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Research · Large Cars

2004 Volkswagen PhaetonRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 0 safety recalls and 4 owner complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton. Most complaints involve structure (2) and suspension (2). The EPA rates it 13–16 mpg combined.

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Combined MPG
13–16mpg
EPA · 2 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
0campaigns
NHTSA
Owner complaints
4
Top: structure
Fuel cost / yr
$4,850est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

NHTSA campaigns for this model year
0 recalls found in NHTSA data for the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

4 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2009 – Mar 2017
  1. Structure2
  2. Suspension2
  3. Electrical system1
  4. Steering1
  5. Engine and engine cooling1
  6. Power train1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Phaeton model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
20044
20051
20062
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 11, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Structure

2 reports
“TRUNK EMERGENCY ESCAPE/ENTRAPMENT PREVENTION HANDLE NOT WORKING DUE TO DEFECTIVE TRUNK WIRING HARNESS. ONLY APPLIES TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRUNK.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 19, 2017Electrical system, StructureODI 10967077

Suspension

2 reports
“2004 VOLKSWAGEN PHAETON WITH FAULTY TORQUE CONVERTER. *KB THE CONSUMER STATED HE HAD TO PAY FOR A $3,00 DOLLAR REPAIR ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE FENDER WHICH WAS CAUSED BY THE HESITATION OF THE CONVERTER ENGAGING. THE CONSUMER STATED HE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE FOR THREE YEARS AND NEVER COULD FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEMS WERE CAUSED BY. HE FINALLY HAD AN INDEPENDENT ELECTRONIC CHECK DONE AND THE PROBLEMS WERE AS FOLLOWS; THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON AT ALL TIMES. THE OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE LIGHT ILLUMINATED AGAIN. THE ESP LIGHT ILLUMINATED AFTER ABOUT 10 MINUTES OF DRIVING AND THE ESP SWITCH WOULD NOT TURN OFF THE LIGHT. HE ALSO COMPLAINED FOR YEARS, THAT WHEN HE TURNED LEFT OR RIGHT TOO FAST OR FROM A COMPLETE STOP, THE ENGINE WOULD HESITATE . THE CONSUMER WAS TOLD THAT WAS NORMAL BETWEEN FIRST AND SECOND GEARS. THE INTERNAL OIL SEAL FAILURE CAUSED THE PROBLEMS. A SERVICE BULLETIN WAS ISSUED, BUT THE CONSUMER WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE PROBLEM. THE RIGHT REAR UPPER CONTROL ARM WAS REPLACED. THE STEERING WHEEL HAD TO BE RE-ALIGNED. COOLANT WAS LEAKING FROM THE RADIATOR. *JB UPDATED 06/08/10.*JB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2010Steering, Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 10323136

Electrical system

1 report
Send a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 11, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

2 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Large Cars
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl · 6.0L 12-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6) · Automatic (S5)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Phaeton
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
142116$4,850555
Phaeton
Auto (S5), 12 cyl, 6.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
111713$5,950684
  • Phaeton
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    14 city · 21 hwy · $4,850/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Phaeton
    Auto (S5), 12 cyl, 6.0 L
    11 city · 17 hwy · $5,950/yr
    13
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 11, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton as of Nov 11, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 11, 2026Vehicle 1314
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Phaeton questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton have?

0 recalls found in NHTSA data as of Nov 11, 2026.

What are the most common 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton problems?

Owners filed 4 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are structure (2), suspension (2), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton at 13–16 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (2 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 11, 2026