2004 Volkswagen Jetta Review and Specs

Summary

What Edmunds.com says

The Jetta is no longer priced like an economy car; yet its powerful engine lineup, near ideal balance between ride and handling and premium cabin materials make it one of our top recommendations to small car buyers.

Pros

Powerful 1.8T and VR6 engines, fuel-efficient TDI power plant, fun to drive, comfortable ride, rich interior materials, loads of standard safety features, solid build quality.

Cons

More expensive than most small sedans and wagons, tight rear-seat legroom, weak base four-cylinder.

What's New for 2004

For 2004, all Jetta models get an updated look, optional telematics and a new and more powerful 1.9-liter TDI engine (GL and GLS models only). The 2.0-liter engine is now PZEV-rated, and the GLX trim is no longer available. Also note that you can no longer get the 1.8T engine in GL trim. Besides that, the GLI sedan sports new 17-inch alloy wheels and the Cold Weather Package items (heated seats and washer nozzles) as standard, while the GLS features a standard Monsoon stereo. The wagons get a revised instrument cluster late in the model year, and the sedans get new metallic trim rings around the gauges.

Consumer Ratings & Reviews

Ugh! Headache within 2 months!

Written by: David on 09/07/2009

Detailed Ratings

Overall Rating


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	8	Build Quality:	8
Comfort:	8	Interior Design:	8	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	8

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)

Review

Truthfully do not waste your time with this car... I got this car used at 64k miles... Exterior and Interior was BEAUTIFUL. 2 weeks after I have the car my check engine light come on. Take it back to the dealership they check it... it's the AC temp gauge. They replace it... 2 days later the check engine light come on again. Take back to the dealership and they ask me to bring it back when I can use give up some time... later that day my dies. every dashboard light comes on and my ac and radio stops working... its been almost 2 weeks and the dealership can figure out what wrong with this car. I had a friend with a year older model and the same occurred with his car...

Favorite Features

AC, Stero, HorsePower for a 4-clynder, Overall look and feel.

Suggested Improvements

Expensive car to repair and to many issues occur with the engine before 60k miles.

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Don't get a VW

Written by: kdl on 08/21/2009


Performance:	3	Fun-to-Drive:	3	Build Quality:	3
Comfort:	1	Interior Design:	3	Reliability:	2
Fuel Economy:	5	Exterior Design:	3

2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

This was my graduation gift. They replaced the whole brake system, the front end, and the door jam. I hate this car. The seats are stiff. Now the dash cluster is going. What is up? Thought VW was a good car. WRONG. Next one will be a Honda

None

Blow it up

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

Disgruntled In Denver

Written by: DisgruntledInDenver on 08/19/2009


Performance:	8	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	2
Comfort:	9	Interior Design:	7	Reliability:	2
Fuel Economy:	8	Exterior Design:	9

2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

This was my dream car. I bought it used,(certified pre-owned), but it came with no warranty. The car drove great for a year and a half and around the summer of '09 I noticed several little changes in the performance of the vehicle. I brought the car to a VW garage and explained that I was having issues with the acceleration, as well as a ticking noise that came from under the hood while idling. The car was also making a loud whining noise as I accelerated and the engine thermostat light kept coming on. $6500 later and a new transmission, timing belt, water pump and tensioners, the car runs great. My only thought was, $6500, really? This is not a car for young people in college. Expensive!

The interior and exterior of the car is great. It definitely turns heads (even as a 5 year old car) as a drive down the street. VW has really mastered the concept of creature comfort details to the interior. The gas mileage is amazing with this car and holds its own against the newer hybrids.

I guess I'm still stumped as to why a car that is supposed to be the epitome of its model, with all the bugs worked out, at only 70k miles, needs to have such extensive work done. This car should have lasted over 100k (at least) before any of these problems became an issue. Shame on VW!

Jetta is Great! 70K miles and counting!

Written by: Frank on 08/17/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	8
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)

The Jetta seems to be a love/hate car. It looks to me like a lot of people that had the 1.8T models had serious issues. Couldn't be happier with the 2.0 L GLS model. Only complaint is the water pump issue that VW has yet to recall. Common issue: the water pump fins melt off and cause head gasket failure. If you look around, this happens to everyone. Other than that, very few issues in 5 years. Great car for the money and fun to drive!

heated leather, stereo, looks, handling, fun to drive, MPG

address and pay for the water pump failures VW! (replacement part has been corrected) The MAF and O2 sensors also should be covered and seem to be a common issue.

Best Buy!!

Written by: avidfan4 on 08/11/2009


Performance:	10	Fun-to-Drive:	10	Build Quality:	10
Comfort:	10	Interior Design:	10	Reliability:	10
Fuel Economy:	10	Exterior Design:	10

2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)

My husband and I traded in a 1996 Honda Accord for this car and I cannot think of a single complaint. It has a very smooth ride, gets excellent gas millage, and ours has so many wonderful features. We haven't had to any maintenance besides oil changes. It's braking system can handle the slippery winter roads like a pro. It handles extremely well, I would be completely comfortable racing this car in a NASCAR setting. VW's are worth the money you spend for them, I don't think I will be getting another car until my kids go to college...and I don't even have kids yet!

Heated leather seats, ABS, six disc Monsoon sound system, defrost on sideview mirrors, simply fun car

I don't like my tinted windows. But I think that was a home job.

2004 Volkswagen Jetta Consumer Ratings & Reviews