2004 Volkswagen Passat: harsh or hard shifting

6 of the 279 complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Passat describe harsh or hard shifting.

owner complaints: 6
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 6 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Harsh or hard shifting by model year

2017
1
2016
1
2015
1
2013
3
2010
1
2007
1
2006
8
2005
1
2004
6
2003
2
2001
2
2000
2
1999
11
1998
4

What owners say

Filed Nov 16, 2009 · Body, Transmission · 38,000 miles · NC

2005 passat wagon - 38000 miles blocked drains around the sunroof caused rain water to leak into the floor boards of the car. The build-up of water caused the TCM (transmission control module) to malfunction. The (automatic) car was able to be driven only with hard shifts between gears and now will not move out of park. (undrivable). Replacement of the TCM will cost $3210. The car was a garaged car up until a few months ago. It was at the dealership for all scheduled maintenance. I was told by the dealership that the drain tubes can get clogged with "one leaf" and the next rain can cause this problem. I was advised to park in a covered area and never drive in the rain. This seems like a significant design flaw that one leaf followed by any rain can cause the TCM to fail and need replacing.

Filed Sep 1, 2004 · Transmission · MD

When slowing to a stop transmission/drive train occasionally will demonstrate a jarring and potentially dangerous "clunk" as if the trandmission is dropping out of the car. The car also lurches forward slightly. We have read that some dealers tell their customers the problem is due to a faulty transmission control module. Our dealer, russel vw in catonsville md said they could do nothing, denying ever hearing about the problem. We contacted vw-USA and they said they had no knowledge of such a problem. This is clearly untrue!!! There are complaints of this problem all over the internet. Vw is setting itself up for tremendous liability issues should injuries occur because of this problem.

Filed Apr 8, 2004 · Transmission · MI

I have a 2004 vw passat with a safety issue in the transmission. When I accelerate at slow speeds it hesitates before taking off and then bam, it's like some one hit you in the back of the car and the car jumps in gear. It does not happen all the time. But the transmission seems real slow going into first gear and it does with a clunk.

Filed Mar 21, 2004 · MD

I recently purchased a 2004 passat glx 4motion, the transmission clunks and the car lurches forward, this happens every couple of days. Not very impressive for a car that cost over $30,000.

Filed Mar 15, 2004 · MD

I have a 2004 passat glx 4motion station wagon with 2000 miles on it. Like other owners I frequently experience a "clunk" from the transmission when I slow down and then accelerate from a stop. It occasionally lurches forward at the same time. The dealer has been unable to duplicate the problem. Not very satisfactory for a car that costs over $30,000

Filed Jan 16, 2004 · Acceleration, Transmission · 300 miles · RI

When coming to a complete stop or while cruising, the vehicle lurches forward. The dealer recalibrated the computer chip in the accelerator pedal and also replaced the transmission control module. After the repairs, the problem continued. *ph the transmission made a clunk noise, malfunctioned in heavy traffic/highway, and a hard shift was present at times.