2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF — Problems, Recalls & Safety Data

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N/A

Safety Rating

33

Owner Complaints

3 Crashes 1 Fire 1 Death

6

Recalls

ACTIVE RECALL

12

Service Bulletins

0

Investigations

Overview of the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

The 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF has received a total of 33 safety complaints filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There have been 6 recall campaigns affecting this vehicle, covering issues with ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE, EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS, EXTERIOR LIGHTING. 12 technical service bulletins have been issued by Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. for this model year. The most commonly reported problems involve the Electrical System (3 complaints), Fuelpropulsion System (3 complaints), and Air Bags (2 complaints).

Recalls for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

NHTSA has recorded 6 recalls for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF, potentially affecting up to 1,093,272 vehicles.

Recall 14E007000 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

| 50 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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.

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Recall 09E025000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

| 42,540 vehicles affected

Defect: DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

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Recall 09E012000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING

| 16,270 vehicles affected

Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

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Recall 07V063000 — EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH

| 1,002,000 vehicles affected

Defect: 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...

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Recall 07E023000 — SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER

| 13,128 vehicles affected

Defect: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.

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Recall 04V586000 — FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

| 19,284 vehicles affected

Defect: 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.

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Owner Complaints for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

33 complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. Below is a breakdown by vehicle component.

Most Recent Complaints

#11255490 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 139,480 miles
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.
#11114213 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 250,000 miles
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 GASOLINE. THIS IS A MAJOR FUEL SAFETY THAT CAN CAUSE MY VEHICLE TO RAPIDLY BE ENGULFED BY FIRE.
#10482803 | FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | | 88,811 miles
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 FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,811.
#10469107 | ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | | 65,000 miles
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. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 8/31/12 *CN UPDATED 09/11/2012 *JS
#10428077 | FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | | 147,000 miles
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

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Safety Rating for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

NHTSA has not yet tested the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF in its New Car Assessment Program.

Technical Service Bulletins for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. has issued 12 technical service bulletins (TSBs) for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. TSBs are notices sent by manufacturers to their dealers describing a known issue and the recommended repair procedure.

TT 97-12-02 — EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Data Link connector pin assignment chart that is applicable to all models. Update model year applicability.

V501601 2011761 — STRUCTURE:BODY

Information on areas Surface corrosion or corrosion perforation can occur on various locations around the front wheel arch. Also gives examples of how to calculate cost to repair or replace

V571503 2038887 — STRUCTURE

Technical Bulletin (Corrosion on the Fold of the Front Inner Door): Corrosion under the door fold in the area of the extra seal and the Poly Vinyl Chloride (PVC) foil. This document contains information on how to diagnose, and service this issue. This document also gives examples on filling out...

Edition112 — EQUIPMENT

VW Elsa Newsletter

571405 — STRUCTURE:BODY:DOOR

Corrosion on the Fold of the Front Inner Door

TT 37-06-06 — POWER TRAIN

Tech Tips (Vehicles with 09G or 09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission): This document informs If you replace one of these transmissions, check ETKA to see if you must also replace the Transmission Control Module (TCM) at the same time. In some instances the new transmission will require an updated TCM.

TT370606 — POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

09A Transmission -- Replacing Transmission

M3 — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN CIRCULAR - SEAT HEATER ELEMENT CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ON AND THE SEAT HEATER SWITCH IS ON. THE SEAT HEATER MAT MAY TEMPORARILY OVERHEAT AND BECOME INOPERATIVE. INSTALL NEW PASSENGER SIDE SEAT HEATER SWITCH. *TT UPDATED 08-21-07. *KB

2010461 — ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE

HARD STARTING (EXTENDED CRANKING REQUIRED) OR NO START WHEN WET, RUNS ROUGH ON INITIAL START, MAY BE ACCOMPANIED BY LIGHT GRAY SMOKE. *KB

VZ — SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:SEAT HEATER/COOLER

COMFORT SEATS MAY HAVE A SEAT HEATER ELEMENT THAT CAN MALFUNCTION WHEN THE IGNITION SWITCH IS ON. CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN VZ. *TT

Showing 10 of 12 technical service bulletins.

NHTSA Investigations for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

There are no NHTSA defect investigations on record for this vehicle.

Other Model Years of the VOLKSWAGEN GOLF

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