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2004 Volkswagen GTIProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 7 owner complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen GTI, most often about the air bags. It is covered by 1 safety recall.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 9, 2017. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Volkswagen GTI has problems
7 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
4Air bags
2Electrical system
1Exterior lighting
1Fuel/propulsion system
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Power train
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 4 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 2 | 0 |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 1 | 0 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 1 | 0 |
| Power train | 1 | 0 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
1 recall
2004 Volkswagen GTI 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 GTI 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 GTI median. How we score
'85'86'87'88'89'90'91'92'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
In owners' words
What GTI owners report
Recent air bags complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2004 VW GTI 1.8T HAS COME ON FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SCANNED WITH PROPER EQUIPMENT, SCANNED THE ECU, FOUND NO CODES, CLEARED THE CODES AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO REAPPEAR. *TR
CONSUMER BUMPED A CURB CAUSING MINOR WHEEL SCRAPING AND DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS (DRIVERS CURTAIN AND SEAT). RESULTING REPAIR TOTAL IN EXCESS OF $4,000.
BUMPED A CURB AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN SCRAPED WHEELS AND DEPLOYED AIR BAGS. ENGINE NO LONGER STARTS ON FIRST KEY TURN. TAKEN TO INSURER RECOMMENDED SHOP TO HAVE AIRBAGS AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS REPLACED. ENGINE STILL NOT STARTING ON FIRST KEY…
Own a 2004 GTI?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.