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NHTSA vehicle safety data

2004 Volkswagen New Beetle Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 12 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Volkswagen dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2004 Volkswagen New Beetle owner complaints

Owners have filed 12 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle, describing incidents dated October 1, 2003 to November 2, 2004.

Most-cited components

  • Visibility/Wiper 6 complaints
  • Air Bags 2 complaints
  • Structure 2 complaints
  • Engine 1 complaint
  • Exterior Lighting 1 complaint
  • Latches/Locks/Linkages 1 complaint

Newest complaints

  • ODI #10100108 · Filed

    WHENEVER THE PASSENGER/DRIVER SEATS ARE MOVED WITHIN 10 SECONDS OF STARTING THE CAR AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON IN THE CONSOLE AND DOES NOT TURN OFF UNTIL DONE SO MANUALLY BY A MECHANIC. THE "POD" DEVICE IS THEN DISABLED. IF LIGHT IS ON, THEN AIRBAG MIGHT NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT, INJURIES OR DEATH MAY…

  • ODI #10099817 · Filed

    WHEN CHANGING THE OIL, A FRAME SUPPORT PAN FOUND ONLY ON CONVERTIBLE CATCHES THE MOTOR OIL. THIS SUPPORT PEN IS CONCAVED AND TRAPS A LARGE MOUNT OF OIL. IF NOT WIPED OUT WITH RAGS IT STAYS THERE CAUSING A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD FROM A SPARK. *AK *NM

  • ODI #10095162 · Filed

    WHILE DRIVING SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE AIR BAG SENSOR NEEDED TO BE RESET, AND RESET IT SIX TIMES. HOWEVER, THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE…

Read all 12 complaints

VW/TIRE INFORMATION LABEL

NHTSA #03V508000 · Equipment — Other — Labels · NHTSA notice

Reported December 4, 2003 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 15,115 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign VB/ZH · Owners notified February 9, 2004 · Vehicles built June 1, 2003 – September 30, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE TIRE INFORMATION LABEL IS INCORRECT IDENTIFYING THE VEHICLE AS A FIVE-PASSENGER VEHICLE, INSTEAD OF A FOUR-PASSENGER VEHICLE.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VWOA RECALL NO. VB/ZH.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

VW/PODS DISABLED

NHTSA #03V356000 · Air Bags · NHTSA notice

Reported September 29, 2003 · VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA,INC

Potentially affected: 333 vehicles

Volkswagen campaign WU · Owners notified October 3, 2003 · Vehicles built July 1, 2003 – August 31, 2003 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, THE PASSENGER DETECTION FUNCTION OF THE PASSIVE OCCUPANT DETECTION SYSTEM (PODS) MAY BECOME DISABLED.

Safety 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.

Manufacturer 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.

Notes

VW RECALL NO. WU.CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S AUTO SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Other Volkswagen New Beetle model years

Check your 2004 Volkswagen New Beetle VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Volkswagen New Beetle at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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