Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (headlights, tail lights, turn signals, interior lights).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Had to replace the comfort control module along with untold amount of wires due to water damage. After being parked and turned off the windows roll. Down the alarm is disabled, the doors unlock. While driving lights go. On and off doors lock and unlock emergency flashers go off and alarm will go off. Can't unlock car without setting alarm off.
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.
1. When car in front of the Passat slowed, the driver applied the brakes and the ABS light and asr lights came on but the brakes did not work. The Passat was not going quickly and had safe stopping distance so the car had plenty of time to stop. The Passat did not stop, hitting the car ahead of it. 2. The brakes failed, causing the Passat to rear-end the car in front of it. The driver of the other car sustained whiplash injuries and 600 usd to his car. He is in treatment with the cost of treatment undetermined at this time. The Passat sustained 3000 usd in damage. The driver of the Passat was not injured, was ticketed, lost half a day's wages in court, and does not trust his vehicle. 3. The car was taken to the vw dealership, where it was determined that a brake light switch was determined to be electrically faulty. Malfunctions were stored in the ABS control module. …
2004 vw Passat 4 sedan rear cigarette lighter and ash tray are not safely and functional installed well. Have the tendency to keep coming apart entirely exposing electrical wires leading to burn and electrical shock or popping or burning of wires. Have had the problem repaired on multiple occasions by dealer as well as by myself to further prevent the mishap since out of warranty. My children bump the cigarette lighter and it caused sparks and burning smell. I was able to repair the enclosure again for the 13th or so time and since it's not under warranty it's not covered. Children sit in the rear more than adults but there has been time where the adults have causd the same issue. It's that my 9 yr old son try to repair or put back in where the entire enclosure fell out again.
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 replacing the defective switch only if your have all your maintenance done at a authorized vw dealer. So if you don"t have all your oil changes and repairs done by a authorized v w dealer there is no assistance for replacement of this defective switch. This is a cost of $300.00 to the consumer. This sure is safety related and need to be recalled asap. This problem has caused fires under the instrument panel.
1. New 2004 Volkswagen Passat, v6 sedan. Returned car several times under warranty for many types of repairs. Volkswagen unable to repair car. Both the dealer and Volkswagen of America were made aware of the problems. 2. Several failures including but not limited to: excessive oil consumption, loss of power and acceleration, transmission problems, failure to start, malfunction indicator lamp constantly on, braking problems, climate control problems, and several electrical problems including failed brake lights. 3. Several attempts by Volkswagen has failed to fix the problems. They are unwilling to resolve the problems adequately.
My complain is regarding the headlights on 2004 vw Passat. I have own this car since nov 04 and feel very unsafe driving at night. The dim headlights are inadequate on this vehicle. I would estimate the dim May shine out appox 25 feet and then just cut off. I have taken the car back several times to the dealer with no results. Could you please advise me if there is a testing location, where I could take the car to see if the lights even meet your safety regulations. Thank you.
Our 2004 Passat's brake lights went out recently. There was no warning light or other process that told us the lights were out. We were almost in a car accident because the driver behind us didn't see our brake lights. After doing research I found that vw issued a recall for the brake light switch in 2007...but we never received such notice. I think this is a serious safety issue that should be communicated to the public.
Car parked front facing west appears to have caused the headlights to fog over on the inside. Dealer sold me a kit for approximately $15 and I was told to apply to the outside. That was when I realized it was on the inside and not the outside. I am retired and on a fixed income and now the dealer wants $250 per headlight plus labor to replace them.
The brake light switch keeps failing. It causes the electronic stability control to be disabled and keeps the stop lights on, even when the brake pedal is not depressed. I've had the brake like switch replaced 6 times now over the past 2.5 years.
Related recalls
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.
Headlight complaints in other Passat years
Frequently asked questions
How common are headlight problems on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the lights of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 7% of the model year's 285 complaints. The component named most often is brake lights › switch (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Volkswagen Passat headlight problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 07V-063 (switch, Feb 20, 2007). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Passat headlight problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 45,000 miles, and 31% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 1 injury to lights problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.