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2004 Volkswagen Beetle recalls

Source: NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026. Last refreshed Sep 23, 2026, 2:43 AM UTC.

6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026

For the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle. These apply to the model and year, not to one particular vehicle: check your VIN to see whether yours is included and whether it has been repaired.

Has your Volkswagen been repaired?

Recalls here come from NHTSA’s records for the model and year. Not every vehicle of a model is included in every recall, and this site can’t see whether a repair has been done. Only a VIN lookup can tell you that.

NHTSA’s VIN search doesn’t show recalls that were already repaired, recalls more than 15 years old, or some small manufacturers’ recalls. Recall repairs are free.

2004 Volkswagen Beetle recalls, newest first

March 7, 2014NHTSA 14E00700050 vehicles potentially affected

Engine and engine cooling › Engine

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 7, 2009NHTSA 09E01200016,270 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

April 17, 2008NHTSA 08V17800076,900 vehicles potentially affected

Air bags › Frontal › Sensor/control module-inactive

Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

March 29, 2007NHTSA 07E02300013,128 vehicles potentially affected

Service brakes, hydraulic › Foundation components › Master cylinder

  • Aftermarket equipment: applies only if this part was installed
Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

February 20, 2007NHTSA 07V0630001,002,000 vehicles potentially affected

Exterior lighting › Brake lights › Switch

Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

December 15, 2004NHTSA 04V58600019,284 vehicles potentially affected

Fuel system, diesel

Summary
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.

This recall on nhtsa.gov

Owner complaints

Owners have filed 349 complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public; NHTSA uses them to decide what to investigate.

Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
13
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0

Most complained-about components

  1. Power train › Automatic transmission101
  2. Power train52
  3. Air bags49
  4. Visibility › Power window devices and controls43
  5. Electrical system40

Other Volkswagen Beetle years

Other 2004 Volkswagen models

Most recalled 2004 vehicles

  1. 2004 Honda Accord (22 recalls)
  2. 2004 Ford E-250 (18 recalls)
  3. 2004 Blue Bird Vision (17 recalls)
  4. 2004 Ford F-150 (16 recalls)
  5. 2004 Chevrolet Silverado (15 recalls)
All of 2004’s most recalled vehicles

Questions

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle have any recalls?
6 recalls found in NHTSA data as of September 22, 2026, covering: engine and engine cooling, exterior lighting, air bags, service brakes, hydraulic, fuel system, diesel. Recalls apply to the model and year; whether a particular vehicle is included, and whether it has been repaired, depends on its VIN.
How do I check if my 2004 Volkswagen Beetle recall has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls, or ask a Volkswagen dealer. Recall repairs are free. NHTSA's VIN search doesn't list recalls that were already repaired.
How many complaints have owners filed about the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle?
349 complaints filed with NHTSA. Complaints are unverified reports from the public that NHTSA uses to decide what to investigate.