2004 Volkswagen Beetle Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 1%of 349 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 59,100miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle, 1% of the 349 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 59,100 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Vehicle is seven years old with 59,100 miles and already needs a new transmission due to incorrect gear ratio fault 17114, and po330. Also, needs a catalytic converter, has air leak from brake booster vacuum pipe. Vw corporation advised converter under warranty and offered $1,000 toward a new or used vw. The transmission is approximately $4,000. I declined their offer. I also had to replace three window regulators. ...updated 01/30/12”
NHTSA complaint #10445389, filed 2012-01, 59,100 miles“The vehicle had a catastrophic brake line failure on the steel braided line off the master cylinder for the front brakes during a panic stop at highway speeds. The line has a rubber anti vibration ring placed on the hose , this was said to be out of location and the steel braided line wore against the air box in the area that burst. The anti vibration ring either vibrated out of location or was possibly moved/miss-installed. The vehicle had previous work done at a certified vw dealership on the master cylinder 2 years prior to correct a failed break power assist unit. …”
NHTSA complaint #10441402, filed 2011-12, 115,730 miles“Consumer was involved in an accident where the air bags failed to deploy. The airbag light was on, as well as the check engine and ABS lights. Consumer went to dealership to get vehicle serviced, but dealership could not determine the cause of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10103772, filed 2004-12Related recalls
- 07V063000Feb 20, 2007On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed…Covers: Volkswagen Beetle 2001–2007, Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10242391Jul 8, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238566Jun 18, 2013If mechanical damage is found to the turbocharger (e.g. damaged compression wheel, loose or broken shaft), it is not enough to just replace the turbocharger.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 2 | 14% |
| 2016 | 2 | 4% |
| 2015 | 7 | 8% |
| 2014 | 4 | 8% |
| 2013 | 4 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 17% |
| 2008 | 1 | 2% |
| 2007 | 2 | 4% |
| 2006 | 6 | 5% |
| 2005 | 4 | 2% |
| 2004 | 4 | 1% |
| 2003 | 3 | 1% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 22 | 11% |
| 2000 | 23 | 9% |
| 1999 | 11 | 6% |
| 1998 | 10 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle
157 complaintsAir bags
73 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
65 complaintsElectrical system
47 complaintsEngine cooling
20 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsExterior lighting
15 complaintsSeat belts
14 complaintsEngine
13 complaintsOther or unknown
12 complaintsEquipment
10 complaintsFuel system
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology