2004 Volkswagen Beetle
Safety record from NHTSA: recalls, owner complaints, investigations and service bulletins.
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These records cover every 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. To see whether one car still needs a recall repair, decode its VIN or check it with NHTSA.
Recalls
6 recalls name the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. Newest first.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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…
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Volkswagen IS recalling 76,900 my 2004-2005 new beetle and my 2003-2005 new beetle convertibles equipped with an advanced (dual-stage) air bag system. this system may have air bag frontal crash sensors that contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions. if this occurs, the air bag indicator light…
Risk and remedy
Risk
In low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will inspect each vehicle to determine that the specific defect crash sensor IS present on one or both sides of the vehicle. all of the defect crash sensors will be replaced free of charge. the recall IS expected to begin on or before july 31, 2008. owners may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
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 and remedy
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.
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.
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk
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.
Owner complaints
349 complaints7 involved a crash13 involved a fire2 injuries
What owners report most
Latest complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system · Power train · Vehicle speed control
Driving my 2004 volkswagen beetle IS dangerous. The tiptronic transmission in the 2004 VW beetle IS known by volkswagen to be defective. At any point the valve body can fail, which causes delayed shifting, and hard jerking between gears. My 2004 beetle fails to shift when accelerating between 2ND…
Driving my 2004 volkswagen beetle IS dangerous. The tiptronic transmission in the 2004 VW beetle IS known by volkswagen to be defective. At any point the valve body can fail, which causes delayed shifting, and hard jerking between gears. My 2004 beetle fails to shift when accelerating between 2ND and 3RD gear. This causes the vehicle to coast for several seconds, sometimes requiring pulling off the road because of traffic. When downshifting it jerks extremely hard. you get in, start the engine, and receive no warnings that anything IS wrong with the vehicle. No check-engine light provides any indication that the vehicle IS dangerous. You drive down some city streets and hop onto the freeway to go to your favorite grocery store. After getting off the freeway the car IS fully warmed up, and as it downshifts from 4TH to 3RD gear it lurches. It feels like the engine IS trying to jump out of the car! No engine light comes on. Then you stop at the end of the off-ramp, and wait for a traffic light to turn. After turning the car shifts from 1ST to 2ND gear. Then it fails to shift from 2ND to 3RD gear. The gear doesn't engage, and the car coasts down the road without any power. Drivers passing by are staring. The SUV behind you IS right on your butt; they begin honking. There's nothing you can do. Finally, after 20 seconds of coasting the car enters 3RD gear with a giant lurch. It feels like it's going to explode! You pull into the grocery store parking lot, heart racing, knowing that the car you're driving almost caused an accident that could kill a half a dozen people. And you know to get home it's going to happen all over again. this problem IS reported by hundreds of owners. This IS an extreme safety hazard. Volkswagen needs to recall the affected vehicles and pay damages for those whose transmissions were destroyed by this defective valve body and transmission.
- Air bags
Air bag light never goes off, started at 33650 miles, right after my mom signed over the car to me.
- Air bags
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated for two months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag sensor which was a part of the driver's…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated and remained illuminated for two months. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bag sensor which was a part of the driver's frontal seat belt system needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. A local dealer was not contacted. The manufacturer was contacted and informed of the failure. The contact was informed by the manufacturer that the part needed for the repair was on back order. The approximate failure mileage was 94,000.
- Air bags
Air bag lights on and seems the dealer cannot get parts to fix ??
- Electrical system · Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving 60 mph, the battery and ABS indicators illuminated and the vehicle downshifted into first gear. The vehicle seized and was moved to the side of the road. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving 60 mph, the battery and ABS indicators illuminated and the vehicle downshifted into first gear. The vehicle seized and was moved to the side of the road. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the wire harness failed and needed to be replaced. The fuse box was replaced three times, but the failure recurred. Leith volkswagen of cary (2300 autopark blvd, cary, nc 27511, (919) 842-5624) and the manufacturer stated that the vin was not included in a recall. The failure mileage was approximately 157,000.
- Electrical system · Engine
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving at a slow rate of speed, the contact smelled burning rubber and the vehicle's radio stopped working. As the contact proceeded driving, several unknown warning indicators began flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle shut completely…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving at a slow rate of speed, the contact smelled burning rubber and the vehicle's radio stopped working. As the contact proceeded driving, several unknown warning indicators began flashing. The contact stated that the vehicle shut completely off. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and took it to an independent mechanic. The mechanic was able to diagnose the vehicle and had the fuse box replaced, yet the failure still persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 50,000.
- Engine · Unknown or other
When driving the car shuts off in traffic in town and on the highway. 2 times no check engine light came on. One time light came on. Mechanic IS not sure why. I have read several similar occurances online by other owners. Sounds like a risk for fatality to me. My daughter just bought this car from another party.
- Power train
2004 beetle with 85,000 miles hard shifting down - it jerks from gear to gear until it comes to full stop. . Now while upshifting it couldn't make it out of 3RD gear and have almost been rear ended 3 times. Car jerks ,shudders, lurches . transmission problem IS consistent with low mileage VW beetles
- Engine · Unknown or other
I bought my VW beetle 2004 used 3 months ago. (Epc light on, check engine light on) since then ive had to fix the timing belt, cooling, and hoses because of backfire. I got notified that there IS a recall in my car, yet went typing the vin # it says it no recalls have been found for my car. I have…
I bought my VW beetle 2004 used 3 months ago. (Epc light on, check engine light on) since then ive had to fix the timing belt, cooling, and hoses because of backfire. I got notified that there IS a recall in my car, yet went typing the vin # it says it no recalls have been found for my car. I have documentation to show the repairs and costs. I'm wondering who do I contact to determinate if my car does have a real or not.
- Seats
The passenger front seat heater was left on power level 3 with a bag of clothes in the seat. An odor was detected and upon moving the bag, an approximately 6' x 10' burn was discovered on lower portion of the seat back.
- Power train
I bought the new beetle not even a month and I noticed a jerking in the transmission. I found out using specialized websites for enthusiasts that volkswagen issue letters to owners of new beetles in 2010 informing that tons of owners complained about the hard shift they were experiencing in…
I bought the new beetle not even a month and I noticed a jerking in the transmission. I found out using specialized websites for enthusiasts that volkswagen issue letters to owners of new beetles in 2010 informing that tons of owners complained about the hard shift they were experiencing in the automatic transmission oftheir new beetle. Vokswagen offered to extend the warranty on the transmission valve body. The models affected spans from 2003 to 2008. In other words, volks sold faulty cars withing this time range and only recognized later in 2010 about the issue. however, the valve body failure in the transmission IS across the board and a recall should have been issued for the range of 2003-2008. The component was designed to fail by design. Not even the replacement would fix it because it would happen again. imagine the danger when there IS a hard-shift and the car starts to jerk and changing gears erratically ? Imagine this happening on I95 or any other highway. VW just extended the warranty but a recall IS needed here. I called VW and they are refusing to fix it saying it IS an old car and warranty IS expired, but the truth IS since 2003 the hard shift condition existed. It takes time for the valve body to fail but it will fail. I have other cars, but when I noticed the jerk I investigated. I attached the letter that I obtained from the new beetle.org site and there there IS a detail explanation how the automatic transmission will fail due to the design
- Fuel/propulsion system
Feul leak, rear passanger side right. Same side that the fuel fill IS on.
- Electrical system
The fuse box IS burning because some cables are too small and according to the mechanics, it IS something extremely common but according to me, it IS not supposed to happen.
- Electrical system
Continued headlamp failure re: headlamp cover glass / lexan comes off and flys off of car. Several owners report same problem. Creates hazerdous debris when it happens on highway and also exposes headlamp lights directly to weather and causes failure.
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle felt as if it were in neutral. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, placed the gear shifter in park and then back into drive, and was able to resume driving. The contact stated that…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving approximately 30 mph, the vehicle felt as if it were in neutral. The contact coasted the vehicle to the side of the road, placed the gear shifter in park and then back into drive, and was able to resume driving. The contact stated that she had to repeat the same procedure five times until she reached her destination. There were no warning indicators illuminated. The vehicle was taken to perrysburg auto mall (26875 n dixie hwy, perrysburg, oh 43551, phone number: (419) 874-4331) where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 63,000.
- Air bags · Electrical system
VW check engine light on, obd sensor port not reading, battery light came on, and ABS light came on, now radio IS going on and off. Started yesterday morning,while driving to work the ABS started after work on the way home.
- Power train
The gearbox slips, stutters and jerks . And will slip out of gear and not go back in gear until engine IS restarted. This happens when starting to move from a stop.
- Unknown or other
Window regulators are easy to break.
- Power train
Transmission locks up, noisy upshift and downshifts. While driving unpredictable gear shifts.
- Air bags
Air bag light came on last year, resolved. back on, I see old recall? what to do?
- Air bags · Power train · Seat belts
My transmission went out all at once my airbag/seatbeilt light on all the time
- Electrical system
The first time I rolled windows down in my driveway so that I could take top down. They would not roll up properly to make a connection to the top convertible of the car. So the car was not weather safe.
- Unknown or other
Transmission slips, jerks , downshifts , vehicle becomes disabled on roadway, danger to driver, pedestrians and other vehicles on the roadways. There IS a class action suit in louisiana regarding this problem . This problem happens while vehicle IS in motion 10-15 minutes after it IS in motion .
- Power train
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving at any speed, when the vehicle slowed down to approach a stop sign or traffic light, it would downshift independently. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be pulled over, turned off, and restarted. The mechanic stated that the…
TL* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen beetle. While driving at any speed, when the vehicle slowed down to approach a stop sign or traffic light, it would downshift independently. The vehicle became inoperable and had to be pulled over, turned off, and restarted. The mechanic stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was not notified and the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.
- Air bags · Visibility/wiper
1. Air bag: the air bag indicator light IS illuminating. 2. Sunroof drain system clogged: there IS leakage through the sunroof of the passenger side. All rain water IS coming in from the passenger door. After about 2 weeks of thunder storms the car has water all over the inside and the ceiling…
1. Air bag: the air bag indicator light IS illuminating. 2. Sunroof drain system clogged: there IS leakage through the sunroof of the passenger side. All rain water IS coming in from the passenger door. After about 2 weeks of thunder storms the car has water all over the inside and the ceiling and smells bad. (As soon as I found out the sunroof leakage problem of this car, I found that he u.s. Court of appeals for the third circuit has approved a $69 million settlement stemming from a class-action lawsuit that started in 2007 over leaking sunroofs. Http://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2014/volkswagen-settles-lawsuit-leaking-sunroofs.shtml)
Defect investigations
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opened these reviews into vehicles including this one.
- Front air bag crash sensor failure
Certain subject vehicles, model year (my) 2003 convertible and my 2004 sedan and convertible vehicles are equipped with an advanced dual-stage air bag system.the air bag crash sensors (#1F0 909 606) contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions.if this occurs, the…
Certain subject vehicles, model year (my) 2003 convertible and my 2004 sedan and convertible vehicles are equipped with an advanced dual-stage air bag system.the air bag crash sensors (#1F0 909 606) contain a solder joint on the circuit board that may crack under certain high temperature conditions.if this occurs, the air bag indicator light will illuminate and the control module will enable a fallback algorithm that will ensure that the front air bag always deploys in a frontal crash in which the vehicle's deceleration IS high enough to activate the frontal air bags.however, in low-severity frontal impacts, the front air bags may deploy more forcefully than designed, increasing the possibility of injury to out-of-position front seat occupants.volkswagen will inspect for the defective crash sensor and replace with an updated design.in addition, 16,177 early-my 2005 new beetle sedan and convertible vehicles (built through oct 31, 2004) are also included in the recall campaign.this preliminary evaluation IS closed (see recall 08v-178)
Service bulletins
Technical service bulletins and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about this vehicle. Ask a dealer for the full document by its number.
- 10253215Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253214Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253213Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation
- 10253204Customer States Windshield Wipers Streak or Smear
- 10252942Damage to Data Link Connector (DLC) from Aftermarket Devices (Cannot Communicate with Vehicle OBD System)
- 10252204Air Conditioning Does not Operate
- 10249138Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.
- 10243066VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243064VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243059VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243053VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243046VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243034VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243011VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10243002VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242996VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242404VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242402VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242399VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242397VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242391VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242384VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242375VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242372VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242349VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10242340VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10241699Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
- 10241698Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
- 10241340Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00
- 10241339Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10241335Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10241333Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10241311Gasoline Quality
- 10241310Software Version Management
- 10241285Engine, Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 10241282Engine, Misfire Diagnostic Aid
- 10241266Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials
- 10241265Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10241177Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- 10240900Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections
Every Volkswagen Beetle model year
Bars are owner complaints, dots mark years with recalls. Select a year to open its report.