Recalls (3)
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat. 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 ↗UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS/FUEL SYSTEM COMPONENTS
- Summary
- VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 412,000 MY 1999-2005 PASSAT (5TH GENERATION) VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND PRODUCED AFTER JUNE 14, 1999. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE AN UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELD THAT CAN BECOME DAMAGED. IN ADDITION, AFFECTED VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS MAY HAVE A FUEL LINE (1.8T ENGINES ONLY) OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE (4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE ONLY) THAT CAN LEAK DUE TO FRACTURE.
- Consequence
- A HEAT SHIELD THAT MAY CONTACT THE EXHAUST SYSTEM CAN RESULT IN A VEHICLE FIRE. IN ADDITION, A FUEL LEAK FROM A FUEL LINE OR FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE, IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, CAN LEAD TO A VEHICLE FIRE.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSTALL ADDITIONAL UNDERBODY HEAT SHIELDS ON VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS TO COVER THE POSSIBLY DAMAGED AREAS AND FLASH ALL 1.8T ENGINES WITH A PRECAUTIONARY SOFTWARE UPDATE. DEALERS WILL ALSO INSPECT AND ADJUST THE FUEL LINE ROUTING ON 1.8T VEHICLES AND THE FUEL TANK VENTILATION VALVE ON 4MOTION/ALL WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLES, AND REPLACE COMPONENTS IF NECESSARY FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JUNE 13, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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 (285)
285 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The engine and engine cooling is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 285 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine and engine cooling | 59 | 20.7% |
| Power train | 38 | 13.3% |
| Fuel system | 35 | 12.3% |
| Seats | 34 | 11.9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 25 | 8.8% |
| Electrical system | 24 | 8.4% |
| Engine | 18 | 6.3% |
| Exterior lighting | 17 | 6% |
| Service brakes | 16 | 5.6% |
| Structure | 16 | 5.6% |
How 2004 compares with other Passat years
Best and worst Passat years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 507 | 3 |
| 2001 | 432 | 3 |
| 2002 | 643 | 3 |
| 2003 | 631 | 6 |
| 2004 | 285 | 3 |
| 2005 | 148 | 3 |
| 2006 | 576 | 7 |
| 2007 | 273 | 7 |
| 2008 | 174 | 4 |
| 2009 | 152 | 4 |
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 27 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,550
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 377 g/mi
- EPA class
- Midsize Cars
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 27 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | $3,550 | 377 |
| 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 / 34 / 27 | $3,550 | 377 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 23 | $3,550 | 386 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 19 / 28 / 22 | $3,750 | 404 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 | 423 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 26 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 / 25 / 20 | $4,100 | 444 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 17 / 24 / 19 | $4,350 | 468 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 6-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 22 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
| 4 L 8-cyl · 5-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 16 / 23 / 18 | $4,550 | 494 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2004 Passat 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 Passat FAQ
How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have?
NHTSA lists 3 recall campaigns: 08V156000 (fuel system), 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 Passat problems?
Owners filed 285 complaints with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling (59), Power train (38), Fuel system (35) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat get?
EPA rates the 2 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic version at 23 city, 34 highway and 27 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2004 Passat compare with other years?
Among the 2000–2009 Volkswagen Passat model years at least five years old, the 2005 drew the fewest complaints (148) and the 2002 the most (643). The 2004 drew 285. 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.