2004 Volkswagen Phaeton
The Verdict
The 2004 Volkswagen Phaeton has 4 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are body (2 complaints) and electrical (1 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 99/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Volkswagen Phaeton, consider the 2006 model year which has 50% fewer complaints.
Safe Bet
The 2006 has 50% fewer complaints
View the 2006 Volkswagen Phaeton dashboard →
Klunk Score: Smooth Ride
This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.
How is this calculated?
The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.
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Under the Hood
Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.
By Category
By Severity
Worst Problems
Complaints
TRUNK EMERGENCY ESCAPE/ENTRAPMENT PREVENTION HANDLE NOT WORKING DUE TO DEFECTIVE TRUNK WIRING HARNESS. ONLY APPLIES TO VEHICLES WITH AUTOMATIC TRUNK.
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
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 AND REAR GLASS SHIELD. THE GLASS BROKE AND WAS REPLACE. 2 WEEKS LATER, WHILE HAVING THE 80,000 MILE SERVICE THE TECHNICIAN CLOSED THE TRUNK AND AGAIN THE PLASTIC PIECE WAS CAUGHT AND THE REAR GLASS BROKE. DEALER ESTIMATE TO "FIX" IS $1,300 BUT IT SEEMS LIKE A PRODUCT DEFECT. INTERNET BLOGS AND POSTING SUGGEST A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND VW ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN TO DEALERS ON HOW TO "FIX" - TECHNICAL BULLETIN (TB) NUMBER 97-04-07. *TR
CONTROL ARM GASKETS CORRODED ON ALL UPPER AND LOWER CONTROL ARMS LEADING TO METAL ON METAL. *TR