Most common 2004 Volkswagen Jetta problems
Share of the 233 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Jetta complaints by model year
Best Jetta years: 2018, 2020, 2022. Years to avoid: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2010. Compare all years →
2004 Volkswagen Jetta recalls (2)
Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch May malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
Remedy: 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.
Fuel system, diesel
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.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on February 8, 2005. Owners should contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
What 2004 Volkswagen Jetta owners say
Engine & cooling all 48 →
While driving down road early in morning approx 2 miles from house I just left from my 2004 Jetta shuts down total loss of all power I pulled car over in a church parking lot I smelled smoke and could see smoke coming from fire wall I raised hood and pulled battery cable off I could see smpoke filling inside of my car walked around to driver door to get my phone and I seen fuse box on fire.another vehicle stopped to help me and he approached my car and then called police ,full flames were coming from my car within 5 min so I stood back and watched my car burn .fire dept showed up and put fire out my car is a total loss. Ive had issues with alternator,fuel pump,air bag light, headlights are really dim even on bright.nothing but issues with this car since I got it. 115.000 miles only on this car .so many isues I can see why its low milage
I purchased my car back in October 2013. When I purchased my car, the mechanic said that he replaced the ABS system. The lights were not on when I bought it. A few months later, out of the blue in about April 2014, I was turning my car on and the engine light, the ABS light and the brake light all came on momentarily after turning my engine on as I was still in park. My car had close to 100,000 miles on it. The problem went away and shortly came back a week later. Ever since, it has been on. Every once in a while, all of the lights would go off. Luckily the lights all went off for a few days around my inspection time for the 2014 year and my car passed. Not even three days later they all came back on. This time October 2015 inspection is coming up and my lights are all on. Since the engine light is on, I cannot pass inspection. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 38 →
While driving down road early in morning approx 2 miles from house I just left from my 2004 Jetta shuts down total loss of all power I pulled car over in a church parking lot I smelled smoke and could see smoke coming from fire wall I raised hood and pulled battery cable off I could see smpoke filling inside of my car walked around to driver door to get my phone and I seen fuse box on fire.another vehicle stopped to help me and he approached my car and then called police ,full flames were coming from my car within 5 min so I stood back and watched my car burn .fire dept showed up and put fire out my car is a total loss. Ive had issues with alternator,fuel pump,air bag light, headlights are really dim even on bright.nothing but issues with this car since I got it. 115.000 miles only on this car .so many isues I can see why its low milage
The car randomly stalls while driving whether at highway speeds or in town. This causes a loss of power steering and power brakes which is inherently dangerous in certain situations. It has been doing this regularly with the previous owner for the last 3 or 4 years and has done it 4 times while under my ownership since September 2017 it usually happens while there is less than 1/4 tank of fuel. When it happens there is no check engine light nor does the ECU store any codes from the problem. Previous owner made several repairs including a fuel pump and filter, engine speed sensor and alternator wiring harness in an attempt to fix the issues with no success. This issues also comes up regularly on several vw forums and no one seems to have an answer. This is a known and regular issue with no consistent repair and needs to be remedied.
Electrical system all 36 →
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed while it was raining, the windshield wipers were activated; however, the wipers failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the wipers failed to operate. In addition, the contact stated the brake lights failed to function as intended. The contact was informed that the brake lights failed to activate while the brake pedal was depressed. The contact stated that the front driver's side window was closed; however, the driver's front side window was independently lowered. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with an electrical system failure. The contact stated that the battery, the alternator, the fuses, and the windshield wiper motor were all replaced; however, the failure reoccurred. …
While driving down road early in morning approx 2 miles from house I just left from my 2004 Jetta shuts down total loss of all power I pulled car over in a church parking lot I smelled smoke and could see smoke coming from fire wall I raised hood and pulled battery cable off I could see smpoke filling inside of my car walked around to driver door to get my phone and I seen fuse box on fire.another vehicle stopped to help me and he approached my car and then called police ,full flames were coming from my car within 5 min so I stood back and watched my car burn .fire dept showed up and put fire out my car is a total loss. Ive had issues with alternator,fuel pump,air bag light, headlights are really dim even on bright.nothing but issues with this car since I got it. 115.000 miles only on this car .so many isues I can see why its low milage
2004 Volkswagen Jetta engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 5-speed manual | FWD | 32 / 42 / 36 |
| 1.9L 4-cyl turbo diesel | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 28 / 39 / 32 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | FWD | 21 / 28 / 24 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 6-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 1.8L 4-cyl turbo | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
| 2.8L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 19 / 27 / 22 |
EPA ratings. Class: Compact car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta a good car?
Based on 233 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2004 Jetta rates better than average: 47% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Jetta at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta?
The engine & cooling — 48 complaints, 21% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (38) and electrical system (36).
How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, the most recent from February 20, 2007 (switch). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Jetta?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2018, 2020 and 2022. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2019, 2011, 2012, 2013 and 2010. See the full Volkswagen Jetta years comparison.
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Jetta problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 69,000 miles; 35% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.