2004 Volkswagen Passat Transmission Problems

Which parts fail

• Automatic transmission
  22
• Automatic transmission › Control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
  9
• Clutch assembly
  3
• Clutch assembly › Pedal/hand lever(motorcycle)
  1

Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  1648%
• 25k–50k
  515%
• 50k–75k
  39%
• 75k–100k
  515%
• 100k–150k
  412%
• 150k+
  00%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Volkswagen Passat owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

When slowing down at traffic light car hesitated and then jerked foward, as if I had been hit from behind. It was enough to make my back and neck sore. I touched the accelerator pedal to give the car some gas and the engine freely revved, even thought the transmission indicated it was in 'drive'. The car has developed a hesitation to accelrate before the incident, and after. The car has also been showing signs of excessive fuel consumption.

My transmission on a 2004 Passat wagon all wheel drive (v6) engine slips and startles me very frequently. When the vehicle is slowed down it bucks violently as if I was rear ended by another vehicle. So far, volkswagon gave me a replacement car (since it was a brand new car). However, the replacement car is doing the very same thing. This problem is potentially dangerous because it feels as if you're being rear ended. Also, it creates a potential danger on the roads. Volkswagon originally said it was the all wheel drive (but this is simply not the case). Now, they're saying the transmission needs to be "flashed"? I will be filing a lemon law complaint against the company. I fear that many other vehicles have the same problem and they're being ignored or swept under the carpet. …

My car, a 2004 vw Passat glx automatic, has had a transmission problem since the day I bought it, when the salesperson told me it just needed to adjust to my driving style. Months later, it was clear that it wasn't adjusting to my driving style. I took it in and it was "fixed." about May or June of 2006, it began to experience problems again, e.g., slamming, surging, delayed engagement, etc. I gave it some time, hoping it would "readjust," then took it in November of 2006, when the problems had become more acute. In a 4-5 minute test drive within a mile of the dealer, the most worrisome malfunctions could not be repeated. The service manager at the time said the minor issues were normal, and that I would have to "write a letter" to get the problem addressed. …

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that he discovered water inside the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where the sunroof was disengaged. The manufacturer advised the contact that there was an open recall on the vehicle under an unknown recall campaign and the vehicle was taken back to the dealer for repairs. In addition, the contact stated the vehicle was exhibiting an abnormal jerking sensation when driving at various speeds. The dealer replaced the soiled carpeting and noticed extensive water damage to the transmission module, which was also replaced. The contact stated that the jerking persisted when attempting to switch gears. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer however, the dealer was unable to locate a failure within the vehicle. The failure persisted until the transmission failed. …

1. My wife was driving the car (2004 Volkswagen Passat gls, 1.8 l turbo), and it felt like it was having trouble shifting from first gear to subsequent gears. It was sudden, not gradual by any means - the car just started to hesitate when shifting, and the MIL lamp was lit...this happened in heavy traffic in the detroit suburbs - not an ideal time to not be able to accelerate. 2. The transmission was replaced under my powertrain warranty (it's my opinion that this was an unnecessary replacement). Upon further investigation, it was found that there was a water leak in the vehicle, and the passenger side floorboard was filled with water, inundating the transmission control module. It turns out that this damaged the module, and effectively rendered the car is not able to be driven. 3. …

Tl* - the contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that the heating seat malfunctioned. The heating coil burned a hole in the seat, and burned the contact's leg. The driver's front seat had a silver dollar size hole in it, with a wire sticking out of the seat. The vehicle's seat began smoking and she turned off the car immediately. The contact planned to take the vehicle to the dealer on 02-09-07. Also, the contact had a recurring problem with the transmission. The contact stated that usually when driving at 55 MPH on the highway, and as she began braking the car jerked or threw the contact as if someone haad rear ended her. The contact stated that this happened at least once a week. She had taken the car to the dealer because they were not driving on the highway they were not able to duplicate the failure. In both instances neither weather nor speed were factors.

2005 Passat wagon - 38000 miles blocked drains around the sunroof caused rain water to leak into the floor boards of the car. The build-up of water caused the TCM (transmission control module) to malfunction. The (automatic) car was able to be driven only with hard shifts between gears and now will not move out of park. (undrivable). Replacement of the TCM will cost $3210. The car was a garaged car up until a few months ago. It was at the dealership for all scheduled maintenance. I was told by the dealership that the drain tubes can get clogged with "one leaf" and the next rain can cause this problem. I was advised to park in a covered area and never drive in the rain. This seems like a significant design flaw that one leaf followed by any rain can cause the TCM to fail and need replacing.

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.

I have a 2004 vw Passat with a safety issue in transmission. When accelerating from a stop or low speed the car hesitates and then jumps. The problem is most severe in reverse gear. The dealership has no resolution. After changing multiple parts the problem still occurs. I have talked with other 2004 Passat and touareg owners and they have the same complaint, so it appears to be affecting more than a single vehicle. Can the NHTSA do somthing to help vw owners by forcing vw to acknowledge this issue and find a resolution before someone gets hurt. Right now their dealers and engineers do not have a fix!

There is a problem with the transmission. The car shifts sharply in lower gears causing severe jerking of the vehicle at times. Dealer "rebooted" the control module but no change. The mechanic at the dealership let it slip that they were aware of this problem and that there is no solution at this time. I can't believe they sold the car knowing of this problem. I contacted vw and complained to the dealership. I was offered 2 months of free loan payments by vw. I recently received a call from the dealership saying that the software problem has been fixed. I am taking car in this week.

Transmission complaints in other Passat years