The Lemon Index

All cars · Volkswagen Jetta · 2004

2004 Volkswagen Jetta. Advanced data.

The raw numbers: engines, recall campaign numbers, failure mileage and manufacturer communications.

Lemon Index117100 = average car
Complaints101NHTSA, first 3 years
Sold91,790U.S. model year
Per 100K sold110complaints
Year rank#13 of 23#1 = fewest complaints

Engines and drivetrains 8

EngineTransmissionDriveCity / hwy / combinedFuelFuel cost/yr
1.8L 4-cyl turboManual 5-spdFWD21 / 28 / 24Premium$3,200
1.8L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFWD19 / 27 / 22Premium$3,500
1.8L 4-cyl turboAuto (S5)FWD19 / 27 / 22Premium$3,500
1.9L 4-cyl turbo dieselManual 5-spdFWD32 / 42 / 36Diesel$2,600
1.9L 4-cyl turbo dieselAuto (S5)FWD28 / 39 / 32Diesel$2,950
2.0L 4-cylAuto 4-spdFWD21 / 28 / 24Regular$2,600
2.0L 4-cylManual 5-spdFWD21 / 28 / 24Regular$2,600
2.8L 6-cylManual 6-spdFWD19 / 27 / 22Premium$3,500

EPA test versions for this model year. Fuel cost is the EPA's current estimate, not the price in that year.

Failure mileage by system

Half of owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 30,000 and 100,000 miles. Median 66,000, from 191 complaints with a mileage.

SystemMedianMiddle halfComplaints
Engine60,00048,000–89,50033
Electrical90,00049,100–121,00032
Transmission & drivetrain29,0009,500–52,00031
Seats90,00052,000–131,00019
Airbags43,20026,600–91,80016

Mileage owners typed into their NHTSA complaint, all complaints for this model year. People report some problems late, so read it as a range.

Complaints by system

SystemShare of complaints
Transmission & drivetrain26%
Engine18%
Airbags14%
Electrical8%
Visibility7%

One complaint can name more than one system, so shares can add to more than 100%.

Severity, all complaints

TotalCrashesFiresInjuriesDeathsTows
23115201300

As reported by owners to NHTSA. Not verified.

Recall campaigns 5

  • 20E064000 Sep 2020 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder

    Defect. Tenneco Automotive (Tenneco) is recalling certain Beck/Arnley Master Cylinders, part number 072-9831, sold as aftermarket or replacement parts for 2004-2018 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2012-2019 Volkswagen Beetle vehicles. The fluid seal crimp on the master cylinder may be insufficient, causing brake fluid to leak or the cylinder to come apart.

    Risk. If there is a brake fluid leak, it can reduce braking ability, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy. Beck/Arnley will notify the distributors that sold the master cylinders and will work with the distributors to notify the end users. Affected master cylinders will be exchanged for a new master cylinder (part number 072-9990), free of charge. The recall began October 30, 2020. Owners may contact Tenneco customer service at 1-800-625-9319.

  • 14E007000 Mar 2014 Engine And Engine Cooling / Engine

    Defect. 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 November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the af

    Risk. A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

    Remedy. Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

  • 07E023000 Mar 2007 Service Brakes, Hydraulic / Foundation Components / Master Cylinder

    Defect. 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 EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

    Risk. LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

    Remedy. CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

  • 07V063000 Feb 2007 Exterior Lighting / Brake Lights / Switch

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

    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.

    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

  • 04V586000 Dec 2004 Fuel System, Diesel

    Defect. 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.

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

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

Manufacturer communications 254

Volkswagen filed 254 service communications for this car with NHTSA.

  • Hybrid oil pan, installing
  • Engine pre-heater installation
  • Gasoline engines have rough idle, have significant loss of power or stalling with reduced

Nearby model years

YearLemon IndexComplaintsSoldTop system
2001251386145,221Engine
2002282419145,604Electrical
2003225234117,867Seats
200411710191,790Transmission & drivetrain
200512288104,063Transmission & drivetrain
2006305219103,331Transmission & drivetrain
2007928198,951Brakes

Sources: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer communications; EPA fuel economy data; YouTube video titles. Complaints are owner reports, not proof of a defect.

Updated

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