Known Recalls

Model year record

2004 Volkswagen Jetta

2 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 296 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 07V063000

Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch

Component
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
1,002,000
Reported to NHTSA
2007-02-20
Owners notified
2007-04-27

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Safety risk

THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer 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 BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V586000

Fuel system, diesel

Component
Fuel system, diesel
Manufacturer
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC
Vehicles affected
19,284
Reported to NHTSA
2004-12-15
Owners notified
2005-02-08

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Electrical system3391,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling1870,000 mi
Power train: clutch assembly1629,500 mi
Seats14120,000 mi
Air bags1290,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel1277,000 mi
Engine11115,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission119,501 mi
Fuel/propulsion system9145,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline866,000 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler828,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine723,000 mi
Exterior lighting772,790 mi
Power train: manual transmission758,000 mi
Unknown or other7114,000 mi
Vehicle speed control660,000 mi
Air bags: frontal57,900 mi
Air bags: side/window539,439 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system455,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)450,000 mi
Equipment453,700 mi
Steering4118,000 mi
Tires4113,508 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)379,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump386,968 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system3600 mi
Seat belts375,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor3181 mi
Structure390,000 mi
Electrical system: ignition222,603 mi
Electrical system: wiring: interior/under dash2400 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system270,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control263,000 mi
Exterior lighting: brake lights: switch28,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump261,710 mi
Interior lighting2—
Latches/locks/linkages2108,300 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: trunk lid: lock215,000 mi
Service brakes2100,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic248,180 mi
Structure: body: door: hinge and attachments2—
Suspension252,376 mi
Visibility279,000 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear241,075 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls2400 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly22,500 mi
Visibility: windshield25,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module146,920 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers119,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: diesel1102,900 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: manifold/header/muffler/tail pipe163,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: anti-theft devices1400 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.1—
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly130,000 mi
Fuel system, other: fuel injection system1—
Parking brake12,400 mi
Power train183,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: torque converter1—
Seat belts: front: buckle assembly151,250 mi
Seat belts: front: retractor146,920 mi
Seat belts: rear/other138,173 mi
Service brakes, electric1—
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip114,575 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads110,050 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: power assist: vacuum: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings1100,000 mi
Structure: body1—
Structure: body: door1—
Structure: body: roof and pillars175,000 mi
Structure: body: trunk lid182,400 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing1—
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems1—
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal1830 mi
Visibility/wiper191,000 mi

The 2003 model has about half as many complaints as this one. The 2005 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.