2004 Volkswagen Jetta Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 4%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 66,395miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, 4% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 66,395 miles. 1 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.
“We have a 2004 vw Jetta, but this concern is with most 7 year old and older vehicles. The headlight construction is inferior to vehicles earlier in the 1900s ' never with cars I have owned from 1954 until the last few have I see headlights fog- turn opaque or yellow. The plastic used is inferior to the glass used on older vehicles and as such it is a safety hazard to all drivers. …”
NHTSA complaint #10399504, filed 2011-05, 72,790 miles“I was driving my vw Jetta 2004 tdi on a highway, I was using my high beam and low beam headlights to yield to incoming traffic when all of a sadden my headlights went off, I had to stop it was very dark and dangerous road, I moved and wiggle the lever to see if I could make it come on again, eventually it did, it did that about 4 times,every time it scared the ... Out of me could not see road. Took it to a mechanic, replaced the turn signal high beam low beam and cruse control lever, its all in one lever. …”
NHTSA complaint #10823126, filed 2016-01, 122,000 miles“I own a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta wagon tdi. The original owner sold the car to me and complained of poor lighting. I have repeatedly brought the vehicle to dealership and the problem has not been resolved. There is no peripheral lighting and the lights do not project far enough to see and have dark spots. I hit a bear 6 wks. Ago and directly blame the lights for an impaired ability to react. The plastic lens are also a problem as they yellow and scratch over time diminishing visibility by approx 50%. …”
NHTSA complaint #10237267, filed 2008-08, 52,000 miles“Headlights dimming- to point where you can not tell they are on. Engine light comes on despite all diagnostics stating all is ok with car. Periodically fails to start-despite diagnostics that state starter, battery, drain altenator all good and functioning properly. Car jumps easily with boost .”
NHTSA complaint #10490419, filed 2012-12, 122,642 miles“The contact stated while applying brake pressure at various speeds, the rear brake light and turn signals failed to illuminate without warning. The vehicle was inspected by a dealer who determined the brake light switch malfunctioned and needed to be replaced. There was a NHTSA recall, # 06v183000, regarding the exterior lighting. The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. Additionally, the driver side window glass stuck within the window retainer, and would not roll up. The dealer determined the window glass needed retainer clips installed. Afterwards, the problem persisted. …”
NHTSA complaint #10170026, filed 2006-10, 41,075 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
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10121257Mar 27, 2015Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239592Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10120169Jun 4, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): This document informs of the Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. The…
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239591Mar 6, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10124287Mar 6, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): Exterior light assemblies (headlights, taillights, fog lights, turn signals) are vented and may collect moisture on…
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 1 | 17% |
| 2025 | 1 | 3% |
| 2022 | 1 | 2% |
| 2021 | 1 | 1% |
| 2019 | 26 | 5% |
| 2017 | 5 | 3% |
| 2016 | 3 | 2% |
| 2015 | 5 | 3% |
| 2014 | 24 | 6% |
| 2013 | 17 | 3% |
| 2012 | 13 | 3% |
| 2011 | 41 | 7% |
| 2010 | 19 | 2% |
| 2009 | 24 | 3% |
| 2008 | 5 | 3% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 32 | 6% |
| 2005 | 14 | 6% |
| 2004 | 9 | 4% |
| 2003 | 28 | 6% |
| 2002 | 50 | 7% |
| 2001 | 80 | 12% |
| 2000 | 34 | 8% |
| 1999 | 17 | 5% |
| 1998 | 7 | 4% |
| 1995 | 7 | 3% |
| 1993 | 1 | 6% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
37 complaintsFuel system
37 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsSeats
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 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