Used 2004 Volkswagen Jetta Diesel Consumer Reviews
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Happy Dieseler
sprouty, 01/15/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We've had our 2004 GL TDI auto (Tiptronic) wagon for 4 months and 7K miles. Love it! This car replaces a 2001 GLX VR6, and I don't miss the added power of the V6 that much. The TDI is wonderful--punchy at all speeds, with a great surge of turbo power always available. Gave up some creature comforts in going to the GL, but the seats are still great and the car still has good featutes. Tons of cargo room, and a great ride for long trips. We regularly average 40-42 MPG in mixed driving. A wonderful car! Our 2nd Jetta and we've been happy with both.
Problems, Turbo & Clutch
Timsat, 04/23/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
It is a lemon !!! Turbo bad at 6k mi. Clutch bad at 17k mi. heated seat has a recall notice I do love driving it and the great fuel mileage !!
2004 Volkswagen Jetta for sale near you
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Just love my Jetta!
beejay, 06/21/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I usually just drive to work and back in traffic, and I get excellent mileage. My only complaint is that I can't buy diesel at Costco. I took my first long trip and it really handled those windy, curvy roads securely. My previous car, a Honda Accord, can't compare to this little car. It is so much fun to drive! The only thing I find fault with is the placement of the seatbelt. I'm only 5'3", and it rides above my shoulder, and it almost cuts into my neck.
Far-From-Pumping
diesel-nut, 07/01/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Just hit 25,000 miles and loving every second with this car. Fun to drive, sips the fuel, and plenty of power to spare. I've added a Thule luggage basket, tinted the windows, and added a trailer hitch. This car looks awesome!
Small problems but great car
qch2002, 07/05/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my car in Dec.03 but its a 2004. LOVE the Diesel. Only gripes are, rattling in dash, clutch not robust enough, center armrest is not big enough and hides cup holders, back seat too small for rear facing car seat.
Great Car!
Helen, 02/26/2007
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
As the owner of a pre-turbo 1986 VW diesel I was certain of the car I wanted. I found it online, bought it and test drove it on the way home. The two big tests came when I approached the 45 mph S turns and the long, steep hill I travel frequently. My older diesel struggled to crest the hill at 50 mph after down shifting. The TDI sailed through the S turns at 65 mph and easily maintained 65 up the hill in 5th gear using cruise control. The power, handling through curves, and smooth transmission have made driving a fun experience. VW also seems to have improved the interior plastic parts problems. I hope I can get 18 trouble free years from the TDI just as I did from the '86.
40 mpg city and 59 highway!
Steve, 06/28/2007
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
This 2004 GLS TDI VW Wagon is my fourth VW diesel. VW/Audi has really improved the diesel engine in this car and the fuel mileage is 8 mpg more than my 2002 GLS TDI VW wagon.
Best Car!!!
MDJettaOwner, 11/21/2007
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I just traded in my 2004 Jetta GLS TDI. This was a great car. I have no complaints. I just wish the interior was a little more upgraded. I am sad to see her go.
Low miles, higher maintenance
eckert16, 05/11/2008
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Drove it cross country a week after purchase. Noticed excessive wind noise from front door seals. Dealership at destination changed seals, but no improvement in wind noise reduction. Less than 10K miles, and engine rotation sensor broke, again at 13k, again at 18k. Repeated issue till 22k. AC never was NEVER cool as is should be, charged AC, still not cold. AC expansion valve went bad and replaced it at 23k. AC still not cold as it should be. 24k the main AC coolant fan had to be replaced. AC still not cold Both front shocks collapsed at 24k, and needed replacing. Alternator pulley froze up at 24.5k and needed replacing. 25.5k and the engine temperature sensor went bad. It needed replacing.
Great cars for people who can work on them
Justin.R, 10/18/2020
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
If you like to do your own maintenance this car is really a breeze to own, I do my own timing belts and I love this car I have had three mk4’s and I just bought another the parts are available if you look, there’s so many people who specialize in these cars, you need to make friends with someone like that and your set for life with on limited parts as there is literally thousands of cars out there and there’s more and more low mileage Alcaeus entering the scrapyards everyday, I doubt in my lifetime I will ever have a hard time getting parts for these
Costly
John, 11/21/2008
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 4 people found this review helpful
I purchased the car with 13,000 miles. In March 05' At the 50,000 guess what changed the water pump,temp gauge and did the timing belt. Very costly. April 08'at 75,000 miles the check engine light came on. The dealership found 2 faulty spark plug wires and the coils were gone.October 08' at 80,000 miles another timing belt, the water pump wasn't working and had two leaks. November 18, 2008 the EPC light came on. The dealership found 3 codes that could of triggered the EPC. The dealership reset the codes cost $97.00. Now November 19, 2008 the EPC light came back on!. Since I had the car this list is totals about $2,500.00 My wife has a 02' passat same problems. Her EPC light at 85,000 miles.
A++++++++++
lilbikerchick, 07/12/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
I actually own a 2003 TDI but I had to rave about it. Volkwagon is so reliable and I can drive from college station tx to gulfport, ms get this...on one tank of gas! This car is a little small on the outside but it makes up for it everywhere else.
Great little car
thomas6, 08/12/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Sedan (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5A)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This my first VW very impress with built quality similar to a BMW. The car handle great with lots of power and comforts. My only complaint was the service by the dealership. T he last time I took my car for service to replace my cup holder. I ask them to fill up the fuel tank, but instead filling it up diesel fuel the technician fill it with gasoline. Therefore the stopped in the middle of the street as soon as I drove it off the dealership.
READ THIS & WEEP FOR VW
XvwOWNER, 09/06/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL TDI 4dr Wagon (1.9L 4cyl Turbodiesel 5M)
0 of 1 people found this review helpful
This is my second Turbo Diesel, 5spd Manual. There's not enough room here to list my gripes about this poorly built car. I've learned to hold parts of the dash while driving. From the first 14 miles, I notice SMOKE. Then, the cruise failed, with such a rough idle, you can't run the AC while idling at traffic lights. Oh no, what's that, an engine light? Come on VW... quit torturing your customers. Signed, a future X-VW owner.