2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon: 0 recalls, 6 owner complaints and up to 27 mpg combined.

Recalls
No recalls on file for this model year. Still worth a VIN check.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 0 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel & propulsion (3): the most common themes are leaks (3).
- Brakes (hydraulic) (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Airbags (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
- Stability control (1): no single recurring theme in the descriptions.
The 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon has 6 owner complaints, ranking #4 of 9 Passat Wagon model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 6). Complaints peaked in 2012 (1 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 10 years old, at a median of 121,961 miles. Neighboring years: 2003 (3 complaints, 0 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 23 | 34 | 27 | Diesel |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 23 | Premium |
| 1.8 L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 19 | 28 | 22 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 26 | 20 | Premium |
| 2.8 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S5) | Front-Wheel Drive | 17 | 25 | 20 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
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FAQ
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon have any recalls?
NHTSA doesn't list any vehicle recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to be sure.
What are the most common 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon problems?
Owners have filed 6 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel & propulsion (3), brakes (hydraulic) (1), airbags (1).
What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon get?
EPA ratings run up to 27 mpg combined (2.0 L, Automatic (S5)), across 5 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2004 Volkswagen Passat Wagon repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.