The 2004 Volkswagen R32 has 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,002,000 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 23 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…
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2
1fires
SEAT BELTS
2
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
2
AIR BAGS
1
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
1
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
1
POWER TRAIN:AXLE ASSEMBLY:AXLE SHAFT
1
Total complaints23
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The outer seat bolster seam of the driver's seat which retains the side air bag has split along a length of approximately 18 inches. I am concerned that this will adversely affect the operation of the side air bag should it discharge. It is my understanding that this is a not uncommon occurrence…”
“The outer seat bolster seam of the driver's seat which retains the side air bag has split along a length of approximately 18 inches. I am concerned that this will adversely affect the operation of the side air bag should it discharge. It is my understanding that this is a not uncommon occurrence…”
“Vw wont replace a broken seat belt. I have extended warranty by fidelity and they wont fix it either. This is a safety issue and unacceptable. The passenger rear seatbelt is stuck in the extended position. Vw quoted $500 to fix.. *tr”
“Car just shuts off while driving. Checked all sensors are working properly. And no car wont start. Ecu faulty, reprogram or replacement need. *tr”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen golf r32. The contact stated that the rear center seat belts failed and were unable to retract. The vehicle had not been inspected or repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and advised him that they would look into it and call the contact back. The failure…”
“I bought a 2004 volkswagen r32 around november of 08 and all was okay, I noticed one day about 2 weeks later when putting my seat on the drivers side back to driving position the airbag fault light came on immediately. I do know others that the airbag light has come on due to improper wiring…”
“Service bulletin # 004, nhtsa number 10011567, failure of engine coolant temperature sensor at 43,500 miles. Engine never warmed to operating temperature of 87 degrees, opened thermostat at 75 degrees.*tr”
“On july 13, 2008 while driving my 2004 volkwagen r32 I noticed that the car was driving really rough after I made an exit from the expressway when I made it to a complete stop I noticed the smell of electrical/plastic fire. I pulled into a parking spot and observed smoke coming from under 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 R32 as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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