2004 Volkswagen Passat: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 285 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints); the 2005 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2014
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 285 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“A fuel leak has developed from the top side of the fuel tank on the drivers side of me vehicle. A fuel leak in this manner is a serious critical and immediate safety risk. Recall 08V156000 was 'performed' on my vehicle back in 2008 but the exact same fuel system safety defect has returned. VW acknowledges the recall and claims it was completed while only an inspection to check for fuel leaks was performed at the time. VW Care and my local dealership refuse to address the ongoing issue. This poses a continued fire risk, and I am now being told to pay out of pocket for a known safety recall that clearly failed to remedy the original defect.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jul 2025
“The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that there was gasoline leaking in his driveway where the vehicle was parked, after he had refueled the vehicle the day before. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic informed the contact that it was a known failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V156000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the failure was addressed in 2012 and the recall was closed on the VIN. The failure mileage was 97,361.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Sep 2021
“A coil for heated seats has melted a hole in the driver's side seat. This caused pain and confusion while driving on the highway. The seat now has an ugly melted hole in it.”Owner report · Seats · Dec 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving on a highway, the driver seat suddenly overheated (the seat warmer was turned on). It started with a burning smell. Excessive heat burned my leg a bit (some skin redness), before I realized what is happening and turned the seat warmer off. The seat leather now appears stiff and wrinkled (not soft and smooth like the rest of the leather) in the area where I felt the heat.”Owner report · Seats · Nov 2020
“My car 2004 vw passat almost gett on fire front passander seat have start to burn but was ok after I shutt off the car after that now I can drive but the seat its demaged”Owner report · Seats · Oct 2019
“While driving the car at highway speeds it stalls and the epc light comes on. This has happened many times while merging with other traffic and can be very dangerous. I have spent well over $1000 trying to get this problem fixed, and the problem still remains. Even the vw dealership dose not have an answer.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
“Had to replace the comfort control module along with untold amount of wires due to water damage. After being parked and turned off the windows roll. Down the alarm is disabled, the doors unlock. While driving lights go. On and off doors lock and unlock emergency flashers go off and alarm will go off. Can't unlock car without setting alarm off.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Feb 2019
“Strong odor of fuel in the car regardless of being parked or moving. Noticed puddle of gas on the ground under the fuel tank. Fuel was dripping down off the fuel tank and the heat shields. Followed drip to the rollover valve nipple which is attached to the gas tank.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen passat. After refueling and parking the vehicle, the contact later discovered fuel had leaked out from the vehicle onto the floor of the garage. Fuel was also visible underneath the rear seat of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that fuel was leaking from the fuel valve. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2018
“Fuel tank leak. There is no damage no impact no visible evidence of any misuse of car. Fuel tank leaks when filled above 3/4 of a tank. This is unsafe and very dangerous this should be repaired by volkswagen. In all my life as a mechanic I have never seen anything this unsafe. If my loved ones were to get hurt I will hold volkswagen accountable. This needs to fixed now!..”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jun 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 23 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2004 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Passat 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 Passat reliable?
NHTSA has 285 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The most complained-about area is engine and engine cooling (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Passat problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 74,000 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning engine and engine cooling:engine. 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.