2004 Volkswagen Jetta Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 5%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 14,575miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, 5% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 14,575 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.
“I purchased my car back in october 2013. When I purchased my car, the mechanic said that he replaced the ABS system. The lights were not on when I bought it. A few months later, out of the blue in about april 2014, I was turning my car on and the engine light, the ABS light and the brake light all came on momentarily after turning my engine on as I was still in park. My car had close to 100,000 miles on it. The problem went away and shortly came back a week later. Ever since, it has been on. Every once in a while, all of the lights would go off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10747218, filed 2015-08, 100,000 miles“While making a left turn into the parking lot, I braked but the vehicle didn't slow down, and I hit a concrete pole. The only thing I heard was drumming noise and was not able to brake hard, because it kind of locked.”
NHTSA complaint #10149181, filed 2006-02, 14,575 miles“I was driving home 50-55 MPH clear night smooth road I had not noticed any signs of my tire being low I have valve caps that show when tire air pressure is low and they all were green than I heard a loud noise and my car pulled to the left I pulled over and noticed my tire had completely separated at the sidewall leaving about 2-3 inches of tire on the rim and the rest was in one piece barley sitting on the rim the tire was made by nankang toursport 611 DOT 109n other numbers I found on the tire were 517 2306 z2c, n-2570-3l xr611 radial 195/65 r15 9ih m+s tubeless when the tire blew out and…”
NHTSA complaint #10205637, filed 2007-10, 52,376 miles“Purchased 2004 vw Jetta gli on 3/5/04 with delivery on 3/7/04. Car had 41 miles at delivery. By monday, 3/8/04 noticed burning smell on driver's side of car while shifiting between 1st & 3rd gears. Also noticed vibration in brake pedal at idle and vibration in steering column while braking. Complained at dealership that car was failing with 181 miles on the odometer. Service tech test drove the car with me. Could not identify burning smell, but suggested I try driving the car without the seat heaters on to see if it made any difference (it didn't). …”
NHTSA complaint #10061934, filed 2004-03, 181 miles“I recently purchased a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta gli with 9200 miles. Approximately one week after owning the vehicle, a clunking sound was coming from the rear of the car. The clunking noise has increased in sound level and sensitivity to road surfaces since then. I took the vehicle in to be serviced by fletcher jones chicago vw and was told that the brake pad is loosening in the caliper and is causing the clunking sound. I was also told that this would not be covered by my warranty as they suggested the car was still drivable and the problem was likely due to wear on the pad. …”
NHTSA complaint #10139042, filed 2005-10, 10,050 milesRelated 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 Jetta 2001–2005, Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 6% |
| 2024 | 13 | 28% |
| 2023 | 11 | 26% |
| 2022 | 12 | 28% |
| 2021 | 26 | 37% |
| 2020 | 7 | 13% |
| 2019 | 30 | 5% |
| 2018 | 1 | 3% |
| 2017 | 15 | 9% |
| 2016 | 23 | 14% |
| 2015 | 19 | 10% |
| 2014 | 18 | 5% |
| 2013 | 22 | 4% |
| 2012 | 37 | 7% |
| 2011 | 28 | 5% |
| 2010 | 55 | 6% |
| 2009 | 205 | 23% |
| 2008 | 23 | 12% |
| 2007 | 44 | 22% |
| 2006 | 30 | 5% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 12 | 5% |
| 2003 | 22 | 5% |
| 2002 | 51 | 7% |
| 2001 | 77 | 12% |
| 2000 | 45 | 10% |
| 1999 | 31 | 9% |
| 1998 | 11 | 6% |
| 1997 | 2 | 4% |
| 1996 | 2 | 6% |
| 1995 | 23 | 10% |
| 1994 | 9 | 8% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 2 | 6% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1988 | 3 | 16% |
| 1987 | 1 | 6% |
| 1986 | 1 | 7% |
| 1985 | 3 | 23% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
37 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsSeats
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsExterior lighting
9 complaintsBody and structure
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsVehicle speed control
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
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