The Lemon Index2004 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2004 Volkswagen Golf is about average by owner complaints: 20 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 89, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about electrical, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 24 to 36 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 35 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 88K miles on the car (30 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Recalls 6
- engine 2014
A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
- lights 2009
DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
- lights 2009
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES.
Show all 6 recalls
- brakes 2007
CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUI…
- lights 2007
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
- fuel system, diesel 2004
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 245 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- Engine pre-heater installation
- Gasoline engines have rough idle, have significant loss of power or stalling with reduced
- Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $2600–2950 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
In owners' words
Consumer bumped a curb causing minor wheel scraping and deployment of side impact airbags (drivers curtain and seat). Resulting repair total in excess of $4,000.
2004 Volkswagen Golf owner · NHTSA complaint 10126436
More owner reports
Defective side airbag. They said it is tearing out and the want $600.00 to fix something 3-4 years old.
NHTSA complaint 10186773
The epc light illuminated then the engine cut completely off.
NHTSA complaint 10067448
Quick answers
Is the 2004 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew 1.1× fewer complaints than average filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 89; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2004 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are electrical (35%), airbags (20%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf have?
6 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf get?
24 to 36 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Golf problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,400 and 88,900 miles. The middle report was at 41,100 miles, from 30 complaints.
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 20% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2600 to $2950 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Volkswagen Golf have?
1.9L 4-cyl, 2.0L 4-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2004?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2020 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works