2004 Volkswagen Passat Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 16about this part
- Share
- 6%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 28,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 16 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 6% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 28,000 miles. 2 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.
“Car parked front facing west appears to have caused the headlights to fog over on the inside. Dealer sold me a kit for approximately $15 and I was told to apply to the outside. That was when I realized it was on the inside and not the outside. I am retired and on a fixed income and now the dealer wants $250 per headlight plus labor to replace them.”
NHTSA complaint #10225754, filed 2008-04, 11,000 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“6/30 I drove my 2004 vw Passat wagon. I had used the cruise control and had to slow down, I attempted to re-activate the cruise control, it would not respond. I tried again the following day and it worked. 7/3, I parked my car for an hour appt. I returned to my car to find the brake lights were on. I turned the car on, tapped the brakes and turned it off. The brake lights stayed on. I had to leave town for a few days and upon returning, called my dealer, ontario vw. 7/9 I made an appt to service the car. Sylvia in service made the appt. …”
NHTSA complaint #10195977, filed 2007-07, 26,570 miles“The brake light switch keeps failing. It causes the electronic stability control to be disabled and keeps the stop lights on, even when the brake pedal is not depressed. I've had the brake like switch replaced 6 times now over the past 2.5 years.”
NHTSA complaint #10171622, filed 2006-10, 7,875 miles“Known issue vibrating headlamp assembly , despite numerous repairs at dealership continues to vibrate causing repeated headlamp bulb failure. Especially dangerous when failure occurs while driving at night.”
NHTSA complaint #10208480, filed 2007-11, 28,000 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
- 10158533Feb 18, 2019Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. TB updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10121257Mar 27, 2015Technical Bulletin: Condensation and or water droplets becomming visible on inside of exterior light lenses issue is discussed in this document
- 10242998Dec 22, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238052Dec 12, 2014Corrosion on the rear lid in the cut-out sections for the license plate light / handle assembly (Figures 1 and 2).
- 10253215Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10239592Jun 4, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10120169Jun 4, 2014Technical Bulletin (Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation): This document informs of the Condensation and or water droplets visible on inside of exterior light lenses. The…
- 10243011May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349May 19, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10253214Mar 8, 2014Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
Exterior lighting: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2018 | 1 | 2% |
| 2017 | 1 | 1% |
| 2016 | 5 | 5% |
| 2015 | 6 | 2% |
| 2014 | 10 | 2% |
| 2013 | 60 | 8% |
| 2012 | 17 | 4% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 4 | 2% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 7 | 3% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 5 | 3% |
| 2004 | 16 | 6% |
| 2003 | 39 | 6% |
| 2002 | 32 | 5% |
| 2001 | 30 | 7% |
| 2000 | 11 | 2% |
| 1999 | 15 | 2% |
| 1998 | 4 | 1% |
| 1997 | 2 | 5% |
| 1996 | 3 | 8% |
| 1995 | 5 | 5% |
| 1993 | 4 | 6% |
| 1992 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
59 complaintsFuel system
57 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
38 complaintsSeats
34 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsEngine
18 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 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