2004 Volkswagen Beetle
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 158 of 361 complaints (44%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (2) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 334 in 2003 to 361 in 2004.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Subcompact Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,350–3,350 | 2,350–3,500 | 2,500–3,500 | 2,550–3,500 | 2,650–2,850 | |
| Combined MPG | 23–38 | 22–38 | 22–36 | 22–35 | 22–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–35 / 27–44 | 19–35 / 26–44 | 19–32 / 26–42 | 19–32 / 28–41 | 19–31 / 28–40 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 268–386 | 268–404 | 283–404 | 291–404 | 299–404 | |
| Complaints filed | 180 | 334 | 361 | 261 | 125 | |
| Recalls issued | 9 | 5 | 8 | 6 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 13 | 9 | 7 | 11 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 4 | 7 | 13 | 5 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 14 | 8 | 2 | 5 | 9 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle have?
8 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 158 of 361 NHTSA complaints (44%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle get?
EPA rates it 22–36 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Volkswagen Beetle?
EPA estimates $2,500–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (11)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Minicompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 26 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Minicompact Cars | 19 mpg (low) | 28 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $2,850 | 404 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $3,250 | 370 g/mi |
| Configuration 7 | Manual 6-spd | 4 | 1.8L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Subcompact Cars | 20 mpg | 28 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Subcompact Cars | 32 mpg (high) | 42 mpg (high) | 36 mpg (high) | $2,500 (low) | 283 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 9 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 1.9L | Front-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Subcompact Cars | 30 mpg | 38 mpg | 33 mpg | $2,700 | 308 g/mi |
| Configuration 10 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
Show 1 more configuration
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 11 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Subcompact Cars | 21 mpg | 28 mpg | 24 mpg | $2,600 | 370 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 34 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 158 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 47 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 78 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 22 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 84 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 20 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (8)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE · Campaign 14E007000 · Mar 12, 2014
Defect: The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow Water Pumps, part number TFW 41127, sold at certain NAPA Auto Parts and/or installed by automotive service technicians after November 1, 2013 (and manufactured August 2013 through October 2013) that have a black-colored pulley/sprocket or do not have 'US9377' stamped on the water pump housing. These service replacement parts were sold for use in model year 1999-2005 Audi A4, 2000-2006 Audi TT, 1998-2005 Volkswagen Beetle, 1999-2006 Golf, 1999-2008 and 2011-2013 Volkswagen Jetta, and 2000-2005 Volkswagen Passat. In the affected water pumps, the pulley or sprocket that turns the timing belt may develop microfractures causing the timing belt to fail.
Consequence: A failure of the timing belt may cause the engine to shut down, potentially increasing the risk of a vehicle crash.
Remedy: Gates will notify owners, and dealers will replace the water pump, free of charge. The recall began during May 2014. Owners may contact The Gates Corporation at 1-303-744-1911.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING · Campaign 09E012000 · Apr 7, 2009
Defect: SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Consequence: DECREASED LIGHTING VISIBILITY MAY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE · Campaign 08V178000 · Apr 18, 2008
Defect: VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND MY 2003-2005 NEW BEETLE CONVERTIBLES EQUIPPED WITH AN ADVANCED (DUAL-STAGE) AIR BAG SYSTEM. THIS SYSTEM MAY HAVE AIR BAG FRONTAL CRASH SENSORS THAT CONTAIN A SOLDER JOINT ON THE CIRCUIT BOARD THAT MAY CRACK UNDER CERTAIN HIGH TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS. IF THIS OCCURS, THE AIR BAG INDICATOR LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE AND THE FALLBACK ALGORITHM WILL ENSURE THAT THE FRONT AIR BAGS ALWAYS DEPLOY IN A FRONTAL CRASH IN WHICH THE VEHICLE'S DECELERATION IS HIGH ENOUGH TO ACTIVATE THE FRONTAL AIR BAGS.
Consequence: IN LOW-SEVERITY FRONTAL IMPACTS, THE FRONT AIR BAGS MAY DEPLOY MORE FORCEFULLY THAN DESIGNED, INCREASING THE POSSIBILITY OF INJURY TO OUT-OF-POSITION FRONT SEAT OCCUPANTS.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT EACH VEHICLE TO DETERMINE THAT THE SPECIFIC DEFECT CRASH SENSOR IS PRESENT ON ONE OR BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. ALL OF THE DEFECT CRASH SENSORS WILL BE REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE JULY 31, 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007
Defect: CERTAIN CARDONE MASTER CYLINDERS WITH PART NUMBERS 10-2925, 10-2987, 10-2987MZA, 10-3083, 11-3015, 11-3042, 11-3044, 11-3045, 11-3047, 11-3064, AND 11-3156, AND WITH DATE CODES LOWER THAN DCA7078 SOLD AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR USE ON THE VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. THE SEAL ON MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.
Consequence: LOSS OF BRAKE FLUID CAN RESULT IN POOR BRAKING PERFORMANCE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Remedy: CARDONE WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE ANY DEFECTIVE MASTER CYLINDERS. THE RECALL BEGAN DURING APRIL 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT CARDONE AT 1-800-777-4780.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 07V063000 · Feb 21, 2007
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
Consequence: THE BRAKE LIGHTS COULD BECOME INOPERATIVE, OR REMAIN ON. FAILURE TO PROVIDE THE PROPER SIGNAL WHEN BRAKING COULD LEAD TO A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL THE NEWLY DESIGNED BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 27, 2007, AND WILL BE CONDUCTED IN SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL · Campaign 04V586000 · Dec 16, 2004
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE HIGH PRESSURE DIESEL PUMPS WERE PRODUCED WITH AN IMPROPER FASTENER, WHICH COULD ALLOW DIESEL FUEL TO ESCAPE FROM THE PUMP.
Consequence: FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
EQUIPMENT:OTHER:LABELS · Campaign 03V508000 · Dec 11, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL IS INCORRECT IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE AS A FIVE-PASSENGER VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A FOUR-PASSENGER VEHICLE.
Consequence: EXCEEDING THE CORRECT SEATING CAPACITY IN A VEHICLE PUTS OCCUPANTS AT RISK FOR INJURY IN A CRASH, AND CAN RESULT IN VEHICLE OVERLOADING, WHICH CAN AFFECT VEHICLE HANDLING AND PUT YOU AT RISK FOR A CRASH.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT A NEW LABEL AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 9, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
AIR BAGS · Campaign 03V356000 · Sep 30, 2003
Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER DETECTION FUNCTION OF THE PASSIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MAY BECOME DISABLED.
Consequence: SHOULD THE PODS CONTROL UNIT MALFUNCTION, THE AIR BAG SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE WILL NOT WORK AS DESIGNED AND MAY NOT BE ABLE TO PROPERLY PROTECT OCCUPANTS IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE PODS. OWNER NOTIFICATION ORIGINALLY BEGAN OCTOBER 3, 2003. VW HAS DETERMINED THAT ADDITIONAL VEHICLES NEED TO BE REPAIRED. THE RECALL FOR THE ADDITIONAL VEHICLES IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON DECEMBER 17, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.