What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Volkswagen Passat

Typical pattern

10.5% of complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2004 vehicle — around the middle of the 236 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.3 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine cooling (61 complaints), typically at 5.3 yr or about 72,000 miles.

Complaints
351
Median age at failure
5.3 yr
Median mileage
71,000 n=279
Crash / fire / tow
15.7% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine cooling
61 reports · 72,000 mi
5.3 yr
8.2%
Power train
37 reports · 35,000 mi
1.3 yr
5.4%
Seats
35 reports · 78,000 mi
4.4 yr
60%
Fuel system
31 reports · 85,000 mi
7.7 yr
6.5%
Fuel / propulsion
25 reports · 130,000 mi
12.1 yr
0%
Electrical system
24 reports · 58,000 mi
5.3 yr
29.2%
Engine
18 reports · 117,000 mi
10.8 yr
22.2%
Exterior lighting
17 reports · 35,880 mi
3.8 yr
11.8%
Structure
16 reports · 75,001 mi
6.2 yr
12.5%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

14E007000 2014-03-07
Engine and engine cooling:engine

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 af

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

08V156000 2008-04-07
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery

VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.

A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.

07V063000 2007-02-20
Exterior lighting:brake lights:switch

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.

04V586000 2004-12-15
Fuel system, diesel

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.

In owners’ own words

Power train 200 mi 5 mo in service
AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION LURCHED ON DOWNSHIFT WHEN COMING TO A STOP. DEALER REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION CONTROL MODULE...PROBLEM HAS NOT YET BEEN DUPLICATED AGAIN, BUT IT HAS ONLY BEEN A DAY. *AK
Power train mileage not reported 7 mo in service
I HAVE A 2004 VW PASSAT WITH A SAFETY ISSUE IN THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN I ACCELERATE AT SLOW SPEEDS IT HESITATES BEFORE TAKING OFF AND THEN BAM, IT'S LIKE SOME ONE HIT YOU IN THE BACK OF THE CAR AND THE CAR JUMPS IN GEAR. IT DOES NOT HAPPEN ALL THE TIME. BUT THE TRANSMISSION SEEMS REAL SLOW GOING INTO FIRST GEAR AND IT DOES WITH A CLUNK.*AK
Power train mileage not reported 7 mo in service
2004 PASSAT WITH 4WD, CAR JUMPS FORWARD WHEN COMING TO A HALT, CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD BUT NHTSA SEEMS UNWILLING TO ACCEPT THE COMPLAINT. I HAVE ENTERED IT THREE TIMES WITHOUT IT SHOWING UP ON THE LIST. I GUESS CAMPAIGN MONEY TALKS LOUDER THAN CONSUMERS.*AK
Structure mileage not reported 1.0 yr in service
DISTANCE BETWEEN THE FOOT REST AND CLUTCH ARE DESIGNED POORLY. WHEN TRANSFERRING FEET FROM ONE PEDAL TO ANOTHER CONSUMER'S FOOT WILL GET STUCK BETWEEN THE PEDALS. DEALERSHIP HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. *AK THERE IS A GAP BETWEEN THE CLUTCH PEDAL AND THE FOOTREST TO THE LEFT OF THE CLUTCH PEDAL. CONSUMER'S FOOT HAS GOTTEN CAUGHT ON SEVREAL OCCASIONS. DEALERSHIP REMOVED FOOTREST. *TT

Other Passat model years

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