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2005 Volkswagen Touareg

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.5.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

58 reports with mileage · 17 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.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 16 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 14 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

0 crash reports0 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

75 reports
80,000 miles · Feb 4, 2014
Air Bags

AIR BAG DEFAULT LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS IS IF ONE AIR BAG IS INDICATED NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN ABOUT, BECAUSE IN 2005 IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AIR BAG CONNECTION PL…

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AIR BAG DEFAULT LIGHT CAME ON INDICATING PASSENGER AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY DURING A CRASH. THE OTHER PROBLEM WITH THIS IS IF ONE AIR BAG IS INDICATED NONE OF THE AIR BAGS WILL DEPLOY IN A CRASH. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE WHICH VOLKSWAGEN HAS KNOWN ABOUT, BECAUSE IN 2005 IT WAS FOUND THAT THE AIR BAG CONNECTION PLUG LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS TO SHORT AND WOULD COME DISCONNECTED CAUSING THE DEFAULT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO COME. I BELIEVE IN 2005 A FLASH PROGRAM WAS ISSUED FOR ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE AIR BAGS, THE FLASH PROGRAM WAS TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH WHEN THE KEY WAS PLACED INTO THE IGNITION AND THE PASSENGER SEAT IS MOVED WITHIN 10 SECONDS AFTER THE KEY WAS IN THE IGNITION THIS WOULD CAUSE THE DEFAULT AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT TO COME ON. BEFORE A MASS COMPLAINT COULD COME OUT VOLKSWAGEN DROP THE FLASH PROGRAMMING AND LEFT IT UP TO THE CONSUMER TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. I HAVE BROUGHT THIS UP WITH MY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHOM I BROUGHT THE TRUCK FROM AND CONTINUE TO HAVE ALL MAINTENANCE DONE BY THEM, THE DEALERSHIP TELLS ME THE SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED, AND THIS WILL COST BIG BUCKS FOR THE CONSUMER BECAUSE OF A BAD DESIGNED PRODUCT. THIS PROBLEM MANIFESTED AFTER THE ALARM SIREN STARTED TO GO OUT, AND TO FIND OUT LATER THAT THE ALARM SIREN HAS RECHARGEABLE WATCH TYPE BATTERIES, WHICH GOES BAD AND LEAKS ACID THEN CORRODES CAUSING SHORT IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM, BECAUSE THE BATTERIES ARE CHARGED BY THE CARS BATTERY. THIS POOR DESIGN WILL CAUSE YOU THE CONSUMER $2000.00 TO REPLACE AIR BAG SENSOR, ALARM SIREN AND YOUR MAIN CAR BATTERY. THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE VEHICLE AND I LOVE MY TRUCK BUT HATE WHEN PROBLEMS ARISE AND NO ONE HAVE ANY ANSWERS AND WHEN IT COMES TO A SAFETY DEVICES, LIKE "AIR BAGS" THE DEALERSHIP SHOULD JUMP ON A RESOLUTION INSTEAD OF RUNNING AWAY, BECAUSE AIR BAGS KILL MORE PEOPLE THAN A CRASH ITSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10562982

50,000 miles · Jul 18, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE CONTACT'S WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED RECENTLY AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN 30,000 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FAILED AND WAS REPAIRED UNDER THE CONTACT'S WARRANTY. THE FAILURE RECURRED RECENTLY AND THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE RECURRED LESS THAN 30,000 MILES LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10525578

110,000 miles · Jun 18, 2013
Engine

SIGN CONSISTENTLY APPEARS SAYING "OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM STOP ENGINE NOW" ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TRY TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, THIS COULD DAMAGE THE ENGINE BEYOND REPAIR. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS HAPPENING TO MANY VOLKSWAGEN BRANDS. THIS IS SOMETHING VOLKSWAGEN KNEW ABOUT AND SHOULD DO SOMETHING AB…

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SIGN CONSISTENTLY APPEARS SAYING "OIL PRESSURE PROBLEM STOP ENGINE NOW" ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU TRY TO EXIT THE FREEWAY. ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, THIS COULD DAMAGE THE ENGINE BEYOND REPAIR. THIS IS A FACTORY DEFECT THAT IS HAPPENING TO MANY VOLKSWAGEN BRANDS. THIS IS SOMETHING VOLKSWAGEN KNEW ABOUT AND SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT. VOLKSWAGEN CORPORATION SHOULD RECALL ALL VEHICLE WITH THIS PROBLEM AND FIX IT WITHOUT CURRENT OWNERS SUFFERING FOR IT. LET ME ADD THAT I HAVE CHANGED THE SWITCH, FLUSHED ENGINE, CHANGED OIL, CHANGED CATALYTIC CONVERTER, CHANGED OIL PUMP THAT CONNECTS THE OIL PAN WITH THE ENGINE, THE PROBLEM WOULD STOP FOR A WHILE AND COMES BACK AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10520489

50,000 miles · Mar 20, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

SMELL OF GAS AFTER REFUELING -- APPARENTLY SIMILAR TO MERCEDE BENZ --DEALER REPORTS THE GASKETS AT THE TOP OF THE FUEL TANK HAVE FAILED FOR A REPAIR COST OF $8-900.00: WATER COOLED ALTERNATOR FAILURE REQUIRING $8-900.00

NHTSA ODI #10504036

79,000 miles · Oct 28, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE HAS BEEN EMITTING AN ODOR OF GAS FOR SOME TIME. UPON INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL FILTER (ACCESSED UNDER THE REAR SEAT BUT PART OF THE FUEL TANK) HAD A 1/8" CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE FILTER ASSEMBLY. THIS CRACK WOULD LEAK GASOLINE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED (LIKELY DUE TO T…

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VEHICLE HAS BEEN EMITTING AN ODOR OF GAS FOR SOME TIME. UPON INVESTIGATION, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL FILTER (ACCESSED UNDER THE REAR SEAT BUT PART OF THE FUEL TANK) HAD A 1/8" CRACK IN THE TOP OF THE FILTER ASSEMBLY. THIS CRACK WOULD LEAK GASOLINE WHILE THE ENGINE WAS RUNNING AND EVEN AFTER THE ENGINE STOPPED (LIKELY DUE TO THE FUEL SYSTEM STILL BEING PRESSURIZED). LEAKED GASOLINE WAS FOUND THROUGHOUT THE TOP OF THE GAS TANK OBSERVED THROUGH TWO PORTS UNDER THE REAR BENCH SEAT. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON A POPULAR TOUAREG WEBSITE AND FOUND THAT 1 OR 2 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. I SUSPECT THIS IS A FIRE HAZARD GIVEN THE AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT HAS BEEN LEAKED. AND OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED A LEAK EMANATING FROM THE SAME LOCATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10482487

103,249 miles · Oct 19, 2012
Steering

THE STEERING LOCK AND WAS UNABLE TO OPEN OR MOVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10481074

93,522 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Visibility

SUN ROOF GLASS EXPLODED ON ITS OWN. NO REASON FOUND. VW SAYS PART IS NOT AVAILABLE... ANYWHERE. GLASS IS TEMPERED: MILLIONS OF SHARP FRAGMENTS ALL OVER INTERIOR AND DRIVER. LAMINATED GLASS WOULD BE A WISER DESIGN. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464005

93,900 miles · Jun 14, 2012
Seat BeltsSeats

I MANUALLY LOWERED THE REAR SEAT BACK TO ALLOW INCREASED CARGO AREA. AFTER REMOVING THE CARGO, I COULD NOT RAISE THE REAR SEAT BACK TO IT'S UPRIGHT POSITION. THE CENTER SEAT BELT HAD LOCKED IT SELF IN A WAY HOLDING THE SEAT BACK DOWN NOT ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO BE RAISED TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION. A RECALL WAS ISSUED 3-28-2005 RE…

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I MANUALLY LOWERED THE REAR SEAT BACK TO ALLOW INCREASED CARGO AREA. AFTER REMOVING THE CARGO, I COULD NOT RAISE THE REAR SEAT BACK TO IT'S UPRIGHT POSITION. THE CENTER SEAT BELT HAD LOCKED IT SELF IN A WAY HOLDING THE SEAT BACK DOWN NOT ALLOWING THE SEAT BACK TO BE RAISED TO AN UPRIGHT POSITION. A RECALL WAS ISSUED 3-28-2005 REGARDING THIS DANGEROUS SEAT BELT MALFUNCTION PROBLEM EFFECTING 50483 VEHICLES BUT FELL SHORT IN FAILING TO INCLUDE THE CENTER REAR SEAT BELT IN THE RECALL. NEITHER THE MANUFACTURER NOR THE DEALER ARE LEGALLY OBLIGED TO FIX THIS SITUATION AT THEIR COST. AT THIS TIME MY ONLY OPTION IS TO PAY THE DEALER TO UN-BOLT ALL THREE REAR SEAT BELTS FROM THE FRAME, REMOVE AND DISASSEMBLE THE ENTIRE REAR SEAT, REMOVE THE CENTER SEAT BELT FROM INSIDE THE SEAT BACK, INSTALL A NEW AND WORKING SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY AND FINALLY, PUT THE CAR BACK TOGETHER ALL TO THE TUNE OF THEIR HOURLY RATE PLUS PARTS. IN THE MEAN TIME, MY 5 PASSENGER CAR IS A 2 PASSENGER CAR. HOPE TO HAVE A RESPONSE SOON. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION IN THIS FRUSTRATING SITUATION.

NHTSA ODI #10461787

93,700 miles · Jun 14, 2012
Seat Belts

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT WAS RECLINED FOR UTILIZATION OF THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE SEAT BACK INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, BUT THE SEAT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT LATCH WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO BE R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MIDDLE ROW SEAT WAS RECLINED FOR UTILIZATION OF THE TRUNK. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE SEAT BACK INTO AN UPRIGHT POSITION, BUT THE SEAT WOULD NOT BUDGE. THE CONTACT DISCOVERED THAT THE SEAT BELT LATCH WAS LOCKED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW THE SEAT TO BE RETURNED UPRIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V592000 (SEAT BELTS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 93,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,000.

NHTSA ODI #10461770

Mileage unknown · Feb 23, 2012
Electrical SystemSteering

2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE INSERTS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT START. THE CONSUMER STATED IF HE REMOVED THE KEY, PRESSED THE LOCK BUTTON AND THEN THE UNLOCK THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, THEN TRY AGAIN, THE VEHICLE GENERALLY STARTED UP. WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, THE VEHIC…

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2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER STATES WHEN HE INSERTS THE KEY INTO THE IGNITION TO START THE VEHICLE, IT DOES NOT START. THE CONSUMER STATED IF HE REMOVED THE KEY, PRESSED THE LOCK BUTTON AND THEN THE UNLOCK THE BUTTON ON THE KEY FOB, THEN TRY AGAIN, THE VEHICLE GENERALLY STARTED UP. WHEN THE VEHICLE DID NOT START, THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE TO BE TOWED, AS THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT OUT OF PARK. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER 12 TIMES TO CORRECT THE SAME ISSUE. TO DATE, THE ACCESS/START MODULE WAS REPLACED FOUR TIMES, THE STEERING COLUMN WAS REPLACED THREE TIMES, THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS REPLACED TWICE, THE J519 VEHICLE ELECTRICAL CONTROL UNIT AND BATTERY WERE ALSO REPLACED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10449798

Official recalls

2

17V583000 · 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.

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

2

PE06022 · 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.