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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
48,800 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE MILEAGE, AND SPEEDOMETER DO NOT WORK AT ALL. MILEAGE WHEN OCCURRED 48,800. EVERY SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH NO CHANGE. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I AM GOING, OR HOW MANY MILES ARE ON MY CAR WITHOUT TRACKING THEM MYSELF. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE VW'S AND AUDI'S …

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INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STOPPED WORKING. VEHICLE MILEAGE, AND SPEEDOMETER DO NOT WORK AT ALL. MILEAGE WHEN OCCURRED 48,800. EVERY SPEED SENSOR WAS REPLACED WITH NO CHANGE. I HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW FAST I AM GOING, OR HOW MANY MILES ARE ON MY CAR WITHOUT TRACKING THEM MYSELF. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE VW'S AND AUDI'S WITH NO APPARENT SOLUTION. I HAVE SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS TRYING TO FIX THIS PROBLEM AND STILL AM WITHOUT A SPEEDOMETER AND ODOMETER.

NHTSA ODI #10885722

50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2016
Electrical SystemFire

MY (GENERATOR CABLE - S177) ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES ABOVE THE BATTERY. MY CAR NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. MY CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS START EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VW ADMITS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM THE SEC…

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MY (GENERATOR CABLE - S177) ALTERNATOR CABLE MELTING THE FUSE BOX AND WIRES ABOVE THE BATTERY. MY CAR NEEDED A NEW ALTERNATOR. MY CAR DOES NOT ALWAYS START EVEN WITH A NEW BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR. MY CAR HAS SHUT DOWN WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. VW ADMITS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ODI #10885715

156,000 miles · Apr 11, 2016
Electrical SystemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, BACK FIRED, AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT UNDER THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED, BACK FIRED, AND IT WAS LEAKING COOLANT UNDER THE WATER PUMP. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. PRIOR TO THIS FAILURE THAT THE VEHICLE HAD EXPERIENCED LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THE WATER PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14E007000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 156,000.

NHTSA ODI #10854705

107,000 miles · Mar 18, 2016
Seats

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, FUMES OF SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A BURNT HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, FUMES OF SMOKE APPEARED FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A BURNT HOLE IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEATING ELEMENT FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO GIVE THE SPECIFIC NAME OF THE PART. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #10850461

70,000 miles · Mar 4, 2016
Engine

VW IGNITION COILS ARE FAILED, CAUSING THE SPARK PLUG NOT TO FIRE AND CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE ABOUT 4 HOURS AND FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY AND WHILE AT THE BANK WITH MY BOYS IN THE BACK THE CAR SHUT OFF. I NEEDED TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR INTO THE…

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VW IGNITION COILS ARE FAILED, CAUSING THE SPARK PLUG NOT TO FIRE AND CUTTING POWER TO THE ENGINE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO FIND THE ISSUE ABOUT 4 HOURS AND FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE CAR WAS WORKING FINE ONE DAY AND WHILE AT THE BANK WITH MY BOYS IN THE BACK THE CAR SHUT OFF. I NEEDED TO GET OUT AND PUSH THE CAR INTO THE PARKING LOT TO GET OUT OF THE WAY.

NHTSA ODI #10839806

91,000 miles · Feb 18, 2016
Air BagsElectrical SystemVisibility/wiper

OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN RAINING HEAVILY & ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE THIS TIME IS WHAT WORSE. MY CAR IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE & ITS COMING ON THE INSIDE. MY CARPETS ARE CONSTANTLY WET, MY AIRBAGS ALONGSIDE WINDSHIELD LEAK, AND THE HANDLE WHERE YOU OPEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR IS LITERALLY A STREAM OF WATE…

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OVER THE PAST FEW DAYS IT HAS BEEN RAINING HEAVILY & ALTHOUGH IT HAS HAPPENED TO ME ONCE BEFORE THIS TIME IS WHAT WORSE. MY CAR IS LEAKING FROM SOMEWHERE & ITS COMING ON THE INSIDE. MY CARPETS ARE CONSTANTLY WET, MY AIRBAGS ALONGSIDE WINDSHIELD LEAK, AND THE HANDLE WHERE YOU OPEN THE HOOD OF THE CAR IS LITERALLY A STREAM OF WATER ENTERING THE CAR DURING HEAVY RAINFALL. THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE. I WAS MORE CONCERNED WITH THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SO I WENT AND GOT IT CHECKED. THE CODE CAME UP AS U0155 - WHICH REFERS TO (LOST COMMUNICATION WITH INSTRUMENT PANEL CLUSTER (IPC) CONTROL MODULE) MEANING MY ENTIRE DASHBOARD NEEDS TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE OF THIS LEAKING ! I HAVE TAKEN MY CAR ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS TO VW DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICING (NEVER FOR THIS PROBLEM) AND THEY NEVER ONCE TOLD ME ANYTHING ABOUT CLEANING THE SUNROOF DRAINS EVERY TWO YEARS AS MAINTENANCE, IT IS VISIBLE TO THE NAKED EYE THAT MY SUNROOF IS MESSED UP BECAUSE WHEN I PURCHASED IT THE LINING ON THE CAR AROUND THE SUNROOF IS DROOPING AND I CANNOT OPEN THE SUNROOF BECAUSE OF THIS. I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT AS A BIG DEAL BECAUSE I DON'T USE A SUNROOF BUT HOW WAS I SUPPOSED TO KNOW THERE WAS A LEAK WITHOUT ANYONE TELLING ME THAT WAS EVEN POSSIBLE. I LOOKED UP THIS PROBLEM ONLINE, THAT'S HOW I KNOW WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY CAR. I REFUSE TO GET IT "DIAGNOSED" AND SPEND OVER 200$ ON JUST A DIAGNOSIS WHEN I ALREADY KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS AND THEY'LL END UP CHARGING WAY MORE TO ACTUALLY FIX THE PROBLEM. THIS IS MY FIRST CAR AND I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF ANYTHING ABOUT CARS EXCEPT KEEPING UP WITH OIL AND FILTER CHANGES, FUEL INJECTORS, AND CHANGING MY TIRES WHEN THE TREAD IS GETTING LOW. I HAVE DONE ALL OF THAT AT EACH CHECKPOINT SINCE I PURCHASED AT 63,000 MILES. THERE IS SO MUCH CONDENSATION INSIDE I CAN BARELY SEE OUT MY WINDOWS, I HAVE SIT FOR AT LEAST A HALF HOUR CAR ON TO BE ABLE TO SEE & DRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #10836971

122,000 miles · Jan 29, 2016
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I WAS DRIVING MY VW JETTA 2004 TDI ON A HIGHWAY, I WAS USING MY HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO YIELD TO INCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SADDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, I HAD TO STOP IT WAS VERY DARK AND DANGEROUS ROAD, I MOVED AND WIGGLE THE LEVER TO SEE IF I COULD MAKE IT COME ON AGAIN, EVENTUALLY IT DID, IT DID THAT ABOUT…

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I WAS DRIVING MY VW JETTA 2004 TDI ON A HIGHWAY, I WAS USING MY HIGH BEAM AND LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS TO YIELD TO INCOMING TRAFFIC WHEN ALL OF A SADDEN MY HEADLIGHTS WENT OFF, I HAD TO STOP IT WAS VERY DARK AND DANGEROUS ROAD, I MOVED AND WIGGLE THE LEVER TO SEE IF I COULD MAKE IT COME ON AGAIN, EVENTUALLY IT DID, IT DID THAT ABOUT 4 TIMES,EVERY TIME IT SCARED THE ... OUT OF ME COULD NOT SEE ROAD. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC, REPLACED THE TURN SIGNAL HIGH BEAM LOW BEAM AND CRUSE CONTROL LEVER, ITS ALL IN ONE LEVER. I LOOKED ON LINE TO SEE IF SOMEONE ELSE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT SEEMS THAT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10823126

70,000 miles · Jan 17, 2016
Electrical System

THE HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE BOX, THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED DUE TO HEAT AND POOR DESIGN. THIS CAUSED A SHORT AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS BOTH DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING! I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60MPH AND COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN INJURY OR FATAL ACCIDENT. I FOUND 44 …

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THE HIGH VOLTAGE FUSE BOX, THAT SITS ON TOP OF THE BATTERY MELTED DUE TO HEAT AND POOR DESIGN. THIS CAUSED A SHORT AND COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER TO MY VEHICLE. THIS WAS BOTH DANGEROUS AND FRIGHTENING! I WAS ON THE FREEWAY GOING 60MPH AND COULD HAVE EASILY LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, CAUSING AN INJURY OR FATAL ACCIDENT. I FOUND 44 SIMILAR COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE AND AM SURPRISED THAT THIS PUBLIC AGENCY HAS FAILED TO TAKE ANY ACTION ON THIS, AND DEMANDING A RECALL, AND THUS RESOLVING A DANGEROUSLY REOCCURRING ELECTRICAL ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10820663

97,000 miles · Sep 26, 2015
Electrical System

I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY TWICE AND MY ALTERNATOR ONCE. MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WHEN I PART IT. I HAVE ALSO TURNED ON MY CAR AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF, YET IF I JUMP START IT WILL TURN ON. I'M NOT ABLE TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON, AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER ONE YE…

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I HAVE REPLACED MY BATTERY TWICE AND MY ALTERNATOR ONCE. MY CAR COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN WHEN I PART IT. I HAVE ALSO TURNED ON MY CAR AND THEN COMPLETELY SHUTS DOWN BY ITSELF, YET IF I JUMP START IT WILL TURN ON. I'M NOT ABLE TO TURN MY CAR BACK ON, AS THOUGH SOMETHING IS DRAINING MY BATTERY. THIS HAS BEEN OCCURRING FOR OVER ONE YEAR NOW AND I'M GETTING STRANDED AT MY LAST DESTINATION AND HAVE HAD TO GET TOWED TO THE MECHANIC SHOW. IT'S GETTING VERY EXPENSIVE AND RIDICULOUS. THE MECHANIC HAS DONE HIS DUE DILIGENCE BUT PROBLEM IS STILL OCCURRING. I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY IN FEAR MY CAR WILL SHUT DOWN! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10777794

80,000 miles · Sep 3, 2015
Unknown Or Other

THE SUNROOF BEGAN TO LEAK. NOW ALL OF THE INSIDE OF OUR CAR IS FULL OF MOLD AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT BECAUSE I HAVE TWO CHILDREN, AND I AM AFRAID TO EXPOSE THEM TO ALL THIS MOLD. WHEN I CALLED A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW ABOUT TH…

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THE SUNROOF BEGAN TO LEAK. NOW ALL OF THE INSIDE OF OUR CAR IS FULL OF MOLD AND I CAN'T EVEN DRIVE IT BECAUSE I HAVE TWO CHILDREN, AND I AM AFRAID TO EXPOSE THEM TO ALL THIS MOLD. WHEN I CALLED A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP ABOUT THE ISSUE THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BECAUSE IT WAS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW ABOUT THE SUNROOF RECALL ON THIS VEHICLE. WE ACTUALLY DIDN'T FIND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL UNTIL WE ARRIVED IN THE STATES, WE HAD LIVED OVER SEAS BEFORE THE LEAK STARTED AND WE WERE NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL. WHAT CAN I DO? IS THERE ANYWAY THAT THE VOLKSWAGEN COMPANY HELP US WITH THIS ISSUE ESPECIALLY SINCE THERE WAS A LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST THEM ON THIS ISSUE?

NHTSA ODI #10761155

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.