The 2004 Volkswagen Jetta has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,021,284 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 295 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. 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…
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.
Consequence
FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy
DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
32
5fires
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
18
1fires
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
16
SEATS
14
9fires2injuries
AIR BAGS
12
6crashes1fires6injuries
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
12
1fires
ENGINE
11
1fires
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
11
1injuries
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
9
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
8
Total complaints295
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“A4 vw bew tdi brake booster vacuum hose updated part# 1j0 612 041 fd vw part numbers 1j0 612 041 n and 1j0 612 041 fd. These hose are known for cracking at the plastic tube causing low vacuum; poor / inconsistant braking performance. This could lead to crashes, injuries, and loss of life. These…”
“The contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed while it was raining, the windshield wipers were activated; however, the wipers failed to function as intended. The contact stated that the wipers failed to operate. In addition, the contact…”
“Unknown, very complex. Multiple issues. Have been addressed as well as parts been replaced however other issues arised that are definitely safety concerns between electrical issues engine motor etc”
“Unknown, very complex. Multiple issues. Have been addressed as well as parts been replaced however other issues arised that are definitely safety concerns between electrical issues engine motor etc”
“Unknown, very complex. Multiple issues. Have been addressed as well as parts been replaced however other issues arised that are definitely safety concerns between electrical issues engine motor etc”
“My car is currently staged at my home it's still drivable but I don't know gor how long! I recently bought this car from a dealer in california about 3 months ago, now all of a sudden I'm having issues with my transmission I caught the issue fast and took it to a multistate transmission shop and…”
“My car is currently staged at my home it's still drivable but I don't know gor how long! I recently bought this car from a dealer in california about 3 months ago, now all of a sudden I'm having issues with my transmission I caught the issue fast and took it to a multistate transmission shop and…”
“Loose steering chance of loss of control due to incorrect tie rod end from kit specific to vehicle. Resulting in ruined tires and alignment. Https://www.autopartswarehouse.com/sku/volkswagen/jetta/replacement/control_arm_kit/2004/tdi/4_cyl_1-dot-9l/repv281502.html . The kit I believe has a tie rod…”
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 Jetta as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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