2004 Volkswagen Passat Equipment Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 2%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,780miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the equipment of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 2% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,780 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“This incident happened twice in december 2009. After lifting my foot off of the accelerator pedal, the vehicle kept accelerating to very high speeds. The vehicle did not stop accelerating when I put my foot under the accelerator pedal and lifted up. To stop, I had to put the vehicle in neutral and brake. Dealer said it was a stuck floor mat and removed the mat from the vehicle. They said there was no mechanical defect.”
NHTSA complaint #10302960, filed 2010-01, 30,000 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“2004 vw Passat 4 sedan rear cigarette lighter and ash tray are not safely and functional installed well. Have the tendency to keep coming apart entirely exposing electrical wires leading to burn and electrical shock or popping or burning of wires. Have had the problem repaired on multiple occasions by dealer as well as by myself to further prevent the mishap since out of warranty. My children bump the cigarette lighter and it caused sparks and burning smell. I was able to repair the enclosure again for the 13th or so time and since it's not under warranty it's not covered. …”
NHTSA complaint #10285722, filed 2009-09, 78,050 miles“I have a 2004 vw Passat 4motion 1.8 turbo. I have just recently (within the last month) replaced the #2 coil. Now today either another coil is gone or the same one. I haven't gotten it to my mechanic yet to determine which one is bad. But after talking to him he related to me that he has replaced several # 2 coils this year on this make of vehicle.. So I am just guessing that this is the problem this time around. My vehicle has 52,000 miles on it. It wasn't the #2 coil it was the #1 coil. I am getting really disgusted with this car as far as reliability is concerned. …”
NHTSA complaint #10235533, filed 2008-07, 53,560 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10228180Dec 12, 2022Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- 10175799May 12, 2020Tool number added to table. Removal of Behr Flush Kit. VAS 6337/1A
- 10174476Apr 21, 2020Updated to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10169135Dec 5, 2019Update model applicability to MY 2020.
- 10168358Nov 7, 2019Include new special tool adapter and 2018 model year Jetta only
- 10168364Nov 4, 2019Update to mode; and model year applicability.
- 10167196Oct 29, 2019Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards.
- 10165055Sep 10, 2019Include additional photo's of water ingress. Also includes 2018-2020 Tiguan LWB
- 10164239Aug 23, 2019TT 001202........Also includes 2005 Jetta wagon and 2018-2020 Tiguan LWB
- 10164181Aug 21, 2019Quick Reference Update Guide.
Equipment: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 5% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2014 | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 | 5 | 1% |
| 2009 | 1 | 1% |
| 2008 | 1 | 1% |
| 2007 | 3 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 2% |
| 2005 | 1 | 1% |
| 2004 | 5 | 2% |
| 2003 | 12 | 2% |
| 2002 | 17 | 3% |
| 2001 | 7 | 2% |
| 2000 | 6 | 1% |
| 1999 | 8 | 1% |
| 1998 | 8 | 2% |
| 1997 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 4 | 4% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1991 | 1 | 4% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
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 complaintsBrakes
15 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
13 complaintsOther or unknown
9 complaintsAir bags
8 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