The 2004 Volkswagen Golf has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,021,284 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 33 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the electrical system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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…
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.
Complaints by component
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3
1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
3
AIR BAGS
2
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:DIESEL
2
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
2
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES:HOOD:LATCH
2
POWER TRAIN:CLUTCH ASSEMBLY
2
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
1
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
1
Total complaints33
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“Car will shut off while driving around town or cruising on the highway (very dangerous) once fuel tank drops to 1/4 tank. I believe it to be faulty fuel pump design.”
“I started smelling fuel inside my car, and I replaced the gas cap. The smell kept getting stronger and it gave me headaches while driving. Today I opened up the back seat to expose the fuel pump and the pump leaks and from the top of the fuel pump where the connectors and it fills up with liquid…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that gasoline fuel fumes were emitted into the vehicle. The contact stated that after inspecting the vehicle, he noticed that there was a fuel leak. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the…”
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen golf. The contact was traveling 50 mph when unknown warning lights illuminated and the vehicle decelerated independently. The vehicle was towed to the dealer who confirmed that the wiring for the fuse box needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted.…”
“I noticed a strong smell of diesel fuel while driving my car. Next I noticed smoke coming out from under the hood. I took my car to autohaus in royal oak, mi where they diagnosed the problem as a leak in the return fuel line. *tr”
“My 2004 vw golf was running rough. The rpm's were very high but the car was going very slow. I had new spark plugs and ignition wires put in. After a heavy rain a few weeks later I had the same problem. This time I had a new ignition coil put in. In total I spent $699.24 having the car repaired.…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen golf. The contact smelled a fuel odor emanating from his vehicle. Upon further inspection he noticed a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source may lead to a fire. His vehicle identification number was excluded from recall# 04v586000 (fuel…”
“Tl*the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen golf. While the vehicle was at a local repair shop receiving an oil change, the mechanic noticed fuel leaking from the vehicle. The mechanic determined that the tandem fuel pump failed and was leaking fuel from the outside of the engine. The vehicle was…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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