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2004 Volkswagen Jetta

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine and engine cooling is the leading concern among 233 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 14th highest complaint count among 26 Jetta model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  5. 233

Of the 2004 reports, 15 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine and engine cooling37 reports · 16% of complaints
Owner complaints233Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship5 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine and engine cooling37
  2. Electrical system36
  3. Power train35
  4. Fuel system30
  5. Seats22
  6. Air bags21
  7. Diesel13
  8. Engine11

Recalls and investigations

  1. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderSep 23, 2020

    Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

    If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

    Campaign 20E064000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Engine and engine cooling, engineMar 7, 2014

    The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

    A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

    Campaign 14E007000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Service brakes, hydraulic, foundation components, master cylinderMar 29, 2007

    CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

    LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

    Campaign 07E023000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Exterior lighting, brake lights, switchFeb 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.

    THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

    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.

    Campaign 07V063000 on NHTSA.gov

  5. Fuel system, dieselDec 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.

    FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

    DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 04V586000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: diesel

13 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Fuel system, Diesel, Aug 25, 2015

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE SERVICED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS LEAKING FUEL INTO THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC STATED THAT THE TANDEM PUMP BECAME INOPERABLE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 220,000. UPDATED 10/9/15 *LN THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED IN THE FUEL SYSTEM RECALL. HOWEVER, HIS PRODUCTION YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED. UPDATED 04/11/16.*JB *CN

  2. Fuel system, Diesel, Jun 3, 2011

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS LEAKING AND CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BECOME RESISTANT TO STARTING. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL). THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER REGARDING THE RECALL AND THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE VEHICLE COULD POTENTIALLY CAUSE A FIRE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,500. UPDATED 06/24/11 *BF THE CONSUMER DISPUTED THE DEALERS RESPONSE SINCE HE BELEIVED HIS VIN FELL IN THE PUBLISHED VIN RANGE OF THE RECALL DESCRIBED IN VW'S DOCUMENTATION PROVIDED TO NHTSA. UPDATED 06/30/11

  3. Fuel system, Diesel, May 12, 2010, fire

    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.

  4. Fuel system, Diesel, Jan 27, 2009

    MY CAR LITERALLY TURNED OFF WHEN I WAS TURNING A CORNER...LUCKILY I WASN'T ON THE FREEWAY. THE BATTERY WAS FINE. IT TURNED OUT TO BE THE LIFT FUEL PUMP FOR MY 2004.5 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI PD BEW. I WAS CHARGED $400 BY A LOCAL VW MECHANIC. THE DEALERSHIP WOULD CHARGE $800. IF I HAD IT DONE IN TDI CLUB, IT WOULD BE AROUND $200. *TR

  5. Fuel system, Diesel, Aug 29, 2008

    CAR STARTED NORMALLY, PULLED TO ENTRANCE TO ROAD, ENGINE STALLED SUDDENLY AND WOULD NOT RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, ENGINE STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. AFTER 10 MILES, STOPPED AT CONVENIENCE STORE. ENGINE STARTED NORMALLY AND ABRUPTLY STALLED WHILE ENTERING INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. AGAIN DIFFICULT TO RESTART, BUT FINALLY DID. RAN FINE FOR NEXT 45 MILES. A THIRD STALL HAPPENED THE NEXT MORNING. ALL THREE STALLS HAPPENED WITHIN 30 TO 90 SECONDS OF STARTUP. SUSPECT THAT THE IN-TANK "LIFT PUMP" WAS FAILING INTERMITTENTLY. THERE WOULD BE ENOUGH FUEL IN THE FILTER TO RUN ENGINE FOR A WHILE WITHOUT THE LIFT PUMP FUNCTIONING. THE LIFT PUMP HAS NOW BEEN REPLACED. *TR

  6. Fuel system, Diesel, Feb 28, 2008

    TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. THE CONTACT NOTICED A LEAK AND SMELLED FUMES IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY THE DIESEL FUEL SYSTEM. SHE FOUND A RECALL ON THE EXACT SAME FAILURE ON THE MANUFACTURER'S WEBSITE; HOWEVER, THE DEALER STATED THAT HER VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND REFUSED TO MAKE A REPAIR. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 82,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. UPDATE 04-02-08 *BF

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Sep 21, 2007

    AFTER DRIVING 800 HIGHWAY MILES FROM FLORIDA, WITH 400 MILES LEFT TO GO WE STOPPED FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING THE CAR WAS BUCKING AND REFUSED TO RUN. WE ADDED A FUEL ADDITIVE AND MANUAL SHIFT IN ORDER TO KEEP THE CAR RUNNING AND GET IT HOME. ON AUG. 27TH WE CHANGED THE FUEL FILTER AND TOOK THE CAR FOR A TEST DRIVE. THE CAR STALLED WHEN GOING UP A HILL APRROX. 500 FT FROM HOUSE. IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE CAR WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER ON AUG. 28TH AND IS STILL THERE ON SEPT. 20TH. SO FAR THEY HAVE REPLACED THE FUEL IN THE TANK AND THE FUEL FILTER, AND THE EGR VALVE WAS REPLACED. THE CAR IS STILL RUNNING SLUGGISH AND BUCKING. THEY CAN'T FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH IT. NEXT THEY WANT TO TAKE APART THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EVEN THOUGH THEY ARE NOT SURE THAT IS THE PROBLEM. THE CAR IS A 2005 AND HALF JETTA DIESEL WITH 63,000 MILES ON IT. THE CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND IS THE CAR I DEPEND ON TO TAKE MY CHILDREN BACK & FORTH TO SCHOOL (A 20 MILE TRIP ONE WAY). *TR

  8. Fuel system, Diesel, May 1, 2007

    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

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Diesel, Fuel system, Other, Equipment, Feb 23, 2007

    ON 1/25/2007 OUR VEHICLE WAS TAKEN IN TO DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR REPAIR OF AN ENGINE VIBRATION. INITIAL DIAGNOSIS WAS THE TIMING BELT AND IT WAS ADJUSTED APPROXIMATELY 4 DEGREES AND PROMISED TO BE READY ON 1/27/07. BELT ADJUSTMENT DID NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND CAR WAS NOT PICKED UP. ADDITIONAL DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED, INCLUDING COMPRESSION TEST OF ENGINE, AND TECHNICIAN CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN FOR ASSISTANCE. AFTER WEEKS OF DIAGNOSIS AND TESTING WE WERE TOLD THAT THE IN TANK FUEL PUMP THAT WAS REPLACED AT A DIFFERENT VW DEALERSHIP ON 9/11/06 HAD FAILED. RESEARCHING NHTSA I ALSO FOUND OUT THAT IT WAS A RECALLED PUMP. BECAUSE THE MILEAGE WAS ALMOST 3K OVER THE WARRANTY OF THE PART AND VW ALREADY SATISFIED THE RECALL VW WOULD NOT COVER A REPLACEMENT. THE NEW FUEL PUMP ALSO DID NOT FIX THE VIBRATION PROBLEM. DEALERS DIAGNOSIS WITH VOLKSWAGEN'S ASSISTANCE CONTINUED UNTIL 2/8/07 WHEN WE WERE TOLD THAT A VALVE LIFTER IN THE CAM ASSEMBLY HAD FAILED CAUSING THE VIBRATION. DEALERSHIP RECOMMENDED A COMPLETE "CYLINDER HEAD REPLACEMENT" AT A COST OF ABOUT $4,500. MY HUSBAND ASKED TO SPEAK WITH THE MECHANIC AND DETERMINED THAT THE DAMAGE WAS ONLY TO ONE VALVE LIFTER. MY HUSBAND AND I DECIDED TO FIX WHAT WAS BROKEN AND ONLY FIXED THE DAMAGED LIFTER WHICH WAS ESTIMATED AT ABOUT $500. THE DEALER AGREED TO PERFORM THIS REPAIR, BUT WOULD NOT WARRANTY THE WORK BECAUSE THEY WERE CONCERNED THAT CYLINDER HEAD MIGHT BE FAULTY. OUR VEHICLE WAS FINALLY REPAIRED AND ABLE TO BE PICKED UP ON 2/19/07. COST OF REPAIRS WAS NEGOTIATED WITHIN OUR SATISFACTION, HOWEVER, THE SERVICE WAS NOT TIMELY AND FEEL THAT THE PARTS IN THE VEHICLE ARE BELOW STANDARD. NOW WE HAVE AN ADDITIONAL PROBLEM WE DID NOT HAVE BEFORE TAKING IT IN FOR REPAIR. TWO DAYS AFTER WE RECEIVED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP WE FIGURED OUT THE FUEL GAUGE IS NO LONGER WORKING PROPERLY AND HAS A FALSE READING OF APPROXIMATELY 1/4 TANK WHEN THE TANK IS EMPTY. *JB

  10. Fuel system, Diesel, Nov 29, 2006

    2004 JETTA DIESEL - FUEL PUMP/GASKET LEAKING -FALLS W/IN VIN RECALL #'S. FOR THIS VERY PROBLEM. DEALER/MANUFACTURE STATES RECALL NOT FOR MY VIN#. HAS THE VERY PROBLEM THE RECALL FOR FUEL PUMP/GASKET LEAKING THERE FOR REPLACEMENT DESCRIBES. DEALER STATES NEED TO REPLACE PUMP/GASKET. RECALL STATES REPLACEMENT OF PUMP/GASKET. VW OF AMERICA CAN NOT TELL ME THE PARAMETERS OF THE RECALL, JUST THAT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY. SOMETHING IS NOT RIGHT WITH THIS SITUATION. PLEASE HELP IF YOU CAN.

  11. Fuel system, Diesel, Jun 13, 2006

    I BOUGHT A USED 2004 JETTA TDI AT D'ARCY VOLKSWAGEN OF JOLIET IL. ON FEBRUARY 2005. MY TANDEM PUMP HAS FAILED AND IS SIGNIFICANTLY LEAKING FUEL. I TOOK IT TO LOU BACKRODT VOLKSWAGEN OF ROCKFORD IL, AND I RECEIVED AN ESTIMATE ON THE TOTAL COST. I DID MY OWN RESEARCH AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS MY AUTOMOBILE AND PUMP IS COVERED UNDER A RECALL CAMPAIGN VY (04V-586) WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V586000 AND DOCUMENT NUMBER RCRIT-04V586-7306.PDF. I TALKED TO VW CUSTOMER SERVICE (TICKET NUMBER 60206323) AND THEY REFUSE TO COVER THE COST WHICH CAN BE PROVED WITH YOUR LETTER RCRIT-04V586-7306.PDF. I NEED FOR VW TO COVER THE OVERALL COST OF THIS REPAIR SINCE IT IS A DEFECT THAT HAS BEEN RECALLED BY VW. I NEVER RECEIVED A LETTER OF NOTIFICATION SINCE I AM THE SECOND OWNER OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE VIN # IS 3VWSR69MX4090734, WHICH IS WITHIN THE RANGES COVERED IN LETTER RCRIT-04V586-7306 PAGE 1 OF 16, VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER RANGES. PLEASE HELP ME RESOLVE THIS SITUATION. *NM

  12. Fuel system, Diesel, Fuel system, Other, Mar 27, 2006

    WAS DRIVING ALONG AFTER JUST ACCELERATING FROM A STOP LIGHT AND GOT UP TO SPEED (ABOUT 45 MPH). THEN I FELT WHAT I THOUGHT WAS THE ENGINE FALTER, AND THE MOTOR JUST QUIT, NO WARNING WHATSOEVER. NO ODD SOUNDS EITHER. JUST LIKE I TURNED THE KEY "OFF". I COASTED TO A STOP OFF THE ROAD AND TRIED TO START IT A FEW TIMES. JUST CONTINUOUS CRANKING AND NOT EVEN A "COUGH". NO UNUSUAL NOISES, COMPRESSION SEEMED GOOD. TIMING BELT FAILURE APPEARS TO BE RULED OUT. NO EXTERNAL LEAK IN THE FUEL PUMP (THE ONE IN THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT) EITHER. WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON, ALL THE NORMAL DASH LIGHTS LIGHT. YESTERDAY, I DID NOTICE A MORE PRONOUNCED SOUND COMING FROM THE IN-TANK LIFT PUMP WHEN I TURNED THE KEY TO "GLOW". AFTER THE ENGINE FAILURE TONIGHT, I COULD NOT HEAR ANY SOUND FROM THE LIFT PUMP. CAR WAS TOWED TO THE VW DEALER SINCE THE WARRANTY WAS STILL IN EFFECT. TODAY (THREE DAYS LATER) THE DEALER CALLED ME AND SAID THE IN-TANK FUEL PUMP FAILED AND IT WOULD BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *JB

  13. Fuel system, Diesel, Feb 20, 2006

    I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND HEARD A NOISE UNDER MY CAR. THE GAS TANK WAS PUNCTURED BY SOMETHING ON THE ROAD DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS WHICH PROMPTED ME TO PULL OVER AND THE GAS WAS GUSHING OUT OF THE TANK. I THEN HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A DEALER AND WAS LATER INFORMED THAT IT WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY WARRANTY DUE TO "OUTSIDE CONDITIONS" I THEN SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER AND EXPLAINED THE SITUATION AND THEY DENIED ANY COVERAGE UNDER WARRANTY. I HAVE REASON TO BELIEVE THAT SOMETHING WAS PROPELLED FROM THE FRONT WHEEL INTO THE GAS TANK AND THAT THE POSITION OF THE GAS TANK MAY NOT BE PROPER. I BELIEVE IT IS A POSSIBLE DESIGN FLAW OR THAT THE GAS TANK WAS DEFECTIVE AND THUS MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO BEING PUNCTURED. *JB