2004 Volkswagen Phaeton problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Suspension:front (1) · Suspension (1) · Structure:body:trunk Lid (1)
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (173)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine And Engine Cooling 2023-08-21 · V171901201285565 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
update to volkswagen engine oil standards
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication 2023-05-30 · V171901201285562 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
volkswagen engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:oil/Lubrication 2023-04-24 · V171901201285560 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
Equipment:other:owners/Service/Other Manual 2022-12-12 · V941901201152119 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
update model year applicability to include 2023.
Electrical System 2022-12-06 · V271901201189422 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
battery testing and charging using special tools vas6161 & grx3000vas charger. updated to include additional model year applicability.
Electrical System:software 2021-12-15 · A002155201173212 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
Showing the 6 most recent of 173 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2017-03-19 · Structure:body · 180,000 mi“trunk emergency escape/entrapment prevention handle not working due to defective trunk wiring harness. only applies to vehicles with automatic trunk.…”
2010-04-01 · Suspension“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 f…”
2009-09-08 · Suspension:front · 40,000 mi“control arm gaskets corroded on all upper and lower control arms leading to metal on metal. *tr…”
2009-09-08 · Structure:body:trunk Lid · 80,000 mi“2004 vw phaeton trunk wire housing - the sleeve over the wire housing came off and then the plastic tube that covers the wires broke away from the joint that enables the wires to compress back into the trunk lid when it is closed. when having my tires rotated the service department closed the trunk lid but the plastic tube was caught between metal…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.