2004 Volkswagen Passat Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 57about this part
- Share
- 20%of 279 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 94,109miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 57 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 20% of the 279 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 94,109 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The car died as I was driving down a city road, I was able to veer the car to the side of the road as it was rolling before it stopped completely. I had the car towed back to my house and after testing all components, it was determined that the car wasn't getting any fuel due a faulty fuel pump.”
NHTSA complaint #11051632, filed 2017-11, 100,000 miles“Gas tank/ fuel line fracture, leaking gas when I fill it up, strong gas smell/odor. Stops leaking at around 3/4 tank. Very dangerous for my 16 year old to drive. Vw dealership refused to correct, wants to charge me 2600, to fix I bought the car for 4200 3 months ago.”
NHTSA complaint #11101278, filed 2018-06, 135,000 miles“We have begun to notice the smell of fuel in the cabin of our car. The smell occurs when the car is full of gas; otherwise, with a half tank of gas, there are no odors. The car is a 2004 Volkswagen Passat gls 1.8t 4motion with the 5 speed automatic. Vw has made no promises to remedy this issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10496613, filed 2013-02, 103,000 miles“I was driving on hwy 101 in san luis obispo county california when my call stalled in the fast lane. My fuel pump went out. I have a 2004 vw Passat. The 2003 Passat's fuel pumps were recalled jan 2006 and august 2007. After my car was made which makes me wonder why my cars fuel pump wasn't recalled since it was made after recall date.”
NHTSA complaint #10281250, filed 2009-08, 53,051 miles“I began noticing a very strong smell of gasoline coming through the vent while driving. When I pulled over to check under the hood, I noticed that the rigid fuel line had cracked where it passed through a mounting bracket on the upper rear of the engine bay. The crack was emitting a steady flow of fuel onto the engine and exhaust manifold. We did not drive the car any further and had the line repaired with a patch of flexible fuel line material.”
NHTSA complaint #10626953, filed 2014-08, 166,000 milesRelated recalls
- 08V156000Apr 7, 2008Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These…Covers: Volkswagen Passat 1999–2005
- 04V586000Dec 15, 2004On certain passenger vehicles, the high pressure diesel pumps were produced with an improper fastener, which could allow diesel fuel to escape from the pump.Covers: Volkswagen Passat 2004–2005, Jetta 2004–2005, Golf 2004–2005 +1 more
Related service bulletins
- 10121123Feb 5, 2016Technical tips on what to do if improper gasoline has been added to the vehicle.
- 10121246Jan 20, 2015Discusses the issues associated with using contaiminated gasoline. There are recommendations to use top tier gasoline retailers
- 10121536Oct 10, 2014Tech Tips (ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear): This document informs to clear static ECM fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low", add fuel to vehicle and complete a…
- 10120274Sep 12, 20142.0L TDI Pumpe Duse Engine, with Hard Starting: For long crank/ difficulty starting with the engine hot: Before replacing any components for this complaint, drain the fuel from…
- 10238954Aug 29, 2014Use the diagram below to test the N75 Solenoid Valve in the event of a turbocharger fault code such as P0299 or P0234. This applies to Mechanical Injection Style Diesel Engines…
- 10124482Aug 29, 2014Tech Tips (TDI Engine - N75 Solenoid Valve Diagnosis): This document informs with graphical aid the testing of the N75 Solenoid Valve in the event of a turbocharger fault code…
- 10238572May 9, 2014Fault code P1297 may be set and fuel mixtures may go lean if the vehicle is driven under load or revved up and then returned to idle.
- 10241265Jan 27, 2014Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10238960Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
- 10238959Apr 8, 2013To clear static ECM fault P1250 ?Fuel Level Too Low?, add fuel to vehicle and complete a road test of at least 10 miles. Simply adding fuel without completing a road test may not…
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 1 | 8% |
| 2020 | 2 | 11% |
| 2019 | 2 | 17% |
| 2018 | 6 | 13% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 18 | 17% |
| 2015 | 23 | 9% |
| 2014 | 50 | 8% |
| 2013 | 88 | 12% |
| 2012 | 46 | 10% |
| 2011 | 3 | 19% |
| 2010 | 33 | 20% |
| 2009 | 53 | 36% |
| 2008 | 63 | 38% |
| 2007 | 42 | 16% |
| 2006 | 64 | 11% |
| 2005 | 23 | 16% |
| 2004 | 57 | 20% |
| 2003 | 169 | 27% |
| 2002 | 73 | 11% |
| 2001 | 44 | 10% |
| 2000 | 46 | 9% |
| 1999 | 29 | 4% |
| 1998 | 17 | 5% |
| 1997 | 1 | 3% |
| 1995 | 3 | 3% |
| 1994 | 2 | 8% |
| 1993 | 7 | 10% |
| 1992 | 8 | 21% |
| 1991 | 5 | 21% |
| 1990 | 1 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
59 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 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