2004 Volkswagen Jetta recalls and problems

The 2004 Volkswagen Jetta has 2 recalls and 231 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is engine.

How the 2004 compares

Average

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 28 Jetta model years — 14th most.

2recalls

231complaints

15crashes

20fires

15injuries

66,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Exterior Lighting

Feb 20, 2007 · NHTSA campaign 07V063000 · 1,002,000 vehicles

Problem: On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch May malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Risk: The brake lights could become inoperative, or remain on. Failure to provide the proper signal when braking could lead to a crash without warning.

Original NHTSA wording

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 & notes

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.

Volkswagen recall no. N4.customers May contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty: 1-800-424-9153); or go to http://www.safercar.gov.

Fuel System

Dec 15, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V586000 · 19,284 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source May lead to a fire.

Original NHTSA wording

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

Remedy & notes

Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on February 8, 2005. Owners should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

Vw recall no. Vy.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine48

Seats22

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2004 vs. other Volkswagen Jetta years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2004. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, the latest from Feb 20, 2007 (exterior lighting). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention engine (48), fuel system (37), electrical system (36). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.