Overview & Reviews
The big news for 2004 is the addition of a 2.0-liter diesel four-cylinder engine to the lineup late in the model year. The 4Motion all-wheel-drive system is a delayed option on 1.8T-equipped GLS models. Also note that the 2.8-liter V6 is no longer available on GLS models. The premium Monsoon stereo and Homelink are now standard on all GLS models, while wood trim has been added to the optional Leather Package. The ESP stability control system is now standard on the GLX. Rounding out the changes are restyled 15- and 16-inch wheels and new side mirrors with integrated turn signals.
- Fun to drive, excellent value in GL or GLS trim, roomy interior with upscale feel, outstanding build and materials quality, available all-wheel drive.
- Expensive upper-level models, less rear-seat room than some competitors, some confusing interior controls.
User Reviews:
Showing 11 through 20 of 350.00-
passat a poor performer - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By vwisjustplanepain - September 8 - 10:00 amFrustrating car to use. not logical controls. Seat belt reminder beeps even when in park. Doesnt shut off very annoying. Trunk locks automatically and you need the remote to unlock. just a pain. 4motion hesitates before accelerating. downshifts poorly.
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Never again will I buy VW!!!! - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By GEN - September 26 - 10:00 amThis is the first car I have ever owned. I was so happy the day I got it. I picked it out from color to package. I got everything I wanted and was thrilled. Well that is were the fairytale ends. The dealership has been horrible to work with and this car has problems after problems. First the side molding broke. We have no idea how. Took it in to be fixed along with a door that would not close. Well they fixed the door, but not the molding. The homelink system fell out next. The radio does not work now and the kicker is just tonight I went outside to pack the car for a trip and I have three inches of water in my back floor board. My car is leaking.
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Bad News - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By keng - June 13 - 1:00 amJust brought the new car and I got problems. On the first day, the transmission control module went. As it turns out, the TCM failure was caused by a water leak from the pollen filter, the insulation under the carpet was still wet. My recommendation is to stay far away from this vehicle.
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problems - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By FUSTRATED - May 15 - 10:00 amthis car has had the onstar computer replaced 4 times and still has the same problem VW blames onstar. VW is aware of a hard downshift problem for over 6 months all they tell the owner is they are waiting for the program from Germany. It dost take that long to build a car.
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Most problematic VW Ive owned - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By waterwish - April 4 - 7:00 amThis is my 4th VW. I had two 87 Jettas (one was replaced after having been totaled), and a 1999 Passat wagon that I bought used. The 99 was the BEST, lowest maintenance car that I have ever owned. I bought the 2004 Passat Wagon because they were offering 0% interest. I thought I was doing right to get a brand new car for a lower payment. I regret it now. In 2010, I spent close to $3,000 on this car for crazy repairs, along with other repairs that were under warranty or recalls, but still required the inconvenience of taking it in. Right now it is in the shop again to the tune of $1,000. Ive filed a claim with VW Customer Care. Its a lemon!
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Fooled Three Times - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By Boogalosi - May 4 - 2:00 amI owned a VW Scirocco back in the early 90s and it was an unbelievable piece of $#%@. Literally, every three months it had to go in the shop. Several years later I thought I would give VW another chance and bought a Jetta. I thought the Scirocco was a piece of $#$%. This car made the Scirocco look reliable. I told myself I would never buy VW again. Well my daughter last year kept bugging and bugging me to buy her a Passat. Jeeze, I didnt think it was possible but this car was worse than my first two VWs. Ive only owned three VWs in my life and they were ALL terrible. Please take my advice...DO NOT BUY ONE!
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Fun, but huge waste of money! Listed Repairs. - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By karmann11 - April 30 - 6:18 pmThe car is fun to drive, AWD 4motion is amazing, and it does deliver fantastic MPG vs other models released the same year. Heres the issue. Read all other reviews, Its a maintenance lemon! Below Ive listed the problems occurred after owning my car for 3 years (2009 - 2012, 54k - 96k miles) 1) Timing belt replaced - $320 2) 2 Coil packs - $240 3) Oil sludge recall - covered fortunately 4) 3 CV boots - $750 5) Oil Cooler failure - $1,600 6) 2 front axles - $360 7) 2 Cylinder Oxygen Sensors - $400 8) Clutch - $800 9) Fuel pump - $800 10) 4 tires - $450 11) 4 brake pads, calipers, rotors - $600 Total repair costs = $6,320 not including routine oil change, tire balancing, etc: $400/year
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Fool me once - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By Teri - June 20 - 9:30 amAs I write this my VW is dead, dead, dead. We were so excited the day we bought our passat. We loved driving it, loved the luxury of the features. What we dont love are all of the repairs. It is constantly in need of something and everything (and I do mean everything) is at least $500 on a VW. We just got it back 3 days ago, spent $1000 after having at the dealership and our mechanics for over 2 weeks and the hunk of safe, solid steel is just as dead and just as broken as it was when we towed it in the first time. VW suggested we let them take it and they would get us into a new one. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice and it would be another story. No thanks, VW.
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engine needs to be replaced - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By ron - June 4 - 3:46 pmhoped to keep the car a long time. now have paid $900 to have oil leaks in engine repaired. found out vw acknowledges engine problems but has not called for a recall. my mechanic advised to get rid of asap which I plan to do as soon as I can get the oil light to stop going off. have also replaced front axle, headlights, trunk hinge, coolant leak, dip stick replaced twice. car looks great, too bad all this has happened, but it is my last VW.
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Dont buy Volkswagen - 2004 Volkswagen Passat
By ENZO CALFA - October 23 - 8:43 pmI enjoy the Volkswagen performance and body styles and have purchased two vehicles. The first one was a 1995 Golf which cost me more in repairs than the original price of the car. After reading how VW had improved reliability, I was suckered into purchasing the 2004 Passatt. My car is very well maintained and I average 10,000 miles per year. I wont list all the problems Ive encountered since all the previous reviews have already listed them. My observation of VW is that they build cars to break down so that you buy replacement parts at inflated prices. My dealer quoted me $200 to replace 4 spark plugs. I purchased the plugs for $32 and spent 15 minutes to replace them. Dont buy VW!!!
