2004 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems

23 complaints (8% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 58,000.

owner complaints: 23
of this car's complaints: 8%
typical mileage: 58,000
crashes: 0
recalls: 0

Which part fails

Wiring
3
Ignition
2
Wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
1
Instrument cluster/panel
1
Horn
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 Passat electrical problems in other years

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat electrical

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

Fire or smoke 24

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Engine Compartment FireOpened January 26, 2011, closed February 17, 2012

In July 2010, the Agency opened PE10-027 to investigate allegations of coil on plug (COP) ignition coil fires in MY2002-2003 VW Passat vehicles.The investigation was upgraded in January 2011 to include all MY2001-2007 4-cylinder VW Passat, gasoline, turbo-charged vehicles.Based on the analysis of VW's response, and including ODI's consumer complaints, ODI has since identified 135 unique engine fire reports attributable to the COP coils.After further review of the details as contained in each report, ODI determined that 43 of the 135 fire reports were actual fire/flame incidents, 83 fire reports were thermal events (smoke, spark, heat or wire melt), and another 9 fire reports were undetermined in severity due to the lack of information.These COP coil fires were characterized as initiated from within the COP coil circuit located at the top of the engine block and below the plastic engine cover.The fires observed were contained in the engine compartment and did not reach into the passenger compartment in contrast to those caused by an overheated catalytic converter examined in ODI?s investigation in 2007 and 2008.There were no reports of crashes or personal injury in this examination.A safety-related defect has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.Accordingly, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will monitor this issue and reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstancesSee the Closing Report for additional details.

EA11002

Passenger engine compartment firesOpened September 28, 2007, closed July 7, 2008

The manufacturer notified the federal safety agency on 04-apr-08 that a safety recall action would be initiated to remedy the issue.in june 2008, the manufacturer issued a technical service bulletin (code 26e5/r5) regarding the specific procedures to be employed in this campaign.vehicle owner notification letters were sent beginning approximately june 13, 2008.the campaign was assigned the federal safety agency no. 08v‑156.this recall affects all my 1999-2005, 5th generation gasoline-powered passat sedans and station wagons.approximately 412,000 vehicles are affected.corrective action will consist of installing additional exhaust system heat shielding to mitigate the potential thermal effects of engine ignition problems.based on this action, the subject ea has been closed.

EA07014

What 2004 Volkswagen Passat owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 5, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · NY

I start the car up and it started making funny noise my check engine ligh came on the engine shaking act like it's going to cut off

Filed Aug 21, 2014 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · NM · fire

I was driving my car to have dinner with my daughter and the car started losing power. It was only a 4 minute trip and by the time I got to my daughter's driveway, the engine was smoking. After using a hose to cool off the hood, the hood was popped and there was a fire on the passenger side of the engine. After we got the fire out, lot of hoses and the wire assembly were burned badly.

Filed Dec 28, 2013 · Electrical, Seats · IL · fire

The seat warmer on the driver's side started a fire that burnt through the seat and onto my leg. I had to pull over on the highway and turn off the car for it to stop burning.

Filed Mar 17, 2012 · Electrical, Seats · 85,400 miles · IL · fire

I had been driving my car for fewer than 15 minutes with the seat heating element on. I noticed an acute burning heat near my upper left leg, and shortly thereafter noticed a hot/burning/melting smell. I immediately turned off the driver's side seat and pulled into a parking spot. After being turned off for 10 minutes, the burning smell was still hanging in the car and my seat was still extremely hot to the touch. The gray leather near the outer left edge of the seating surface is emblazoned with a singed, brownish burn mark, and a hole was burned completely through the leather. I have not turned on the seat heating element since this incident, but am quite concerned about the failure and fire hazard.

Filed Jul 29, 2011 · Body, Electrical · 100,864 miles · NC

2004 vw passat, VIN [xxx] july 2010 - sunroof drains failed to drain; water entered cockpit; water destroyed convenience module under driver's seat. Repaired $769 july 2011 - sunroof drains, although open, could not handle flow of water, and again convenience module was destroyed. Will be repaired soon. This current failure now has a 'airbag fault' warning on the dash. Will not allow my wife to drive car. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).

Filed May 11, 2011 · Electrical · FL

Faulty ignition coils on 2004 vw passat, 4 cylinder turbo engine. While driving the car, the engine loses power and dash board warning lights illuminate. Ignition coils have been replaced numerous times.

Filed Mar 30, 2011 · Electrical · PA

Vehicle has 80k miles I've replaced 3 mass air flow sensors, approx 12 coils. The latest issue is the epc - car stalls while driving, epc comes on. Car will restart with some difficulty.

Filed Feb 24, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · MD

2004 volkswagen passat. Consumer writes in regards to class action settlement against volkswagen, stating a series of issues such as oil sludge, engine malfunction issues, anti-freeze and coolant issues and ignition coil issues with volkswagens *tgw the consumer stated she learned there was a specific type of coolant that only be used for her model vehicle. She stated each summer she drove around with 2 containers of anti-freeze because the vehicle would consume so much anti-freeze. Also, the brake light bulbs were replaced.

Filed Oct 19, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 45,000 miles · NV

2004 vw passat tdi. Vw has a problem with their turn signal switch. The switch continues to open and close the circuit after the turn signal is in the off position. This is a problem with many of their models( jetta, passat both gas and diesel). The dealership service personnel are aware of the problem and are replacing the defective switch only if your have all your maintenance done at a authorized vw dealer. So if you don"t have all your oil changes and repairs done by a authorized v w dealer there is no assistance for replacement of this defective switch. This is a cost of $300.00 to the consumer. This sure is safety related and need to be recalled asap. This problem has caused fires under the instrument panel.

Filed Sep 29, 2009 · Electrical, Lights · 78,050 miles · NJ

2004 vw passat 4 sedan rear cigarette lighter and ash tray are not safely and functional installed well. Have the tendency to keep coming apart entirely exposing electrical wires leading to burn and electrical shock or popping or burning of wires. Have had the problem repaired on multiple occasions by dealer as well as by myself to further prevent the mishap since out of warranty. My children bump the cigarette lighter and it caused sparks and burning smell. I was able to repair the enclosure again for the 13th or so time and since it's not under warranty it's not covered. Children sit in the rear more than adults but there has been time where the adults have causd the same issue. It's that my 9 yr old son try to repair or put back in where the entire enclosure fell out again.

Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat electrical

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have electrical problems?

Owners have filed 23 complaints about the electrical of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 8% of all its complaints.

At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Passat electrical problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 58,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat electrical?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Passat have the most electrical problems?

The Volkswagen Passat model years with the most electrical complaints are 2002 (220 complaints), 2012 (95 complaints) and 2013 (93 complaints).