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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Passat 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

279Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
6Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
43Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Engine80 complaints

80 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System62 complaints

62 complaints; 2 recall campaigns cover this system. Campaigns: 04V586000, 08V156000.

Power Train38 complaints

38 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats36 complaints

36 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System24 complaints

24 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting19 complaints

19 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V063000.

Vehicle Structure16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Brakes16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Visibility13 complaints

13 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires8 complaints

8 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment6 complaints

6 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Suspension2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seat Belts1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V586000Reported December 15, 2004 - 19,284 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on December 15, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 19,284 vehicles across all affected models.

07V063000Reported February 20, 2007 - 1,002,000 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 20, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 1,002,000 vehicles across all affected models.

08V156000Reported April 7, 2008 - 412,000 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on April 7, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 412,000 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

EA07014Opened September 28, 2007 - Closed July 7, 2008

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

EA07014Opened September 28, 2007 - Closed July 7, 2008

PASSENGER ENGINE COMPARTMENT FIRES. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

EA11002Opened January 26, 2011 - Closed February 17, 2012

Engine Compartment Fire. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

EA11002Opened January 26, 2011 - Closed February 17, 2012

Engine Compartment Fire. No recall campaign resulted from this investigation.

PE08008Opened January 31, 2008 - Closed May 30, 2008

FUEL TANK LEAK. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

PE08008Opened January 31, 2008 - Closed May 30, 2008

FUEL TANK LEAK. Resulted in recall campaign 08V156000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

200433
200519
200620
200729
200832
200931
201027
201114
20128
201312
201418
20157
20168
20174
20188
20192
20202
20213
20252
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.