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2004 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Wagon 5A

The 2004 Volkswagen Passat GL TDI Wagon 5A is a 2.0-liter turbocharged wagon with a 5-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $24,635 MSRP and is rated at 27 mpg combined.

EPA fuel-economy estimates are 23 mpg city and 34 mpg highway (27 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeWagon
PowertrainDiesel
Price
MSRP$24,635 ($42,384 *)
Engine
Engine Type2.0L turbo-diesel (TDI)
Displacement2 L
Injection TypeDirect injection diesel
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission5-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City23 MPG
Highway34 MPG
Combined27 MPG
Recommended FuelDiesel
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2004 Volkswagen Passat 4-DR. w/SAB

Recalls

4 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen PASSAT. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Mar 7, 2014 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.

Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.

Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.

NHTSA campaign 14E007000

Apr 7, 2008 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 08V156000

Feb 20, 2007 · EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.

NHTSA campaign 07V063000

Dec 15, 2004 · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 04V586000

283 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen PASSAT

Owner Complaints

283 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen PASSAT (9 mention a crash, 25 a fire, 23 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine And Engine Cooling59
Power Train38
Fuel System35
Seats34
Gasoline28
Fuel/Propulsion System25
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 1, 2025 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
May 23, 2025 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
Sep 20, 2021 · Fuel System, Gasoline
“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…”
Feb 16, 2021 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“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…”
Feb 11, 2021 · Seats
“A COIL FOR HEATED SEATS HAS MELTED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THIS CAUSED PAIN AND CONFUSION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SEAT NOW HAS AN UGLY MELTED HOLE IN IT.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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