Complaints
295
Crashes
16
Fires
25
Injuries
18
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Volkswagen Jetta Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#132 complaints
Electrical Faults
Avg mileage:94,267 mi
Fires:5
#218 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:74,359 mi
Fires:1
#316 complaints
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
Avg mileage:29,317 mi
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Faults | 32 | — | 5 | 94,267 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 18 | — | 1 | 74,359 mi | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 16 | — | — | 29,317 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 14 | — | 9 | 116,538 mi | |
| Airbags | 12 | 6 | 1 | 75,739 mi | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 12 | — | 1 | 87,901 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 11 | — | 1 | 109,300 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 11 | — | — | 23,515 mi | |
| Fuel System | 9 | — | 1 | 129,444 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 8 | — | — | 70,873 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 8 | — | 3 | 45,300 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 7 | — | — | 42,698 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 7 | 1 | — | 84,072 mi | |
| Manual Transmission | 7 | — | — | 51,200 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 6 | 1 | — | 69,973 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 5 | 3 | — | 17,533 mi | |
| Air Bags:Side/Window | 5 | 1 | — | 53,125 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve) | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Tire Defects | 4 | 1 | — | — | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System | 3 | 1 | — | — | |
| Seat Belt Issues | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 2 | — | — | — |
Electrical Faults
32
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
94,267
Engine & Cooling
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
74,359
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
29,317
Seat-Related Issues
14
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
9
Avg Miles
116,538
Airbags
12
complaints
Crashes
6
Fires
1
Avg Miles
75,739
Diesel Fuel System
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
87,901
Engine Problems
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
109,300
Automatic Transmission
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
23,515
Fuel System
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
129,444
Gasoline Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
70,873
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
8
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
45,300
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
42,698
Headlight/Taillight Failures
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
84,072
Manual Transmission
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
51,200
Unintended Acceleration
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
69,973
Air Bags:Frontal
5
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
17,533
Air Bags:Side/Window
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
53,125
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Gas Recirculation Valve (Egr Valve)
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Steering Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Tire Defects
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electronic Stability Control
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Delivery:Fuel Pump
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Fuel System, Other:Storage:Fuel Gauge System
3
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat Belt Issues
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Foundation Components:Disc:Rotor
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Structural Problems
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Ignition
2
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Volkswagen Jetta Years
2004 Volkswagen Jetta — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Volkswagen Jetta has 295 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Electrical Faults with 32 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta?
Top reported problems: Electrical Faults (32 complaints, avg 94,267 mi); Engine & Cooling (18 complaints, avg 74,359 mi); Power Train:Clutch Assembly (16 complaints, avg 29,317 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 74,434 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta include 16 crash-related reports, 25 fire reports, 18 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2004 Volkswagen Jetta?
Complaint levels are in line with what's expected. Normal used-car due diligence applies — check the specific VIN for accident history, open recalls, and title brands.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Jetta reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Volkswagen Jetta
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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