2004 Volkswagen Jetta: won't start

Filed Apr 23, 2013 · Engine, Fuel system · 26,000 miles · IL

We are the original owners of a 2004 jetta with 2.0 engine with 98k as of apr 2013. Without any warning or clues from vw dealer or auto shop, the car would not start; car would turn over the engine but no fuel pressure. Depending on season (winter) and location (middle of no where) this can cause a hazard for the driver and passenger. The car would start after leaving it alone for 2-3 hrs and try restarting. The warning seems to be when the interior light does not come on which means the switch is acting up; the fuel system is at a low pressure will cause a no start. Under vw new car and independent shops can not duplicate; many on-line owners has have pointed the finger at a door latch/priming circuit board that controls the fuel pump prime when the driver door is opened. Good pics on the circuit board failed/cracked solder joint. This door latch priming is used on many vw group cars; we own a cayenne and I can hear the priming. Please consider a recall of this vw part or telling vw to stop placing the fuel pump priming circuit in the driver door latch. The ignition key seem to be what other car makers use.

Filed Jul 13, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 118,000 miles · TN

2004 vw jetta gls tdi operating at 75mph on interstate on cruise control when the engine shutoff completely. The vehicle still had electrical power and engine would crank but would not start. I rolled the vehicle off to the side of the road and attempted to re-start the engine and it finally cranked and drove vehicle approximately 500 miles before experiencing similar issue. Since that time vehicle has had same issue over 10 times. Dealer has inspected vehicle three times and has not discovered issue.

Filed Oct 18, 2009 · Fuel system · IL

I am the owner of a 2004 volkswagen jetta gli, which I garage at my condominium. In march 2006, the federal safety agency issued a recall of volkswagen and audi 2003 cars with 1.8l turbo engines due to electrical failure of the fuel pumps. I raise the possibility of my car being involved in the manufacturing malfunction, but not included in the recall. 07/17/2009: car towed to volkswagen autobarn of evanston. Costs: $74.15. 07/25/2009: informed that the car required a new battery and fuel pump. Parts & labor costs: $905.85. After paying for the repairs and waiting for delivery, the car would not start. 07/27/2009: retrieved the car after vw autobarn service installs a second fuel pump, due to a defect in the previous part. I drove the car home and parked underground. 07/28/2009: I drove to the faa regional office in des plaines, il. At approximately 18:30, I attempted to leave however, the car did not start in the same fashion that LED to the initial repair. The car is towed back to volkswagen. 08/17/2009: informed by the vw autobarn service manager that they have gone to extraordinary efforts to repair the car: driven the car on multiple occasions including taking it home overnight; communicated with the german service office to pursue other possible causes for fuel pump failures. Costs for towing, fuses, relay switches, leads, connectors and technician labor: $574.11. After paying for the above repairs, again, the car would not start. 08/28/2009: informed the fuel in the car contained 40% alcohol and is the cause of failure of the three previous fuel pumps. Moreover, I was responsible for voiding the warranty of the previous fuel pumps and now financially responsible for $1400 in new charges, including the cost of a fourth fuel pump. I last purchased 12.63 gallons premium fuel on june 26 without issue until july 17.

Filed Mar 14, 2008 · Engine, Locks · 52,000 miles · VA

Clutch failed at 52k miles, was told it was not covered under warrant due to wear and tear, mechanic deemed it a faulty part, vw said it only covered manufacturer defects up to 50k miles, paid $1500 to replace clutch. Trunk pops open randomly and latch makes clicking noises. Air cooling sensor needs to be replaced, my car is reading a running temp of -54 when it should be 160. Car stalls if I turn it off after driving more than a few miles then doesn't turn over if the engine cuts off. Black smoke pours out of tailpipe and it burns double the gas it should. Luckily they extended the factory warranty on the sensor last week and it can be fixed for free at a vw dealership only.

Filed Feb 8, 2008 · Fuel system · 61,710 miles · OK

On 2/4/08 at 7:30 a.m. I got in my 2004 vw jetta wagon and although it was turning over, it would not start at all. It had operated perfectly the night before. I had it towed to our mechanic that we have used for nearly 10 years. The mechanic called & said it was the in-tank fuel pump and the associated component. He stated he has had a lot of these brought to him in vw's and this is a common failure. He stated when he called about the part they said, "oh yes, we have that part in stock no problem." he replaced the fuel pump on 2/6/08 and again stated this seemed to be a common failure in vw's. He also stated the mileage on our 2004 vw jetta wagon was not sufficient to warrant such a failure unless there was a problem with the mechanism and suggested I report the failure. The repair cost was $697.59 total.

Filed Sep 28, 2006 · Airbags · 34,140 miles · NY

While driving to work, my left front tire went flat then my right side curtain and right side seat air bag deployed thus causing the vehicle to stall out and would not start on a busy highway. I was able to safely pull off to the side without getting hit and notified police. When the airbags deployed, I thought I was shot at. Other than a flat tire and a scratch on my rim, there was no undercarriage or body damage. I took it to my dealer in pleasantville, ny thinking it would be covered under warranty, since it is a 2004 vw jetta with approximately 34,000 miles. They did absolutely nothing to help me with my problem. After 2 1/2 weeks at the dealer, I was told that vw was not at fault and they were not going to repair the car under warranty. They said they found crash data which of course they are going to find since the airbags deployed. They should have checked the sensors instead. The regional coordinator of vw america called me to let me know that since nobody was sitting in the passenger seat, that's what caused the airbag deployment. I guess we should all have crash test dummies sitting in our passenger seat so that this doesn't happen to us. The amount would be approximately $4,000 to fix. Right now I have it at an auto body shop to be repaired and will save the parts. This is a very expensive flat and I really think I should be reimbursed by vw. This is also a safety issue and they need to recall the cars. After researching on the internet (vwvortex.com), there are many other people in my similar situation - some getting reimbursed and others not.

Filed Oct 2, 2004 · Transmission · 1,500 miles · MA

I bought a 2004 vw jetta gls on march 15, 2004 and it has now been to the shop, oh, about 4 or 5 times! The first time, the clutch was chattering - so, they had to replace the whole clutch kit, then the clutch cable had to be adjusted because it wasn't shifting right, then the secondary air pump had to be replaced, now the brake pedal makes a popping sound everytime I press and depress it... Then to top it all off - - I went to goto work the other day, and it wouldn't start!!! - finally got it started after thinking it was the battery (but, battery wasn't dead), and two days later, it barely starts and is releasing a horrible smell - the inside smelled like rotten eggs.. If there's something wrong with the emissions, I don't know what I'm going to do! I really thing vw should replace my car with a new one and cover it for life!

Filed Mar 11, 2004 · Electrical · 1,600 miles · WI

Engine control computer failed resulting in very hard to start or no start conditions. Vehicle has been out of service for 2 weeks waiting on parts. Vehicle only has 1600 miles on it. Was suggested to by the dealer to drive the vehicle while waiting for parts.