What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2004 Volkswagen Touareg

No clear pattern

17.8% of complaints about the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg arrived in its first year of service. That is an unusual figure for a 2004 vehicle, but with only 365 complaints on record the sample is too small to call it a pattern — the margin of error covers the range where ordinary vehicles sit. The figures below are reported without a verdict. The most-reported system is electrical system (52 complaints), typically at 2.3 yr or about 33,000 miles.

Complaints
365
Median age at failure
2.8 yr
Median mileage
38,200 n=246
Crash / fire / tow
11.2% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Electrical system
52 reports · 33,000 mi
2.3 yr
7.7%
Power train
48 reports · 45,000 mi
4.1 yr
8.3%
Tires
36 reports · 20,800 mi
2.1 yr
8.3%
Air bags
27 reports · 57,000 mi
4.7 yr
11.1%
Fuel / propulsion
23 reports · 101,000 mi
14.2 yr
0%
Engine cooling
22 reports · 19,165 mi
1.9 yr
18.2%
Speed control
21 reports · 8,000 mi
9 mo
4.8%
Suspension
21 reports · 19,880 mi
2.3 yr
4.8%
Service brakes, hydraulic
16 reports · 7,244 mi
1.4 yr
25%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

17V583000 2017-09-20
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Touareg vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel filter flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.

04V592000 2004-12-15
Seat belts

CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.

WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES OR DEATH.

04V233000 2004-05-19
Seat belts:rear/other

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.

IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

03V266000 2003-07-25
Electrical system:wiring

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED DURING ASSEMBLY. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED TPMS WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTACT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE SPRING.

IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TPMS WIRING CIRCUIT COULD BE INTERRUPTED, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE TPMS, AND CAUSING A SHORT-TO-GROUND CONDITION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 1,000 mi 1 mo in service
THE ELECTRONIC SAFETY PROGRAM MODULE MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH.*AK
Electrical system 77,000 mi 3 mo in service
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS WAS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE MANIFOLD. THE CLAMP FOR THESE WIRES BECAME TOO HOT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK *JB
Electrical system 8,079 mi 1 mo in service
2004 TOUAREG THAT HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE BATTERY FAILURES DUE TO EXCESSIVE DRAW. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED FOR MORE THAN 3-4 DAYS W/OUT EXPERIENCING BATTERY FAILURE. HAS BEEN TO VW SERVICE ON 3 OCCASSIONS FOR A TOTAL OF 40 BUSINESS DAYS. THE CAR HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURES WHICH COULD PROVIDE ERRONEOUS INFORMATION DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TIRE CONDITION. ACCORDINGLY, THE VEHICLE ISS UNRELIABLE, PRONE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WHICH COULD IMPACT OPERATOR, PASSENGER AND OTHER MOTORIST SAFETY.
Speed control mileage not reported 7 mo in service
VW TOURAGE- SEVERAL TIMES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE LOSES POWER AS THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS PLACED ME IN SITUATION WHERE ON COMING TRAFFIC NARROWLY STOPPED BEFORE COLLIDING WITH ME. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP AND WILL BE TAKING IT AGAIN NEXT MONDAY;HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS SUGGESTED IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SAFETY DEVIVE THAT IS SOME WAY CONNECTED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM.*AK

Other Touareg model years

20172016200820052004

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