2004 Volkswagen Passat Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 18about this part
- Share
- 6%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 117,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 18 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 6% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 117,000 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
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“March 8 at approximately 10pm: on a trip back from out of town with my 2 young children and puppy, the rpms in the vw Passat began escalating yet no additional power was coming into the engine. I tried shifting to a lower gear and also attempted cruise control to minimize the RPM racing. Cruise control did not respond and the change in gear did nothing for the racing rpms. A few more miles down the highway the car began losing momentum -? It was similar to the feeling of running out of gas though I had a full tank. I moved the car into the service lane before the engine shut off. …”
NHTSA complaint #10693241, filed 2015-03, 81,000 miles“I noticed my coolant reservoir was low and added coolant. I had also noticed the smell of coolant in the car. The next day I check coolant level again it was low with no leaks noticed under car. I opened rear passenger door and found at least 1 of coolant on top of the carpet. I started looking online for this issue and found hundreds of people that have experienced this on Volkswagen. I think they should have recalled these or at least have to correct the problem case by case. My granddaughter has to ride in the back of this car and I don't believe it's safe anymore. …”
NHTSA complaint #10564317, filed 2014-02, 74,934 miles“While driving the car at highway speeds it stalls and the epc light comes on. This has happened many times while merging with other traffic and can be very dangerous. I have spent well over $1000 trying to get this problem fixed, and the problem still remains. Even the vw dealership dose not have an answer.”
NHTSA complaint #11229463, filed 2019-07, 220,000 miles“Steam came blowing out profusely from all HVAC vents while driving on freeway. After the steam, then came the dash warning to stop driving. After pulling over, the car was shut off and because all coolant was gone, the car was towed to a repair facility who is determining the exact damage and cause.”
NHTSA complaint #10598383, filed 2014-06, 257,700 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10167196Oct 29, 2019Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards.
- 10165535Sep 24, 2019Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards.
- 10164209Aug 19, 2019Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards. Also includes 2004 and 2005 Jetta Wagon and 2018-2020 Tiguan LWB
- 10163517Jul 16, 2019Engine oil quality standards. Also includes all models for 1997-2003. Also Rabbit from 2006-2009.
- 10159016Mar 12, 2019Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
- 10150856Sep 28, 2018Engine replacement tip
- 10126870Oct 20, 2016Update to include additional model year applicability.
- 10241340Sep 2, 2014Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00
- 10120329Sep 2, 2014Technical Bulletin (Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard): This document informs of a sample list of products generally available in the North American market…
- 10241339Aug 22, 2014Oil Consumption Measurement
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 3 | 23% |
| 2021 | 1 | 6% |
| 2020 | 4 | 22% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 11 | 24% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 17 | 16% |
| 2015 | 53 | 22% |
| 2014 | 77 | 13% |
| 2013 | 105 | 14% |
| 2012 | 40 | 8% |
| 2011 | 6 | 38% |
| 2010 | 41 | 25% |
| 2009 | 60 | 41% |
| 2008 | 43 | 26% |
| 2007 | 28 | 11% |
| 2006 | 64 | 11% |
| 2005 | 12 | 8% |
| 2004 | 18 | 6% |
| 2003 | 23 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 2% |
| 2001 | 5 | 1% |
| 2000 | 8 | 2% |
| 1999 | 2 | 0% |
| 1998 | 1 | 0% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
59 complaintsFuel system
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsSeats
34 complaintsElectrical system
23 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 28, 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