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2004 Volkswagen GolfProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 28 owner complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Golf, most often about the electrical system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.

2004 Volkswagen Golf
69
CarFlaw IndexOne of the best years55% below the Golf median · #18 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls2Free fix at dealersOwner complaints284 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage18kElectrical system, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 14, 2019. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Volkswagen Golf has problems

28 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Electrical system41
Engine and engine cooling40
Fuel/propulsion system30
Power train30
Air bags31
Latches/locks/linkages20
Fuel system, diesel20
Vehicle speed control21
Fuel system, other10
8 other systems81

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

2 recalls

2004 Volkswagen Golf recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Golf year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Golf median. How we score

'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Volkswagen Golf safety ratings

2004 Volkswagen Golf 4-DR. w/SAB in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

  • Stability control: Optional
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Golf owners report

Recent electrical system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED.…
Complaint 10469107 · Aug 3, 2012 · 65,000 miles
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…
Complaint 10162464 · Jul 15, 2006 · 32,256 miles
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…
Complaint 10127884 · Jul 8, 2005 · 2,800 miles

Own a 2004 Golf?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.