2004 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI 2004

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2004 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI repairs by problem area

Engine (39%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (3%)

Brakes and Traction Control (1%)

Suspension and Steering (21%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (23%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (10%)

Chart based on 70 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI.

2004 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI repair cost distribution

$2500+ (2%)

$1000 - $2499 (7%)

$500 - $999 (25%)

$100 - $499 (31%)

< $100 (36%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 59 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2004 Volkswagen R32 2dr Hatch

240-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed manual AWD

Volkswagen R32 in Virginia, United States
Feb 2008 - May 2019
Mar 2010

70000 mi

US $60
Replaced thermostat and topped off coolant. 45 minute job done in driveway. 
Apr 2010

73000 mi

US $135
Water pump began squeaking when hot due to a loose plastic plug behind the pump's pulley. Pump worked fine, just noisy. Replaced at home by me. Fairly simple job. 
Jun 2012

104000 mi
Car was slow starting. Found corrosion on battery terminals. Cleaned connections. Problem gone. 
Dec 2013

118000 mi

US $20
Replaced driver's side low beam bulb. 
Mar 2014

120000 mi

US $15
Side marker lens melted at the bulb socket. 
Jan 2015

US $75
Driver's side outer tie rod end was worn out. I purchased the part and a local mechanic replaced it in about 20 minutes. 
Sep 2017

176000 mi

US $20
Replaced blown passenger side low beam headlight bulb. 
Volkswagen R32 in California, United States
Nov 2010 - Jun 2018
Dec 2011

80000 mi
Hood support strut failed, hatch struts worn; all replaced. Hood latch handle detached from mechanism; secured with wire loop. 
Apr 2018

132000 mi

US $1000
Fuel pump failed, mass airflow sensor intermittent failure 
Volkswagen R32 in Missouri, United States
Mar 2011 - Dec 2017
May 2011

90000 mi

US $771
The car failed to start intermittently starting in February. Had 5 trips with 4 tows to 3 different repair services, finally identified when the problem persisted. It turned out to be the fuel pump, which in turn, burned out the fuel pump relay.  catastrophic ball joint failure 
Dec 2014

126000 mi

US $400
Sway bar links worn, 
Mar 2017

144000 mi

US $1000
Power steering pump failed, worn by after market skid plate rubbing on a coupling 
Nov 2017

152000 mi

US $1042
Water pump failed 
Volkswagen R32 in California, United States
Oct 2013 - Jun 2022
Apr 2015

91000 mi

US $550
Dash cluster malfunction. Unable to repair, thus needed to be replaced. Car functions fine either way, just an annoyance. 
Mar 2017

113000 mi

US $600
New lower control arms. Thermostat housing had hairline crack. Replaced it. 
Volkswagen R32 in Florida, United States
Oct 2007 - Aug 2011
Apr 2007

67849 mi

US $3751
Replaced rear differential and Haldex unit 
Jan 2009

106000 mi

US $50
Headlight out. 
Aug 2010

138000 mi

US $278
antenna mount replaced 
Feb 2011

145700 mi

US $355
temperature sensor replaced 
Volkswagen R32 in Minnesota, United States
Nov 2009 - Sep 2016
Jan 2010

48300 mi
Driver window detached from regulator clips. 
May 2010

40000 mi

US $360
A/C expansion valve replacement. 
Feb 2012

67000 mi
Repaired the driver door lock microswitch. 
Volkswagen R32 in Virginia, United States
Apr 2008 - Dec 2009
May 2008

34000 mi
Cooling fans were dead, A/C needed recharge 
Oct 2008

47000 mi

US $350
Strut top bushing and bearings need to be replaced. Very loose steering and popping sound. Tire wear and odd braking also was symptom. Also changed Oil, oil filter, Haldex fluid and filter. Excessive rattle and squeak in center console area, Around HVAC and radio.  
Volkswagen R32 in Georgia, United States
May 2010 - Jun 2015
Jan 2012

US $560
Car began overheating and flashing STOP warning, towed vehicle to shop where parts were ordered/installed. I paid total cost for parts/labor. Replaced plastic coolant pipe with Gruven metal part as preventative maintenance. 
Jul 2012

59200 mi

US $650
Temp gauge not reading accurately, AC compressor & control unit & fans not working. No cold air. 
Feb 2013

62100 mi
AC compressor had failed. Replaced with the new factory unit. 
Jan 2014

63000 mi

US $800
Car first began to idle poorly, displayed MIL/CEL, squeaked loudly during cold startup, then it failed to startup. As a result I replaced the alternator, plugs & coil packs. 

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2004 Volkswagen Jetta 4dr Sedan

turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD

Volkswagen Jetta in Ontario, Canada
Aug 2011 - Jun 2014
Aug 2012

234260 mi

C $350
Rear brakes and rotors and emergency brake cables 

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2004 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI

Engine not specified

Volkswagen R32 in Kentucky, United States
Mar 2008 - Mar 2010

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2004 Volkswagen Golf 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed shiftable automatic FWD

Volkswagen Golf in Connecticut, United States
Oct 2012 - Nov 2013
Jul 2013

84500 mi

US $300
Rubber gasket at axle was torn, needed replacement. 
Nov 2013

87000 mi
air intake valve started to fail 
Volkswagen Golf in Massachusetts, United States
Mar 2010 - Jul 2013
Jun 2010

73000 mi

US $600
Front struts were worn out. Front brakes were worn, rotors warped. Front CA bushings worn out. Turbo waste gate malfunctioned, needed to be replaced. Front struts were worn out. Front brakes were worn, rotors warped. Front CA bushings worn out. Turbo waste gate malfunctioned, needed to be replaced. 
Aug 2010

76000 mi

US $600
EGR hose blew out, needed to be replaced. EGR hose blew out, needed to be replaced. 
Jan 2011

81000 mi

US $700
Replaced EGR Replaced EGR 
Apr 2012

98300 mi

US $500
Front driver and passenger side wheel bearings and hubs were growling loudly. Mechanic replaced both sets (with OEM parts) and problem went away. Also new tires installed. 

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2004 Volkswagen Golf 4dr Hatch

turbocharged 100hp 1.9L I4 Diesel 5-speed manual FWD

Volkswagen Golf in British Columbia, Canada
- Jun 2006
Feb 2005

21700 mi
Glow Plug Relay replaced 
Jun 2006

27900 mi
Injection System replace: below average fuel economy 

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2004 Volkswagen Golf 4dr Hatch

115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Volkswagen Golf in Quebec, Canada
Mar 2012 - Dec 2012
Apr 2012

100940 mi

C $600
Main fan broke 

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2004 Volkswagen Golf 4dr Hatch

115-horsepower 2.0L I4 4-speed automatic FWD

Volkswagen Golf in Illinois, United States
Apr 2009 - Jan 2022
Mar 2011

80000 mi

US $704
Water pump failure while driving. Replaced thermostat & coolant temp sensor myself to no avail, then took it to repair shop. Shop replaced water pump and timing belt. 
Feb 2013

100700 mi
Failed catalytic converter. 
Dec 2013

110000 mi

US $30
Replaced faulty driver's door lock actuator assembly. 
Dec 2014

125000 mi

US $100
Replaced rusty oil pan. 
Feb 2016

138600 mi

US $400
Replaced failing original exhaust system with cat-back aftermarket system. 

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2004 Volkswagen Golf 2dr Hatch

115-horsepower 2.0L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Volkswagen Golf in California, United States
Feb 2017 - Jun 2018
Mar 2017

123000 mi

US $250
Clutch failure 
May 2018

125000 mi

US $800
Control arms, struts, ball joints, inner & outer tie rods rear axle beam bushings. 
Jun 2018

125000 mi

US $400
Tires 

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2004 Volkswagen GTI VR6 2dr Hatch

200-horsepower 2.8L V6 6-speed manual FWD

Volkswagen GTI VR6 in Illinois, United States
Jun 2008 - May 2011
Mar 2009

44000 mi

US $1
I cleared a blocked sunroof drain tube that was causing a water leak into the interior, then vacuumed and deodorized the carpet. 
Mar 2010

51000 mi

US $300
Airbag Fault light came on and problem fixed by replacing a wiring harness under driver seat. Replaced the fuse block located on top of battery due to melted terminal surrounding fuse. 
Dec 2010

55000 mi
driver's side window glass became detached from window regulator, removed door panel and place glass back into window regulator. No new parts required, nothing was actually broken, just detached.  
Apr 2011

57000 mi

US $125
Front wheel bearing failure. Resolved problem by replacing wheel bearing and wheel hub. 

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2004 Volkswagen GTI 2dr Hatch

turbocharged 180hp 1.8L I4 5-speed manual FWD

Volkswagen GTI in Ontario, Canada
Aug 2009 - Mar 2019
Nov 2009

37200 mi

C $300
Secondary air pump replacement Broken coil spring 
Sep 2013

62000 mi

C $50
Replaced both worn-out hatchback struts. $50 for parts, 10 minutes to replace. 
Jun 2014

66340 mi

C $268
Replace faulty oxygen sensor Replace broken antenna cable Replaced faulty turn signal relay 
Oct 2015

75120 mi
Replace diverter valve Replaced ball joint and bushings Replaced broken coil spring 
Feb 2017

83700 mi

C $600
Repaired and repainted rusting front quarter panels. 
Jan 2018

85560 mi

C $50
Replaced failed hatchback strut (failed because it was not properly installed) 

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2004 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2004 Volkswagen Jetta / Golf / GTI problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.