Model year guide

2004 Volkswagen Passat

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Volkswagen Passat is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 116 on record.

2004 Volkswagen Passat — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Volkswagen Passat at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints283
Combined22 mpg
Typical price$2,276

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Volkswagen Passat recalls 4

Engine And Engine Cooling:engine NHTSA Campaign #14E007000 · 07/03/2014

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 i…

Fix: 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.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery NHTSA Campaign #08V156000 · 07/04/2008

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…

Fix: 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 VENTILAT…

Exterior Lighting:brake Lights:switch NHTSA Campaign #07V063000 · 20/02/2007

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

Fix: 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 O…

Fuel System, Diesel NHTSA Campaign #04V586000 · 15/12/2004

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.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Volkswagen Passat common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 283 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Seats
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.

2004 Volkswagen Passat MPG & running costs

Combined22 mpg
City19 mpg
Highway28 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,460

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Volkswagen Passat worth?

Low
$1,000
Typical price
$2,276
High
$4,000

From 113 comparable 2004 Volkswagen Passat listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Volkswagen Passat costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$17,300
Depreciation (5 yrs)$1,200
Total$18,500
Per mile$0.25

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($2,276) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,084), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Volkswagen Passat trims & engines on record

Trims
GLS 1.8T 4Motion · GLX · GL 1.8T · GLX 4Motion · GLS TDI · GLS
Engines
1.8L 4-cyl 170 hp · 2.8L 6-cyl 190 hp · 2.0L 4-cyl 134 hp

2004 Volkswagen Passat vehicles on record

2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLXWVWRH63BX4P056623 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B24P100505 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B94P148244 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWVD63B64E213683 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWVD63B14E035620 2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8TWVWMD63B94P323952 2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8TWVWMD63B44E182798 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B94E289486 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLXWVWRH63B74P150409 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4MotionWVWYH63B54E085230 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B14P042595 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B74P250173 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLXWVWWH63B44E038164 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLXWVWRH63B54P059493 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8TWVWND63B04E016749 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B54P201828 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B54E165554 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63BX4E185931 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B94P057331 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWPD63B74E298283 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8TWVWMD63B14P204017 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLXWVWRH63B84P090043 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDIWVWPE63BX4E281054 2004 Volkswagen Passat 2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4MotionWVWVD63B34E277423

Other Volkswagen Passat model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998 1996

2004 Volkswagen Passat — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Passat?

Based on 283 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, seats, fuel system.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Volkswagen Passat at about 22 mpg combined (19 city / 28 highway).

How much is a 2004 Volkswagen Passat worth?

Comparable 2004 Volkswagen Passat listings run roughly $1,000–$4,000, typically around $2,276 (from 113 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.