A fuel leak has developed from the top side of the fuel tank on the drivers side of me vehicle. A fuel leak in this manner is a serious critical and immediate safety risk. Recall 08V156000 was 'performed' on my vehicle back in 2008 but the exact same fuel system safety defect has returned. VW acknowledges the recall and claims it was completed while only an inspection to check for fuel leaks was performed at the time. VW Care and my local dealership refuse to address the ongoing issue. This poses a continued fire risk, and I am now being told to pay out of pocket for a known safety recall that clearly failed to remedy the original defect.
2004 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems
57 complaints (20% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 94,109.
- owner complaints
- 57
- of this car's complaints
- 20%
- typical mileage
- 94,109
- crashes
- 0
- recalls
- 2
Which part fails
- Delivery: fuel pump6
- Delivery5
- Storage: tank assembly: filling/charging1
- Fuel injection system1
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 fuel system problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat fuel system
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
- What is wrong
- Volkswagen is recalling 412,000 my 1999-2005 passat (5th generation) vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions and produced after june 14, 1999. These vehicles may have an underbody heat shield that can become damaged. In addition, affected vehicles with automatic or manual transmissions may have a fuel line (1.8t engines only) or fuel tank ventilation valve (4motion/all wheel drive only) that can leak due to fracture.
- Risk
- A heat shield that may contact the exhaust system can result in a vehicle fire. In addition, a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will install additional underbody heat shields on vehicles with automatic transmissions to cover the possibly damaged areas and flash all 1.8t engines with a precautionary software update. Dealers will also inspect and adjust the fuel line routing on 1.8t vehicles and the fuel tank ventilation valve on 4motion/all wheel drive vehicles, and replace components if necessary free of charge. The recall began on june 13, 2008. Owners may contact volkswagen at 1‑800‑822‑8987.
Recall number 08V156000 · Recall details
Fuel system, diesel
- 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
Related investigations
Fuel tank leak
Volkswagen (vw) is recalling certain vw passat 4motion and audi a6 quattro and allroad quattro all-wheel drive passenger cars.vw vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from november 22, 2000 through may 31, 2005 and audi vehicles subject to recall were manufactured from june 2, 2001 to june 1, 2005.the federal safety agency recall number for the vw vehicles is 08v‑156 (vw also is correcting defects related to heat shield and fuel line hazards for these vehicles and for 1999-2000 passats in this recall action.)the federal safety agency recall number for the audi vehicles is 08v‑157.since 2006, odi has received 17 complaints of fuel leaking from the subject vehicles' fuel tanks.the 400 complaints shown above may include duplicate reports to odi and the manufacturer. While the consequence (fuel leaks from the top of the tank) is similar for both the passat and audi subject vehicles, differences in design and construction require a different remedy for each vehicle.on the passats, the ventilation line could have been installed improperly with tension and with an incorrectly positioned cable tie.the tension could cause cracked or broken nipples on the fuel tank rollover valve.on the audi vehicles, a material change (effective june 2, 2001) with different aging characteristics used for the rollover valve and the use of an inflexible aluminum ventilation line could cause cracking of the nipple on the rollover valve.vw is recalling all vehicles subject to these defects.it will inspect passats to ensure that the vent line is tension free and correct the installation if tension is found.if a crack or fuel leak is found, vw will replace the fuel tank.audi will repair all subject vehicles by reinforcing the fuel tank rollover valve with an epoxy adhesive.this investigation is closed.
PE08008
What 2004 Volkswagen Passat owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
There was a recall reported by the manufacturer, Volkswagenm in 2008. There were multiple Fuel System issues: A Heat Shield that may contact the exhaust system and result in a vehicle fire; a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire. In 2008, my car was inspected and the recall was deemed "complete." However, the car was only 4 years old at the time and no repairs were made. Only a visual inspection was done. I bought the car used 6 years ago, and it has been diagnosed as having a defective fuel tank ventilation valve. VW should pay for the parts and labor to have this fixed because it was never fixed. I've been told there's no statue of limitations on recalls. VW claims that because the recall was deemed "Complete" that they "fixed" the issue but they didn't.
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that there was gasoline leaking in his driveway where the vehicle was parked, after he had refueled the vehicle the day before. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic informed the contact that it was a known failure related to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 08V156000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the failure was addressed in 2012 and the recall was closed on the VIN. The failure mileage was 97,361.
When you fill up the fuel tank it leaks it leaks a quarter of a tank of fuel roughly 4 to 5 gallons of fuel drip out there's a factory recall on this issue I took it to the volkswagen dealer paid money to have them inspect it and they said yes it's leaking at the factory recall I've had an independent dealer confirm that! Volkswagen will not do anything due to what they claim a remedy was done by moving fuel lines 10 years ago, obviously it was not or I would not have 4 gallons of fuel spill in my driveway vehicle is basically in operable and they want $3000 to put a new fuel tank in when it's a factory recall which never expires I have talk to the volkswagen rep and the only thing I have found in forums is do you have to go to volts wagon of america and fight them and this is ridiculous when they know they have an issue!! To drive this vehicle we never fill it over a half a tank of fuel so we do not leak fuel or explode while we're driving hopefully please help in anyway you can thank you
The car stalled in the road. Pulled over. Turned the car off and it would not restart full tank of gas.
Strong odor of fuel in the car regardless of being parked or moving. Noticed puddle of gas on the ground under the fuel tank. Fuel was dripping down off the fuel tank and the heat shields. Followed drip to the rollover valve nipple which is attached to the gas tank.
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen passat. After refueling and parking the vehicle, the contact later discovered fuel had leaked out from the vehicle onto the floor of the garage. Fuel was also visible underneath the rear seat of the vehicle. Upon inspection, the contact discovered that fuel was leaking from the fuel valve. The failure was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, but the local dealer was not notified. The failure mileage was 160,000.
Gas tank/ fuel line fracture, leaking gas when I fill it up, strong gas smell/odor. Stops leaking at around 3/4 tank. Very dangerous for my 16 year old to drive. Vw dealership refused to correct, wants to charge me 2600, to fix I bought the car for 4200 3 months ago.
Gas fuel line/tank leaking gas
Fuel tank leak. There is no damage no impact no visible evidence of any misuse of car. Fuel tank leaks when filled above 3/4 of a tank. This is unsafe and very dangerous this should be repaired by volkswagen. In all my life as a mechanic I have never seen anything this unsafe. If my loved ones were to get hurt I will hold volkswagen accountable. This needs to fixed now!..
Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat fuel system
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have fuel system problems?
Owners have filed 57 complaints about the fuel system of the 2004 Volkswagen Passat, 20% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Passat fuel system problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 94,109 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 08V156000, 04V586000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Passat have the most fuel system problems?
The Volkswagen Passat model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2003 (169 complaints), 2013 (88 complaints) and 2002 (73 complaints).
Other 2004 Volkswagen Passat problems
Engine 76Transmission 38Seats 34Electrical 23Lights 19Body 16Brakes 15Visibility 13Airbags 8Tires 7Acceleration 6Driver assistance 2Steering 2Suspension 2Locks 1Seat belts 1
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