2004 Volkswagen Passat engine and engine cooling problems
59 owner complaints filed with NHTSA name the engine and engine cooling on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat — 21% of all complaints for this model year.
What owners report
“Possible cam tensioner that causes the car to make a loud clicking noise and the check engine light is on as a result. Took it to 3 mechanics and did a diagnostic but could not find the problem. Help me please! *tr”
filed Aug 22, 2014
“I began noticing a very strong smell of gasoline coming through the vent while driving. When I pulled over to check under the hood, I noticed that the rigid fuel line had cracked where it passed through a mounting bracket on the upper rear of the engine bay. The crack was emitting a steady flow of…”
filed Aug 21, 2014
Verbatim excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA. Reports are not independently verified.
Related service bulletins
Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
V171901201285565 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Aug 21, 2023Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285562 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued May 30, 2023Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
V171901201285560 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Apr 24, 2023Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards.
V171901_2012855 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions · issued Nov 25, 2019
Engine and Engine Cooling problems in other Passat years
| Year | Reports | Share |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 Passat | 2 | 2% |
| 2015 Passat | 2 | 1% |
| 2014 Passat | 4 | 1% |
| 2013 Passat | 5 | 1% |
| 2012 Passat | 4 | 1% |
| 2009 Passat | 4 | 3% |
| 2008 Passat | 9 | 5% |
| 2007 Passat | 32 | 12% |
| 2006 Passat | 66 | 11% |
| 2005 Passat | 50 | 34% |
| 2003 Passat | 131 | 21% |
| 2002 Passat | 135 | 21% |
Other reported problem areas on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat
Counts are unique NHTSA complaints naming this component group. Complaints are unverified owner reports; mileage is computed only from complaints that included a usable odometer reading.