Used 2004 Volkswagen Jetta Sedan Consumer Reviews
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Love this car.. BUT!
Alexander Lester, 12/26/2015
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
30 of 30 people found this review helpful
I bought my 04 Jetta gls 1.8t used with 92k miles on it. Test driving the car was AWESOME! It was fast, steering was very responsive, and the leather interior and front seats were very comfy! There is almost NO ROOM in the back seat.. good luck fitting anybody of above average height or weight back there. The day after purchase I got my first CEL... Failed ignition coil. Immediately went back to the dealership where after a little haggling they replaced it for free. Three days later, ANOTHER CEL!! ANOTHER IGNITION COIL.. After contacting the dealership again they told me the vehicle had an open recall on it's coils.. they replaced all four coils and threw in a car wash.. Now running like an absolute champ and I feel like a champ knowing the headaches are behind me.. for now! If you are interested in this car, make sure it has been properly maintained and has had all of it's recalls taken care of. If it has.. BUY IT!!
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Fun to drive!
Danny Wilson, 05/04/2016
updated 05/07/2018
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
29 of 31 people found this review helpful
I bought this car new from the VW dealership in 2004. I drove it for 120,000 miles and then gave it to my college aged son who has put another 130,000 miles on it. I loved the car and he still loves the car. The car has always been quick and it still runs just as well now with over 250k miles as it did when I drove it off the lot new. We have always used Pennzoil full synthetic oil and have changed it at about 7-9k intervals. At around 200k we changed the timing belt. This has been a really good car. I keep telling my son to put back some $$ for another car as this one is getting some miles on it. I've been telling him that for 3 years now. He doesn't want to trade it, it just is too good of a car, still.
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2004 Volkswagen Jetta for sale near you
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Really Fun To Drive
MikeR, 03/01/2016
updated 03/08/2017
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
30 of 33 people found this review helpful
Bought this used with about 160k miles about two years ago as a gas saver / daily driver. I was honestly looking for a used Honda Civic / Acura Integra but against my better judgment and the fact that it is almost impossible to find a used (1999-2006) Honda Civic, Integra, RSX that hasn't been abused and molested, a couple VW enthusiast friends talked me into buying an Mk4 1.8t Jetta with a 5 speed manual Trans. It wasn't without distress, I've had German cars in the past and it has never been a good experience. But, with a lot of research and reading, browsing and talking I came to this conclusion: The 2004-2005 AWD 1.8 turbo with the 5/6 speed manual Trans. and a couple of the original equipment parts changed out makes for a Very Solid Vehicle! So.. After a couple of months searching for the perfect set up on a 04-05 GLS / GLI Jetta, I bought a 2004 GLS and went to work immediately. I changed; The Timing Belt, water pump (Metal turbines), cam sensor, fuel pump and filter, Vacuum lines, Coolant Flush with the correct Coolant fill... and lots more. And now, I have a very dependable, very reliable, fast and Extremely Fun to Drive Mk4. This is one car I think I will hold onto, Its rare that you find a car like this, one that you cant wait to get into... I used to own a 98 Integra GSR, I loved that car, I ended up selling it and buying a 02 Mercedes C230 kompressor (Complete Junk) that GSR was one of those cars and I regretted selling it from day one. But not this time, I will keep and drive this Jetta till the Wheels fall off. Of course, there are those issues a lot of people write about on here, and it is absolutely true, the Arm rest is flimsy, Glove box latch is cheap, Window switches, Radio switches fall off, Head liner is cheap and will slowly fall But all of this is no more than a $20-$40 fix, nothing you cant find on ebay or amazon. It will have nothing to do with whether my car starts in the morning or if its going to drive off from the stop light. This has been an Incredible Car for me.
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Great First Car/Commuter
kellymiller, 01/07/2015
updated 07/08/2017
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
21 of 23 people found this review helpful
My parents got me my 2004 Jetta when I was 18. The the car got me through four years of college and is still going strong. Got it in 2010 with 48K miles, five years later it's at 140K and still going strong. I've had no mechanical problems with the car and with a 40 minute commute this was all I could ask for. The car was not perfect by any means (see below) but for a commuter looking for decent MPG, mechanical reliability, and a "cute" look, the Jetta is a great choice.
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Mechanically reliable, but that's all
hgates, 09/10/2012
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
7 of 7 people found this review helpful
I have owned this for 8 years (purchased new). Mechanically, it is fairly reliable. Save a water pump there have been no issues other than normal wear and tear items. The engine seems solid, although underpowered and noisy. The transmission is not very responsive, especially switching from R to D. The rest of the car is complete junk. Everything falls off. The center hub cap on the alloys, the chrome trim on the doors, the fabric on the interior doors, the speaker grills, the headliner is falling down, the center console broke apart, the engine splash guard, the plastic lower grill inserts, etc. Also, all the rubber coating on everything peels and looks horrible after a few years.
VW Jetta are Junk
lchilders, 08/09/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
11 of 12 people found this review helpful
I bought this car brand new in March of 2004 after I lost my 01 honda civic. When I first drove the Jetta I fell in love with all the gadgets, blue light gauges and the comfort of the car itself. But when I bought the car immediately the nightmare began, first a week after I bought the car the bulb went out in the dash below the radio, then my gear shift locked up , my battery went dead after 3 1/2 years of ownership, I had to replace the bulbs in my rear and headlights more than 4 times, my water pump and tachometer needed replacing, my driver side window have twice come off track, armrest is broken, steering wheel is coming apart. 6 years of owning this junk as been a real nightmare.
Excellent car for what it is
darksim905, 03/24/2014
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
9 of 10 people found this review helpful
I've owned this car for a solid 10 years & have had minimal issues. After 10 years, every car will start falling apart & showing it's issues. That being said my ''major'' issues that I have had are below. The car runs great if you take care of it & maintain it. I'm not sure what everyone else does with their vehicle, but I love my Jetta & will buy another as a project car once I manage to run this into the ground. 110k miles & going strong.
Pretty good
2004 Jetta, 09/05/2019
updated 01/19/2023
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought at 125k, immediately had to replace the catalytic converter and exhaust system. After that, car did well for its age, minus a few minor annoyances. Check engine light was on and off constantly for no rhyme or reason and it went through a quart of oil every 1000-1500 miles, meaning a lot of checking. Glovebox latch broke but was an easy fix. MPG was 28 at best but usually around 22-24 so not very efficient for a car of its size. Nonetheless, I liked it, probably not ideal for someone who drives a ton but for me it was fine.
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2004 Jetta GLI
Wai, 05/08/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR6 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 6M)
15 of 19 people found this review helpful
Nice low profile tire & wheel help the steering response, though Goodyear RSA tire is not that good in dry/wet traction. Braking distance is kind of long due to small discs brake. ESP coupled with ASR standard in this car helped me in one emergency turn into a ramp off I-95 (driving too fast to pass one vehicle just before exit the ramp). A little disappointed with the color (silver) and date of manufacture (2004 model but date of manufacture is June 2003) but have no choice since this new vehicle is the leftover. Overall satisfied with this vehicle.
Great little car, just don't do what I did.....
cheeriosquirts, 04/12/2014
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I bought this car is 2007 with 30k miles on it, as of right now I am at 115k. I've been a bad VW owner and haven't done the scheduled maintenance like I should, in fact I haven't changed the plugs, timing belt or the pads. That being said with the abuse I have given it (which I suggest you don't do) this car has continued to run like a champ. I do have the oil changed regularly but other than that I have been lazy. Right now I have it in for all the scheduled maintenance that I have failed to do, not because it broke but rather I feel badly about not treating this car right. All you other folks that have had serious issues I'm sorry you didn't get my car, otherwise you would be very happy!
I LOVE MY JETTA!!
bandgeek19, 01/22/2012
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I got my 2004 VW Jetta used after losing my 96 Honda civic in a tragic accident. I love everything about my Jetta. I live in IA so the heated seats are a really nice feature to have. I feel super safe in it because its heavy, and has every air bag in every place you need them to be. I haven't had any big problems with it and its super fun to drive. Its a great car for liability and I wouldn't trade it. I used to love hondas, thats all I ever owned. But after driving my Jetta, I really have a liking to Volkswagens! People say they're expensive to fix but I repaired two things on it and found someone to do it cheap. Just look around for the right person! If you live in Iowa, go to Bensons
Go get one!
SEANGO18, 04/07/2009
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
Bought the car w / 85000 miles on it, and have loved it ever since. Only problem has been an ignition coil that went out. (coil #2) Pays off to do your own work on these, and buy the Bentley manual. If you have a laptop computer and the VAGCOM software, you're set! These cars can get you in trouble if you treat them like a car from Japan, so be careful. If you want a car to get you from point A to point B without any joy, get a Toyota or Honda. You want to have some fun and be in a very safe car, get one of these. Follow the Maint. schedule, and change that oil every 3-4K with full synthetic, you'll love this car.........just as I do.
GLI 1.8T
Edgar Bravo, 11/06/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I used to be a proud Honda owner until I feasted my eyes on this piece of German engineering. Absolutely beautiful to look at, my GLI is extremely comfortable and fun to drive. Its interior design is like no other car I had previously experienced; it's a drfferent kind of "sturdy" quality. The way the car is built is similar only to other German automobiles like BMW or Audi. I'm sold on Volkswagen quality and I definetely recommend everyone test drive one. You'll love it!
Lemon
unhappy Jetta owner , 07/29/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
I bought a new 2004 Volkswagen Jetta. Within the year I brought it back three times expressing my concern regarding the transmission. They told me that's the way it drives. Brought it back a few more times they told me nothing is wrong. Brought is t back again and they wouldn't even document it and said that's just the way the German cars drive. 11 months after the warranty is up they were able to find a the problem with the transmission but it now will coast me 1,500 or more to fix. Anyone experiencing this type of problem should contact the National Highway and traffic department if enough people are having a problem maybe they will do something about it.
2004 GLI VR6
Debbie, 07/31/2007
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR6 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 6M)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
The GLI VR6 is very comfortable. My car is loaded, leather and all and is so much fun to drive. The 6sp manual shift is very smooth and has great acceleration. It's a pretty peppy car for a 200 hp. I've owned several BMWs (540, a 3 BMW 330) and I would say the fun factor is close to a Bimmer but at 1/3 the cost. Only drawback is the gas mileage is so-so for a 6sp. I was expecting to get about 28-33 mpg but I avg around 25 mpg. My 330i (6sp) avg around 28 so I was expecting the VW to be equal if not better.
Is Great When in Working Order...
Adrienne, 11/15/2016
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
6 of 8 people found this review helpful
But it took me too much to keep it in working order. I've mine for two years, and I've put 26,000 miles on it - most of it highway/commute. I've continually had to put an average of $2,000 in mid-range repairs per year of ownership, not counting the $1,200 of work the dealer had to do within the first month of ownership to keep it running. New vac line, new headlights, new bearings, new struts, new fans, air intake valve - off the top of my head. Now it needs a new heater core right as it's getting cold out and I have to trade it in. I'm getting a Honda cause that's what I can afford to keep up with. ** On the other hand, this car has a lot of pep. When I had it running well, the acceleration, power and speed were all there. I can still get it going quite well on the highway. The sound system is still very nice, the seats and seat warmer (driver side) are still comfortable, I can see really well out of it and the mileage isn't terrible (24 mpg from what I tracked). It'd be a great car if i would just keep running and for cheaper.
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2004 VW Jetta 2.0 - 5 Speed Manual
roman_empire, 04/21/2013
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
5 of 7 people found this review helpful
I bout my Jetta in 2007 as a project with front end damage. When I was considering this car I was told that they have many problems and I should not bother. I went and bought it any ways. It had 59,xxx miles on it when it came to me. Today, April 20, 2013, it has 130,xxx miles. In general it is a very reliable car. Through out the history I have had to replace the water pump 2 time and a third time when the timing belt was changed. I have been changing the oil about every 3,000 miles. I traveled to Eastern WA about 4 times from Seattle. One trip I took to California a little over 1,500 miles round trip. I usually get about 28 miles/per gallon with about even mix of city+freeway commuting.
2004 Jetta GLI VR6 "Pocket Rocket"
txbillsfan, 07/31/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR6 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 6M)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I call it my "Pocket Rocket" because it's the smallest car I have ever owned and one of the fastest. It's fun to drive, comfortable, well built, and not too hard on the eyes. The chrome moldings and the alloy wheels really dress it up. It corners like a dream with almost no roll and the 6 speed is the easiest manual tranny I have ever used. Like the commercial says, "Drive it you'll get it."
Lemon lemon lemon
Fed up with VW, 06/28/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 2 people found this review helpful
I have had this car for less than a year, 2 weeks after purchase had to replace (2) O2 sensors, 1 MAF, and car ran good for about 1 month, check engine light AGAIN and EPC light cont. to go on and off, car lags and almost stalls, engine revs up and down. back in shop, 1700 dollars for a TPS sensor, and throttle adaptation,Thermastat sensor. 2 days later, car overheated, back into VW, this time the water pump went bad, another 300 dollars. not to mention 4 recalls fixed. 4 weeks later engine light on again, car stalls, wont hold idle, transmission shifts rough and jerks. machine pulled bad Valve on engine, did i mention my jetta only has 62,000 miles! 3 weeks in the shop, still no fix.
Love and hate this car
majorgeek21, 07/07/2012
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
I bought this car about 15 months ago and unfortunately it was one of the Jettas that was built in Mexico...so far in this year I've replaced the compressor ($620) the Temp compressor ($220) the compressor again which was under warranty, the timing belt and water pump ($650) and most recently Coolant fan ($260) not to mention the transmission is at the very start of going out. Its fun to drive and I'm sure the ones built in Germany are great but the ones built in Mexico have HORRIBLE reliability and now I'm trying to get rid of the POS. its eating my money in gas too! It doesn't get as good of gas mileage as it should...If you want one make SURE it was built in Germany!!!
I'll Only Buy VW
luckylindy03, 10/28/2009
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 3 people found this review helpful
this is the second jetta i have owned and i have to say that it is by far the best one. I read the bad reviews and the good reviews and it seems like there are a fair amount of lemons out there. Thank GOD i didn't get one, but i have to say that you really can't beat German Engineering. I will never buy another car that isn't a VW. Everything about the car is a blast. The exterior of the car is great and i get looks everywhere i go. The interior is great too with the brushed aluminum and recaro seats (which can get a little weary after a long trip).
All around awesome.
illimk4, 07/19/2011
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
2 of 4 people found this review helpful
When going for a different vehicle I was searching for something stock turbocharged that had potential as far as tuning goes. Originally I set out to find an srt-4 but found a 1.8T GLI first. I'm glad I decided to purchase that instead. The car is fun to drive and fairly quick stock, but with apr stage 1 software It definitely kicks it up a notch. I love my VW and I doubt I will ever drive anything else. They are well built and very reliable. The only downfall is VW vehicles are expensive to maintain. Other than that the car is well worth what I paid for it.
Jetta: so far, so good
kittydad, 06/18/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Fuel economy (mostly smaller town and highway) averages mid to high 40s in winter, to 49-53 mpg in summer. Fuel economy appears to be 5-10% higher this year than last year, when car was new. Recent trip from Tulsa, OK to mid-KY used 13.3 gallons of fuel for the whole trip of 750 miles (= 57 mpg) at 70-75 mph, with air conditioning. Back seat needs a little more foot room (has about 5 inches less than our Corolla); it's my understanding that new Jetta has a little more foot room due to slightly longer wheelbase. No sign yet of reported problems with power accessories. So far, would recommend this car (2003 model) highly.
Great car
Cleomanth , 09/22/2020
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
My mom bought this car new and it had a lot of problems although she never put oil in it or did any maintenance. Always the thermostat or catalyst converter and the transmission went out twice. She got a new car gave it to my dad who drove it for a year and a half then gave it to me when I got my license. I drove that thing like hell redlined once when it was making a tik tik tik noise because it literally had no oil and nothing happend. I put like 15k on it maybe idk but it never gave me a problem. I gave it to my dad and it lasted around 300k miles interior door trim started to get loose loose headliner sagged since it was mine the electricals were going out. His transmission only worked in 3rd gear and it lasted about 305,000 miles. U could still drive it the only problem was the transmission and it still moved just couldn’t drive over 60 mph and it was a dog accelerating. Aside from that the car was comfy heated seats worked great had 5 levels of heating which most cars don’t. Also had a nice interior great AC great visibility. Handling was fine power sucked ass very slow but it was super good on gas $40 to fill up lasted a really long time. Also stock sound system was the loudest I’ve heard in any car turning it on max volume while in the car will actually hurt you. Key transmitter stopped working in the car so both key fobs didn’t work. Also glove box handle didn’t work it fell of same with armrest. Very cramped interior but great trunk space and extremely good brakes. Maybe it’s because it was one of our family cars that was passed around like a blunt but I miss this car I wish my dad didn’t get rid of it but he had to. He got a new 2019 car and the dealership was offering $2000 on top of your trade in and the car was only worth $250 so he couldn’t pass that up. Car Proabbly would’ve broke anyway we drove 30 mins home on the freeway in 3rd gear since that was the only one that worked doing 60 revving at 5k rpm the whole time and it burned all the oil in it but still drove back to the dealership
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Love ❤️ the Jetta
Tanweer Mallick, 08/12/2020
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
It is a stylish car, perfectly sized: large enough to have comfy front and back seats, generous cargo space (more, with rear seats folded), yet compact enough to fit in smaller parking spots. Drives great. 16 years and counting
Good Car
bumbear, 03/13/2012
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I purchased my Jetta with 6,000 miles. It now has 170,000. I did have to replace the water pump at 80,000. I replaced the Catalytic Coverter (warranty) at 100,000. Coolant temp sensor at 130,000. I have had some driver side tail light issues too. Overall, when I add up all I've spent on repairs, this is one of the most dependable cars I have ever owned. The only complaint is the seats are too hard. Reading some of the reviews makes me think I am lucky. Sorry to those of you who were disappointed.
Fun and Reliable
Orlando Hidalgo, 02/07/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR6 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I did some research before buying this car. I've heard about Volkswagen having problems with Quality issues and reliablity in the past years, but after having read up on the car and speaking to other Volkswagen Jetta owners, I was ready to take a test drive. Needless to say, I bought the car and have no regrets to this day. In my oppinion its a "poor mans" BMW.(lol) You get a lot of performance for the money, and the German craftsmanship is evident in this GLI model.Keep up the good work VW!
Great car so far
capitananchor, 09/12/2011
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I think this car has been very reliable so far. Sure a few things have needed to be replaced but I think you can expect that. At 65K miles, my water pump went, unfortunately the impeller is made of plastic and I couldn't find anyone that made a non plastic impeller pump. I had the CV joints replaced around 70K mostly due to me taking curves like I was a nascar driver. My car is 7 years old and the battery, alternator, exhaust, are still original so I'm really impressed...so I will not be shocked when any of those need replacing soon. At 76K miles, I had a coolant leak that was coming form the cooling hose flange...it's a $20 part, if you have the time I would just replace that myself.
I Miss the Good Ol' Days
Ally, 06/06/2009
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Alright 2004 Jetta drivers... I see quite a bit of discrepancies in the reviews of this vehicle (or junker, lemon, superb car). Hmmm. Perhaps those of us who (ahem) drive the 2004 V-Dead/V-Dud received a similar factory model. Those rated this Jetta at 9 or 10; consider yourselves "the lucky ones." I owned a 1998 VW Wolfsburg Jetta prior to this 2004 lemon. I loved that 1998 with my heart and soul. Unfortunately I was rear ended and the car deemed "totaled." Now I am stuck with this. Wrought with problems between breaks, stalling, adjusters, recalls; heck I am getting a migraine thinking about it.
Great Substiute for BMW 3 Series
Jonathan D, 01/27/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLI VR6 4dr Sedan (2.8L 6cyl 6M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Being a former BMW 3 series Driver when it came to buying another one costs on BMW's have just skyrocketed. So being a german car owner I turned to Volkswagon for a hopefully good escape of paying over 30,000 for a comfortable and powerful sedan. So I test drove the Jetta GLI. I was very impressed by the performance and comfort. The only complant I have is that it dosent have the Multi- Funtional Computer.
I miss my jetta already = (
Happy Customer, 08/17/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
Just sold my jetta after 5 great years in it. bought the car w/7k miles on it. No issues until about 35k miles and the chrome strip on the right panel start to peel and had it replaced along with the catalytic converter (warranty). Around 70k the car would stall for a second and kick in under 1/4 tank gas. Never replaced the fuel pump, but I'm guessing thats the problem. The remote worked half the time around 50k miles as well. Other than that, I drove this car in all weather conditions and loved every moment of it through college. Sold it at 80k to another college student Great car! Drove it hard at times and it kept up with the abuse. Never paid a dime in repairs! LOVED IT
Wouldn't get another VW if you paid me
cd1138, 02/05/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
I have had nothing but problems since I got this car. The trunck released at will on the highway, the car wouldnt come out of park if the a/c was on, the windows fell inside the door twice, the paint peeled off, and the transmission has had problems twice. In addition to this all of the plastic parts inside have either broken or fallen off.
Disgruntled In Denver
DisgruntledInDenver, 08/19/2009
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 1 people found this review helpful
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!
VW's are lemons--just junk
Tim, 01/28/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car was a nightmare from Day One. Transmission problems have been the biggest single issue, and still having problems after spending thousands to fix. But many other problems too numerous to list, from replacing power steering pump and alternator to paint defects and low-profile plastic bumpers that pull off after barely touching a curb. This car only had 45K on it when tranny and alternator went out and we started having one mechanical breakdown after another. Seventy-five percent of my "ownership experience" has been watching this car bake in the sun broken down again in my driveway. Do not -- even if it sounds like the deal of a lifetime -- buy a VW!!!
Jetta Review
Jill Carter, 10/04/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I enjoy driving my Jetta. The gas mileage is great, and the car is fun. The downside is the very small backseat and the super slow pickup.
Don't
LisasJetta, 04/29/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
I bought this car brand new with less than 50 miles. I have had nothing but problems and it's been in the shop more than I've been able to drive it. Don't count on Volkswagon to help you out either as they have been nothing but rude with me whenever I've called to complain of all of the problems. If I were you, I'd look elsewhere for a car.
Piece of crap
staffyowner, 11/16/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
1 of 2 people found this review helpful
This car is nickel and dimeing me. If its not a wheel bearing, its a sensor, or its a headlight, or its a taillight, or its the headliner, or its the interior chipping and falling apart, or its the igntion coil failing. Yeah, as you can tell, I have been very disappointed in the VW Jetta. Do yourself a favor and DO NOT BUY VOLKSWAGEN! And as far as EVERY ignition coil failing, and having repalced two out of pocket before they issued a recall for the last two...do not rely on VW of America making you whole. After spending over $250 in new plugs, coils and labor, they would only reimburse for $125. I will never buy VW again.
Don't get a VW
kdl, 08/22/2009
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
1 of 4 people found this review helpful
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
I will never get a VW again
SALESCG, 07/22/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
1 of 5 people found this review helpful
Bought 2004 Jetta 1.8T, it has been nothing, but a financial burden, almost driving me to the edge of bankruptcy, this car BREAKS ALL THE TIME and VW does nothing for you, I've spent over $5000.00 in repairs, have receipts to prove, one thing after another, it's very depressing!
GARBAGE!
xtr3medriver, 03/07/2009
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I bought my July of 2006. It ran wonderful in the summer but as soon as winter came around it started dying on me. I started to notice every time the temp outside went under 30 degrees, my car wouldn't run. We took it to the mechanics and had the alternator, battery, plugs & wires all replaced. It still would die. Then we took it in and had the whole wire harness replaced, it seemed to work for a few days then started dying again. We've taken it to the dealership and they cant even figure out what the problem is.
Money vacuum
shelbyc2, 06/21/2012
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I had this car for three years, it had 200,000 miles on it. I like this car but it was in the shop at least every three months for some small things that cost a ton. Heated seats didnt work. Bad headlights. The only good thing about this car is defrosters. The MPG was 21 at best. When it wasnt in the shop it was an reliable car (key word when it wasn't in the shop). Personaly I would not buy this car I have heard that this car is a mechanics best friend because its there all the time. I got to know my mechanic very well because I was there all the time. I got a loan for $5000 when I bought this car I put that much if not more in it to fix the dumb thing. As soon as I paid it off we sold it
2004 Jetta
mikec888, 06/25/2011
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
We bought the Jetta with 25,000 miles and it has 65,000 now. The only repair was that we replaced the thermostat, otherwise it runs and drives great. Gas mileage is around 24 mpg mixed driving. The build quality is really good and the interior has a lot of room for a compact car. However, the transmission is acting up. It shifts hard and slips on occasion, which at only 65,000 miles is surprising.
Jetta has it all....except reliability
jxm461, 05/06/2011
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased this vehicle brand new after previously owning a 97 Jetta. It was my first new car and I researched my purchase extensively. I really like the value of it while having a better look than similar cars in its class. I've owned it for 7 years now and as much as i want to say it's a great car, i simply cannot recommend it. I've come to realize that it's simply not a well build machine. The water pump went after 4.5 years b/c the impellers are made of plastic!. Fuel pump went, various recurring electrical problems and now my cd player went. It comes and goes so i figured i'd tough it out and now, the AM and FM stereo are going. Currently looking and will not be buying a VW :(
DO NOT BUY A VW
HBea, 12/03/2004
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I purchased a brand new 2004 Jetta, nothing but problems. It only has 7000 miles on it! I now know why you don't see VW on the road found dead, THEY ARE IN THE SHOP!!! They are overpriced for the problems with the reliability one will come across. The Manf. Customer care line is disrespectful and unhelpful. I will never buy a VW again. I am not one of those women who complains about being mistreated by auto dealerships but this company has taken the cake for disrespect against me an educated, witty, smart and blonde woman. I do not call you by names, do not call me "honey!" By this statement alone I knew where I stood .
jetta gls
dcave, 12/11/2003
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
surprisingly i have found this to be a very smartly designed car. without a bunch of high tech gizmos, this car delivers reliable and economical transportation. with the turbo and sport package, it delivers performance to equal cars costing twice as much.
Better Than the Rest...
mjmorty, 01/07/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
For the money you can't get a better car. Solid construction. Coming from a Honda, Lexus, Acura and Audi background I can say without reservation the German cars are far superior to the Japanese automobiles. People complain about the pops, squeaks and rattles that accompany the Jetta; my car only makes a small noise from the center console. All cars have interior noises at some point; my mother's Lexus and father's Acura make quite the racket and they're 3 and 4 years old, respectively. This trim level is the most I would spend on a Jetta; the GLS and GLX models are great and all, but when you start spending 23-27K, it's time to start thinking Audi or Passat.
Should have completed more research!
Sneel, 01/01/2010
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GL 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
Very disappointed in this purchase. Thought that it would be more reliable. Someone warned us that a Jetta was like a Christmas tree--- always a light on and we should have listened! From Day 1, we had problems. The brakes and roters never were quite right, the armrest broke, center piece of wheel came off never to be found again, transmission problems, trunk problems, remote on the keychain only worked when it wanted to, .....you name it! Definitely went with American made for our next purchase!
The overachieving underdog
dmw26, 01/30/2005
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 1.8T 4dr Sedan (1.8L 4cyl Turbo 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I'm sold to VW. Had an '01 Altima that I liked a lot, but nothing compares to the build and handling quality of the Jetta. Everything about the car is solid. Precision, quality, performance, and safety. If that's what you want in a car, you've found it. No problems in the 18-inch snowstorm of '05- with the stability control and awesome heated seats. I love its understated yet highly refined look. The two exhaust tips give the 1.8T a distinctively smart look- sportier than the 2.0L, but still very elegant and classy. The 5-speed manual is a blast, I kept pace with a Mustang GT on the I95 for 200 miles, without any struggles- you'll be taken aback by its performance. It's a real sports car.
greatest car my son went nuts over
Shadi, 10/11/2003
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 4A)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
awsome acceleration, love the new lights great automatic transmition nice fabric,great radio, perfect.
DA GREATEST
LANA DAY, 10/20/2003
2004 Volkswagen Jetta GLS 4dr Sedan (2.0L 4cyl 5M)
0 of 0 people found this review helpful
I LOVE THIS CAR..ITS THE GREATEST AND MOST RELIABLE CAR IN THE WORLD!