RecallMyCar

2004 Volkswagen Golf Recalls, Complaints & Specs

2 safety recalls list the 2004 Volkswagen Golf, and owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.

2
safety recalls
28
owner complaints to NHTSA
3 / 1
complaints citing a crash / fire
22–36
MPG combined (EPA)

2 safety recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf

Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.

  1. Switch (exterior lighting)

    NHTSA 07V063000 Reported 1,002,000 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    On certain passenger, wagon, and convertible vehicles equipped with or without cruise control, a brake light switch may malfunction if it was installed incorrectly.

    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,…

  2. Fuel system, diesel

    NHTSA 04V586000 Reported 19,284 vehicles potentially affected VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INC

    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.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the diesel pump. The recall began on february 8, 2005. Owners should contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.

28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Owners of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA; 3 describe a crash and 1 describe a fire. Reports cite 0 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 57,434 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 5 filed that year.

Most-reported components

What owners are reporting

“Car will shut off while driving around town or cruising on the highway (very dangerous) once fuel tank drops to 1/4 tank. I believe it to be faulty fuel pump design.”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 14, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system

“I started smelling fuel inside my car, and i replaced the gas cap. The smell kept getting stronger and it gave me headaches while driving. Today i opened up the back seat to expose the fuel pump and t”

Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 27, 2018 · Fuel/propulsion system

Fuel economy and specs

EPA ratings for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (GTI, Golf). Ranges cover every tested configuration.

Combined22–36 mpg
City / Highway19–32 / 27–42
FuelDiesel, Premium, Regular
EPA classCompact Cars
Engine4/6 cyl, 1.8/1.9/2/2.8 L
TransmissionAutomatic (S5); Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd; Manual 6-spd

Compare Volkswagen Golf model years

Recall and complaint counts for every Volkswagen Golf model year in NHTSA's database.

Model yearRecallsComplaints
1985 Volkswagen Golf510
1986 Volkswagen Golf413
1987 Volkswagen Golf34
1988 Volkswagen Golf59
1989 Volkswagen Golf317
1990 Volkswagen Golf410
1991 Volkswagen Golf28
1992 Volkswagen Golf16
1993 Volkswagen Golf47
1994 Volkswagen Golf441
1995 Volkswagen Golf443
1996 Volkswagen Golf13
1997 Volkswagen Golf07
1998 Volkswagen Golf118
1999 Volkswagen Golf464
2000 Volkswagen Golf588
2001 Volkswagen Golf5116
2002 Volkswagen Golf374
2003 Volkswagen Golf226
2004 Volkswagen Golf228
2005 Volkswagen Golf219
2006 Volkswagen Golf112
2007 Volkswagen Golf02
2008 Volkswagen Golf01
2009 Volkswagen Golf03
2010 Volkswagen Golf469
2011 Volkswagen Golf6110
2012 Volkswagen Golf648
2013 Volkswagen Golf543
2014 Volkswagen Golf511
2015 Volkswagen Golf12131
2016 Volkswagen Golf985
2017 Volkswagen Golf5116
2018 Volkswagen Golf629
2019 Volkswagen Golf663
2020 Volkswagen Golf26
2021 Volkswagen Golf17
2022 Volkswagen Golf081
2023 Volkswagen Golf011

Checking a specific 2004 Volkswagen Golf

How do I know if my 2004 Volkswagen Golf has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2004 Volkswagen Golf; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.

Is the recall repair free?

Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Volkswagen dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V586000).

What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?

A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.

Other Volkswagen models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.