Model year record

2004 Volkswagen GTI recalls & problems

The 2004 Volkswagen GTI has 1 safety recall and 7 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (4 complaints).

Recalls1safety recalls

Complaints7filed by owners

Crashes · fires0 · 0reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths0 · 0reported in complaints

Safety recalls

Exterior lightingFeb 20, 2007

Brake lights › Switch

Recall 07V0630001,002,000 vehicles

Problem: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Risk: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
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 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Fuel economy

GTI

24mpg combined

City / highway	21 / 28 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,400/year to fuel

GTI

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

1.8 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S5) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

GTI

22mpg combined

City / highway	19 / 27 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

2.8 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Typical mileage*
Air bagsSide/window	4	11,180 mi
Electrical systemIgnition; Instrument cluster/panel	4	—
Exterior lighting	1	—
Latches/locks/linkagesHood › Latch	1	—
Unknown or other	1	—
Power trainClutch assembly	1	—
Fuel/propulsion system	1	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Fuel/propulsion system
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GTI. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. AFTER A COUPLE OF SECONDS, THE VEHICLE WOULD REGAIN POWER. IN ADDITION, WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AND RESUME DRIVING. A FEW DAYS LATER, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT WHEN HE PULLED THE FUEL FILTER AND INLET OUT, THERE WERE METALLIC PARTICLES IN THE FUEL FILTER. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE CONTACT CALLED THE SCHWORER VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (LOCATED AT 3301 SCHWORER DR, LINCOLN, NE 68504) WHO STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE…
Aug 12, 2015 · 166,190 miles
Air bags
AIRBAG LIGHT HAS COME ON, THE DEALER WANTS $105.00 TO DIAGNOSE WHY. *TR
Jan 10, 2009 · 89,000 miles
Air bags
THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON MY 2004 VW GTI 1.8T HAS COME ON FOR ABSOLUTELY NO REASON. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SCANNED WITH PROPER EQUIPMENT, SCANNED THE ECU, FOUND NO CODES, CLEARED THE CODES AND THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO REAPPEAR. *TR
Jan 23, 2007
Power train › Clutch assembly
CLUTCH FAILED ON CAR AT ONLY 33,000 MILES. NOT COVERED BY WARRANTY CONSIDERED NORMAL. WEAR AND TEAR. CLUTCH AND FLYWHEEL REPLACED AT DEALERSHIP FOR $2300. *TR
Nov 21, 2007 · 33,000 miles
Electrical system
I DRIVE A 2004 GTI 1.8T AND FOR THE PAST TWO YEARS IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR THE FOLLOWING: DEFECTIVE HOOD LATCH, DEFECTIVE RADIO, DEFECTIVE ALARM, WINDOW RECALL, DEFECTIVE BATTERY, AND NUMEROUS DEFECTIVE HEAD LIGHTS, TAIL LIGHTS AND BREAK LIGHTS. EACH TIME, THE PROBLEM IS FIXED, DUE TO THE WARRANTY, THEN I AM TOLD THAT ITS JUST DEFECTIVE PARTS. IS THE WHOLE CAR DEFECTIVE??? *JB
Feb 20, 2007
Air bags › Side/window
BUMPED A CURB AND SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO VEHICLE OTHER THAN SCRAPED WHEELS AND DEPLOYED AIR BAGS. ENGINE NO LONGER STARTS ON FIRST KEY TURN. TAKEN TO INSURER RECOMMENDED SHOP TO HAVE AIRBAGS AND ALL RELATED COMPONENTS REPLACED. ENGINE STILL NOT STARTING ON FIRST KEY TURN. *NM *SB
Apr 8, 2005 · 11,180 miles
Air bags › Side/window
CONSUMER BUMPED A CURB CAUSING MINOR WHEEL SCRAPING AND DEPLOYMENT OF SIDE IMPACT AIRBAGS (DRIVERS CURTAIN AND SEAT). RESULTING REPAIR TOTAL IN EXCESS OF $4,000.
Apr 11, 2005 · 11,180 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.