2004 Volkswagen Jetta: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 233 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (14% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2020
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 233 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“A4 VW BEW TDI BRAKE BOOSTER VACUUM HOSE updated part# 1J0 612 041 FD VW part numbers 1J0 612 041 N and 1J0 612 041 FD. These hose are known for cracking at the plastic tube causing low vacuum; poor / inconsistant braking performance. This could lead to crashes, injuries, and loss of life. These hoses were recalled in the UK, but not in USA for unknown reasons. Vaico is the oem supplier of these hoses, and were most likely fitted to all bew TDI m/t mk4 VW vehicles sold world wide.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jan 2024
“Unknown, very complex. Multiple issues. Have been addressed as well as parts been replaced however other issues arised that are definitely safety concerns between electrical issues engine motor etc”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
“My car is currently staged at my home it's still drivable but I don't know gor how long! I recently bought this car from a dealer in california about 3 months ago, now all of a sudden I'm having issues with my transmission I caught the issue fast and took it to a multistate transmission shop and they told me they would have to rebuild my transmission with the amount of money I already spent on fixing up this car I am extremely upset, I cannot afford such a insane amount everything with the car besides that is perfect though.”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Mar 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“Loose steering chance of loss of control due to incorrect tie rod end from kit specific to vehicle. Resulting in ruined tires and alignment. Https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/volkswagen/jetta/replacement/control_arm_kit/2004/tdi/4_cyl_1-dot-9l/repv281502.html . The kit I believe has a tie rod end meant for a preious generation volkswagon as it is smaller in diameter and cannot taper lock. It took about a month of driving for it to loosen up. The physical problem is the outer tir rod but the inner tie rod is of a smaller diameter and adjustments were made installing so the dust boot would properly seal but it was mechanically compatable.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2018
“Vehicle under multiple occasions has stalled out at various speeds, locations, and driving styles/roads at or under a quarter of a tank”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2018
“Alternator wire melted part of the battery top fuse box. Cable was very hot and may have caught fire if I hadn't smelled it first. Had to replace the alternator cable harness and fuse box panel.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2018
“I turned on the driver side seat heater and it caught fire burning a hole in the seat and burning me. I was driving at the time in the city. I pored water all over me and the seat and turned the heater off.”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2018
“The insulation on the wiring of the left headlight is deteriorated and falling off leaving the wires bare and at risk of shorting out.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2018
“Passenger seat (front seat) heating element is burning the upholstery. The seat heater won't shut off. This has happened more than once; each time the car was operating.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jan 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 65 mph, all the warning indicators started to flash on the instrument panel. The door chime sounded and the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle onto the shoulder. The contact had the vehicle jump started and drove to a nearby parking lot. The failure occurred two other times and the vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic. The fuse box melted and had to be replaced. The vehicle operated normally after the repairs were completed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 74,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 15 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Jetta by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
NHTSA has 233 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (14% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Jetta problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 70,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning service brakes, hydraulic:foundation components:master cylinder. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.