2004 Volkswagen Golf Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 4about this part
- Share
- 14%of 28 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 17,528miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf, 14% of the 28 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 17,528 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
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.
“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 miles“The epc light illuminated then the engine cut completely off. Vehicle's epc light illuminated on 3 separate occasions at 798, 1,029 and 1,110 miles respectively. On the first two repairs, they found problems with the throttle. …”
NHTSA complaint #10067448, filed 2004-04, 798 miles“Dt: the consumer states that on june 30, 2005, his vehicle burned to the ground, vw 2004 turbo diesel GOLF. The consumer was driving on the freeway, the consumer started smelling smoke. A few minutes later the vehicle was filled with smoke and the consumer could not see. The consumer stopped the car in the middle of the road and jumped out of the car. After the consumer ran away from the vehicle, he turned around to see the vehicle engulfed in flames from the back seats. There was also a case of oil behind the back seat, which the consumer states that may have spread the fire. …”
NHTSA complaint #10127884, filed 2005-07, 2,800 miles“The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen GOLF. The contact was traveling 50 MPH when unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed that the wiring for the fuse box needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was repaired. The failure mileage was 65,000 and the current mileage was 70,000. Updated 8/31/12 updated 09/11/2012”
NHTSA complaint #10469107, filed 2012-08, 65,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10169135Dec 5, 2019Update model applicability to MY 2020.
- 10163542Jul 29, 2019Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon.
- 10162902Jul 3, 2019This document outlines updates to the diagnostic software (ODIS).
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10158529Feb 19, 2019Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10149864Aug 13, 2018Update content and include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10144652Jun 6, 2018This information bulletin contains instructions for checking the pins/terminals for contacts and nano contacts.
- 10133469Nov 10, 2017Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6 | 55% |
| 2022 | 11 | 14% |
| 2021 | 3 | 43% |
| 2020 | 2 | 33% |
| 2019 | 5 | 8% |
| 2018 | 2 | 7% |
| 2017 | 10 | 9% |
| 2016 | 8 | 9% |
| 2015 | 18 | 14% |
| 2014 | 1 | 8% |
| 2013 | 7 | 16% |
| 2012 | 6 | 13% |
| 2011 | 18 | 16% |
| 2010 | 5 | 7% |
| 2006 | 1 | 8% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 4 | 14% |
| 2003 | 4 | 15% |
| 2002 | 11 | 15% |
| 2001 | 15 | 13% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 9 | 14% |
| 1998 | 5 | 28% |
| 1995 | 12 | 28% |
| 1994 | 9 | 22% |
| 1993 | 3 | 43% |
| 1992 | 1 | 17% |
| 1991 | 3 | 38% |
| 1990 | 2 | 20% |
| 1989 | 2 | 12% |
| 1988 | 2 | 22% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf
7 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsEquipment
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsBody and structure
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology