2004 Volkswagen Golf Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 11%of 28 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 71,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf, 11% of the 28 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 71,000 miles.
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.
“My wife was taking a short trip to pick me up from work in our 2004 vw GOLF, when the clutch failed suddenly at a traffic light. She was able to continue, but the clutch was failing to fully disengage. Fortunately, she was on surface streets and did not have to drive at highway speeds. We limped home and requested to have the vehicle towed to a vw service center. The service center indicated that the clutch failure was due to wear and was not a warranty item. …”
NHTSA complaint #10209791, filed 2007-11, 35,000 miles“The dual-mass flywheel came apart in my Volkswagen GOLF tdi (2004) causing difficulty in shifting and need for premature clutch replacement. The problem started nearly a month before I had it diagnosed at the dealer as a bad clutch.”
NHTSA complaint #10199793, filed 2007-08, 107,000 miles“Consumer took vehicle to dealer for repairs due to transmission slipping. Less than 2,000 miles the same issue occurred again, transmission slipped after being driven for while.”
NHTSA complaint #10094614, filed 2004-09Related service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238600Jul 4, 2014Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an engine, flywheel or transmission, please follow the…
- 10120207Jul 4, 2014Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an…
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10238601Jun 14, 201309A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission
- 10125833Jun 14, 2013Tech Tips (Vehicles with 09G or 09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission): This document informs If you replace one of these transmissions, check ETKA to see if you must also…
- 10041250Jun 6, 2011Volkswagen: the gear box has a momentarily delay while accelerating.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 1 | 9% |
| 2022 | 25 | 31% |
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 13 | 21% |
| 2018 | 4 | 14% |
| 2017 | 5 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 6% |
| 2015 | 14 | 11% |
| 2014 | 2 | 17% |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% |
| 2012 | 9 | 19% |
| 2011 | 21 | 19% |
| 2010 | 7 | 10% |
| 2005 | 2 | 11% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 2 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4 | 5% |
| 2001 | 7 | 6% |
| 2000 | 5 | 6% |
| 1999 | 4 | 6% |
| 1998 | 4 | 22% |
| 1997 | 3 | 43% |
| 1995 | 2 | 5% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
| 1989 | 3 | 18% |
| 1986 | 1 | 8% |
| 1985 | 3 | 30% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf
7 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsAir bags
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 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