2004 Volkswagen Jetta Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 37about this part
- Share
- 16%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 85,550miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 37 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 85,550 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My 2004 vw Jetta 1.8 turbo which I purchased new is having transmission problems. My cat has only 66,000 miles in it and has been well maintained. In the past two years I have replaced the fuel pump, battery, catalytic converter, numerous vacuum leaks ect...but a transmission???? Volkswagen needs to issue a recall as this is way to common!! Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #10398143, filed 2011-04, 66,000 miles“My car literally turned off when I was turning a corner...luckily I wasn't on the freeway. The battery was fine. It turned out to be the lift fuel pump for my 2004.5 Volkswagen Jetta tdi pd bew. I was charged $400 by a local vw mechanic. The dealership would charge $800. If I had it done in tdi club, it would be around $200.”
NHTSA complaint #10256464, filed 2009-01, 88,500 miles“Gas idles like it is stuck when over 40 MPH or like I have a stick shift and I am in 3rd gear driving and not switching gears. Two months ago the car went dead while I was driving and the dealership replaced the fuel pump. After about two weeks the check engine light came on and off again and again, then the dealership replaced the coil, but it still has the same problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10155630, filed 2006-04, 39,700 miles“While driving down road early in morning approx 2 miles from house I just left from my 2004 Jetta shuts down total loss of all power I pulled car over in a church parking lot I smelled smoke and could see smoke coming from fire wall I raised hood and pulled battery cable off I could see smpoke filling inside of my car walked around to driver door to get my phone and I seen fuse box on fire.another vehicle stopped to help me and he approached my car and then called police ,full flames were coming from my car within 5 min so I stood back and watched my car burn .fire dept showed up and put…”
NHTSA complaint #11076395, filed 2018-03, 115,000 miles“Vw corp rejected catalytic converter replacement when we identified that the flex pipe was leaking/loud and was over the mileage warranty (vw extended the part warranty to 10yrs or 120k miles) our car had 120,110 miles. There was no local vw dealership to id repairs near where I was working. The part did failed before the 120k miles; and has been leaking or damaged for sometime. Since it warmed up and I had the windows down I was able to hear the leak. This part was replaced under warranty previously and was a recall item on this model and year. …”
NHTSA complaint #10583941, filed 2014-04, 119,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V586000Dec 15, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the high pressure diesel pumps were produced with an improper fastener, which could allow diesel fuel to escape from the pump.Covers: Volkswagen Jetta 2004–2005, Passat 2004–2005, Golf 2004–2005 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10121123Feb 5, 2016Technical tips on what to do if improper gasoline has been added to the vehicle.
- 10121246Jan 20, 2015Discusses the issues associated with using contaiminated gasoline. There are recommendations to use top tier gasoline retailers
- 10121536Oct 10, 2014Tech Tips (ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear): This document informs to clear static ECM fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low", add fuel to vehicle and complete a…
- 10238954Aug 29, 2014Use the diagram below to test the N75 Solenoid Valve in the event of a turbocharger fault code such as P0299 or P0234. This applies to Mechanical Injection Style Diesel Engines…
- 10124482Aug 29, 2014Tech Tips (TDI Engine - N75 Solenoid Valve Diagnosis): This document informs with graphical aid the testing of the N75 Solenoid Valve in the event of a turbocharger fault code…
- 10238572May 9, 2014Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10238960Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10238959Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10242399Mar 4, 2013VW Elsa Newsletter
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 4 | 13% |
| 2024 | 4 | 9% |
| 2023 | 3 | 7% |
| 2022 | 3 | 7% |
| 2021 | 11 | 15% |
| 2020 | 5 | 9% |
| 2019 | 29 | 5% |
| 2018 | 9 | 28% |
| 2017 | 42 | 26% |
| 2016 | 35 | 22% |
| 2015 | 20 | 10% |
| 2014 | 42 | 11% |
| 2013 | 43 | 8% |
| 2012 | 80 | 16% |
| 2011 | 166 | 27% |
| 2010 | 303 | 36% |
| 2009 | 307 | 35% |
| 2008 | 10 | 5% |
| 2007 | 8 | 4% |
| 2006 | 23 | 4% |
| 2005 | 21 | 8% |
| 2004 | 37 | 16% |
| 2003 | 17 | 4% |
| 2002 | 22 | 3% |
| 2001 | 28 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 5% |
| 1999 | 13 | 4% |
| 1998 | 10 | 5% |
| 1997 | 4 | 7% |
| 1995 | 11 | 5% |
| 1994 | 7 | 6% |
| 1992 | 2 | 7% |
| 1991 | 1 | 3% |
| 1990 | 2 | 9% |
| 1989 | 4 | 14% |
| 1988 | 1 | 5% |
| 1987 | 2 | 11% |
| 1986 | 5 | 36% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
37 complaintsElectrical system
36 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
35 complaintsSeats
22 complaintsAir bags
21 complaintsBrakes
12 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