The 2004 Volkswagen GTI has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,002,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 13 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
Complaints by component
AIR BAGS
2
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
1
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
1
Total complaints13
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen gti. While driving approximately 60 mph, the vehicle lost power. After a couple of seconds, the vehicle would regain power. In addition, while driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and resume…”
“Airbag light has come on, the dealer wants $105.00 to diagnose why. *tr”
“Clutch failed on car at only 33,000 miles. Not covered by warranty considered normal. Wear and tear. Clutch and flywheel replaced at dealership for $2300. *tr”
“I drive a 2004 gti 1.8t and for the past two years it has been in the shop for the following: defective hood latch, defective radio, defective alarm, window recall, defective battery, and numerous defective head lights, tail lights and break lights. Each time, the problem is fixed, due to the…”
“I drive a 2004 gti 1.8t and for the past two years it has been in the shop for the following: defective hood latch, defective radio, defective alarm, window recall, defective battery, and numerous defective head lights, tail lights and break lights. Each time, the problem is fixed, due to the…”
“I drive a 2004 gti 1.8t and for the past two years it has been in the shop for the following: defective hood latch, defective radio, defective alarm, window recall, defective battery, and numerous defective head lights, tail lights and break lights. Each time, the problem is fixed, due to the…”
“I drive a 2004 gti 1.8t and for the past two years it has been in the shop for the following: defective hood latch, defective radio, defective alarm, window recall, defective battery, and numerous defective head lights, tail lights and break lights. Each time, the problem is fixed, due to the…”
“I drive a 2004 gti 1.8t and for the past two years it has been in the shop for the following: defective hood latch, defective radio, defective alarm, window recall, defective battery, and numerous defective head lights, tail lights and break lights. Each time, the problem is fixed, due to the…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Volkswagen GTI as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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