Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Engine and engine cooling37
- Electrical system36
- Power train35
- Seats22
- Air bags21
- Fuel system, diesel13
- Engine11
- Visibility10
- Fuel system, gasoline10
- Exterior lighting9
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 15 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Fatal crashes in the US
From 2020 to 2023, 24 2004 Jetta vehicles were involved in crashes on US public roads in which someone died; 21 people died inside them, and 5 of the vehicles rolled over. This is a count, not a crash rate: it grows with the number of cars on the road.
NHTSA Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS), crash years 2020–2023 (public domain)
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta failed the safety check 2.47% of the time — 12% more often than the average 2004 passenger car (2.21%). Median odometer at inspection: 148,692 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the United Kingdom
5 cars built in 2004 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 2 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 5 variants: combined 9.9–10.8 L/100 km (about 22–24 mpg US), CO₂ 228–248 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jetta · Compact · Premium gasoline | 11.3 | 8.2 | 9.9 |
| Jetta · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.0 | 8.6 | 9.9 |
| Jetta · Compact · Regular gasoline | 11.2 | 8.3 | 9.9 |
| Jetta · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.2 | 8.8 | 10.7 |
| Jetta · Compact · Premium gasoline | 12.6 | 8.7 | 10.8 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
3 Transport Canada recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta.
| 2006122 24 May 2006 | Lights And Instruments On certain Golf, GTI, Jetta, Jetta wagon, New Beetle, New Beetle convertible, Passat and Passat wagon, the brake lamp switch may malfunction. If this happens, … |
| 2005012 19 Jan 2005 | Seats And Restraints Certain vehicles equipped with the comfort seats option may have a seat heater element that can malfunction when the ignition switch is in the "ON" position and… |
| 2004435 13 Dec 2004 | Fuel System On certain vehicle equipped with TDI-PD (Pumpe-Düse) engines, the high-pressure diesel pumps were produced with improper fasteners. In rare cases, one of these… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10253215 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253214 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253213 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10252942 | Damage to Data Link Connector (DLC) from Aftermarket Devices (Cannot Communicate with Vehicle OBD System) |
| 10252204 | Air Conditioning Does not Operate |
| 10243064 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243046 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243040 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243034 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243011 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242996 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242402 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242399 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242384 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242378 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242375 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242372 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242349 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10241749 | Quick Reference Update Guide |
| 10241713 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
| 10241712 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
| 10241711 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
| 10241340 | Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00 |
| 10241339 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
| 10241335 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)