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Model Year Problem Record

Volkswagen Beetle 2004 - Problems, Recalls, and Investigations

The complete public record for the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle: what owners reported, which systems drew recalls, and where complaints exist that no recall has ever covered.

349Distinct owner complaintsSource: NHTSA Complaints
3Recall campaignsSource: NHTSA Recalls
1Defect investigationsSource: NHTSA Investigations
36Complaints reporting a crash or fireOwner Reports, Unverified

Complaints by System

Distinct complaints naming each system, most reported first. Select a system for its own page.

Did a Recall Cover It?

The join between complaints and recalls for this model year, system by system. A gap does not prove a defect - it means owners reported the problem and no recall campaign covers that system on this model year.

Power Train157 complaints

157 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Air Bags76 complaints

76 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 08V178000.

Visibility67 complaints

67 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Electrical System47 complaints

47 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Engine33 complaints

33 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Structure16 complaints

16 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Lighting15 complaints

15 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 07V063000.

Seat Belts14 complaints

14 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Unknown Or Other11 complaints

11 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Equipment10 complaints

10 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Seats5 complaints

5 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Fuel and Propulsion System5 complaints

5 complaints; 1 recall campaign covers this system. Campaigns: 04V586000.

Brakes4 complaints

4 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Driver Assistance and Stability Systems3 complaints

3 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Steering2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Vehicle Speed Control2 complaints

2 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Tires1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Latches, Locks and Linkages1 complaints

1 complaints; no recall campaign covers this system.

Recall Campaigns

Every campaign covering this model year, in our own words. The campaign number is the official reference.

04V586000Reported December 15, 2004 - 19,284 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel and Propulsion System. Recall covering the fuel and propulsion system system, reported to NHTSA on December 15, 2004. The campaign covers an estimated 19,284 vehicles across all affected models.

07V063000Reported February 20, 2007 - 1,002,000 vehicles potentially affected

Lighting. Recall covering the lighting system, reported to NHTSA on February 20, 2007. The campaign covers an estimated 1,002,000 vehicles across all affected models.

08V178000Reported April 17, 2008 - 76,900 vehicles potentially affected

Air Bags. Recall covering the air bags system, reported to NHTSA on April 17, 2008. The campaign covers an estimated 76,900 vehicles across all affected models.

Defect Investigations

NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation opened these investigations touching this model year.

PE08012Opened February 15, 2008 - Closed April 24, 2008

FRONT AIR BAG CRASH SENSOR FAILURE. Resulted in recall campaign 08V178000.

Complaints by Year Received

When this model year's complaints reached NHTSA - whether its problems surfaced early or late in its life.

20042
20058
200616
200710
200829
200937
201099
201153
201231
20137
201417
201511
201612
20174
20186
20194
20202
20211
How to Read These Counts: complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not failure rates. Older and higher-volume vehicles accumulate more reports, and counts are not adjusted for vehicles sold - no per-sales rate or reliability ranking is shown, because the public data does not support one.

Data as of October 30, 2026. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaints, recalls, and investigations files (U.S. Government public domain). DefectRecord is not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer. For your specific vehicle, use NHTSA's VIN lookup. Report an error.