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2004 Volkswagen PassatProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 279 owner complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, most often about the engine and engine cooling. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2004 Volkswagen Passat
33
CarFlaw IndexUse caution2.0× the Passat median · #10 of 33 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints27957 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage72kEngine and engine cooling, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 1, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Elise240SX, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2004 Volkswagen Passat has problems

279 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
Engine and engine cooling595
Power train382
Seats3421
Fuel system, gasoline282
Electrical system237
Fuel/propulsion system220
Engine183
Exterior lighting162
Structure162
19 other systems7610

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

3 recalls

2004 Volkswagen Passat 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.

–no report yet

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery

Recall 08V-156 · Apr 7, 2008 · 412,000 vehicles

Risk. A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

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.

Mileage at failure

When do engine and engine cooling problems start?

72kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 49 engine and engine cooling complaints. 76% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
3under 30k miles37under 100k miles12100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Engine and engine cooling

16 owners mentioned a cost

$2,800median

Middle half: $875 – $5,750

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2004 vs. every other Passat 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 Passat median. How we score

'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
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2004 Volkswagen Passat safety ratings

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

2004 Volkswagen Passat frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
  • Stability control: Standard
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
3 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, and the recalls they led to.

  1. PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRESEA07014 · closed Jul 7, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-156
  2. Engine Compartment FireEA11002 · closed Feb 17, 2012
    No recall
  3. FUEL TANK LEAKPE08008 · closed May 30, 2008
    Led to recall 08V-156
In owners' words

What Passat owners report

Recent engine and engine cooling complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

POSSIBLE CAM TENSIONER THAT CAUSES THE CAR TO MAKE A LOUD CLICKING NOISE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AS A RESULT. TOOK IT TO 3 MECHANICS AND DID A DIAGNOSTIC BUT COULD NOT FIND THE PROBLEM. HELP ME PLEASE! *TR
Complaint 10627448 · Aug 22, 2014 · 82,000 miles
I BEGAN NOTICING A VERY STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE COMING THROUGH THE VENT WHILE DRIVING. WHEN I PULLED OVER TO CHECK UNDER THE HOOD, I NOTICED THAT THE RIGID FUEL LINE HAD CRACKED WHERE IT PASSED THROUGH A MOUNTING BRACKET ON THE UPPER REAR OF THE ENGINE BAY. THE CRACK WAS EMITTING A STEADY FLOW OF…
Complaint 10626953 · Aug 21, 2014 · 166,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE WATER COOLANT SYSTEM AND THE TIMING BELT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. THE VEHICLE WAS…
Complaint 10595853 · Jun 3, 2014 · 114,000 miles

Own a 2004 Passat?

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