Recalls (2)
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗MALFUNCTIONING BRAKE LIGHT SWITCHES
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- Consequence
- THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
VW/DIESEL PUMPS FASTENER
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
- Consequence
- FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (28)
28 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The electrical system is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 28 |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 4 | 14.3% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 4 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system | 4 | 14.3% |
| Air bags | 3 | 10.7% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 3 | 10.7% |
| Power train | 3 | 10.7% |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 2 | 7.1% |
| Vehicle speed control | 2 | 7.1% |
| Equipment | 1 | 3.6% |
| Exterior lighting | 1 | 3.6% |
How 2004 compares with other Golf years
Best and worst Golf years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 88 | 5 |
| 2001 | 116 | 5 |
| 2002 | 74 | 3 |
| 2003 | 26 | 2 |
| 2004 | 28 | 2 |
| 2005 | 19 | 2 |
| 2006 | 12 | 1 |
| 2007 | 2 | 0 |
| 2008 | 1 | 0 |
| 2009 | 3 | 0 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 36 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $2,650
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 283 g/mi
- EPA class
- Compact Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 36 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 32 / 42 / 36 | $2,650 | 283 |
| 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 28 / 39 / 32 | $3,000 | 318 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 21 / 28 / 24 | $2,800 | 370 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2004 Golf for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2004 Volkswagen Golf FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf have?
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns: 07V063000 (brake), 04V586000 (fuel system). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2004 Volkswagen Golf problems?
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. Electrical system (4), Engine and engine cooling (4), Fuel system (4) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf get?
EPA rates the 1.9 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 32 city, 42 highway and 36 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2004 Golf compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2009 Volkswagen Golf model years at least five years old, the 2008 drew the fewest complaints (1) and the 2001 the most (116). The 2004 drew 28. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.