2004 Volkswagen Golf Problems
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 47,233miles, 25 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 2campaigns on record
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —overall rating starts with 2011 models
- EPA fuel economy
- 24 mpgcombined, 2.0L 4-cyl FWD · 21 city / 28 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf. The part named most often is fuel system, with 7 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system (4) and engine cooling (4). 25 of the complaints include a mileage, and 56% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 47,233 miles. Of all complaints, 3 involved a crash, 1 a fire, 1 a death, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 232 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 10 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Electrical system complaints overlap with 48 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.
Not compared (before 2008). Model years 2008–2023 of the same vehicle that have at least 25 complaints are compared, and a model needs at least 3 of them.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system7 25%
- Electrical system4 14%
- Engine cooling4 14%
- Air bags3 11%
- Vehicle speed control2 7.1%
- Brakes1 3.6%
- Equipment1 3.6%
- Exterior lighting1 3.6%
Also reported: Other or unknown (1), Seat belts (1), Body and structure (1), Tires (1), Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors) (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “I started smelling fuel inside my car, and I replaced the gas cap. The smell kept getting stronger and it gave me headaches while driving. Today I opened up the back seat to expose the fuel pump and the pump leaks and from the top of the fuel pump where the connectors and it fills up with liquid gasoline. This is a major fuel safety that can cause my vehicle to rapidly be engulfed by fire.”
NHTSA complaint #11114213, filed 2018-07, 250,000 milesElectrical system: “Glow plug light began to flash while driving, researched this problem on the internet and found that there have been recalls for previous model years and checked my vehicle. Though my vehicle does not fall into the recall years and I have not received an notification about a recall the brake light switch has failed on my vehicle resulting in my brake lights not lighting when I brake. This is a hazard to me and other drivers on the road.”
NHTSA complaint #10162464, filed 2006-07, 32,256 milesEngine cooling: “Turbo failed on my 2004 GOLF tdi (100hp) two months after I bought the car. The dealer told me this was unusual, but had to send to germany for a replacement turbo unit. The car does not seem to have the same pep since the new turbo unit was installed. I have heard of one other case where the turbo failed as well. I suspect my turbo unit has been replaced by the dealer with the one for the 90hp GOLF tdi. How can I find out if I have the correct part installed?”
NHTSA complaint #10130682, filed 2005-07, 1,000 milesAir bags: “I bought a new vw GOLF in february 2004. At about 6:30 p.m. On 4/1, I drove over a pothole (or some bump in the road) while driving on storrow drive in boston and suddenly two airbags deployed on the driver side of my car and my seat belt appeared to recoil. The two airbags that deployed were the side airbag and the curtain airbag. I brought my car into a boston dealer/service department the following morning. …”
NHTSA complaint #10064502, filed 2004-04Mileage when problems were reported
56% of the 25 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 7,910 and 75,192 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: stable. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Side pole | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf · sedan | not rated | 5 / 5 | — | — | — |
Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2004 Volkswagen Golf version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Golf FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Golf FWD | 2.0L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | 21 | 28 | 24 | $2,800 |
| Golf FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed manual | 32 | 42 | 36 | $2,650 |
| Golf FWD | 1.9L 4-cyl · diesel | 5-speed automatic | 28 | 39 | 32 | $3,000 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 07V063000Feb 20, 2007Exterior lighting › Brake lights › SwitchCovers: Volkswagen Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006, Beetle 2001–2007 +3 more
On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.
- 04V586000Dec 15, 2004Fuel system, dieselCovers: Volkswagen Golf 2004–2005, Passat 2004–2005, Jetta 2004–2005 +1 more
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.
Recall details for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 232 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 10241177Aug 21, 2023Engine cooling. Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10237427May 30, 2023Engine cooling. Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10235138Apr 24, 2023Engine cooling. Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Equipment. Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Electrical system. Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10214458Jun 15, 2022Equipment. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021Electrical system. This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10193577May 11, 2021Engine cooling. Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10175799May 12, 2020Equipment. Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Equipment. Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
Other model years of the Volkswagen Golf
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 11 | — | 0 | — | — | — | Too new |
| 2022 | 81 | 200 | 0 | — | — | 42 · Typical | Falling |
| 2021 | 7 | — | 1 | 5 | 33 | — | Not enough data |
| 2020 | 6 | 8,590 | 2 | 5 | 32 | — | Not enough data |
| 2019 | 63 | 556 | 6 | 5 | 32 | 71 · More | Rising |
| 2018 | 29 | 3,300 | 6 | 5 | 29 | 21 · Fewer | Rising |
| 2017 | 117 | 24,306 | 5 | 5 | 29 | 53 · Typical | Stable |
| 2016 | 85 | 30,000 | 9 | 5 | 29 | 45 · Typical | Stable |
| 2015 | 131 | 19,500 | 12 | 5 | 29 | 83 · More | Stable |
| 2014 | 12 | 36,611 | 5 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 2013 | 43 | 50,000 | 5 | — | 26 | 12 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2012 | 48 | 17,775 | 6 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2011 | 110 | 28,000 | 6 | — | 27 | 82 · More | Falling |
| 2010 | 70 | 33,800 | 4 | — | 26 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2006 | 12 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 2005 | 19 | 62,400 | 2 | — | 24 | — | Falling |
| 2004 | 28 | 47,233 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2003 | 26 | 69,152 | 2 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2002 | 74 | 59,720 | 3 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2001 | 116 | 65,300 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Falling |
| 2000 | 88 | 60,000 | 5 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1999 | 64 | 71,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1998 | 18 | 66,000 | 1 | — | 24 | — | Stable |
| 1997 | 7 | 80,500 | 0 | — | 24 | — | Not enough data |
| 1995 | 43 | 202,800 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1994 | 41 | 72,000 | 4 | — | 24 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 1993 | 7 | — | 4 | — | 22 | — | Not enough data |
| 1992 | 6 | — | 1 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1991 | 8 | — | 2 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1990 | 10 | 83,000 | 4 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1989 | 17 | 65,000 | 3 | — | 25 | — | Stable |
| 1988 | 9 | — | 5 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
| 1986 | 13 | — | 4 | — | 26 | — | Not enough data |
| 1985 | 10 | — | 5 | — | 25 | — | Not enough data |
All Volkswagen Golf model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf as of Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 7 complaints (25% of the total), followed by electrical system with 4.
Has the 2004 Volkswagen Golf been recalled?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf get?
The EPA rates the 2004 Volkswagen Golf (Golf, 2.0L 4-cyl) at 24 mpg combined, 21 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $2,800 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Golf reported?
Among the 25 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 47,233 miles and the middle half falls between 7,910 and 75,192 miles; 56% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.