2004 Volkswagen Jetta Electrical System Problems
- 30
- Owner complaint records in our dataset
Records are owner complaints, not a measured failure rate.
Owner complaint recordsComplaint records reflect reports in our dataset and do not measure how frequently the problem occurs across all vehicles.
Among these 30 stored complaint records:
- 0 indicate a crash
- 0 indicate injury
- 5 indicate fire
What owners report
- same issue · 4 records
Mileage in stored records
| Band | Records |
|---|---|
| 100–150k mi | 9 |
| 60–100k mi | 9 |
| 150–400k mi | 4 |
| 30–60k mi | 4 |
| 1–30k mi | 3 |
Complaint records
Owner-submitted complaint content, presented as stored.
Electrical System
Alternator wire melted part of the battery top fuse box. Cable was very hot and may have caught fire if i hadn't smelled it first. Had to replace the alternator cable harness and fuse box panel.
ODI 11090178
Electrical System · Engine · Fuel/Propulsion System
While driving down road early in morning approx 2 miles from house i just left from my 2004 jetta shuts down total loss of all power i pulled car over in a church parking lot i smelled smoke and could see smoke coming from fire wall i raised hood and pulled battery cable off i could see smpoke filling inside of my car walked around to driver door to get my phone and i seen fuse box on fire.another vehicle stopped to…
Fire reported
ODI 11076395
Electrical System
The insulation on the wiring of the left headlight is deteriorated and falling off leaving the wires bare and at risk of shorting out.
ODI 11067245
Electrical System
Passenger seat (front seat) heating element is burning the upholstery. The seat heater won't shut off. This has happened more than once; each time the car was operating.
Fire reported
ODI 11065541
Electrical System · Unknown Or Other
Heated seat module melted a hole through my leather.
ODI 11047032
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 65 mph, all the warning indicators started to flash on the instrument panel. The door chime sounded and the vehicle stalled. The contact coasted the vehicle onto the shoulder. The contact had the vehicle jump started and drove to a nearby parking lot. The failure occurred two other times and the vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic.…
ODI 11011993
Electrical System
On 12/18/2016 i was driving this car back from the movies at 2:30 a.m. Once the movie had ended it was storming and sleeting. I started to notice systems shutting down as indicated by various dash lights such as abs, airbag, among others. Eventually the radio, interior lights shut off. The windshield wipers slowed and the headlights dimmed, and eventually the car died going 50 miles an hour in sleeting conditions…
ODI 10936056
Electrical System
Alternator cable melted the fuse block and wires above the battery. I will need to replace the alternator, alternator wiring harness, the fuses, and possibly the battery. My car has shut down while driving and this is dangerous not just for me but for others on the road around me. Too many vw owners are experiencing this exact same issue. Vw please take ownership of this ongoing safety issue. This same issue is…
ODI 10895343
Air Bags · Electrical System · Visibility/Wiper
Over the past few days it has been raining heavily & although it has happened to me once before this time is what worse. My car is leaking from somewhere & its coming on the inside. My carpets are constantly wet, my airbags alongside windshield leak, and the handle where you open the hood of the car is literally a stream of water entering the car during heavy rainfall. The airbag light has come on and the check…
ODI 10836971
Electrical System
The high voltage fuse box, that sits on top of the battery melted due to heat and poor design. This caused a short and complete loss of power to my vehicle. This was both dangerous and frightening! I was on the freeway going 60mph and could have easily lost control of the vehicle, causing an injury or fatal accident. I found 44 similar complaints regarding this same issue and am surprised that this public agency has…
ODI 10820663
Electrical System
I have replaced my battery twice and my alternator once. My car completely shuts down when i part it. I have also turned on my car and then completely shuts down by itself, yet if i jump start it will turn on. I'm not able to turn my car back on, as though something is draining my battery. This has been occurring for over one year now and i'm getting stranded at my last destination and have had to get towed to the…
ODI 10777794
Electrical System · Engine
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled, back fired, and it was leaking coolant under the water pump. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. Prior to this failure that the vehicle had experienced leaking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed the water pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced…
ODI 10854705
Electrical System · Exterior Lighting
I was driving my vw jetta 2004 tdi on a highway, i was using my high beam and low beam headlights to yield to incoming traffic when all of a sadden my headlights went off, i had to stop it was very dark and dangerous road, i moved and wiggle the lever to see if i could make it come on again, eventually it did, it did that about 4 times,every time it scared the ... Out of me could not see road. Took it to a mechanic,…
ODI 10823126
Electrical System · Seats
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. While driving approximately 50 mph, there was smoke coming from the heated seats on the front passenger side the contact stated that there was a hole burned into the front passenger seat. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired . The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 05/31/17*lj updated 06/02/2017*js
Fire reported
ODI 10679573
Electrical System
My (generator cable - s177) alternator cable melting the fuse box and wires above the battery. My car needed a new alternator. My car does not always start even with a new battery and alternator. My car has shut down while driving on the highway. Vw admits this is a known problem but will not do anything about it. I am the second owner of this vehicle. Thousands of people are having this same problem.
Fire reported
ODI 10885715
Electrical System
The battery fuse box melted due to corrosion on the terminal of the alternator wire, this is a very common problem with this car and cars of similar make (audi a4, tt etc.) and can lead to fires. *tr
ODI 10597643
Electrical System
Alternator wiring harness overheated my battery fuse box and melted it. The vehicle battery light came on so i pulled over, turned the vehicle off, and inspected the battery, noticing the damage (melted plastic, smoke). *tr
ODI 10554293
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Exterior Lighting
Headlights dimming- to point where you can not tell they are on. Engine light comes on despite all diagnostics stating all is ok with car. Periodically fails to start-despite diagnostics that state starter, battery, drain altenator all good and functioning properly. Car jumps easily with "boost". *tr
ODI 10490419
Electrical System · Engine · Steering
2004 vw jetta gls tdi operating at 75mph on interstate on cruise control when the engine shutoff completely. The vehicle still had electrical power and engine would crank but would not start. I rolled the vehicle off to the side of the road and attempted to re-start the engine and it finally cranked and drove vehicle approximately 500 miles before experiencing similar issue. Since that time vehicle has had same…
ODI 10465504
Electrical System
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen jetta. The contact stated that after starting the vehicle, the entire electrical system including the lighting and instrument panel failed to illuminate. The vehicle was taken to a private mechanic. The private mechanic confirmed that the ignition switch needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and the current mileages…
ODI 10449619
Electrical System
I have a 2004 vw jetta. It has about 48,000 miles on it. A little over a year ago, it developed an electrical problem. It progresses from the dashboard lights flickering initially & the trip mileage going away, to beeping 3 times, and eventually to stalling when i stop. It's progressive, the longer it happens the more frequently it happens. This makes the car unreliable and dangerous. I've taken the car to the…
ODI 10445877
Automatic Transmission · Electrical System · Engine And Engine Cooling · Fuel System, Gasoline
My 2004 vw jetta 1.8 turbo which i purchased new is having transmission problems. My cat has only 66,000 miles in it and has been well maintained. In the past two years i have replaced the fuel pump, battery, catalytic converter, numerous vacuum leaks ect...but a transmission???? Volkswagen needs to issue a recall as this is way to common!! Please help! *tr
ODI 10398143
Electrical System · Electronic Stability Control · Visibility
After service by vw for window glass clip recall the traction control light will not turn off. No traction control for the vechicle. *tr
ODI 10410884
Electrical System
Electrical fire in ignition harness melted harness (including coils) which resulted in stall-out. Ignition fuse to computer was disabled preventing re-start of automobile. *tr
Fire reported
ODI 10295027
Electrical System · Vehicle Speed Control
Bought new in 2004. Starting at 60k miles the check engine light would come-on saying miss fire on #1 cyl when its wet outside; raining or snow. Spark plug and wire replaced regularly and checked within specs. The acceleration started to deteriorate and flat spot in the acceleration can be dangerous in driving conditions. 86k the original vw coil was replaced; #1 terminal was corroded. *tr
ODI 10410882