IllustrationWHEN THE VEHICLE HAS SLOWED TO A NEAR STOP AND THE ACCELERATOR IS DEPRESSED, IT INITIALLY HESITATES, THEN SURGES FORWARD. THIS PREVENTS THE DRIVER FROM ACCELERATING SMOOTHLY AND COULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. I THINK THE ENGINE ECU MAY NEED A SOFTWARE UPDATE.*AK
2004 Volkswagen Touareg
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Touareg years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg are substantially higher than the model-year median of 27.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Touareg years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
710–25K
2225–50K
1950–75K
2875–100K
18100–150K
7150K+
165 reports with mileage · 66 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 50 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Tires. Review the 36 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports5 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
231 reportsWHILE ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE THEN STALL. CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS NO POWER. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND PROBLEM RECURRED. *AK THE DEALER FLASHED THE TRANSMISSION BUT THE PROBLEM RECURRED. *NM
WHEN MAKING RIGHT OR LEFT TURNS THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE HESITATED. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THAT THE FAILURE WOULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT. *AK *NM
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND VEHICLE MOVED INTERMITTENTLY ON ITS OWN. SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SE…
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WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE HESITATED. CONSUMER PRESSED DOWN ON THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND VEHICLE MOVED INTERMITTENTLY ON ITS OWN. SRS LIGHT APPEARED ON THE DASHBOARD AND REMAINED ON. CONSUMER DROVE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC PLACED THE VEHICLE ON A DIAGNOSTIC MACHINE. THE MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE SENSOR SHAFT FOR TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THIS PROBLEM WAS A DESIGN FLAW DEFECT. CONSUMER INFORMED THE MECHANIC THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT ACCEPTABLE AND HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED. *AK
TRANSMISSION HAS TERRIBLE SHIFT CHARACTERISTICS. UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE TRANSMISSION WON'T DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST OR WHEN IT DOES IT LAUNCHES YOU INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO STUMBLE BAD FROM A STOP IF IT HASN'T DOWNSHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR. I THINK THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR A SMOO…
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TRANSMISSION HAS TERRIBLE SHIFT CHARACTERISTICS. UNLESS THE VEHICLE IS COMPLETELY STOPPED, THE TRANSMISSION WON'T DOWNSHIFT TO 1ST OR WHEN IT DOES IT LAUNCHES YOU INTO THE CAR IN FRONT. THE VEHICLE SEEMS TO STUMBLE BAD FROM A STOP IF IT HASN'T DOWNSHIFTED INTO LOW GEAR. I THINK THE COMPUTER NEEDS TO BE REPROGRAMMED FOR A SMOOTHER START!*AK
CONSUMER APPLIED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL AND VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION NUMEROUS TIMES, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT IT WAS A SAFETY FEATURE. *AK *NM
THE CONSUMER STATED THE DEFOGGER DID NOT DEFROST THE WINDSHIELD EFFICIENTLY. THIS CAUSED POOR VISIBILITY TO THE DRIVER. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION TWICE. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *JB *NM
CONSUMER COMPLAINED ABOUT INTERMITTENT STALLING. WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AS IF THE MOTOR SHUT DOWN. WHEN THIS OCCURRED VEHICLE LOST POWER. HAS TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER, AND CONTACTED MANUFACTURER. YET NONE OF THEM SEEMED TO KNOW HOW TO RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
THE COMPUTER PROGRAM CONTROLLING THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATIONS TO THE ENGINE IS FLAWED. HE EXISTING PROGRAM ANTICIPATES THE DRIVERS INTENTIONS IN SLOWING TO A STOP IN THAT IT CANNOT ACCEPT A SUDDEN REQUEST FOR ACCELERATION FROM THE DRIVER BEFORE COMPLETING THE PREVIOUS ACTION. THIS CAUSES AN EXCESSIVE "DELAY" IN APPLYING THROTTL…
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THE COMPUTER PROGRAM CONTROLLING THE ACCELERATOR APPLICATIONS TO THE ENGINE IS FLAWED. HE EXISTING PROGRAM ANTICIPATES THE DRIVERS INTENTIONS IN SLOWING TO A STOP IN THAT IT CANNOT ACCEPT A SUDDEN REQUEST FOR ACCELERATION FROM THE DRIVER BEFORE COMPLETING THE PREVIOUS ACTION. THIS CAUSES AN EXCESSIVE "DELAY" IN APPLYING THROTTLE IN AN EMERGENCY SITUATION AND WHEN IT FINALLY DOES, IT COULD RESULT IN DEATH IN CERTAIN CONDITIONS. THE COMPUTER SHOULD BE PROGRAMMED TO ACCEPT AN EMERGENCY COMMAND OF THIS TYPE UNDER THE CONDITIONS DESCRIBED ABOVE. THIS HAS ALSO BEEN REPORTED AS A PAST CONDITION IN AUDI AUTOMOBILES THAT HAS BEEN TRANSFERRED INTO THE TAURAG IN 2004.*AK
THE COMPUTER PROGRAM CONTROLLING THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS FLAWED. THE COMPUTER WILL INDICATE (ON DASH DISPLAY) THAT A TIRE IS FLAT WHEN THE ACTUAL PRESSURE IS ABOUT 4 POUNDS EITHER HIGH OR LOW. IT WILL NOT SHOW THE ACTUAL TIRE INVOLVED OR CONDITION. IT ALSO CAUSES AN AUDIO ALARM TO BE SOUNDED CONTINUALLY UNTIL THE …
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THE COMPUTER PROGRAM CONTROLLING THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM IS FLAWED. THE COMPUTER WILL INDICATE (ON DASH DISPLAY) THAT A TIRE IS FLAT WHEN THE ACTUAL PRESSURE IS ABOUT 4 POUNDS EITHER HIGH OR LOW. IT WILL NOT SHOW THE ACTUAL TIRE INVOLVED OR CONDITION. IT ALSO CAUSES AN AUDIO ALARM TO BE SOUNDED CONTINUALLY UNTIL THE CAR IS PULLED OVER, STOPPED AND THE SYSTEM DISABLED FROM THE ON DASH CONTROLS. THIS IS NOT ALWAYS POSSIBLE WHEN ON A FREEWAY. THE ALARM IS TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY IN ERROR. *AK
Official recalls
417V583000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
Sep 20, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel filter flange for cracks, replacing the flange if cracks are found. If no cracks are found, a protective cover will be installed onto the filter flange. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Ai.
04V592000 · Seat Belts
Dec 15, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY INSTALL A 'CLIP' IN EACH OF THE TWO REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS. THE CLIPS WILL PREVENT UNWANTED DEACTIVATION OF THE ALR MODE WITH CHILD SEAT INSTALLATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
04V233000 · Seat Belts:rear/other
May 19, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
03V266000 · Electrical System:wiring
Jul 25, 2003
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TPMS WIRING HARNESS ROUTING AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-893-5298.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2PE06022 · Srs Warning Light Illumination
Opened Jun 19, 2006 · Closed Oct 30, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags; Air Bags:side/window
MY 2004-05 (TO 11/2004) TOUAREG VEHICLES HAVE A POTENTIALLY FAULTY/LOOSE SIDE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTOR THAT CAN CAUSE THE WIRING CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN LIMIT AND ILLUMINATE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG LIGHT.ON 02/2005, VW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #69-05-02) TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION.VW'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE CONNECTOR FAULT.HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS DUE TO AIR BAG LIGHT (ABL) ILLUMINATION.VW IS PLANNING TO INITIATE A TOUAREG SERVICE PACK/ CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) IN DECEMBER 2006.VW WILL REPLACE THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTOR WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION ON ALL REMAINING UNCORRECTED VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 11/2004.IN ADDITION, VW REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUILT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2003, MAY CONTAIN AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.THIS ALSO MAY PRODUCE ABL ILLUMINATION THAT WOULD BECOME EVIDENT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO SERVICE.WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THESE MODULES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND NO LONGER PRESENT A RISK.VW HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY ALLEGED SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT REPORT.ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Air Bags:side/window
MY 2004-05 (TO 11/2004) TOUAREG VEHICLES HAVE A POTENTIALLY FAULTY/LOOSE SIDE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTOR THAT CAN CAUSE THE WIRING CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN LIMIT AND ILLUMINATE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG LIGHT.ON 02/2005, VW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #69-05-02) TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION.VW'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE CONNECTOR FAULT.HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS DUE TO AIR BAG LIGHT (ABL) ILLUMINATION.VW IS PLANNING TO INITIATE A TOUAREG SERVICE PACK/ CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) IN DECEMBER 2006.VW WILL REPLACE THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTOR WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION ON ALL REMAINING UNCORRECTED VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 11/2004.IN ADDITION, VW REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUILT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2003, MAY CONTAIN AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.THIS ALSO MAY PRODUCE ABL ILLUMINATION THAT WOULD BECOME EVIDENT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO SERVICE.WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THESE MODULES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND NO LONGER PRESENT A RISK.VW HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY ALLEGED SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT REPORT.ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
Air Bags
MY 2004-05 (TO 11/2004) TOUAREG VEHICLES HAVE A POTENTIALLY FAULTY/LOOSE SIDE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTOR THAT CAN CAUSE THE WIRING CIRCUIT RESISTANCE TO EXCEED THE DESIGN LIMIT AND ILLUMINATE THE SUPPLEMENTAL RESTRAINT SYSTEM (SRS) AIR BAG LIGHT.ON 02/2005, VW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB #69-05-02) TO ADDRESS THIS CONDITION BY REPLACING THE CONNECTOR WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION.VW'S TESTING HAS SHOWN THAT PROPER DEPLOYMENT OF THE SIDE AIR BAG IS NOT AFFECTED BY THE CONNECTOR FAULT.HOWEVER, THERE ARE A LARGE NUMBER OF WARRANTY CLAIMS DUE TO AIR BAG LIGHT (ABL) ILLUMINATION.VW IS PLANNING TO INITIATE A TOUAREG SERVICE PACK/ CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN (CSC) IN DECEMBER 2006.VW WILL REPLACE THE SIDE AIR BAG WIRING CONNECTOR WITH A DIRECT CONNECTION ON ALL REMAINING UNCORRECTED VEHICLES BUILT PRIOR TO 11/2004.IN ADDITION, VW REPORTS THAT A SMALL NUMBER OF VEHICLES BUILT IN OCTOBER AND NOVEMBER 2003, MAY CONTAIN AN INCORRECTLY MANUFACTURED SIDE AIR BAG MODULE.THIS ALSO MAY PRODUCE ABL ILLUMINATION THAT WOULD BECOME EVIDENT SOON AFTER THE VEHICLE IS PUT INTO SERVICE.WARRANTY DATA INDICATES THAT THESE MODULES HAVE BEEN CORRECTED AND NO LONGER PRESENT A RISK.VW HAS NOT RECEIVED ANY ALLEGED SIDE AIR BAG NON-DEPLOYMENT REPORT.ACTION TAKEN BY THE MANUFACTURER IS SUFFICIENT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE RAISED BY THIS INVESTIGATION.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.
PE05042 · Exterior Door Handle Malfunction
Opened Aug 11, 2005 · Closed Dec 21, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Latches/locks/linkages:doors:latch
VW ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN (TSB) DATED JUNE 10, 2005, DESCRIBING A CONDITION OF EXTERIOR DOOR HANDLE STICKS IN THE OPENED POSITION AFTER THE DOOR IS OPENED.VW DESCRIBED THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM TO BE A POTENTIAL FOR INCREASED FRICTION BETWEEN THE DOOR HANDLE AND THE LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING . . . BECAUSE SOME GUIDE NUBS THAT WERE MOLDED INTO THE PLASTIC DOOR HANDLE . . . WERE SLIGHTLY HIGHER THAN SPECIFIED.IN ADDITION TO THE TSB, VW HAS INTRODUCED PRODUCTION CHANGES (LUBRICATION, DELETION OF THE GUIDE NUBS, INTRODUCTION OF A LOW FRICTION GUIDE SURFACE ON THE LOCK CYLINDER HOUSING) TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.VW REPORTS THAT THE FAILURE OCCURS PREDOMINANTLY IN THE VERY EARLY LIFE STAGE OF THE VEHICLE.ODI EXAMINATION OF VW'S WARRANTY DATA SHOWS FEWER CLAIMS AS THE VEHICLE AGES.THE ONE INJURY RESULTED WHEN THE UNLATCHED DOOR HIT THE OCCUPANT'S HAND.A SAFETY DEFECT TREND HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT NO SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT EXISTS.ODI WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR COMPLAINTS ANDRESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.