2004 Volkswagen Passat Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 5%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 47,240miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 5% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 47,240 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“The vehicle heated up due to a fault in vw's Passat cooling system and smoke started to come out from engine. I was driving at around 25 miles / km only. I towed the car to mechanic and had to do a costly repair for water pump, timing belt, etc. I see there is an open recall for this kind of issue in water pump in passats, so I truly believe the water pump was faulty from manufacturer side. I would like to be repaid for the money I have already spent on this.”
NHTSA complaint #10614626, filed 2014-07, 133,000 miles“Abs unit failure of 2004 vw Passat my ABS module keeps flashing a brake failure on my dashboard. I don't know how safe it is to drive the car with a flashing brake light on the dash. Seeing how this should be a safety issue shouldn't the manufacture fix this brake problem under a recall?”
NHTSA complaint #10365944, filed 2010-11, 117,500 miles“I was driving inside town approximately at 35 MPH and was stopping in the stop light. When I applied the brake the car was shaking and check engine light started flashing. After the stop light turned green I released brake and the shake was not there and check engine light was gone. I went few miles to pick my daughter and after picking my daughter and less than a mile on road the check engine light came on again and there is a slight vibration of the vehicle when the engine is turned on. I'm yet to take the vehicle to the repair shop. Not sure if there is any factory recall for this problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10546821, filed 2013-10, 85,000 miles“I was driving the car around 40 MPH in downtown los angeles in the afternoon and I was the only occupant. The vehicle in front of me suddenly slowed down. I pressed the brakes hard but the car did not stop and I tried to swerve to the shoulder but there was not enough room. I rear-ended the vehicle in front of me. I was puzzled and bewildered why the car was not stopping even though I was pressing on the brakes. I could see myself approaching the vehicle in front of me and wondering why I am not stopping but at the same time trying to swerve towards the shoulder. …”
NHTSA complaint #10366647, filed 2010-11, 59,000 miles“I have a brand new 2004 vw Passat tdi wagon that has no tail lights. Signals work, brake lights work but, license plate light and rear parking/driving lights don't work. Car has no burned out bulbs or fuses. My concern is if the car has wiring harness problems, is this something that others have happening. Also on a rainy day the anti lock brake and electronic stability program in the same car failed but, when the car was parked and restarted the computer reset and problem disappeared. Is this going to be a problem?”
NHTSA complaint #10104742, filed 2004-12, 16,000 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 Passat 2003–2005, Golf 1999–2006, GTI 1999–2006 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10238963Nov 7, 2014Fault code 02543 000 ?Brake Vacuum Sensor no Display? may be encountered in the ABS module. This may be caused by the hydraulic brake boost function (HBV) in adaptation value 61…
- 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.
- 10238966May 31, 2013After replacing a Bosch 5.7 ABS module, refer to the table below to determine correct module coding value based on vehicle PR codes. Listed login code must be entered under…
- 10070775May 31, 2013Summary to be provided on a future date.
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 3 | 25% |
| 2018 | 13 | 28% |
| 2017 | 17 | 15% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 28 | 12% |
| 2014 | 8 | 1% |
| 2013 | 8 | 1% |
| 2012 | 12 | 2% |
| 2010 | 5 | 3% |
| 2009 | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 | 6 | 4% |
| 2007 | 16 | 6% |
| 2006 | 49 | 9% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 15 | 5% |
| 2003 | 42 | 7% |
| 2002 | 72 | 11% |
| 2001 | 63 | 15% |
| 2000 | 207 | 41% |
| 1999 | 233 | 35% |
| 1998 | 90 | 27% |
| 1996 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 14 | 15% |
| 1994 | 4 | 16% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 3 | 13% |
| 1990 | 3 | 9% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
59 complaintsFuel system
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsSeats
34 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsTires
7 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
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