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
233 reports, newest first.
Structure, Jul 24, 2005
CHROME PROTECTOR STRIP ON REAR PASSENGER SIDE DOOR BECAME UNGLUED. WHEN THE DOOR WAS OPENED, THE CHROME STRIP WAS BENT, AND DAMAGED PAINT ON PASSENGER DOOR.
Interior lighting, Jul 16, 2005
IHAVE A 2004 VW JETTA WAGON. THE INSTRUMENTS ARE IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE IN SOME LIGHTING CONDITIONS, ESPECIALLY THE SPEEDOMETER. THE NEDDLE IS A DARK, NON REFLECTIVE RED AGAINST A BLACK BACKGROUND. WITH A BRIGHT FOREGROUND OUTSIDE, THE SPEEDOMETER CANNOT BE SEEN, EVEN WITH THE LIGHTS TURNED BRIGHT. I E-MAILED VW, BUT NEVER RECEIVED AN ANSWER.
Power train, Jul 11, 2005
(1) MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. (2) THERE IS A LONG DELAY WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PLACED INTO DRIVE OR REVERSE GEAR (AFTER CAR HAS BEEN PARKED FOR AWHILE) VEHICLE ROLLS AS IF IN NEUTRAL. I HAVE: HIT MANY WHEEL STOPS, NEARLY HIT OTHER PARKED CARS AND ALMOST PINNED A PEDISTRIAN BETWEEN A PARKED CAR AND MINE. (3) DEALER AND MANUFACTURER STATES THE TRANSMISSION IS OPERATING PER SPECIFICATIONS HOWEVER NONE OF THEIR OTHER PRODUCTS HAS THIS FAILURE. MANUFUACTURER REFUSES TO REPAIR OR REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE IS UNDER NEW CAR WARRANTY.
Suspension, Power train, Other or unspecified, Jul 7, 2005
AUTO: 2004 JETTA GLS 1.8T ON 4/20/2005, THE DEALERSHIP "RIVERBANK MOTORS" IN STAMFORD CT HAD TO RETORQUE TURBO TO EXH MANIFOLD BOLTS. CAR WAS RETURNED FIXED. AFTER ROAD TEST. ON 7/1 2005 THE FRONT END EXHAUST DICONNECTED AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP BECUASE IT WAS UNDRIVABLE. ALL WARRANTIED. AFTER BEING TOLD NUMEROUS STORIES AND MISSCOMMUNICATIONS THE SERVICE DEPT INFORMED US THAT THIS TIME THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED AND THE ENTIRE TURBO UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. BROUGHT THE CAR BACK FOR THE 2ND TIME SINCE THE BOLTS WERE ONLY TEMPORARILY TIGHTENED. THE DEALER IS REPLACING THE TURBO UNIT UNDER WARRANTY BUT CANNOT EXPLAIN WHY OR HOW THE BOLTS WERE STRIPPED. "YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE" WAS THE ANSWER I RECEIVED FROM THE SERVICE DIRECTOR. FORTUNATELY FOR ME ALL WARRANTY!!!! CAR IS 1 YEAR OLD
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
Fuel system, Other, Jun 17, 2005
I OWN A 2004 VW JETTA TDI. VW HAS A RECALL (VY) FO RPOSSIBLE DEFECTIVE TANDEM FUEL INJECTION PUMPS WHICH CAN RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE. THE RECALL STATES CARS BETWEN VIN 031216 TO 190756 WITH AN UNMARKED LUK PUMP NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. MY CARS VIN IS 166408 WHICH IS BELOW THE CUT OFF, MY CAR ALSO HAS THE UNMARKED LUK PUMP. ACCORDING TO VW MY CAR DOES NOT NEED A NEW PUMP. I HAVE TRIED TO DEAL WITH VW BUT THEY KEEP TELLING ME MY CAR IS NOT EFFECTED YET IT MEETS THEIR REQUIREMENTS. IT SOUNDS TO ME THAT THEY ARE NOT PERFORMING UP TO THEIR STATED RECALL PLAN.
Power train, May 23, 2005
THE CLUTCH IS SLIPPING. WHEN SHIFTING FROM 2ND GEAR AND UP THE RPM REVVS UP BUT THE VEHICLE FAILS TO ACCELERATE. THE DEALERSHIP HAD TO TAKE THE CLUTCH ASSEMBLY APART TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE BEFORE REPAIRS WERE DONE. *JB *BF *NM
Power train, May 18, 2005
THIS IS THE SECOND TIME WE HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH OUR 2004 VW JETTA WAGON. BOTH TIMES THE CAR HAS SUDDENLY, WITH NO WARNING, HAD A CLUTCH FAILURE. THE FIRST TIME THIS HAPPENED WAS WITH 16,000 MILES, NOW A 2ND OCCURENCE WITH JUST 29,000 MILES. VW TRIES TO PASS BLAME AS DRIVER ERROR, BUT SINCE I DRIVE TRACTOR/TRAILERS FOR A LIVING, AND IN MY 15 YEARS OF DRIVING, HAVE NEVER HAD A CLUTCH FAILURE PRIOR TO THIS CAR, I DO NOT THINK THAT MY DRIVING IS TO BLAME. IT IS APPARENT FROM THE NUMEROUS EXPERIENCES I HAVE READ ABOUT THAT THERE IS A SERIOUS DEFECT IN THE QUALITY OR BUILD OF THE VW CLUTCH SYSTEM IN NEWER MODELS. FORTUNATELY NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THIS OCCURENCE, BUT SINCE THE CAR SUDDENLY STOPPED SHIFTING IN TRAFFIC, THERE COULD EASILY HAVE BEEN ACCIDENTS INVOLVED. THIS MATTER NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO FURTHER.
Power train, Apr 19, 2005
CAR JERKS DURING A COLD START. JERKS HARD WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR.*AK
Seats, Mar 27, 2005, fire
2004 VW JETTA WAGON, TDI: VELOUR HEATED TURNED ON, AFTER DRIVING LESS THAN 1/2 MILE,HEATED SEAT BURNED APPROX 1" HOLE FROM THE INSIDE OUT. SMOKE, FLAMES OBSERVED. SEAT TURNED OFF TO CONTAIN FIRE. CAR TAKEN TO VW DEALER TO ASSESS. PARTS ON BACK ORDER. WAITING FOR PARTS TO BE AVAILABLE. SHOULD BE FACTORY RECALL BECAUSE OF CONCERN OF OTHER HEATED SEAT POSSIBLE MALFUNCTION AND POTENTIALLY A LIFE THREATENING SITUATION IF OCCURRED AT HIGH SPEEDS.
Air bags, Mar 16, 2005, crash
MY WIFE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WITH HER 2004 VW JETTA. SHE REAR ENDED THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF HER AT ABOUT 15 MPH, CAUSING ABOUT $7000 OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF THE JETTA. THERE WERE NO INJURIES.*AK THE JETTA HIT THE CAR IN FRONT OF HER SQUARELY, AND PARTIALLY SLID UNDER THE CAR THAT WAS HIT. AS A RESULT OF THE COLLISION, THE PASSENGER AIRBAG DEPLOYED, BUT THE DRIVER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THERE WAS NO PASSENGER IN THE VEHICLE. THE POLICE OFFICER AT THE SCENE NOTED THAT ONLY THE ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, AND SUGGESTED THAT THAT SITUATION NEEDED TO BE LOOKED AT. THE CAR WAS REPAIRED BY A VW BODY SHOP, AND I REQUESTED THAT THE AIR BAG SYSTEM BE CHECKED OUT COMPLETELY, SINCE ONLY THE PASSENGER BAG DEPLOYED IN THE ACCIDENT. I WAS TOLD THAT THE DRIVERS SEAT BELT TENSIONER WAS ACTIVATED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT THAT IT WAS "NORMAL" FOR ONLY ONE AIRBAG TO BE ACTIVATED. I FOUND THIS EXPLANATION QUESTIONABLE, AND WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THIS IS CORRECT, SINCE I'M CONCERNED THAT ONLY ONE AIRBAG DEPLOYED, WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIAL SERIOUS DEFECT SHOULD THE ACCIDENT HAVE BEEN MORE SEVERE. THE LOCAL VW DEALER HAS SAID THAT THE ENTIRE SYSTEM HAS BEEN CHECKED OUT, AND THAT WITH ALL THE VARIOUS SENSORS UTILIZED, ONLY ONE AIRBAG CAN DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT SUCH AS THIS. IS THIS CORRECT? THANK YOU.
Air bags, Jan 31, 2005, crash
WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A FRONTAL COLLISION, AND WAS ALSO INVOLVED IN A SIDE COLLISION. UPON IMPACT, FRONTAL AIR BAG AND SIDE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR INJURIES, AND WAS TRANSPORTED TO A HOSPITAL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAD NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Visibility, Jan 28, 2005
WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW FELL OUT WITHOUT WARNING. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE CAUSE HAS NOT BEEN DETERMINED AT THIS TIME. *AK
Steering, Jan 18, 2005
THERE IS A CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH IS INTERFERING WITH THE STEERING MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO CONTROL. OWNER WILL CONTACT MANUFACTURER. *JB
Air bags, Jan 18, 2005, crash
WHILE APPROACHING AN INTERSECTION THE CAR AHEAD OF ME STOPPED SUDDENLY AND I COULD NOT STOP FAST ENOUGH. THE COLLISION DID $10,000-14,000 WORTH OF DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND NO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. SERIOUS INJURY WAS ONLY AVOIDED DUE TO MY WEARING MY SEAT BELT. SUBSEQUENT NECK PAIN FOR SEVERAL DAYS FOLLOWED, SCRATCHES ON MY NECK WERE RECEIVED. THE CAR IS IN THE BEGINNING STAGES OF EVALUATION/REPAIR BUT AGREEMENT IS THAT AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. HAVE PICTURES OF CAR AND INTERIOR CABIN AND WILL KEEP ANY AND ALL PART NECESSARY. *NM
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Dec 21, 2004
WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE FRONT ROTORS NEED TO BE REPLACED. *JB *NM
Seats, Nov 9, 2004
WHILE DRIVING MY 2003 1.8T VOLKSWAGEN JETTA, THE SEAT HEATER ON THE DRIVER SIDE MALFUNCTIONED. I FELT A VERY SMALL POINT OF PAIN IN MY LEG, BUT DIDN'T REALLY NOTICE IT UNTIL I STARTED TO SMELL SMOKE. I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE SEAT HEATER (WHICH WAS ON A SETTING OF 3 OUT OF 5 INITIALLY), PULLED THE CAR OVER TO A PARKING LOT, GOT OUT, AND FORTUNATELY NOTHING CAUGHT FIRE. I BROUGHT THE CAR IN TO MY DEALER (TREND MOTORS IN ROCKAWAY, NJ), WHO PROMPTLY FIXED THE PROBLEM, AND HAVE ORDERED A NEW SEAT COVER TO REPLACE THE ONE DAMAGED BY THE MALFUNCTION. THE CAR WAS COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AT THE TIME OF THE PROBLEM, WHICH OCCURED ON NOVEMBER 4, 2004.*AK
Air bags, Oct 22, 2004
WHILE DRIVING. 70-75 MPH AIR BAG DEPLOYED WITH NO WARNING. THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT. TOOK VEHICLE TO VOLKSWAGEN. WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS THE CONSUMER'S FAULT. *AK
Power train, Oct 2, 2004
I BOUGHT A 2004 VW JETTA GLS ON MARCH 15, 2004 AND IT HAS NOW BEEN TO THE SHOP, OH, ABOUT 4 OR 5 TIMES! THE FIRST TIME, THE CLUTCH WAS CHATTERING - SO, THEY HAD TO REPLACE THE WHOLE CLUTCH KIT, THEN THE CLUTCH CABLE HAD TO BE ADJUSTED BECAUSE IT WASN'T SHIFTING RIGHT, THEN THE SECONDARY AIR PUMP HAD TO BE REPLACED, NOW THE BRAKE PEDAL MAKES A POPPING SOUND EVERYTIME I PRESS AND DEPRESS IT... THEN TO TOP IT ALL OFF - - I WENT TO GOTO WORK THE OTHER DAY, AND IT WOULDN'T START!!! - FINALLY GOT IT STARTED AFTER THINKING IT WAS THE BATTERY (BUT, BATTERY WASN'T DEAD), AND TWO DAYS LATER, IT BARELY STARTS AND IS RELEASING A HORRIBLE SMELL - THE INSIDE SMELLED LIKE ROTTEN EGGS.. IF THERE'S SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE EMISSIONS, I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'M GOING TO DO! I REALLY THING VW SHOULD REPLACE MY CAR WITH A NEW ONE AND COVER IT FOR LIFE!*AK
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Aug 25, 2004
RECIEVED THE CAR WITH 9 MILES THE ROTORS WERE WARPED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. AROUND 1,500 MILES (2 MONTHS OLD) THE CROME TRIM ON THE REAR PASSANGER DOOR CAME UP ON ITS OWN SCRATCHING THE FRONT PASSANGER DOOR AND TRIM. VW IS PAINTING THE DOOR AND REPLACING THE CROME UNDER WARRANTY. *AK
Power train, Aug 24, 2004
WHEN SHIFTING GEARS TRANSMISSION SLIPPED GEARS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
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
Power train, Jul 14, 2004
TRANSMISSION LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH. TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO BE LOCKED IN REVERSE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED BY VW OF AMERICA $6500 UNDER WARRANTY. INJURY RESULTED FROM INCIDENT