2004 Volkswagen Passat Owner Complaints

A fuel leak has developed from the top side of the fuel tank on the drivers side of me vehicle. A fuel leak in this manner is a serious critical and immediate safety risk. Recall 08V156000 was 'performed' on my vehicle back in 2008 but the exact same fuel system safety defect has returned. VW acknowledges the recall and claims it was completed while only an inspection to check for fuel leaks was performed at the time. VW Care and my local dealership refuse to address the ongoing issue. This poses a continued fire risk, and I am now being told to pay out of pocket for a known safety recall that clearly failed to remedy the original defect.

NHTSA ID

11677910

Incident

Jul 30, 2025

There was a recall reported by the manufacturer, Volkswagenm in 2008. There were multiple Fuel System issues: A Heat Shield that may contact the exhaust system and result in a vehicle fire; a fuel leak from a fuel line or fuel tank ventilation valve, in the presence of an ignition source, can lead to a vehicle fire. In 2008, my car was inspected and the recall was deemed "complete." However, the car was only 4 years old at the time and no repairs were made. Only a visual inspection was done. I bought the car used 6 years ago, and it has been diagnosed as having a defective fuel tank ventilation valve. VW should pay for the parts and labor to have this fixed because it was never fixed. I've been told there's no statue of limitations on recalls. VW claims that because the recall was deemed "Complete" that they "fixed" the issue but they didn't.

NHTSA ID

11662869

Incident

Mar 14, 2025

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Passat. The contact stated that there was gasoline leaking in his driveway where the vehicle was parked, after he had refueled the vehicle the day before. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and the mechanic informed the contact that it was a known failure related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 08V156000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The dealer and manufacturer were made aware of the failure but informed the contact that the failure was addressed in 2012 and the recall was closed on the VIN. The failure mileage was 97,361.

NHTSA ID

11433670

Incident

Sep 19, 2021

Mileage

97,361 mi

WHEN YOU FILL UP THE FUEL TANK IT LEAKS IT LEAKS A QUARTER OF A TANK OF FUEL ROUGHLY 4 TO 5 GALLONS OF FUEL DRIP OUT THERE'S A FACTORY RECALL ON THIS ISSUE I TOOK IT TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER PAID MONEY TO HAVE THEM INSPECT IT AND THEY SAID YES IT'S LEAKING AT THE FACTORY RECALL I'VE HAD AN INDEPENDENT DEALER CONFIRM THAT! VOLKSWAGEN WILL NOT DO ANYTHING DUE TO WHAT THEY CLAIM A REMEDY WAS DONE BY MOVING FUEL LINES 10 YEARS AGO, OBVIOUSLY IT WAS NOT OR I WOULD NOT HAVE 4 GALLONS OF FUEL SPILL IN MY DRIVEWAY VEHICLE IS BASICALLY IN OPERABLE AND THEY WANT $3000 TO PUT A NEW FUEL TANK IN WHEN IT'S A FACTORY RECALL WHICH NEVER EXPIRES I HAVE TALK TO THE VOLKSWAGEN REP AND THE ONLY THING I HAVE FOUND IN FORUMS IS DO YOU HAVE TO GO TO VOLTS WAGON OF AMERICA AND FIGHT THEM AND THIS IS RIDICULOUS WHEN THEY KNOW THEY HAVE AN ISSUE!! TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE WE NEVER FILL IT OVER A HALF A TANK OF FUEL SO WE DO NOT LEAK FUEL OR EXPLODE WHILE WE'RE DRIVING HOPEFULLY PLEASE HELP IN ANYWAY YOU CAN THANK YOU

NHTSA ID

11396511

Incident

Sep 12, 2019

Mileage

170,000 mi

A COIL FOR HEATED SEATS HAS MELTED A HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT. THIS CAUSED PAIN AND CONFUSION WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. THE SEAT NOW HAS AN UGLY MELTED HOLE IN IT.

NHTSA ID

11395719

Incident

Dec 26, 2020

Mileage

160,000 mi

WHILE DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY, THE DRIVER SEAT SUDDENLY OVERHEATED (THE SEAT WARMER WAS TURNED ON). IT STARTED WITH A BURNING SMELL. EXCESSIVE HEAT BURNED MY LEG A BIT (SOME SKIN REDNESS), BEFORE I REALIZED WHAT IS HAPPENING AND TURNED THE SEAT WARMER OFF. THE SEAT LEATHER NOW APPEARS STIFF AND WRINKLED (NOT SOFT AND SMOOTH LIKE THE REST OF THE LEATHER) IN THE AREA WHERE I FELT THE HEAT.

NHTSA ID

11373531

Incident

Nov 4, 2020

Mileage

132,400 mi

THE CAR STALLED IN THE ROAD. PULLED OVER. TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT WOULD NOT RESTART FULL TANK OF GAS.

NHTSA ID

11319272

Incident

Mar 25, 2020

Mileage

195,000 mi

MY CAR 2004 VW PASSAT ALMOST GETT ON FIRE FRONT PASSANDER SEAT HAVE START TO BURN BUT WAS OK AFTER I SHUTT OFF THE CAR AFTER THAT NOW I CAN DRIVE BUT THE SEAT ITS DEMAGED

NHTSA ID

11269771

Incident

Oct 19, 2019

WHILE DRIVING THE CAR AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS IT STALLS AND THE EPC LIGHT COMES ON. THIS HAS HAPPENED MANY TIMES WHILE MERGING WITH OTHER TRAFFIC AND CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. I HAVE SPENT WELL OVER $1000 TRYING TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED, AND THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. EVEN THE VW DEALERSHIP DOSE NOT HAVE AN ANSWER.

NHTSA ID

11229463

Incident

Jul 1, 2019

Mileage

220,000 mi

STRONG ODOR OF FUEL IN THE CAR REGARDLESS OF BEING PARKED OR MOVING. NOTICED PUDDLE OF GAS ON THE GROUND UNDER THE FUEL TANK. FUEL WAS DRIPPING DOWN OFF THE FUEL TANK AND THE HEAT SHIELDS. FOLLOWED DRIP TO THE ROLLOVER VALVE NIPPLE WHICH IS ATTACHED TO THE GAS TANK.

NHTSA ID

11157192

Incident

Nov 2, 2018

Mileage

162,321 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. AFTER REFUELING AND PARKING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT LATER DISCOVERED FUEL HAD LEAKED OUT FROM THE VEHICLE ONTO THE FLOOR OF THE GARAGE. FUEL WAS ALSO VISIBLE UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT OF THE VEHICLE. UPON INSPECTION, THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT FUEL WAS LEAKING FROM THE FUEL VALVE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

NHTSA ID

11130976

Incident

Sep 1, 2018

Mileage

160,000 mi

STANDING WATER IN DRIVER SIDE AND REAR DRIVER SIDE AREA.

NHTSA ID

11115155

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Mileage

204,000 mi

GAS TANK/ FUEL LINE FRACTURE, LEAKING GAS WHEN I FILL IT UP, STRONG GAS SMELL/ODOR. STOPS LEAKING AT AROUND 3/4 TANK. VERY DANGEROUS FOR MY 16 YEAR OLD TO DRIVE. VW DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO CORRECT, WANTS TO CHARGE ME 2600, TO FIX I BOUGHT THE CAR FOR 4200 3 MONTHS AGO.

NHTSA ID

11101278

Incident

Feb 15, 2018

Mileage

135,000 mi

GAS FUEL LINE/TANK LEAKING GAS

NHTSA ID

11100304

Incident

May 11, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

FUEL TANK LEAK. THERE IS NO DAMAGE NO IMPACT NO VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF ANY MISUSE OF CAR. FUEL TANK LEAKS WHEN FILLED ABOVE 3/4 OF A TANK. THIS IS UNSAFE AND VERY DANGEROUS THIS SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY VOLKSWAGEN. IN ALL MY LIFE AS A MECHANIC I HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING THIS UNSAFE. IF MY LOVED ONES WERE TO GET HURT I WILL HOLD VOLKSWAGEN ACCOUNTABLE. THIS NEEDS TO FIXED NOW!..

NHTSA ID

11099370

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

56,000 mi

LEAKING AT VENT/TOP OF GAS TANK. EXACTLY THE SAME DESCRIPTION OF THAT PAST HEAT SHEILD/VENT GAS LEAKING RECALL FROM ABOUT 10 YEARS AGO

NHTSA ID

11097318

Incident

Mar 31, 2018

Mileage

130,000 mi

BOUGHT THIS CAR FROM ORIGINAL OWNER EXACTLY TWO YEARS AGO. ALL RECEIPTS FOR UPKEEP & MAINTENANCE WERE AVAILABLE. CAR RAN GREAT FOR 30,000 MILES. ONE DAY IT STARTING RUNNING BAD WITHIN 30 MINS WHOLE MOTOR SHUT DOWN. MOTOR JUST SHUT DOWN IN MIDDLE OF HIGHWAY. PIECE OF METAL FOUND UNDER VALVE COVER AND NOW FOR NO REASON NEEDS A WHOLE NEW MOTOR!!!! THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE! VERY DISSATISFIED! I HAVE OWNED THREE VEHICLES ALL FOR MORE THAN 10 YEARS UNTIL THIS VW AND NOW AM WITHOUT A CAR. NEVER WILL BUY OR MENTION ANYONE ELSE BUYING A VW. CANNOT AFFORD TO SPEND $3,000 FOR ANOTHER MOTOR AFTER ONLY OWNING FOR 2 YEARS! NOW THE CAR SITS AT A MECHANIC SHOP WITH NEW TIRES AND NEW VALVE COVER GASKETS AND A POS MOTOR.

NHTSA ID

11094010

Incident

Mar 23, 2018

Mileage

164,000 mi

THE CAR DIED AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY ROAD, I WAS ABLE TO VEER THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AS IT WAS ROLLING BEFORE IT STOPPED COMPLETELY. I HAD THE CAR TOWED BACK TO MY HOUSE AND AFTER TESTING ALL COMPONENTS, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CAR WASN'T GETTING ANY FUEL DUE A FAULTY FUEL PUMP.

NHTSA ID

11051632

Incident

Nov 8, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL COOLANT FLENCH LEAKING, AIR VALVE COVER CAME OFF( LEAKING) AND WATER PUMP, TIMING BELT AND THERMOSTAT NOT WORKING, CANNOT SMOG CAR. ENGINE TROUBLESHOOTING LIGHT COMES BACK ON ALL THE TIME.

NHTSA ID

10995721

Incident

May 18, 2017

Mileage

109,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND "OIL PRESSURE" AND "STOP ENGINE" MESSAGES DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS OIL SLUDGE IN THE ENGINE, BUT THE REPAIRS WERE UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME AND INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 44,000. ..UPDATED 06/27/17 *BF *CN

NHTSA ID

10978851

Incident

Feb 28, 2017

Mileage

44,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN PASSAT. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V078000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE.

NHTSA ID

10954545

Incident

Feb 3, 2017

MY CAR WAS PART OF A RECALL BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER WAS OVERHEATING AND MELTING THROUGH THE SEAT. I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR THE RECALL AND THIS ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RESOLVED. BUT YESTERDAY I HAD THAT EXACT ISSUE - WITHIN 4 TO 5 MINUTES OF TURNING ON MY DRIVERS SIDE SEAT HEATER IT BURNED/MELTED THROUGH THE SEAT AND BURNED ME.

NHTSA ID

10925021

Incident

Nov 7, 2016

Mileage

170,000 mi

TIRE BUBBLE, 2" WIDE, 2" LONG, 1/2" HIGH

NHTSA ID

10904445

Incident

Sep 5, 2016

Mileage

131,214 mi

I START THE CAR UP AND IT STARTED MAKING FUNNY NOISE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGH CAME ON THE ENGINE SHAKING ACT LIKE IT'S GOING TO CUT OFF

NHTSA ID

10893347

Incident

Aug 5, 2016

THE PLASTIC UNDERDASH COWLING CAN BECOME WARPED OVER TIME AND FALL DOWN ON THE BRAKE PEDAL CAUSING THE CAR TO STOP OR TRIGGER THE ABS SYSTEM WHEN NOT NEEDED.

NHTSA ID

10888060

Incident

Jul 24, 2016

Mileage

223,000 mi