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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

23 reports
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94,690 miles · Jan 27, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON MY VEHICLE BACK ON SEPTEMBER 20TH 2017, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 23RD 2017 TO FIND OUT A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, THEY ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY YET BUT WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN THERE WAS. IT HAS NOT BEEN ALMOST 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED WITH NO CONTACT FROM DEALER OR RESOLU…

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THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED ON MY VEHICLE BACK ON SEPTEMBER 20TH 2017, I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP ON OCTOBER 23RD 2017 TO FIND OUT A RESOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM, THEY ADVISED THERE WAS NOT A REMEDY YET BUT WOULD CONTACT ME WHEN THERE WAS. IT HAS NOT BEEN ALMOST 6 MONTHS SINCE THE RECALL WAS ISSUED WITH NO CONTACT FROM DEALER OR RESOLUTION. THIS VEHICLE IS USED BY MY WIFE TO TRANSPORT MY CHILDREN AND IT IS UNSAFE, AS WE HAVE STARTED TO SMELL GASOLINE IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE, I HAVE NO NOTICED ANY MAJOR LEAKS YET BUT I DO NOT WANT HER DRIVING THE VEHICLE UNTIL IT IS FIXED AND IT SHOULD NOT TAKE 6 MONTHS TO DO SO

NHTSA ODI #11065404

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

SMELT FUEL COMING FROM REAR BENCH SEAT - - OPENED COVERS TO SEE CRACKS IN BOTH FUEL FILTER CARTRIDGES. HAD THE FUEL FILTERS AND CARTRIDGES ON BOTH SIDES REPLACED AND CHECKED BY VW DEALERSHIP IN FAIRFIELD, CA.

NHTSA ODI #11064309

173,532 miles · Jan 10, 2018
Fuel/propulsion System

ONE MORNING IN JUNE 2017 MY HUSBAND STOPPED FOR GAS. AFTER GETTING GAS HE STARTED TO TURN OUT OF THE GAS STATION WHEN OUR CAR (2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG) STOPPED MOVING AND SHUT DOWN. MY HUSBAND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START AND MOVE THE CAR, BUT TO NO AVAIL.THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED (AT OUR EXPENSE) TO OUR LOCAL GAS STATION.THE GAS …

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ONE MORNING IN JUNE 2017 MY HUSBAND STOPPED FOR GAS. AFTER GETTING GAS HE STARTED TO TURN OUT OF THE GAS STATION WHEN OUR CAR (2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG) STOPPED MOVING AND SHUT DOWN. MY HUSBAND TRIED SEVERAL TIMES TO START AND MOVE THE CAR, BUT TO NO AVAIL.THE CAR HAD TO BE TOWED (AT OUR EXPENSE) TO OUR LOCAL GAS STATION.THE GAS STATION PERFORMED $1,164.16 WORTH OF WORK. THEY DID AN EXCELLENT JOB OF LOCATING THE PROBLEM AND FIXING IT FOR A REASONABLE PRICE. IN NOVEMBER 2017 WE RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE RECALL IS 'SAFETY RECALL 20AI - FUEL FILTER FLANGE.' HOWEVER, THE RECALL NOTICE STATED THAT VW DOES NOT HAVE A FIX YET FOR THE ISSUE.THIS APPEARS TO BE THE ISSUE THAT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR. WE CHATTED ONLINE WITH A VW AGENT, EXPLAINED EVERYTHING AND SHE SAID THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AT THIS POINT. THE VW AGENT PROVIDED ME WITH A CASE #(171803619), BUT SAID THAT THERE WAS NO FIX AND, THAT UNTIL VW CAME UP WITH A FIX, THERE WOULD BE NO WAY THAT WE COULD RECOUP OUR MONEY SPENT. WE DIDN'T UNDERSTAND HOW THEY DO NOT HAVE A FIX, SINCE IT HAPPENED TO OUR CAR AND IT'S FIXED AND RUNNING FINE TODAY. WE'D LIKE TO RECOUP OUR MONEY SPENT OUT OF POCKET FOR WHAT SEEMS TO BE A SAFETY RECALL WHICH NO ONE IS DOING ANYTHING ABOUT.

NHTSA ODI #11061975

Mileage unknown · Dec 26, 2017
Air BagsEngineFuel/propulsion System

DRIVE IT SHORT DISTANCE AND IT WON'T START AGAIN FOR HOURS! HAVE TAKEN IT TO VW TO PUT ON BRAKES AND ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT, FOUND NOTHING! THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS RECALL SINCE APRIL 2017 SHOWS AIR BAG LIGHT ON ALL THE TIME !

NHTSA ODI #11056565

Mileage unknown · Dec 12, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

THIS IS A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE WAY THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS HANDLING THE SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 (FUEL PUMP FLANGE). MY CAR SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE AND I HAD RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL, SO TOOK MY CAR INTO VOLKSWAGEN IMMEDIATELY AS DIRECTED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT YET HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART, BUT THAT THEY CO…

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THIS IS A COMPLAINT REGARDING THE WAY THAT VOLKSWAGEN IS HANDLING THE SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 (FUEL PUMP FLANGE). MY CAR SMELLED LIKE GASOLINE AND I HAD RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL LETTER IN THE MAIL, SO TOOK MY CAR INTO VOLKSWAGEN IMMEDIATELY AS DIRECTED. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY DO NOT YET HAVE THE REPLACEMENT PART, BUT THAT THEY COULD "PATCH" THE PROBLEM BY REPLACING THE FLANGE WITH A NEW FLANGE. HOWEVER, I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR THE FLANGE REPLACEMENT ($590), AND THEN ONCE THE RECALL IS "VALIDATED" AND THE REPLACEMENT PART COMES IN, THEY WOULD REPAIR THE CAR AND THEN I COULD SEND IN MY RECEIPT FOR VW TO RE-REIMBURSE ME. THEY SAID THAT IF I DID NOT PAY FOR THE TEMPORARY REPAIR THAT I WOULD BE DRIVING MY CAR AT MY OWN RISK. I DO NOT HAVE AN EXTRA $590 LYING AROUND TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR, EVEN IF AT SOME POINT IN THE FUTURE I MIGHT BE REIMBURSED.

NHTSA ODI #11054159

109,000 miles · Dec 4, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 20AI REGARDING MY VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL AS IT INVOLVES THE FUEL POSSIBLE LEAKAGE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE, AND I AM SUPPOSED WATCH OUT FOR FUEL LEAK/SMELL !!! I AM NOW NOT ENJOYING DRIVING MY CAR AND FEELING IT IS SAFE ANYMORE FOR KIDS. I AM REQUESTIN…

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I RECEIVED A SAFETY RECALL 20AI REGARDING MY VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG, IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY RECALL AS IT INVOLVES THE FUEL POSSIBLE LEAKAGE; HOWEVER, THE RECALL REPAIR IS NOT YET AVAILABLE, AND I AM SUPPOSED WATCH OUT FOR FUEL LEAK/SMELL !!! I AM NOW NOT ENJOYING DRIVING MY CAR AND FEELING IT IS SAFE ANYMORE FOR KIDS. I AM REQUESTING THAT THIS SAFETY RECALL BE FIXED RIGHT NOW. I DON'T KNOW HOW, BUT PROBABLY THE CAR MAKER KNOWS, AS HE KNEW HOW TO MANUFACTURE, SELL AND MAKE PROFIT OUT OF THESE CARS.

NHTSA ODI #11052407

169,000 miles · Nov 21, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

I SMELL GAS INSIDE THE CAR AND YESTERDAY I GOT MAIL FROM VOLKSWAGEN ABOUT A RECALL BECAUSE OF A CRACKED FUEL PUMP FLANGE.

NHTSA ODI #11047699

140,000 miles · Oct 24, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE STARTS LEAKING A LOT OF GAS WHEN I GAS ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE BACK HOME AFTER WORK I HAD TO CALL A TOWN TRUCK BECAUSE I WAS SCARED IT COULD IT EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING VW SHOULD PUT MORE ATTENTION THIS MISTAKES COULD END UP IN FATALITY. FOR EXAMPLE I USE TO SIT MY 5 YEARS OLD CHILD ON TOP OF …

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TAKATA RECALL VEHICLE STARTS LEAKING A LOT OF GAS WHEN I GAS ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE BACK HOME AFTER WORK I HAD TO CALL A TOWN TRUCK BECAUSE I WAS SCARED IT COULD IT EXPLODE WHILE DRIVING VW SHOULD PUT MORE ATTENTION THIS MISTAKES COULD END UP IN FATALITY. FOR EXAMPLE I USE TO SIT MY 5 YEARS OLD CHILD ON TOP OF THIS FUEL PUMP RIGHT BEHIND THE DRIVER SIDE WHAT IF IT XPLODE ?? WHO'S GOING TO TAKE THAT

NHTSA ODI #11039457

95,171 miles · Oct 10, 2017
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED UP, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INTO THE VENTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIG…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS FUELED UP, A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED INTO THE VENTS. THE CONTACT NOTICED A PUDDLE OF FUEL UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V583000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,171.

NHTSA ODI #11032774

Mileage unknown · Oct 6, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

SOME WEEKS AGO, THE TV NEWS REPORTED A RECALL FOR MY VEHICLE. I HAVE HAD NO OTHER NOTIFICATION. I HAVE LIVED HERE FOR 51 YEARS AND HAVEN'T CHANGED MY PHONE NUMBER. WHAT IS MOST DISTURBING IS THAT YOUR WEBSITE KNOWS NOTHING ABOUT THIS!!! BESIDES CASHING YOUR PAYCHECK, WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO TO JUSTIFY BREATHING???

NHTSA ODI #11032057

Official recalls

4

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.

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

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.