2004 Volkswagen JETTA: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
231 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
66,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 191 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 32 of 231 complaints (13.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 32 | 13.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 29 | 12.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 26 | 11.3% |
| Braking behavior | 23 | 10.0% |
| Engine operation | 20 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 8 | 3.5% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 32 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 16 |
| Seats | 14 |
| Air Bags | 12 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 12 |
| Engine | 11 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 11 |
Electrical System: 32; Engine And Engine Cooling: 18; Power Train:Clutch Assembly: 16; Seats: 14; Air Bags: 12; Fuel System, Diesel: 12; Engine: 11; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 11
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 38 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 29 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 44 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 30 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 35 |
| 150,000 and above | 15 |
Under 25,000: 38; 25,000 to 49,999: 29; 50,000 to 74,999: 44; 75,000 to 99,999: 30; 100,000 to 149,999: 35; 150,000 and above: 15
50,000 to 74,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (44). 40 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 18 |
| 2005 | 29 |
| 2006 | 26 |
| 2007 | 28 |
| 2008 | 20 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 14 |
| 2012 | 11 |
| 2013 | 7 |
| 2014 | 12 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2016 | 11 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 7 |
| 2019 | 2 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
2004: 18; 2005: 29; 2006: 26; 2007: 28; 2008: 20; 2009: 14; 2010: 17; 2011: 14; 2012: 11; 2013: 7; 2014: 12; 2015: 7; 2016: 11; 2017: 5; 2018: 7; 2019: 2; 2024: 2; 2025: 1
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 32 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 29 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 26 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10061934 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
PURCHASED 2004 VW JETTA GLI ON 3/5/04 WITH DELIVERY ON 3/7/04. CAR HAD 41 MILES AT DELIVERY. BY MONDAY, 3/8/04 NOTICED BURNING SMELL ON DRIVER'S SIDE OF CAR WHILE SHIFITING BETWEEN 1ST & 3RD GEARS. ALSO NOTICED VIBRATION IN BRAKE PEDAL AT IDLE AND VIBRATION IN STEERING COLUMN WHILE BRAKING. COMPLAINED AT DEALERSHIP THAT CAR WAS FAILING WITH 181 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. SERVICE TECH TEST DROVE THE CAR WITH ME. COULD NOT IDENTIFY BURNING SMELL, BUT SUGGESTED I TRY DRIVING THE CAR WITHOUT THE SEAT HEATERS ON TO SEE IF IT MADE ANY DIFFERENCE (IT D…
Owner-reported narrative. 181 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061934 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061943 · 2004-03-11 (March 11, 2004)
ENGINE CONTROL COMPUTER FAILED RESULTING IN VERY HARD TO START OR NO START CONDITIONS. VEHICLE HAS BEEN OUT OF SERVICE FOR 2 WEEKS WAITING ON PARTS. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 1600 MILES ON IT. WAS SUGGESTED TO BY THE DEALER TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE WHILE WAITING FOR PARTS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10061943 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066168 · 2004-04-14 (April 14, 2004)
PARKED CAR ON RELATIVELY FLAT DRIVEWAY (MAYBE 3 DEGREE GRADE). DID NOT PUT CAR IN GEAR BUT DID ENGAGE THE PARKING BRAKE. ABOUT 15-20 MINUTES LATER, CAR WAS SEEN ROLLING DOWN/ACROSS THE DRIVEWAY AND OVER AN EMBANKMENT. IT CAME TO REST AGAINST A TREE AND INCURRED SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THE BODY.
Owner-reported narrative. 2,400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066466 · 2004-04-19 (April 19, 2004)
DEFECTIVE WINDSHIELD GLASS. GLASS IN 2004 JETTA WINSHIELD BATCH APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVELY ANNEALED AND TEMPERED CAUSING GLASS TO FRACTURE FROM TEMPERATURE CHANGES. MY WINSHIELD CRACKED WHEN SITTING IN HOT SUNLIGHTTHE AIR CONDITIONING WAS TURNED ON AND THE AC VENT DIRECTS COLD AIR TO THE HOT WINDSHIELD. VENT OR GLASS BAD.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 5,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10066466 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073744 · 2004-05-17 (May 17, 2004)
FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. IT INDICATED GAS TANK WAS FULL WHEN IT WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. CONSUMER RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE FREEWAY, AND WAS REAR ENDED AT AN INTERSECTION.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073744 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10076176 · 2004-06-14 (June 14, 2004)
WHILE IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC ACCELERATOR FAILED INTERMITTENTLY. DEALER STATED THEY WERE UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM, THEREFORE, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 830 miles reported. Look up ODI 10076176 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10078481 · 2004-06-19 (June 19, 2004)
GAS GAUGE FAILURE SINCE DATE OF PURCHASE. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10078481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10079735 · 2004-06-23 (June 23, 2004)
WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE IN COLD WEATHER VEHICLE WOULD JERK FORWARD/BACKWARDS. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 25,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10079735 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V586000 · Fuel System, Diesel
Reported: 2004-12-15 (December 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.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA campaign record ↗07V063000 · Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
Reported: 2007-02-20 (February 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.
Consequence: 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗