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.
Of the 2004 reports, 15 involved a crash and 20 involved a fire. 15 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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
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: engine and engine cooling
37 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Nov 20, 2006
CAR BEGAN MAKING LOUD POPPING NOISE. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. AFTER THREE DAYS OF EVALUATION, THE DEALER HAD TO CONTACT VW TECHNICIAN FOR ASSISTANCE. THE VW TECHNICIAN INFORMED THE DEALER TO CHECK THE CAMSHAFT AS THEY HAVE BEEN NOTICING PROBLEMS IN THE FIELD IN VEHICLES WITH 80,000 - 150,000 MILES. THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE METAL BEING TOO THIN AND WEARING TOO QUICKLY. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 1, 2006
ENGINE COOLANT LEVEL DROPS APPROXIMATELY 1 CUP EACH WEEK. DEALER REPLACED THE EGR COOLER. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, May 20, 2006
1. COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON (1ST TIME). 2. BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY PRESSURE TESTED THE SYSTEM AND REPORTED NO LEAKS. THEY TOPPED THE SYSTEM AND CHARGED ME $100 3. COOLANT LIGHT CAME ON (2ND TIME). 4. BROUGHT CAR BACK TO DEALERSHIP, THEY NOW REPORT THAT PROBLEM AS THE EGR COOLER. THEY SUGGESTED I CONTACT VW OF CANADA TO DISCUSS THIS FAILURE AS IT IS BECOMING VERY COMMON. 5. CALLED VWOC AND THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THIS VERY EXPENSIVE REPAIR. JB
Engine and engine cooling, Apr 10, 2006
DEVELOPED LARGE INTERNAL COOLANT LEAK @ ~47,000 MILES. THIS IS PROBABLY DUE TO INTERNAL FAILURE OF THE EGR COOLER. DEALER CANNOT ID PROBLEM, BUT THIS APPEARS TO BE WIDESPREAD WITH THIS ENGINE. THIS COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FAILURE AND ACCIDENT.
Engine and engine cooling, Dec 16, 2005
CAR IS LOOSING COOLANT WITH NO EXTERNAL LEAKAGE. MANY PEOPLE ARE REPORTING EGR COOLER FAILURES. VW NEEDS TO HAVE A RECALL AND ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. *NM
Engine and engine cooling, Oct 18, 2005
2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI. ENGINE WILL STALL AT TIMES DUE TO COOLANT LEAKING INTERNALLY INTO INTAKE MANIFOLD THROUGH FAULTY EGR COOLER. CAUSING VEHICLE TO LOSE STEERING AND BRAKE ASSIST. *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jul 28, 2005
TDI ENGINE. MANUAL TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. PRESS ACCELERATOR; NO CHANGE IN RPM - JUST IDLED. "GLOW PLUG" (FLASHED) AND ENGINE WARNING LIGHT (STEADY) LIT AFTER 1ST TWO OCCASIONS; NOT ON 3RD. RE-START SOLVES PROBLEM FOR 30 SECONDS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM IN TWO ATTEMPTS. VEHICLE IS IN FOR 3RD ATTEMPT AS OF 07/05. *MD *JB
Engine and engine cooling, Jun 21, 2005
THERE WAS FOUND TO BE A COOLANT LEAK CAUSED BY THE EGR (EXHAUST GAS RECIRCULATOR?). COOLANT LEVEL DROPPED TO THE POINT THAT CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING. I HAVAE LOOKED ON VW WEB FORUMS AND MANY OWNERS HAVE HAD A SIMILAR INCIDENT. 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 17, 2004
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE LOST POWER INTERMITTENTLY. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Visibility, Aug 11, 2004
VEHICLE STALLED WHEN BEING DRIVEN AT A CONSTANT SPEED. ALSO, SUN ROOF CLOSED HALF WAY. *AK
Engine and engine cooling, Aug 4, 2004
PROBLEMS REGARDING 2004 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA. *MR THE FIRST FEW DAYS OF OWNERSHIP, THE CONSUMER EXPERIENCED THE VEHICLE SWERVING TO THE LEFT. PRIOR TO THE APPOINTMENT FOR THE SWERVING, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO MAKE A LOW WHINING SOUND, LUNGING BACKWARDS WHEN IN REVERSE AND FORWARD WHEN IN THE FORWARD POSITION WHICH WOULD OCCUR WHEN THE CONSUMER'S FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, SHIFTING INTO GEAR AND WHILE RELEASING THE BRAKES. THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT THE WHINING WAS DUE TO A BAD FUEL PUMP. THEY COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE LUNGING. THE WHINING AND THE LUNGING PROBLEM RETURNED. THE CONSUMER WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER HAD A THIRD FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. *SC THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THERE WAS A CHANGE IN THE EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM WITH OTHER JETTAS AND THE BEETLE, WHEN THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD WHAT TO DO WHEN THE ENGINE WAS FIRST STARTED THE PROBLEM WAS SOMEWHAT ALLEVIATED.*JB
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Mar 11, 2004
PURCHASED 2004 VW JETTA GLI ON 3/5/04 WITH DELIVERY ON 3/7/04. CAR HAD 41 MILES AT DELIVERY. BY MONDAY, 3/8/04 NOTICED BURNING SMELL ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR WHILE SHIFITING BETWEEN 1ST & 3RD GEARS. ALSO NOTICED VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL AT IDLE AND VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE BRAKING. COMPLAINED AT DEALERSHIP THAT CAR WAS FAILING WITH 181 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SERVICE TECH TEST DROVE THE CAR WITH ME. COULD NOT IDENTIFY BURNING SMELL, BUT SUGGESTED I TRY DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE SEAT HEATERS ON TO SEE IF IT MADE ANY DIFFERENCE (IT DIDN'T). DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THERE'D BE A CONNECTION BETWEEN RPM'S AND THE SEAT HEATERS. WILL HAVE TO GO GET A FIRE EXTINGUISHER TO CARRY IN THE CAR AS A PRECAUTION, I SUPPOSE. MAJOR PROBLEM WAS THE VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL UPON BRAKING. TURNS OUT ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS WERE WARPED (AT 181 MILES???). TECHNICIAN REPLACED ALL 4 BRAKE ROTORS AND FRONT BRAKE PADS. VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL AT IDLE WAS EXPLAINED AS BRAKE VACUUM PUMP REGENERATING PRESSURE. SALES MANAGER I SPOKE WITH COULDN'T UNDERSTAND WHY I WAS UPSET SINCE THEY WERE WILLING TO FIX THE CAR.*AK