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Volkswagen Passat WagonModel year report

2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon Problems

Complaints
6filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
121,962miles, 6 complaints with mileage
Recalls
0campaigns on record
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
22 mpgcombined, 1.8L 4-cyl FWD · 19 city / 28 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. The part named most often is fuel system, with 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by air bags (1) and brakes (1). 6 of the complaints include a mileage, and 0% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 121,962 miles. NHTSA lists 0 recall campaigns and 130 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 5 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Air bags complaints overlap with 1 technical service bulletin filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “Approximately two years ago I left my parents' house in this vehicle and immediately noticed a strong smell of gasoline. I pulled over and turned the engine off, and quickly found that fuel was leaking from the rigid line where it is fastened to the firewall in the engine compartment. The metal tube had cracked inside the rubber lined bracket that holds it in place. At the time I thought this was an odd but isolated incident; I have since seen other reports of people experiencing similar failures, so it seems worth documenting considering the high risk of fire involved.”

NHTSA complaint #10588056, filed 2014-05, 55,000 miles

Air bags: “Airbag warning lights came on with a statement about faulty airbag ... Epc warning lights came on first when vehicle was in motion. Vehcle was stopped. On re-start, air bag warning lights came on. Vehicle was iddling and stationary.”

NHTSA complaint #10971433, filed 2017-04, 135,000 miles

Brakes: “Front disc brake rotor failed (separated from bolting hub) in hard braking at about 35 miles per hour. Brakes had been replaced in 2009 and had approximately 37,000 miles driven since replacement. No other signs of excessive wear or warpage noted by auto technicians. Failed part number 4b0-615-301-b.”

NHTSA complaint #10457593, filed 2012-05, 108,923 miles

Electrical system: “Had to replace the comfort control module along with untold amount of wires due to water damage. After being parked and turned off the windows roll. Down the alarm is disabled, the doors unlock. While driving lights go. On and off doors lock and unlock emergency flashers go off and alarm will go off. Can't unlock car without setting alarm off.”

NHTSA complaint #11184655, filed 2019-03, 140,000 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

0% of the 6 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 100,500 and 140,000 miles.

0%0–100%10–250%25–5017%50–750%75–10067%100–15017%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (6 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 121,962 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Fewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

201212013120141201512017120191
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Passat Wagon FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual192823$3,550
Passat Wagon FWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed automatic192822$3,750
Passat Wagon FWD2.8L 6-cyl5-speed manual172620$4,100
Passat Wagon FWD2.8L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172520$4,100
Passat Wagon 4motion 4WD/AWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed manual192822$3,750
Passat Wagon 4motion 4WD/AWD1.8L 4-cyl5-speed automatic182621$3,900
Passat Wagon 4motion 4WD/AWD2.8L 6-cyl5-speed automatic172419$4,350
Passat Wagon 4motion 4WD/AWD4.0L 8-cyl6-speed manual152218$4,550
Passat Wagon 4motion 4WD/AWD4.0L 8-cyl5-speed automatic162318$4,550
Passat Wagon FWD2.0L 4-cyl · diesel5-speed automatic233427$3,550

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon in the data used here. A recall can apply to some vehicles of a model year and not others, so check a specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 130 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 130 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Passat Wagon

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
2010976,0522—25—Not enough data
2009675,0002—22—Not enough data
20086115,0002—24—Not enough data
200711149,5003—23—Not enough data
20046121,9620—22—Not enough data
20027105,0000—22—Not enough data

All Volkswagen Passat Wagon model years

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have?

NHTSA recorded 6 consumer complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 3 complaints (50% of the total), followed by air bags with 1.

Has the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon been recalled?

NHTSA lists no recall campaigns for this model year in the data used here. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon (Passat Wagon, 1.8L 4-cyl) at 22 mpg combined, 19 city and 28 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,750 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon reported?

Among the 6 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 121,962 miles and the middle half falls between 100,500 and 140,000 miles; 0% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.