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2004 Volkswagen Passat Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 279 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the engine (27% of complaints, typically around 80,000 miles). It is 9th of 23 Passat model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2004 Volkswagen Passat problems
Engine
76 complaints · 27%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, cooling system, exhaust system.
It has come to my attention through the b5 forums at www.tdiclub.com that all 2004-2005 vw Passat tdi engines have been outfitted with a faulty chain driven oil-pump (aka balance shaft) assembly that has an extremely high rate of failure. Failure of the oil-pump assembly has proven to cause multi-thousand dollar…
Purchased a used 2004 vw Passat in april 09. Did not purchase an extended warranty for the vehicle, however, such would not have covered this issue regardless. The Passat heating/air conditioning system is a climatronic. The vents and airconditioning operated as they should. After purchase, noticed on cool mornings…
Fuel system
57 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 94,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.
Driving along came up to a stop sign and car sputtered then dies and could not be restarted towed to dealer. Advised of bad fuel pump. $800.00 for repair. Same as several other 2004 complaints and checking to see if this should be tied to the 2003 recall.
Fuel line broke and leaked gas onto the hot exhaust system. The fuel leak was from a fuel hose on the firewall. The fuel lines are leaking in several other areas underneath the car.
Transmission
38 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 34,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, clutch assembly.
(1) slight pulsation was felt in clutch pedal. Assumed clutch release bearing failed. 2) took car to dealer who claimed the clutch failed prematurely and damaged the flywheel as well. (3) had car repaired by dealer. Clutch apparently is not covered under warranty after 12000 miles.
: the contact stated while driving various speeds, the automatic transmission had a sluggish response while shifting gears. Additionally, while driving uphill, the vehicle operated at a reduced speed. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who was unable to duplicate the problem. The manufacturer was alerted.
Seats
34 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: front assembly.
1)my heated seats got so hot they burned a hole in my seat and burned my leg. I'm not sure how that happened without me noticing, but it did. The burn was not severe but it did hurt for a day or two. 2. The seats continue to get that hot when turned on.... I no longer use the heated seat function. 3. Nothing has been…
I own a Volkswagen Passat 2004 model. On november the 11th 2008 after working the night shift at mbusi in vance, alabama, I got in my car to go home. I turned on the heated seat just as I have done for the past 4 years only this time I got more heat than I wanted. My heated seat caught fire and burned my leg. In…
Electrical
23 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 56,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition, horn, instrument cluster/panel.
Sun visor w/homelink causes #5 fuse to blow. Wires are shorting out inside the visor causing smoke. When fuse blows you loose climatronic AC, cruise control, auto dimming mirrors, and steering wheel controls.
I have a 2004 vw Passat 4motion 1.8 turbo. I have just recently (within the last month) replaced the #2 coil. Now today either another coil is gone or the same one. I haven't gotten it to my mechanic yet to determine which one is bad. But after talking to him he related to me that he has replaced several # 2 coils…
Lights
19 complaints · 7%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: brake lights, headlights.
Known issue "vibrating headlamp assembly", despite numerous repairs at dealership continues to vibrate causing repeated headlamp bulb failure. Especially dangerous when failure occurs while driving at night.
2004 vw Passat tdi. Vw has a problem with their turn signal switch. The switch continues to open and close the circuit after the turn signal is in the off position. This is a problem with many of their models( jetta, Passat both gas and diesel). The dealership service personnel are aware of the problem and are…
Body and structure
16 complaints · 6%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles. Parts named most often: body.
We have a 2002 and a 2004 Volkswagen Passat sedan and wagon. Both have suffered motor mount leakage and both have broken water pump dispellers. We have replaced the water pump parts and are saving up to replace mounts on both vehicles. This seems to be a weak part for Volkswagen. We are constantly going to get…
The drain coming down from the sunroof apparently became clogged causing this vehicle to short out...horn blowing, alarm system going off, etc. The waterproof black box, which is underneath the drivers seat, was full of water and the comfort control box was all burned. The drivers side floor is soaking wet and we have…
Brakes
14 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 36,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, foundation components, antilock.
At the 20000 maintenance inspection there was no observation done by the dealer. At about 22k the brake problem warning light came on and then off. I took the car at the dealer and they found that the back brake pads are almost completely worn off and they need to be replaced and the brake fluid needs to be flushed.…
The ABS has been faulty for six months from time of purchase a s brand new. The ABS lit up and will stay lit until service department reset it. The brake lit up and got stuck without pressing on brake pedal. Dashboard lights malfunctioned, and did not come on through this failure. Vehicle sat parked in the service…
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 Passat recalls
Fuel system: delivery
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Engine compartment fire
Summary
In july 2010, the agency opened pe10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (cop) ignition coil fires in my2002-2003 vw passat vehicles.the investigation was upgraded in january 2011 to include all my2001-2007 4-cylinder vw passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.based on the analysis of vw's response, and including odi's consumer complaints, odi has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the cop coils.after further review of the details as contained in each report, odi determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermine
Fuel tank leak
Summary
Volkswagen (vw) is recalling certain vw passat 4motion and audi a6 quattro and allroad quattro all-wheel drive passenger cars.vw vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from november 22, 2000 through may 31, 2005 and audi vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from june 2, 2001 to june 1, 2005.the NHTSA recall number for the vw vehicles is 08v-156 (vw also is correcting defects related to heat shield and fuel line hazards for these vehicles and for 1999-2000 passats in this recall action.)the NHTSA recall number for the audi vehicles is 08v-157.since 2006, odi has received 17 complaints of fuel leaking from the subject vehicles' fuel tanks.the 400 complaints shown above may includ
Passenger engine compartment fires
Summary
The manufacturer notified NHTSA on 04-apr-08 that a safety recall action would be initiated to remedy the issue.in june 2008, the manufacturer issued a technical service bulletin (code 26e5/r5) regarding the specific procedures to be employed in this campaign.vehicle owner notification letters were sent beginning approximately june 13, 2008.the campaign was assigned NHTSA no. 08v-156.this recall affects all my 1999-2005, 5th generation gasoline-powered passat sedans and station wagons.approximately 412,000 vehicles are affected.corrective action will consist of installing additional exhaust system heat shielding to mitigate the potential thermal effects of engine ignition problems.based on t
Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
- What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Passat?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (76 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); fuel system (57 complaints, typically around 94,000 miles); transmission (38 complaints, typically around 34,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from April 7, 2008 (fuel system). 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 Passat?
- It is 9th of 23 Passat model years by number of complaints, with 279 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.