Complaints
348
Crashes
12
Fires
31
Injuries
27
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0
Worst 2004 Volkswagen Passat Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
#133 complaints
Engine & Cooling
Avg mileage:77,681 mi
Fires:2
#222 complaints
Fuel System
Avg mileage:124,756 mi
#322 complaints
Automatic Transmission
Avg mileage:37,428 mi
Crash-related:1
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine & Cooling | 33 | — | 2 | 77,681 mi | |
| Fuel System | 22 | — | — | 124,756 mi | |
| Automatic Transmission | 22 | 1 | — | 37,428 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 21 | — | 2 | 97,559 mi | |
| Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler | 20 | — | 8 | 56,437 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 18 | — | 3 | 124,309 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 18 | — | 1 | 70,582 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 16 | — | 5 | 61,406 mi | |
| Seat-Related Issues | 15 | — | 5 | 113,382 mi | |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm) | 9 | — | — | 22,161 mi | |
| Structural Problems | 9 | — | — | 52,373 mi | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch | 7 | 1 | — | 40,669 mi | |
| Body Structure | 7 | — | 1 | 76,338 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System | 6 | — | — | 66,855 mi | |
| Fuel Pump | 6 | — | — | 60,579 mi | |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery | 5 | — | — | 79,667 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 5 | 1 | — | 44,120 mi | |
| Headlight/Taillight Failures | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Diesel Fuel System | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Airbags | 3 | 2 | — | — | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 3 | 3 | — | — | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Interior Lighting | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Power Train:Clutch Assembly | 3 | — | — | — |
Engine & Cooling
33
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
77,681
Fuel System
22
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
124,756
Automatic Transmission
22
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
37,428
Gasoline Fuel System
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
2
Avg Miles
97,559
Seats:Front Assembly:Seat Heater/Cooler
20
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
8
Avg Miles
56,437
Engine Problems
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
3
Avg Miles
124,309
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
18
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
70,582
Electrical Faults
16
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
61,406
Seat-Related Issues
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
5
Avg Miles
113,382
Power Train:Automatic Transmission:Control Module (Tcm/Pcm/Tecm)
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
22,161
Structural Problems
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
52,373
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights:Switch
7
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
40,669
Body Structure
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,338
Engine And Engine Cooling:Cooling System
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
66,855
Fuel Pump
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
60,579
Fuel System, Gasoline:Delivery
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
79,667
Hydraulic Brakes
5
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
44,120
Headlight/Taillight Failures
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Diesel Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Unintended Acceleration
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Airbags
3
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Air Bags:Frontal
3
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Electrical System:Wiring
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
—
Other Equipment
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Exterior Lighting:Brake Lights
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Interior Lighting
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
3
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Other Volkswagen Passat Years
2004 Volkswagen Passat — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2004 Volkswagen Passat reliable?
Verdict: Typical for Model. The 2004 Volkswagen Passat has 348 NHTSA complaints, 12 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Engine & Cooling with 33 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Passat?
Top reported problems: Engine & Cooling (33 complaints, avg 77,681 mi); Fuel System (22 complaints, avg 124,756 mi); Automatic Transmission (22 complaints, avg 37,428 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 Passat?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 76,877 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 Passat?
NHTSA complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat include 12 crash-related reports, 31 fire reports, 27 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 Passat have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat 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 Passat?
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 Passat reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2004 Volkswagen Passat
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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