2004 Volkswagen R32

No photo available — body style shown for reference.

The Verdict

Worst problem area

Suspension, Wheels & Tires

Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 4 of 13 complaints (31%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Engine include more fire reports (1) than those mentioning any other identified area.

Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology

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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History

Fuel cost, fuel economy, and complaint history by model-year
Category2004vs. 2004 Subcompact Cars
Annual fuel cost ($)4,100
Combined MPG19
City / Highway MPG17 / 24
CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi)468
Complaints filed13Not compared
Recalls issued2Not compared
Crash-involved complaints1Not compared
Fire-involved complaints1Not compared
Injuries reported0Not compared
Deaths reported0Not compared
Configurations compared1

Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.

Common questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen R32 have?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.

What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Volkswagen R32?

Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 4 of 13 NHTSA complaints (31%) mention it.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen R32 get?

EPA rates it 19 MPG combined.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Volkswagen R32?

EPA estimates $4,100 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.

EPA-Rated Configurations (1)

Every EPA-rated configuration on this page, one row each.A number tagged (low) or (high) is this page’s own cost-table figure of that name, above.
ConfigurationTransmissionCylindersDisplacementDrivetrainFuel TypeVehicle ClassCityHighwayCombinedAnnual Fuel CostCO₂
Configuration 1Manual 6-spd63.2L4-Wheel or All-Wheel DrivePremiumSubcompact Cars17 mpg24 mpg19 mpg$4,100468 g/mi

Complaints by Category

Complaints by category, in the same fixed order on every page
CategoryComplaintsCrash-InvolvedFire-InvolvedInjuriesDeaths
Engine30100
Transmission & Drivetrain30000
Fuel System10000
Electrical20000
Brakes00000
Steering00000
Suspension, Wheels & Tires41000
Airbags & Restraints40000
Driver Assistance & Speed Control00000
Body, Seats & Latches30000
Visibility & Lighting20000
Other00000

A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.

Recalls (2)

  • SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS:MASTER CYLINDER · Campaign 07E023000 · Mar 29, 2007

    Defect: 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 MASTER CYLINDER CAN FAIL AND LEAK BRAKE FLUID.

    Consequence: 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.

  • EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS:SWITCH · Campaign 07V063000 · Feb 21, 2007

    Defect: ON CERTAIN PASSENGER, WAGON, AND CONVERTIBLE VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH OR WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL, A BRAKE LIGHT SWITCH MAY MALFUNCTION IF IT WAS INSTALLED INCORRECTLY.

    Consequence: 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 SEVERAL STAGGERED MAILINGS THROUGH SEPTEMBER 21, 2007. VEHICLES WITHIN THE MAKE, MODEL, AND MODEL YEAR OF THIS POPULATION MAY BE INVOLVED IN EITHER THIS RECALL OR 06V-183, BUT NOT BOTH. THE REMEDY IS THE SAME FOR EACH RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN DEALERS WILL APPLY THE REMEDY BASED ON THE VIN NUMBER OF THE VEHICLE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.