Composite rating based on recalls, complaints, crash ratings, and vehicle age.
โ 6 open recalls (high)โ Not yet NHTSA crash-ratedโ 15+ year old vehicleโ Partial VIN decode onlyโ Low complaint history
Vehicle ReportReport
VIN 3VWFE21C04M123456 identifies a passenger vehicle โ the 2004 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S. This specific unit was assembled at the PUEBLA, MEXICO facility.
This vehicle carries a significant 6 open NHTSA recalls. Affected systems include engine and engine cooling:engine, air bags:frontal:sensor/control module-inactive, exterior lighting. All recalls must be repaired by a Volkswagen dealer at no charge to the owner. Contact a dealer with this VIN before finalizing any purchase. Verify current recall status at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The EPA rates this vehicle at 32 MPG combined (28 city / 39 highway), which represents reasonable fuel economy. Annual fuel cost is estimated at $2450 at national average gas prices.
Based on vehicle class, trim, and U.S. market data, this 2004 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo S falls in an estimated used-market range of $8,400โ$12,100. The high recall count may suppress resale value โ factor this into price negotiation. Verify actual market value with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds using specific mileage and condition.
Important limitation: This free VIN report does not include odometer/mileage history, accident records, flood or fire damage, number of previous owners, or title/lien status. These require a paid vehicle history report from Carfax or AutoCheck. Use this report alongside a full history check, an independent pre-purchase inspection, and a NICB stolen vehicle check for the most complete picture before buying.
About the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle
The 2004 Volkswagen Beetle is part of the Volkswagen lineup. For specifications and reliability data, consult established automotive publications or the manufacturer's official website.
๐ View all 2004 Volkswagen known problems & year comparisons โ
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VIN Decoded
Theoretical VIN
Official VIN decode record located
Type: PASSENGER CAR
Body: Hatchback/Liftback/Notchback
Plant: PUEBLA, MEXICO
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NHTSA Recalls
6 Open Recalls
The Gates Corporation (Gates) is recalling certain aftermarket Tru-Flow...
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 76,900 MY 2004-2005 NEW BEETLE AND...
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP...
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Owner Complaints
No complaints found
No complaint patterns found.
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Fuel Economy
32 MPG Combined
City: 28 MPG
Hwy: 39 MPG
Combined: 32 MPG
Fuel: Gasoline
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Estimated Market Value
Based on vehicle age, class, trim & U.S. market conditions
Market estimate
$8,400โ$12,100
Based on vehicle class, age, trim, and U.S. market trends. Verify with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for mileage-adjusted value.
ManufacturerVolkswagen De Mexico Sa De CvManufacturer ID16478
Make ID482Model ID8119
Plant CompanyNot availablePlant CityPUEBLA
Plant StateNot availablePlant CountryMEXICO
Plant ZIPNot availableDest. MarketU.S.
Vehicle Descriptor3VWFE21C*4MGVWRClass 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Recall & Safety Summary
Total Recalls6Recall StatusActive recalls found
Overall Risk LevelHigh RiskABSNot available
ESCNot availableTraction ControlNot available
Safety Ratings
Overall RatingNot rated by NHTSAFront Crash RatingNot rated by NHTSA
Side Crash RatingNot rated by NHTSARollover RiskNot rated by NHTSA
Safety Recalls
14E00700007/03/2014
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...
Risk: 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...
08V17800017/04/2008
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:SENSOR/CONTROL MODULE-INACTIVE
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...
Risk: 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...
09E01200007/04/2009
EXTERIOR 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,...
Risk: 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...
07V06300020/02/2007
EXTERIOR 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.
Risk: 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...
04V58600015/12/2004
FUEL 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.
Risk: 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.
07E02300029/03/2007
SERVICE 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...
Risk: 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.
TSBs are manufacturer repair instructions issued to dealerships. They are not safety recalls. If you're experiencing an issue, ask your dealer if a TSB applies.
NoneNHTSA
No bulletins found
No technical service bulletin records returned for this vehicle.
This free report does not include accident records, mileage history, or title status. Get a full history from one of these trusted providers:
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Negotiation tip:
This vehicle has 6 open recall(s). Use this as leverage — ask the seller to confirm all recalls are resolved or reduce the price accordingly. Unresolved recalls cost dealers time and money to fix.
Automated checks against common VIN fraud indicators. Always verify with a paid history report and independent inspection.
✓Check digit (position 9) validates
✓VIN is exactly 17 characters
✓No invalid characters (I, O, Q not present)
✗Year position (pos 10) matches decoded model year
✓Manufacturer decodes to a known brand
✓Not a repeated-character test/placeholder VIN
Manual checks to do in person: Compare the VIN on the dashboard (visible through windshield), driver door jamb sticker, engine block, and title — all must match exactly. A cloned or re-VINed vehicle will show inconsistencies.
Estimated national average for this vehicle: $1,580/year. Your actual rate depends on your driving record, location, age, and coverage level.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does VIN 3VWFE21C04M123456 decode to?+
VIN 3VWFE21C04M123456 decodes to a 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle Turbo S, assembled in PUEBLA, MEXICO.
How many recalls does this 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle have?+
This 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle has 6 open recalls on record with NHTSA. Recalls are safety-related and should be resolved by a dealership at no charge to the owner.
Is it safe to buy a 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle with open recalls?+
Open recalls don't necessarily mean the vehicle is unsafe to drive, but they should be addressed promptly. Contact a VOLKSWAGEN dealer with this VIN to confirm which recalls have been completed and schedule any outstanding repairs โ they are always free of charge.
What is the estimated value of this 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle?+
Based on vehicle age, body type, trim level, and U.S. market data, this 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle Turbo S is estimated at $8,400โ$12,100. Verify with Kelley Blue Book or Edmunds for a precise appraisal based on mileage and condition.
Is this VIN check really free?+
Yes โ VinForFree is 100% free with no signup, no credit card, and no hidden fees. All data is sourced from public records including NHTSA, the EPA, and official government databases.
What fuel economy does a 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle get?+
According to EPA data, the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN Beetle gets approximately 32 MPG combined (28 city / 39 highway). Estimated annual fuel cost is $2,450.