VOLKSWAGEN GOLF · model year

2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

33 NHTSA complaints, 3 crash reports, and 6 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004VOLKSWAGENGOLF carries 33 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 3 crashes, 1 fire, 0 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 GOLF is electrical system with 3 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (3) and engine and engine cooling:engine:diesel (2). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 6 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2004 GOLF, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

33
Complaints
3
Crashes
1
Fires
0
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

33 filings

Crashes Reported

3 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM3
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH2
AIR BAGS2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL2
SEAT BELTS1
EQUIPMENT1
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION1
TIRES:TREAD/BELT1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL:CRUISE CONTROL1

Recalls (6)

07E02300029/03/2007

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAI

07V06300020/02/2007

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

04V58600015/12/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

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.

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

14E00700007/03/2014

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/s

Recent Complaints

20190914FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN OR CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY (VERY DANGEROUS) ONCE FUEL TANK DROPS TO 1/4 TANK. I BELIEVE IT TO BE FAULTY FUEL PUMP DESIGN.

Mileage: 139,480

20180727FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I STARTED SMELLING FUEL INSIDE MY CAR, AND I REPLACED THE GAS CAP. THE SMELL KEPT GETTING STRONGER AND IT GAVE ME HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING. TODAY I OPENED UP THE BACK SEAT TO EXPOSE THE FUEL PUMP AND THE PUMP LEAKS AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP WHERE THE CONNECTORS AND IT FILLS UP WITH LIQUID GASOLINE. THIS IS A MAJOR FUEL SAFETY THAT CAN CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY BE ENGULFED BY FIRE.

Mileage: 250,000

20121031FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,811.

Mileage: 88,811

20120803ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN UPDATED 09/11/2012 *JS

Mileage: 65,000

20110930FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF DIESEL FUEL WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. NEXT I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTOHAUS IN ROYAL OAK, MI WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAK IN THE RETURN FUEL LINE. *TR

Mileage: 147,000

20100403UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2004 VW GOLF WAS RUNNING ROUGH. THE RPM'S WERE VERY HIGH BUT THE CAR WAS GOING VERY SLOW. I HAD NEW SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION WIRES PUT IN. AFTER A HEAVY RAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD A NEW IGNITION COIL PUT IN. IN TOTAL I SPENT $699.24 HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED. VW IS CURRENTLY RUNNING AN IGNITION COIL INSPECTION AND REPLACEMENT PROGRAM BUT MY VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED. I CALLED TO COMPLAIN BUT VW TOLD ME THERE WAS NOTHING I COULD DO BUT COMPLAIN TO THE NHTSA.

Mileage: 75,192

20090928FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM HIS VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); THEREFORE, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REMEDY. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000.

Mileage: 94,000

20090717STRUCTURE

SUN ROOF LEAKS. NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL, WINDOWS FOGGING OVER EASILY, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT THAT WAS WET, WET RUG IN THE REAR BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND FINALLY WET HEAD LINER AND SIDE PANELS IN REAR OF CAR ALSO ON THE DRIVER SIDE. CHECKED THE SUN ROOF DRAINS AND THEY WERE CLEAR AND THE SUN ROOF TRAY HAD NO STANDING WATER. HOWEVER, FOUND ABOUT 2 INCHES OF STANDING WATER IN A WELL JUST BELOW REAR TAILLIGHT ASSEMBLY AND A DRIPPING WET BLACK BOX MOUNTED ON THE BACK SIDE OF THE REAR WHEEL HOUSING, WHICH I ASSUME IS THE COMPUTER CONTROL MODULE FOR THE CAR. POURED WATER INTO SUN ROOF TRAY AND WATER WOULD JUST POUR DOWN INTO AND UPON THE AFOREMENTIONED AREAS. GOOGLED VW SUN ROOF LEAKS AND IMMEDIATELY FOUND VW OWNER WEB SITES COMPLAINING OF THIS SAME SITUATION AND THE REPAIRS THEY HAVE MADE. ALMOST EVERY SITUATION OF SUN ROOF LEAK WAS DUE TO FAILED BOND IN AN ADAPTER AND TUBE ASSEMBLY. SUN ROOF TRAY HAS FOUR BALL END NIPPLES, ONE IN EACH CORNER, ON WHICH AN PLASTIC ADAPTER SLIPS OVER AND THEN A DRA

Mileage: 28,000

20090202FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TANDEM FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE COST OF $550. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. NO COMPENSATION WOULD BE PROVIDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 68,621 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,650.

Mileage: 68,621

20080523FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

TANK MOUNTED FUEL PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER DIFFICULTY IN STARTING AND RUNNING. CAR DRIVEN HOME BUT NOT REALLY OPERABLE. *TR

Mileage: 47,233

20080319VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

THE LOWER 1/4 OF THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST DOES NOT WORK. THE TOP 3/4 OF THE REAR WINDOW CLEAR WHEN I USE THE DEFROST FEATURE; THE LOWER 1/4 DOES NOT. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

20080108CrashAIR BAGS

DRIVING A 2004 VW GOLF GL AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND REAR-ENDED AN SUV. THE FRONT END OF THE GOLF WAS SMASHED IN ALL THE WAY TO THE RADIATOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT RELEASE AT EITHER THE DRIVERS NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR

20071216LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-35 IN KANSAS AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON DECEMBER 13, 3007 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 PM, THE LATCH TO MY VEHICLE RELEASED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE TO FLY UP IMPAIRING MY VIEW. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED THE KANSAS HIGHWAY PATROL. THE HIGHWAY PATROL OFFICER PUSHED DOWN ON THE HOOD BUT WAS UNABLE GET THE HOOD TO LATCH. DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE HOOD LATCH MY HOOD HAS BEEN DAMAGED. I CHECKED YOUR WEBSITE FOR COMPLAINTS FOR THE SAME YEAR, MAKE, AND MODEL AND DISCOVERED THIS DEFECT HAD HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY TO THE SAME VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 49,830

20071124POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

MY WIFE WAS TAKING A SHORT TRIP TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK IN OUR 2004 VW GOLF, WHEN THE CLUTCH FAILED SUDDENLY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE, BUT THE CLUTCH WAS FAILING TO FULLY DISENGAGE. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ON SURFACE STREETS AND DID NOT HAVE TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE LIMPED HOME AND REQUESTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A VW SERVICE CENTER. THE SERVICE CENTER INDICATED THAT THE CLUTCH FAILURE WAS DUE TO WEAR AND WAS NOT A WARRANTY ITEM. WE HAD NO INDICATIONS OF IMPENDING FAILURE (SLIPPAGE, DIFFICULTY PUTTING IN GEAR, VIBRATIONS, STRANGE NOISES, ETC.) AND MY WIFE AND I ARE BOTH EXPERIENCED USERS OF MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS. THE SERVICE CENTER MADE THE REPAIRS (TOTAL COST OVER $1900) AND WE HAVE RESUMED USING THE VEHICLE. *TR

Mileage: 35,000

20070816POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY

THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL CAME APART IN MY VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI (2004) CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING AND NEED FOR PREMATURE CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM STARTED NEARLY A MONTH BEFORE I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER AS A BAD CLUTCH. *JB

Mileage: 107,000

20070402AIR BAGS

DEFECTIVE SIDE AIRBAG. THEY SAID IT IS TEARING OUT AND THE WANT $600.00 TO FIX SOMETHING 3-4 YEARS OLD. *JB

Mileage: 53,000

20060715LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH

THE HOOD LATCH FAILED RESULTING IN THE HOOD FLIPPING UP AND SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDERS AND HOOD. *JB

Mileage: 27,000

20060715EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING, RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS AND CHECKED MY VEHICLE. THOUGH MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL YEARS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN NOTIFICATION ABOUT A RECALL THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED ON MY VEHICLE RESULTING IN MY BRAKE LIGHTS NOT LIGHTING WHEN I BRAKE. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *JB

Mileage: 32,256

20060715ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH

GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING, RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS AND CHECKED MY VEHICLE. THOUGH MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL YEARS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN NOTIFICATION ABOUT A RECALL THE BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH HAS FAILED ON MY VEHICLE RESULTING IN MY BRAKE LIGHTS NOT LIGHTING WHEN I BRAKE. THIS IS A HAZARD TO ME AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD. *JB

Mileage: 32,256

20060710ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL

2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI 1.9 I NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE STARTED TO DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PRODUCE EXCESS SMOKE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 2 MONTHS. THE OIL CHANGES WERE CONDUCTED WITH 0W40 SYNTHETIC OIL RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE FUEL FILTER WAS CHANGED AT 20K, 42K, 50K AND 70K TO HELP REDUCE THE SLUGGISHNESS OF THE ENGINE. NOTHING APPEARED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. AT 73500 MILE THE ENGINE BEGAN TO LOSE POWER DURING ACCELERATION AND UNDER A LOAD. THE ENGINE ALSO DEVELOPED A SKIP RESULTING IN THE ENGINE LIGHT INDICATOR TURNING ON. I DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER AND INDICATED ALL OF THE ABOVE PROBLEMS TO THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE. THE SERVICE SECTION CHECKED AND REPLACED THE MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND OXYGEN SENSOR. INFORMED ME THE PROBLEM WAS CORRECTED. I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE AND DROVE LESS THAN ONE BLOCK AND COULD NOT STAY IN THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF POWER. I RETURNED TO THE SERVICE SEC

Mileage: 73,450

Compare 2004VOLKSWAGENGOLF to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF have?
The 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has 33 NHTSA complaints, 3 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
Yes, the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has 6 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF?
The most-complained component for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 3 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL.
Is the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.