CarModelProblems.com

2004 Volkswagen Passat Power Train:automatic Transmission Problems

NHTSA component category: POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION · data through 07/12/2026

22Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints
7.9%Of all 279 complaints
#2Most-reported category

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

How power train:automatic transmission ranks on this vehicle

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION22 · 7.9%

Share of the 279 complaints citing each category; one complaint can cite several. Full breakdown on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat overview page.

What owners report

“MY CAR, A 2004 VW PASSAT GLX AUTOMATIC, HAS HAD A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM SINCE THE DAY I BOUGHT IT, WHEN THE SALESPERSON TOLD ME IT…”NHTSA complaint 10181819 — filed 02/06/2007
“: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION HAD A SLUGGISH RESPONSE WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. ADDITIONALLY, WHILE DRIVING UPHILL, THE VEHICLE OPERATED…”NHTSA complaint 10175236 — filed 12/05/2006
“JUST ABOUT EVRERY TIME I DRIVE MY CAR THERE SEEMS TO BE A LURCHING IN THE TRANSMISSION WHEN I START DRIVING AND WHEN I START…”NHTSA complaint 10116431 — filed 04/05/2005

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Power Train:automatic Transmission complaints by year filed

112004120051200622007120082200942010

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have power train:automatic transmission problems?

Power Train:automatic Transmission is the #2 most-reported problem area on the 2004 Volkswagen Passat: 22 of 279 complaints on file (7.9%). Complaints are unverified owner reports, not confirmed defects.

How many complaints does the 2004 Volkswagen Passat have in total?

279 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Across all categories, 9 involved a crash, 25 involved a fire, 23 reported injuries, and none reported deaths.

What does NHTSA's power train:automatic transmission category include?

NHTSA assigns each complaint to standard component categories; this page reports the POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION category exactly as NHTSA defines and records it.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.