDGE AND STATED THAT THE ENGINE WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 54,000.

NHTSA ODI #10194266

19,000 miles · May 28, 2007
Electrical System

FUSES TO THE HEADLIGHTS MELTED TO THE FUSE PANEL,CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS AND DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS NOT TO FUNCTION PROPERLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10191854

23,000 miles · May 23, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. CONSUMER STATES WHEN DRIVING IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC THE ENGINE WILL HAVE LOSS OF POWER AND HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING. *MC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10193184

Mileage unknown · May 15, 2007
Structure

COMPONENT: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS METAL PROTECTOR STRIP (MOLDING) ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME UNGLUED. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE STRIP SCRAPED THE FRONT DOOR, DAMAGING PAINT ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, AND THE STRIP BECAME BENT. THE METAL STRIP ON THE OTHER REAR DOOR ALSO BECAME UNGLUED, BUT FORTUNAT…

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COMPONENT: STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR:HINGE AND ATTACHMENTS METAL PROTECTOR STRIP (MOLDING) ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME UNGLUED. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE STRIP SCRAPED THE FRONT DOOR, DAMAGING PAINT ON FRONT PASSENGER DOOR, AND THE STRIP BECAME BENT. THE METAL STRIP ON THE OTHER REAR DOOR ALSO BECAME UNGLUED, BUT FORTUNATELY IT OCCURRED AT THE REAR END, THEREFORE HAS NOT SCRAPED THE FRONT DOOR. VOLKSWAGEN DEALER REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, CLAIMING THAT THE STRIP BECAME UNGLUED DUE TO "OUTSIDE INFLUENCES, SUCH AS WASHING THE CAR. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190796

30,000 miles · May 7, 2007
Power Train

MY GIRLFRIEND PURCHASED A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T IN 2005, NEW OVERSTOCKS FROM THE LOT. SHE JUST HIT 30000 MILES ,AND THE CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HOME ONE EVENING. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO FIND THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON DRIVER'S ERROR . THE DEALER WANTED $1900.00…

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MY GIRLFRIEND PURCHASED A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA 1.8T IN 2005, NEW OVERSTOCKS FROM THE LOT. SHE JUST HIT 30000 MILES ,AND THE CLUTCH WENT OUT WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING HOME ONE EVENING. WE HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALER TO FIND THAT VOLKSWAGEN WAS BLAMING THE PROBLEM ON DRIVER'S ERROR . THE DEALER WANTED $1900.00 FOR REPAIRS ON A JOB THAT CAN BE DONE FOR SUBSTANTIALLY LESS THROUGH AN ALTERNATIVE AUTO SHOP. WHEN WE CALLED TO INQUIRE ABOUT THE LIMITED RESTRICTION WE WERE TOLD THAT THE ITEM WAS CONSIDERED WEAR AND TEAR, AND WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY THE WARRANTY, BUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED ONLY BY A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO KEEP HER EXTENDED WARRANTY VALID. AFTER HEARING THIS ABSURD POLICY I DECIDED TO CHECK AROUND TO SEE IF ANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH VOLKSWAGEN CLUTCH RELIABILITY TO FIND THAT THIS WAS AN ISSUE KNOWN TO VOLKSWAGEN. HOWEVER, INSTEAD OF ADDRESSING THE CLUTCH ISSUE AS A FAULTY PART THEY FOUND IT TO BE MORE SUCCESSFUL TO BLAME THE MECHANICAL FAILURE ON USER ERROR. THIS WAS ESPECIALLY DISTURBING TO ME AFTER READING SEVERAL VOLKSWAGEN OWNER REVIEWS THAT STATED THE FAULTY CLUTCH LEFT THEM STRANDED WHILE TRAVELING. I BELIEVE THAT THIS ISSUE NEEDED IMMEDIATE ATTENTION AS IT WAS MY STRONG BELIEF THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS VEHICLES WITH IMPENDING KNOWN MECHANICAL ERRORS ON THE ROAD, BUT THEY CHOOSE TO NEGLECT THE ISSUE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10190093

Mileage unknown · May 2, 2007
StructureInjury

I OWN A 2004 VW JETTA GLS. MY MOM OPENED THE DOOR TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE CORNER OF THE DOOR HIT HER IN THE CHEEKBONE, JUST BELOW HER EYE. IT BRUISED & SWELLED IMMEDIATELY, AND HAS STAYED THAT WAY FOR ALMOST A WEEK NOW. SHE WENT TO THE DOCTOR TO GET HER EYE CHECKED JUST IN CASE, AND HE FOUND A PAINT CHIP IN HER E…

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I OWN A 2004 VW JETTA GLS. MY MOM OPENED THE DOOR TO THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE, AND THE CORNER OF THE DOOR HIT HER IN THE CHEEKBONE, JUST BELOW HER EYE. IT BRUISED & SWELLED IMMEDIATELY, AND HAS STAYED THAT WAY FOR ALMOST A WEEK NOW. SHE WENT TO THE DOCTOR TO GET HER EYE CHECKED JUST IN CASE, AND HE FOUND A PAINT CHIP IN HER EYE! VW SHOULD EITHER ROUND THE EDGES OF THE DOOR, OR PUT RUBBER STRIPS ON IT, LIKE LEXUS AND HONDA DO. I HAVE ALSO HIT MYSELF WITH THE DOOR TWICE, BUT DID NOT GET BRUISES. MAYBE WE ARE UNCOORDINATED OR ACCIDENT PRONE, BUT WE ARE ALSO 5FT 1 IN, WHICH MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE LOCATION OF THE INJURY. THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189473

70,000 miles · May 1, 2007
Fuel System, Diesel

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. THE CONTACT SMELLED DIESEL FUEL INSIDE THE CAB AND FOUND DIESEL FUEL LEAKING UNDER THE FUEL PUMP. THE DEALER HAD NOT DIAGNOSED THE FAILURE. HOWEVER, RECALL #04V586000 WAS RELATED TO THIS FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 70,000. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10189387

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.