2004 Volkswagen Passat Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 23about this part
- Share
- 8%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 55,999miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 23 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 8% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 55,999 miles. 7 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was driving my car to have dinner with my daughter and the car started losing power. It was only a 4 minute trip and by the time I got to my daughter's driveway, the engine was smoking. After using a hose to cool off the hood, the hood was popped and there was a fire on the passenger side of the engine. After we got the fire out, lot of hoses and the wire assembly were burned badly.”
NHTSA complaint #10627339, filed 2014-08, 80,000 miles“On august 22 about 2:45 I was returning home from taking my daughter to work about3-miles away and I noticed smoke coming from my car I get out to look under the hood and I notice flames coming from the front right end under the hood. I panicked grabbed my belongings and called 911 the fire dept arrived and put the fire out.”
NHTSA complaint #10281451, filed 2009-08, 67,000 miles“Incident description = 2004 vw Passat had been previously report several fuel consumptions problems at hoy fox vw and gas ended up leaking out of fuel tank and cause a spill in my garage and drive. Hazard was inhalation gas in a closed in area caused head aches/ nausea/dizziness/ for my family and I I have had mutiple problems with vehicle since then has broke down on me twice in less than 1 day's time. …”
NHTSA complaint #10244587, filed 2008-10, 55,999 miles“Our 2004 Passat's brake lights went out recently. There was no warning light or other process that told us the lights were out. We were almost in a car accident because the driver behind us didn't see our brake lights. After doing research I found that vw issued a recall for the brake light switch in 2007...but we never received such notice. I think this is a serious safety issue that should be communicated to the public.”
NHTSA complaint #10256267, filed 2009-01, 63,000 miles“2004 Passat 1.8t caught fire after a coil pack failed and the catalytic converter overheated. I only drove 5 miles after the coil pack failed trying to limp back to the dealer when the fire started. I put the fire out myself.”
NHTSA complaint #10209201, filed 2007-11, 42,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10169135Dec 5, 2019Update model applicability to MY 2020.
- 10163542Jul 29, 2019Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10158529Feb 19, 2019Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10149864Aug 13, 2018Update content and include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10144652Jun 6, 2018This information bulletin contains instructions for checking the pins/terminals for contacts and nano contacts.
- 10221934Dec 18, 2017Installation of original remote start feature accessory
- 10133469Nov 10, 2017Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 3 | 17% |
| 2020 | 3 | 17% |
| 2019 | 4 | 33% |
| 2018 | 10 | 22% |
| 2017 | 18 | 16% |
| 2016 | 22 | 21% |
| 2015 | 48 | 20% |
| 2014 | 74 | 12% |
| 2013 | 93 | 12% |
| 2012 | 95 | 20% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 21 | 13% |
| 2009 | 18 | 12% |
| 2008 | 21 | 13% |
| 2007 | 34 | 13% |
| 2006 | 79 | 14% |
| 2005 | 9 | 6% |
| 2004 | 23 | 8% |
| 2003 | 90 | 14% |
| 2002 | 220 | 35% |
| 2001 | 73 | 17% |
| 2000 | 43 | 8% |
| 1999 | 58 | 9% |
| 1998 | 28 | 8% |
| 1997 | 13 | 35% |
| 1996 | 14 | 35% |
| 1995 | 15 | 16% |
| 1994 | 5 | 20% |
| 1993 | 14 | 21% |
| 1992 | 3 | 8% |
| 1991 | 2 | 8% |
| 1990 | 2 | 6% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
59 complaintsFuel system
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsSeats
34 complaintsEngine
18 complaintsExterior lighting
16 complaintsBody and structure
16 complaintsBrakes
15 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 29, 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