2004 Volkswagen Passat Consumer Reviews

Fun, Comfortable, Unreliable

Written by: Robert on 07/17/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I bought this car as a certified Volkswagen. I loved the look and the style. It handle and drove as you would expect a German car. Very peppy and responsive. Shortly after the purchase I started having electrical problems, window's stopped working, censors were going bad. The warranty covered all the work, although the dealerships were not easy to work with. At around 80,000 miles the car broke down on the road. Found out there was a recall on the motor that the dealership didn't notify us about. The whole motor was replaced under warranty because of an oil pump problem. After that the alternator went dead causing three more breakdowns. After many headaches the car is running fine, for now.

Favorite Features

The quiet and comfortable cabin. The 1.8 turbo is very responsive.

Suggested Improvements

A little more room in the backseat. Simplify the reclining seat function.

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veedub all the way

Written by: ash on 07/14/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GL 1.8T Fwd 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

My entire family owns Volkswagens. I find them to be amazing cars. The only issue i have with VW is the timing belt and water pump. Other than that, these cars are amazing. I have never driven a more reliable car, or a car more fun. They handle like a dream and the stock sound system is ridiculous.

Favorite Features

The sound systems are amazing, and the turbo gives these cars some real balls.

Suggested Improvements

The plastic clips under the car need to be replaced with metal nuts...otherwise you get a small dragging issue. This is easily fixed with new clips or tie wraps.

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An Endearing Auto

Written by: creative native on 06/03/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX Fwd 4dr Wagon (2.8L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I have lost count on how many VW's I have owned now and am always impressed with what VW has to offer. This GLX wagon is all I anticipated. Excellent ride quality and better than anticipated fuel economy. I always get complimented on the body lines and colors.

Favorite Features

Color scheme. Monsoon sound system. Brilliant blue and red dash lights.

Suggested Improvements

Original VW floor mats are already obsolete for the 2004 Passat model. Truly disappointing.

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VW Stinks!

Written by: tarfoot on 05/27/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS TDI Fwd 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)

Review

The car seems to be nice at first when you get it but after a while everything needs to be fixed on it. Even the oil change on it is $90. Its fairly new and i have put over 10,000 in repairs into it. Whatever you do DO NOT BUY A VW!!!!!! I also no people who have sold theirs for better cars since they had to go to the dealer every other week. Just to replace the air filter which is custom ordered it 75 you cant by the filter at walmart. I will never own a VW again and i encourage all of you not to even look at one. They might get excellent gas mileage but the money youll save you will spend fixing it. Then all the dealers want to run diagnostics every time which is 75. DONT BUY A VW!!

Favorite Features

None

Suggested Improvements

Everything needs to be improved. They need to make everything on the car a better quality at a cheaper price

1 out 7 people found this review helpful

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70,000 miles without problem

Written by: Curtson on 05/12/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

Most writers seem to have complaints but that is not my experience. I wrote about this car at 42,000 miles and am doing a follow-up. I still like this car as much as I did then. I've had to replace the headlight bulbs, a couple relay switches, and the rear lights. The timing belt replacement ($600) is usually done at 90,000 miles but I'm doing it at 80,000 to be on the safe side. I've replaced it in other cars so don't see this as an unusual expense. Slightly more expensive total repairs than my wife's 2005 Camry but it's a lot more fun - we always take this car.

Favorite Features

Driving it.

Suggested Improvements

None.

5 out 5 people found this review helpful

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Watch out for transmission problems

Written by: Will on 05/05/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLX 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 5A)

Review

We purchased a this car new in 2004. We noticed transmission problems immediately driving at low speeds or coming to a stop: the downshifting was sometimes violent. The dealership was poor to respond and later acknowledged that there was a software update which they installed. The problem was solved for a couple of years. One day while taking off from our house, a special dash symbol light came on indicating that the transmission was in the safe mode, meaning it could be limped to a dealer. This was in Dec 2007. The repair bill for rebuilding the transmission module was $2300. In short, expensive upkeep cost, poor dealership response. Next car might be American made.

Favorite Features

Note: To VW's credit, we had two Passats and one Audi A6 prior to this. No issues at all.

Suggested Improvements

We plan to keep the 2004 Passat but want to know where we can get a rebuilt tranny when this one goes out.

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VW HAS A DEFINITE COIL PROBLEM

Written by: Jerry on 03/20/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

I have been down the coil road with VW. They will not admit that it is a major problem with their car. I have almost been stranded twice with the coil problem. Once I was at the dealer & they told me I would have to wait until the following week to get it fixed. It is a really simple thing to replace . I called a friend (Mechanic) & he knew right away & told me to buy a coil at the dealer & he talked me through changing it. It was a trial & error method because I didn't know which one of the 4 was bad. It turned out to be #1 coil. 2 weeks later # 2 died. I replaced it & the other 2 & have solved my problem. I hope the new ones are more reliable! Also had to replace a front axle

Favorite Features

Not many---I do like the Dashboard lighting.

Suggested Improvements

Increase your Warranty & upgrade your coils. I probably would never buy another VW.

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Piece of junk

Written by: susan on 03/07/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

This is the absolute biggest piece of junk we have ever owned. Car broke down on the highway at 70K, engine needed to be rebuilt ( all oil changes up to date ) The interior is falling apart; slats for heat, all outlets to charge cell phones are blown, console between seats never shuts. Just got the car back yesterday and it was dead again by the time I went to pick my daughter up at school. NEVER will buy another VW - I am going to send them all of my bills so they can see what a nightmare this has been. Selling the car - just bought a FORD

Favorite Features

Heated seats

Suggested Improvements

Horrible car. The list is too long

2 out 6 people found this review helpful

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Love it

Written by: Denverw8 on 02/07/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat W8 4Motion AWD 4dr Sedan (4.0L 8cyl 5A)

Review

I bought this car used after my 328xi was stolen. I was somewhat pressured into it and can't say I regret it. I drive in Denver and the mtns. I have been impressed by the smoothness and comfort of the car. It feels every bit as well built as my old 3 series. At 100+mph in the mtns, it feels as solid as any other German car I have owned. The 4 motion with snow tires is perfectly fine even in 14 inches of new snow yesterday. After 62000, I have not experienced any issues at all. I am frequently complemented on how nice it looks with the BBS rims and love the relative stealthiness of this car. I may never own a V6 again. I just added a new Kenwood nav/stereo/bluetooth...A+

Favorite Features

Comfort, solid feel at high speeds, HID lamps.

Suggested Improvements

More bass from the stereo, larger trunk, compass in the rear-view mirror.

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Still satisfied after 4 years

Written by: JAC on 01/31/2009

Vehicle

2004 Volkswagen Passat GLS 1.8T Fwd 4dr Wagon (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)

Review

We purchased our wagon new about 4.5 years ago. We have been very satisfied with it. It has run well the entire time and the only time there was a problem that was not a recall was when we got bad gas, which isn't the car's fault! It's been driven 1/2 way across the country a couple of times and the gas mileage is pretty ok, averaging 30+ MPG on the highway.

Favorite Features

Heated seats. Monsoon stereo. Turn signal light on the side mirrors.

Suggested Improvements

None.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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