2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF Problems & Recalls
Detailed safety information and owner complaints
Problem Breakdown
Compare to Other Years
Common Problems
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after Nov...
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.
Mileage: 139,480
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 THE PUMP LEAKS AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP WHERE THE CONNECTORS AND IT FILLS UP WITH LIQUID GAS...
Mileage: 250,000
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE...
Mileage: 88,811
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED....
Mileage: 65,000
I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF DIESEL FUEL WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. NEXT I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTOHAUS IN ROYAL OAK, MI WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAK IN THE RETURN FUEL LINE. *TR
Mileage: 147,000
MY 2004 VW GOLF WAS RUNNING ROUGH. THE RPM'S WERE VERY HIGH BUT THE CAR WAS GOING VERY SLOW. I HAD NEW SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION WIRES PUT IN. AFTER A HEAVY RAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD A NEW IGNITION COIL PUT IN. IN TOTAL I SPENT $699.24 HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED...
Mileage: 75,192
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM HIS VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 04V586000 (FUEL ...
Mileage: 94,000
SUN ROOF LEAKS. NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL, WINDOWS FOGGING OVER EASILY, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT THAT WAS WET, WET RUG IN THE REAR BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND FINALLY WET HEAD LINER AND SIDE PANELS IN REAR OF CAR ALSO ON THE DRIVER SIDE. CHECKED THE SUN ROOF DRAINS AND THEY WERE CLEAR AND THE SUN ROOF TRAY HAD...
Mileage: 28,000
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS AT A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP RECEIVING AN OIL CHANGE, THE MECHANIC NOTICED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE TANDEM FUEL PUMP FAILED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL FROM THE OUTSIDE OF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAI...
Mileage: 68,621
TANK MOUNTED FUEL PUMP FAILED RESULTING IN LOSS OF POWER DIFFICULTY IN STARTING AND RUNNING. CAR DRIVEN HOME BUT NOT REALLY OPERABLE. *TR
Mileage: 47,233
THE LOWER 1/4 OF THE REAR WINDOW DEFROST DOES NOT WORK. THE TOP 3/4 OF THE REAR WINDOW CLEAR WHEN I USE THE DEFROST FEATURE; THE LOWER 1/4 DOES NOT. *TR
Mileage: 35,000
DRIVING A 2004 VW GOLF GL AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND REAR-ENDED AN SUV. THE FRONT END OF THE GOLF WAS SMASHED IN ALL THE WAY TO THE RADIATOR. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT RELEASE AT EITHER THE DRIVERS NOR THE PASSENGER SIDE. *TR
WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON I-35 IN KANSAS AT ABOUT 60 MPH ON DECEMBER 13, 3007 AT APPROXIMATELY 10:30 PM, THE LATCH TO MY VEHICLE RELEASED WITHOUT WARNING AND CAUSED THE HOOD OF MY VEHICLE TO FLY UP IMPAIRING MY VIEW. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND CALLED THE KANSAS HIGHWAY P...
Mileage: 49,830
MY WIFE WAS TAKING A SHORT TRIP TO PICK ME UP FROM WORK IN OUR 2004 VW GOLF, WHEN THE CLUTCH FAILED SUDDENLY AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. SHE WAS ABLE TO CONTINUE, BUT THE CLUTCH WAS FAILING TO FULLY DISENGAGE. FORTUNATELY, SHE WAS ON SURFACE STREETS AND DID NOT HAVE TO DRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. WE LIMPED ...
Mileage: 35,000
THE DUAL-MASS FLYWHEEL CAME APART IN MY VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI (2004) CAUSING DIFFICULTY IN SHIFTING AND NEED FOR PREMATURE CLUTCH REPLACEMENT. THE PROBLEM STARTED NEARLY A MONTH BEFORE I HAD IT DIAGNOSED AT THE DEALER AS A BAD CLUTCH. *JB
Mileage: 107,000
DEFECTIVE SIDE AIRBAG. THEY SAID IT IS TEARING OUT AND THE WANT $600.00 TO FIX SOMETHING 3-4 YEARS OLD. *JB
Mileage: 53,000
THE HOOD LATCH FAILED RESULTING IN THE HOOD FLIPPING UP AND SHATTERING THE WINDSHIELD AND DAMAGING THE FRONT FENDERS AND HOOD. *JB
Mileage: 27,000
GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING, RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS AND CHECKED MY VEHICLE. THOUGH MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL YEARS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN NOTIFICATION ABOUT A RECALL THE BRAKE LIGHT S...
Mileage: 32,256
GLOW PLUG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH WHILE DRIVING, RESEARCHED THIS PROBLEM ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THAT THERE HAVE BEEN RECALLS FOR PREVIOUS MODEL YEARS AND CHECKED MY VEHICLE. THOUGH MY VEHICLE DOES NOT FALL INTO THE RECALL YEARS AND I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN NOTIFICATION ABOUT A RECALL THE BRAKE LIGHT S...
Mileage: 32,256
2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF TDI 1.9 I NOTICED THE FUEL MILEAGE STARTED TO DECREASE AND THE VEHICLE STARTED TO PRODUCE EXCESS SMOKE. THE PROBLEM CONTINUED TO GET WORSE OVER THE COURSE OF THE NEXT 2 MONTHS. THE OIL CHANGES WERE CONDUCTED WITH 0W40 SYNTHETIC OIL RECOMMENDED BY THE MANUFACTURE. THE FUEL FI...
Mileage: 73,450
THE ENGINE MADE A SOUND AS IF AIR UNDER PRESSURE WAS BEING RELEASED, ALONG WITH A QUITE NOTICEABLE VIBRATION WHEN TURNING IT OFF ON THE EVENING OF 30 AUG 2005. ENROUTE TO THE DEALER TO BE CHECKED ON 31 AUG 2005, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO STOP, I PUSHED THE BRAKE PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, TWICE, WITH NO RESPONSE...
Mileage: 7,910
TURBO FAILED ON MY 2004 GOLF TDI (100HP) TWO MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE DEALER TOLD ME THIS WAS UNUSUAL, BUT HAD TO SEND TO GERMANY FOR A REPLACEMENT TURBO UNIT. THE CAR DOES NOT SEEM TO HAVE THE SAME PEP SINCE THE NEW TURBO UNIT WAS INSTALLED. I HAVE HEARD OF ONE OTHER CASE WHERE THE TURBO ...
Mileage: 1,000
DT: THE CONSUMER STATES THAT ON JUNE 30, 2005, HIS VEHICLE BURNED TO THE GROUND, VW 2004 TURBO DIESEL GOLF. THE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONSUMER STARTED SMELLING SMOKE. A FEW MINUTES LATER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH SMOKE AND THE CONSUMER COULD NOT SEE. THE CONSUMER STOPPED THE CAR...
Mileage: 2,800
OWNER WAS DRIVING IN THE CRUISE CONTROL MODE AND THE CRUISE CONTROL STAYED ENGAGED AT 55 MPH AND VEHICLE WENT OFF THE ROAD INTO A DITCH. VEHICLE WENT THROUGH ALL KINDS OF DEBRIS, AND HIT A TREE STUMP. THEN, WENT AIRBORNE INTO A TREE. THE DRIVER WAS KILLED INSTANTLY.*AK
Mileage: 4,000
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVED TO THE RIGHT WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND PULLED OVER. THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE TREAD WAS SEPARATING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER TIRE. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER DETAILS. *JB THE CONSUMER REPLACED BOTH FR...
Mileage: 3,400
CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR REPAIRS DUE TO TRANSMISSION SLIPPING. LESS THAN 2,000 MILES THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED AGAIN, TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AFTER BEING DRIVEN FOR WHILE.*AK
FAILURE TO WARN.FOR SAFETY REASONS, 2004 VOLKSWAGEN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 100-HP TDI DIESEL ENGINE OPTION REQUIRE USE OF A SPECIAL ENGINE OIL FOR ALL OIL CHANGES AND TOPPING OFF OF THE OIL LEVEL.*AK VOLKSWAGEN HAS STATED THAT FOR THESE ENGINES, "FAILURE TO USE ENGINE OIL FOR YOUR ENGINE THAT ...
Mileage: 59
THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE ENGINE CUT COMPLETELY OFF. *PH VEHICLE'S EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AT 798, 1,029 AND 1,110 MILES RESPECTIVELY. ON THE FIRST TWO REPAIRS, THEY FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE. *LA (THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, IDLE AIR CO...
Mileage: 798
THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE ENGINE CUT COMPLETELY OFF. *PH VEHICLE'S EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AT 798, 1,029 AND 1,110 MILES RESPECTIVELY. ON THE FIRST TWO REPAIRS, THEY FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE. *LA (THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, IDLE AIR CO...
Mileage: 798
THE EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED THEN THE ENGINE CUT COMPLETELY OFF. *PH VEHICLE'S EPC LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON 3 SEPARATE OCCASIONS AT 798, 1,029 AND 1,110 MILES RESPECTIVELY. ON THE FIRST TWO REPAIRS, THEY FOUND PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE. *LA (THROTTLE VALVE CONTROL SYSTEM MALFUNCTION, IDLE AIR CO...
Mileage: 798
I BOUGHT A NEW VW GOLF IN FEBRUARY 2004. AT ABOUT 6:30 P.M. ON 4/1, I DROVE OVER A POTHOLE (OR SOME BUMP IN THE ROAD) WHILE DRIVING ON STORROW DRIVE IN BOSTON AND SUDDENLY TWO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR AND MY SEAT BELT APPEARED TO RECOIL. THE TWO AIRBAGS THAT DEPLOYED WERE THE ...
I BOUGHT A NEW VW GOLF IN FEBRUARY 2004. AT ABOUT 6:30 P.M. ON 4/1, I DROVE OVER A POTHOLE (OR SOME BUMP IN THE ROAD) WHILE DRIVING ON STORROW DRIVE IN BOSTON AND SUDDENLY TWO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR AND MY SEAT BELT APPEARED TO RECOIL. THE TWO AIRBAGS THAT DEPLOYED WERE THE ...
I BOUGHT A NEW VW GOLF IN FEBRUARY 2004. AT ABOUT 6:30 P.M. ON 4/1, I DROVE OVER A POTHOLE (OR SOME BUMP IN THE ROAD) WHILE DRIVING ON STORROW DRIVE IN BOSTON AND SUDDENLY TWO AIRBAGS DEPLOYED ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR AND MY SEAT BELT APPEARED TO RECOIL. THE TWO AIRBAGS THAT DEPLOYED WERE THE ...