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2004 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems

37 complaints (16% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 85,550. 1 crash reported.

owner complaints
37
of this car's complaints
16%
typical mileage
85,550
crashes
1
recalls
1

Which part fails

  • Delivery: fuel pump
    5
  • Storage: fuel gauge system
    3
  • Storage: tank assembly
    1
  • Fuel injection system
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems in other years

19901995200020052010201520202025

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Fuel pump 26Fuel leak 7Fuel smell 6

Related recalls

Fuel system, dieselReported December 15, 2004 · 19,284 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 04V586000 · Recall details

What 2004 Volkswagen Jetta owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Oct 15, 2018 · Engine, Fuel system · 168,000 miles · CA

Vehicle under multiple occasions has stalled out at various speeds, locations, and driving styles/roads at or under a quarter of a tank

Filed Mar 5, 2018 · Electrical, Engine · 115,000 miles · GA · fire

While driving down road early in morning approx 2 miles from house I just left from my 2004 jetta shuts down total loss of all power I pulled car over in a church parking lot I smelled smoke and could see smoke coming from fire wall I raised hood and pulled battery cable off I could see smpoke filling inside of my car walked around to driver door to get my phone and I seen fuse box on fire.another vehicle stopped to help me and he approached my car and then called police ,full flames were coming from my car within 5 min so I stood back and watched my car burn .fire dept showed up and put fire out my car is a total loss. Ive had issues with alternator,fuel pump,air bag light, headlights are really dim even on bright.nothing but issues with this car since I got it. 115.000 miles only on this car .so many isues I can see why its low milage

Filed Nov 16, 2017 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · OH

The car randomly stalls while driving whether at highway speeds or in town. This causes a loss of power steering and power brakes which is inherently dangerous in certain situations. It has been doing this regularly with the previous owner for the last 3 or 4 years and has done it 4 times while under my ownership since september 2017 it usually happens while there is less than 1/4 tank of fuel. When it happens there is no check engine light nor does the ecu store any codes from the problem. Previous owner made several repairs including a fuel pump and filter, engine speed sensor and alternator wiring harness in an attempt to fix the issues with no success. This issues also comes up regularly on several vw forums and no one seems to have an answer. This is a known and regular issue with no consistent repair and needs to be remedied.

Filed Aug 1, 2017 · Fuel system · 165,000 miles · UT

Randomly stalls on the freeway when down to 1/4 tank of gas. After pulling over and turning off the key and turning the key back on, it will start and run great. This happens about every other time the car gets down to about 1/4 tank. No shop can duplicate the problem or correct it. I have tried the ignition coil, grounds, fuel pump... No fix. There are countless threads on various vw forums about this same problem. It is very dangerous to stall on the freeway. Something needs to be done to correct this.

Filed Aug 25, 2015 · Fuel system · 220,000 miles · MD

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while having the vehicle serviced by an independent mechanic, the contact was informed that the vehicle was leaking fuel into the engine compartment. An independent mechanic stated that the tandem pump became inoperable and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 220,000. Updated 10/9/15 *ln the consumer believed his vehicle should have been included in the fuel system recall. However, his production year was not included. Updated 04/11/16.*jb

Filed Apr 21, 2014 · Engine, Fuel system · 119,000 miles · IL

Vw corp rejected catalytic converter replacement when we identified that the flex pipe was leaking/loud and was over the mileage warranty (vw extended the part warranty to 10yrs or 120k miles) our car had 120,110 miles. There was no local vw dealership to id repairs near where I was working. The part did failed before the 120k miles; and has been leaking or damaged for sometime. Since it warmed up and I had the windows down I was able to hear the leak. This part was replaced under warranty previously and was a recall item on this model and year. Is there a "range" on mileage that the vw is required to take into account for travel to nearest vw dealer location for repairs or written within the current emissions warranty law??

Filed Jul 1, 2013 · Fuel system · 100,000 miles · AZ

A little under 3 years ago (oct. 2010) I started noticing a faint gas smell coming from my car. Over a 2 week period the smell gradually got stronger and my mpg slowly decreased. After taking my car into a shop it was determined there was a crack near the fuel pump gasket and the fuel pump needed to be replaced. Now 2 weeks ago (may 2013) the exact same symptoms started up again and after taking my car back to the shop they told me the exact same thing. There was a small crack near the gasket on my fuel pump and it needed to be replaced. There is an obvious design flaw to cause me to replace 2 fuel pumps in a 3 year span.

Filed Jun 3, 2013 · Fuel system · 145,000 miles · TX

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that while driving at unknown speeds, he noticed a strong fuel odor. Upon inspection, it was found that the fuel pump had failed. The manufacturer advised that the VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign number 04v586000 (fuel system, diesel). The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 145,000 and the current mileage was 146,177.

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 Jan 8, 2013 · Fuel system · 172,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that a fuel odor was being emitted from the vehicle. Upon inspection, it was found that fuel was leaking around the area of the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and informed the contact that the diesel fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure and although the part number for the failed component was the same as in the recall, the vehicle was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number: 04v586000 (fuel system, diesel). The failure and current mileages were 172,000.

Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta have fuel system problems?

Owners have filed 37 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta, 16% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 85,550 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta fuel system?

Yes, 1 recall: 04V586000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Volkswagen Jetta have the most fuel system problems?

The Volkswagen Jetta model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2009 (307 complaints), 2010 (303 complaints) and 2011 (166 complaints).

Other 2004 Volkswagen Jetta problems

Engine 48Electrical 36Transmission 35Seats 22Airbags 21Brakes 12Lights 11Visibility 11Body 8Acceleration 7Seat belts 6Locks 4Steering 4Tires 4Driver assistance 3Suspension 3

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