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2004 Volkswagen Golf Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the fuel system (25% of complaints, typically around 94,000 miles). It is 14th of 24 Golf model years by number of complaints and has 2 recalls.
Most common 2004 Volkswagen Golf problems
Fuel system
7 complaints · 25%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Golf. The contact smelled a fuel odor emanating from his vehicle. Upon further inspection he noticed a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire. His vehicle identification number was excluded from recall# 04v586000 (fuel system, diesel)…
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Golf. The contact stated that gasoline fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who did not offer any…
Engine
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: engine.
Turbo failed on my 2004 Golf tdi (100hp) two months after I bought the car. The dealer told me this was unusual, but had to send to germany for a replacement turbo unit. The car does not seem to have the same pep since the new turbo unit was installed. I have heard of one other case where the turbo failed as well. I…
Electrical
4 complaints · 14%Parts named most often: wiring.
Dt: the consumer states that on june 30, 2005, his vehicle burned to the ground, vw 2004 turbo diesel Golf. The consumer was driving on the freeway, the consumer started smelling smoke. A few minutes later the vehicle was filled with smoke and the consumer could not see. The consumer stopped the car in the middle of…
Glow plug light began to flash while driving, researched this problem on the internet and found that there have been recalls for previous model years and checked my vehicle. Though my vehicle does not fall into the recall years and I have not received an notification about a recall the brake light switch has failed on…
Air bags
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: frontal.
Transmission
3 complaints · 11%Parts named most often: clutch assembly, automatic transmission.
The dual-mass flywheel came apart in my Volkswagen Golf tdi (2004) causing difficulty in shifting and need for premature clutch replacement. The problem started nearly a month before I had it diagnosed at the dealer as a bad clutch.
My wife was taking a short trip to pick me up from work in our 2004 vw Golf, when the clutch failed suddenly at a traffic light. She was able to continue, but the clutch was failing to fully disengage. Fortunately, she was on surface streets and did not have to drive at highway speeds. We limped home and requested to…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2004 Volkswagen Golf recalls
Lights: switch
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Fuel system: fuel system, diesel
Risk: Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Golf
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Golf?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (7 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); engine (4 complaints); electrical (4 complaints).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf have?
- 2 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from February 20, 2007 (lights). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2004 a bad year for the Volkswagen Golf?
- It is 14th of 24 Golf model years by number of complaints, with 28 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.