2004 Volkswagen Golf GL
9BWBL61J044008307
Vehicle history report for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf GL (VIN 9BWBL61J044008307). Gray. 157,126 mi reported. Registered in Ca. Unlock full title, salvage, lien & accident history.
At a glance
Vehicle identity & specifications
What's a 2004 Volkswagen Golf worth?
What comparable 2004 Volkswagen Golf vehicles are listed for — a quick gut-check before you negotiate.
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See this car's exact value →MPG & running costs
Official U.S. EPA fuel-economy estimates for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf.
Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov. EPA estimates for this year/make/model; actual mileage varies by trim and driving conditions.
Full vehicle history report
What a full report checks for VIN 9BWBL61J044008307
A full report searches national title databases (NMVTIS) and licensed history providers for this VIN and shows whatever records are on file — not every vehicle has every record type. The decode, safety recalls and owner complaints above are always free.
Safety recalls 6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE
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 …
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.
NHTSA Campaign #14E007000 · 07/03/2014EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 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.
Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.
NHTSA Campaign #09E025000 · 11/05/2009FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE DIESEL PUMP. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 8, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
NHTSA Campaign #04V586000 · 15/12/2004SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER
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.
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.
NHTSA Campaign #07E023000 · 29/03/2007EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.
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
NHTSA Campaign #07V063000 · 20/02/2007We'll email you the moment a new safety recall is issued — no spam, unsubscribe any time.
Common problems & what to inspect
Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Volkswagen Golf, here are the most-reported problem areas — and exactly what to check before you buy.
💥 1 involved a crash
🔍 Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
🔍 Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
🔍 Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
🔍 Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
🔍 Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.
Pre-purchase checklist
- Match the VIN on the dash, door jamb and title — they must be identical.
- Cold-start the engine; listen for knocks and check for blue or white exhaust smoke.
- Test-drive through all gears at low and highway speed — no slipping, shudder or pulling.
- Confirm every warning light clears at startup (none should stay on).
- Check fluids — oil, coolant, transmission — for level, color and leaks.
- Look underneath for rust, fresh undercoating or signs of collision repair.
- Always get an independent pre-purchase inspection from a trusted mechanic.
Owner complaints 28
Complaints filed with NHTSA by owners of the 2004 Volkswagen Golf.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
CAR WILL SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AROUND TOWN OR CRUISING ON THE HIGHWAY (VERY DANGEROUS) ONCE FUEL TANK DROPS TO 1/4 TANK. I BELIEVE IT TO BE FAULTY FUEL PUMP DESIGN.
NHTSA ODI #11255490FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
I STARTED SMELLING FUEL INSIDE MY CAR, AND I REPLACED THE GAS CAP. THE SMELL KEPT GETTING STRONGER AND IT GAVE ME HEADACHES WHILE DRIVING. TODAY I OPENED UP THE BACK SEAT TO EXPOSE THE FUEL PUMP AND THE PUMP LEAKS AND FROM THE TOP OF THE FUEL PUMP WHERE THE CONNECTORS AND IT FILLS UP WITH LIQUID GASOLINE. THIS IS A MAJOR FUEL SAFETY THAT CAN CAUSE MY VEHICLE…
NHTSA ODI #11114213FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT STATED THAT GASOLINE FUEL FUMES WERE EMITTED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, HE NOTICED THAT THERE WAS A FUEL LEAK. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT …
NHTSA ODI #10482803ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE WIRING FOR THE FUSE BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AN…
NHTSA ODI #10469107FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
I NOTICED A STRONG SMELL OF DIESEL FUEL WHILE DRIVING MY CAR. NEXT I NOTICED SMOKE COMING OUT FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTOHAUS IN ROYAL OAK, MI WHERE THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A LEAK IN THE RETURN FUEL LINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10428077UNKNOWN OR OTHER
MY 2004 VW GOLF WAS RUNNING ROUGH. THE RPM'S WERE VERY HIGH BUT THE CAR WAS GOING VERY SLOW. I HAD NEW SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION WIRES PUT IN. AFTER A HEAVY RAIN A FEW WEEKS LATER I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS TIME I HAD A NEW IGNITION COIL PUT IN. IN TOTAL I SPENT $699.24 HAVING THE CAR REPAIRED. VW IS CURRENTLY RUNNING AN IGNITION COIL INSPECTION AND R…
NHTSA ODI #10323626FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. THE CONTACT SMELLED A FUEL ODOR EMANATING FROM HIS VEHICLE. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION HE NOTICED A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE MAY LEAD TO A FIRE. HIS VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS EXCLUDED FROM RECALL# 04V586000 (FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL); THEREFORE, HE WAS INELIGIBLE FOR A FREE REM…
NHTSA ODI #10285482STRUCTURE
SUN ROOF LEAKS. NOTICED A MUSTY SMELL, WINDOWS FOGGING OVER EASILY, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT THAT WAS WET, WET RUG IN THE REAR BAGGAGE COMPARTMENT AND FINALLY WET HEAD LINER AND SIDE PANELS IN REAR OF CAR ALSO ON THE DRIVER SIDE. CHECKED THE SUN ROOF DRAINS AND THEY WERE CLEAR AND THE SUN ROOF TRAY HAD NO STANDING WATER. HOWEVER, FOUND ABOUT 2 INCHES OF STANDIN…
NHTSA ODI #10277227+ 20 more complaints on record.
