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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

Suspension complaints

20 reports
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19,880 miles · Jun 5, 2006
Electrical SystemFuel System, GasolineService Brakes, Hydraulic

VOLKSWAGEN 2004 TOUAREG SPORT UTILITY 4D HAS SERIOUS ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS RESULTING IN PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ON ALL 4 TIRES! FRONT 2 TIRES ARE DOWN TO METAL SHOWING WITH ONLY 19,880 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED SERVICES AND ROTATIONS. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHILE DRIVING! ALSO, PRE-MATURE WEAR OF FRONT & BACK BRAKE…

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VOLKSWAGEN 2004 TOUAREG SPORT UTILITY 4D HAS SERIOUS ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS RESULTING IN PREMATURE TIRE WEAR ON ALL 4 TIRES! FRONT 2 TIRES ARE DOWN TO METAL SHOWING WITH ONLY 19,880 MILES. CAR HAS BEEN IN FOR ALL SCHEDULED SERVICES AND ROTATIONS. ALMOST LOST CONTROL OF CAR WHILE DRIVING! ALSO, PRE-MATURE WEAR OF FRONT & BACK BRAKES & PADS DUE TO THE ALIGNMENT/TIRE PROBLEMS! CONDENSATION ON FRONT WINDSHIELD THAT DEFOGGER DOES NOT REMOVE. FUEL INJECTION RECALL THAT ON SERVICE BULLETIN STATED IT COULD RESULT IN A FIRE IF NOT FIXED! TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURE, ESP FAILURE, COMPUTER SOFTWARE FAILURE! *NM

NHTSA ODI #10158963

Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2006
Power TrainSuspensionTires

ALIGNMENT: SINCE ITS PURCHASE THE CAR WAS NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AT THE 5,000 MILES, 10,000 MILES, AND 20,000 MILES SERVICES. IT WAS NOT FIXED AT ALL. THE REPAIR SHEET STATED THAT CAR WAS FIXED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S STANDARDS. AT THE 20,000 MILES SERVICE I REQUESTED THE CAR TO REPAIRED BEFOR…

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ALIGNMENT: SINCE ITS PURCHASE THE CAR WAS NOT PROPERLY ALIGNED. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES, AT THE 5,000 MILES, 10,000 MILES, AND 20,000 MILES SERVICES. IT WAS NOT FIXED AT ALL. THE REPAIR SHEET STATED THAT CAR WAS FIXED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S STANDARDS. AT THE 20,000 MILES SERVICE I REQUESTED THE CAR TO REPAIRED BEFORE I TAKE IT BACK. THE DEALER TOLD ME THAT DUE TO THE UNEVEN TIRES THERE WAS NO WAY FOR THEM TO REPAIR THE ALIGNMENT, AND THAT THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT PROPERLY WAS TO REPLACE THE TIRES FIRST. I REPLACED THE TIRES AND BROUGHT THE CAR BACK. THE DEALER HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP FOR THREE DAYS THE FIRST TIME. WHEN I TESTED THE CAR AFTER THE FIRST TIME IT WAS NOT FIXED. I TOOK IT BACK AND HAD A DISPUTE WITH THE TECHNICIAN. WHEN OTHER TECHNICIANS TESTED THE CAR THE DEALER DECIDED TO KEEP FOR REPAIR. THE CAR WAS AT THE SHOP FOR TWO DAYS. WHEN IT WAS FINALLY DONE, THE CAR HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. COMPUTER SYSTEM: LIGHTS AND SIGNALS PERIODICALLY STOP WORKING. GAS SENSOR PERIODICALLY STOPS WORKING FOR DAYS. CD PLAYER. PERIODICALLY SKIPS AND DOES NOT WORK. TRANSMISSION: PERIODIC JERKING WHEN SHIFTING TO LOWER SPEEDS. SCREECHING SOUND COMES FROM THE FRONT RIGHT SIDE AFTER 20 -30 MINUTES OF DRIVING. TIRES WERE WORN OUT AFTER 10,000 MILES.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10148958

Mileage unknown · Dec 10, 2005
SteeringSuspension

ALIGNMENT ON 2004 VW TOUAREG IS HORRIBLE. TAKEN BACK AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED. TIRES ARE NOW SHOT BECAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. COMPUTER KEEPS BEEPING THAT THERE IS A FLAT TIRE WHEN THE AIR PRESSURE IS FINE WHEN CHECKED. TAKEN IN AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. SPEAKERS RATTLE AS IF THE…

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ALIGNMENT ON 2004 VW TOUAREG IS HORRIBLE. TAKEN BACK AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND IT HAS NEVER BEEN FIXED. TIRES ARE NOW SHOT BECAUSE OF THE ALIGNMENT PROBLEMS. COMPUTER KEEPS BEEPING THAT THERE IS A FLAT TIRE WHEN THE AIR PRESSURE IS FINE WHEN CHECKED. TAKEN IN AT LEAST 3 TIMES AND IT STILL HAS NOT BEEN FIXED. SPEAKERS RATTLE AS IF THEY ARE BLOWN....ALSO....NEVER BEEN FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144895

15,000 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Latches/locks/linkagesSuspensionTires

DOOR HANDLES STICK ON ALL FOUR DOORS. LAST YEAR, MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS I WENT AROUND A CORNER, THE PASSENGER DOOR FLUNG OPEN AND MY HUSBAND ALMOST FELL OUT. LUCKILY HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. THE DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE STARTED STICKING AGAIN. I HAVE …

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DOOR HANDLES STICK ON ALL FOUR DOORS. LAST YEAR, MY HUSBAND WAS IN THE PASSENGER SEAT AS I WENT AROUND A CORNER, THE PASSENGER DOOR FLUNG OPEN AND MY HUSBAND ALMOST FELL OUT. LUCKILY HE WAS WEARING HIS SEAT BELT. THE DOOR HANDLES WERE REPLACED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THE DOOR HANDLES HAVE STARTED STICKING AGAIN. I HAVE TO PULL THE HANDLE AND LET IT GO QUICKLY TO LOOSEN THE HANDLE SO IT CLOSES FULLY. I NOTICED WITH 1000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE THAT THERE WAS A PULL IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID IT NEEDED TO BE ALIGNED. THEY REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE ALIGNMENT, MY TIRES WERE COMPLETELY WORN TO THE TREAD BARS WITH 15,000 MILES ON ALL FOUR, THEY WERE CUPPED. THE MANUFACTURER REPLACED 2 TIRES AND I PAID FOR 2 TIRES AND A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. *NM *AK

NHTSA ODI #10142016

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2005
Suspension

CONSUMER VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG DRIFTS TO THE RIGHT. *TS *** NO ANSWER REQUIRED*** *SC

NHTSA ODI #10142123

10,000 miles · Oct 10, 2005
Electrical SystemSuspension

MY 2004 V8 TOUAREG IS ABSOLUTELY THE BIGGEST LEMON EVER BUILT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 11 FULL WEEKS THIS YEAR WITH A VARIETY OF ISSUES. THE TWO MOST SIGNIFICANT WHICH HAVE TAKEN VW 5 WEEKS EACH TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE ARE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONING AND THE PUMP TO CHANGE THE SUSPENSION HAS A…

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MY 2004 V8 TOUAREG IS ABSOLUTELY THE BIGGEST LEMON EVER BUILT. IT HAS BEEN IN THE DEALERSHIP FOR 11 FULL WEEKS THIS YEAR WITH A VARIETY OF ISSUES. THE TWO MOST SIGNIFICANT WHICH HAVE TAKEN VW 5 WEEKS EACH TO IDENTIFY AND RESOLVE ARE THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM WAS COMPLETELY MALFUNCTIONING AND THE PUMP TO CHANGE THE SUSPENSION HAS A LEAK. VW HAS BEEN COMPLETELY IN THE DARK ON THESE MAJOR PROBLEMS AND ONLY AFTER REPEATED TRIPS TO THE DEALER AND MANY DENIALS FROM VW DID THE ADMIT THAT THIS CAR IS AN OVER ENGINEERED AND POORLY BUILT CAR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10139174

Mileage unknown · Sep 18, 2005
Electrical SystemEquipmentSuspension

I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY VW TOUAREG V6. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR FAILURES IN DESIGN. FOOTLIGHT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF DUE TO TRUNK DOOR LATCH BEING BROKEN AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL AND THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD. I WAS GIVEN NEW TIRES, HOWEVER, WH…

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I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY VW TOUAREG V6. SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD NUMEROUS VISITS TO THE DEALER FOR FAILURES IN DESIGN. FOOTLIGHT WOULD NOT SHUT OFF WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF DUE TO TRUNK DOOR LATCH BEING BROKEN AT TIME OF PURCHASE. TIRES WERE WEARING FASTER THAN NORMAL AND THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD. I WAS GIVEN NEW TIRES, HOWEVER, WHEN I ASKED IF THIS COULD HAPPEN AGAIN, I WAS TOLD YES AND THEY WERE UNSURE WHAT VW WOULD DO IN THE FUTURE. TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF AT ANY TIME. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A MALFUNCTION THAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU HAVE NUMEROUS COMPUTER OPTIONS. IT CAME ON AFTER A TIRE ROTATION AND OIL CHANGE AND THE DEALER SAID "DON'T WORRY, IT WILL RESET ITSELF AND GO OFF".RADIO HAS MYSTERIOUSLY STOPPED WORKING FOR 24 HOURS AT A TIME. CAR HAS ACTUALLY BEEN DEAD ON TWO OCCASIONS AND HAS LEFT ME STRANDED. I WAS TOLD BY THE DEALER THAT THE BATTERY IN THE TOUAREG CAN'T SUPPORT THE CAR AND THE COMPUTER MODULES. I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE ABOUT THIS AS THE BATTERY WAS FULLY CHARGED. I WAS TOLD THIS WAS A MISTAKE BY VW AND I WOULD HAVE TO LIVE WITH IT. I WAS ALSO TOLD TO NOT DRIVE IN THE CITY AS THIS MAKES THE PROBLEM MUCH WORSE. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY AREN'T SURE HOW THAT HAPPENED, BUT SIMPLY RESETTING THE CAR MADE IT RETURN. CD PLAYER WOULD NOT WORK,CAR WAS "RESET". I FIND THIS CAR TO BE THE BIGGEST JOKE EVER MADE. I UNFORTUNATELY AM OVER THE MILEAGE FOR THE LEMON LAW IN MAINE (I HAVE 27,000MILES ON THE CAR). I REALLY THINK THINGS ARE GETTING WORSE IN MY CAR THE LONGER I HAVE THE THING. MY BIGGEST CONCERN WITH THE CAR IS THAT THERE IS A POSSIBILITY IT COULD STOP WORKING AT ANY MOMENT. I FEEL I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO CARRY A SELF JUMPING SYSTEM IN A PRACTICALLY BRAND NEW $34,000 CAR. I WAS ALSO TOLD BY MY DEALERSHIP WHEN I STATED I WAS THINKING OF SELLING THE CAR, THAT THEY DIDN'T BLAME ME AS THEY HAD HEARD A LOT OF PEOPLE SAY THAT ABOUT THE TOUAREG. YEAH, I FEEL REALLY SAFE WITH THIS CAR. I THINK IT IS TIME SOMEONE DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS CAR AND VW. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10136869

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2005
SuspensionTires

TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURE (TPMS) NO EVENTS LED TO FAILURE, SYSTEM JUST DISAPPEARED FROM CAR...TELLS ME I HAVE A FLAT TIRE WHEN I DON'T....TIRES LOSING PRESSURE NOW AND ALIGNMENT IS OFF FOR A SECOND TIME AFTER BEING SERVICED, TIRES WEARING INCORRECTLY AND AT A FAST RATE...THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE THAT NEED T…

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TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURE (TPMS) NO EVENTS LED TO FAILURE, SYSTEM JUST DISAPPEARED FROM CAR...TELLS ME I HAVE A FLAT TIRE WHEN I DON'T....TIRES LOSING PRESSURE NOW AND ALIGNMENT IS OFF FOR A SECOND TIME AFTER BEING SERVICED, TIRES WEARING INCORRECTLY AND AT A FAST RATE...THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM HERE THAT NEED TO BE INVESTIGATED WITH VW BEFORE ANOTHER FORD/TIRE SITUATION/DEATH HAPPENS TO ALL OF US NOW VW TOUAREG OWNERS. (2004 VW TOUAREG V6 OWNER: BRAND NEW!)*JB

NHTSA ODI #10132743

14,000 miles · Aug 5, 2005
Suspension

DT: CONTACT STATE THE TIRES WORE OUT AFTER ONLY 14,000 MILES. THE SERVICE DEALER REALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT UNTIL THE TIRES WORE OUT AND MADE NOISE, AND AT LOW SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AT THE …

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DT: CONTACT STATE THE TIRES WORE OUT AFTER ONLY 14,000 MILES. THE SERVICE DEALER REALIGNED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE TIRES. THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WERE NO INDICATIONS THAT VEHICLE WAS OUT OF ALIGNMENT UNTIL THE TIRES WORE OUT AND MADE NOISE, AND AT LOW SPEEDS THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATED. THE TIRES WERE ROTATED AT THE SERVICE DEALER BEFORE THE PROBLEM WITH THE ALIGNMENT BECAME EVIDENT. ALSO, THEY REPLACED A DEFECTIVE STEPPER MOTOR. CONSUMER ASKED THE DEALER IF THIS WOULD BE A RECURRING PROBLEM, AND THEY COULD NOT GIVE HIM A STRAIGHT ANSWER. IT WAS THE RECOMMENDATION OF THE MANUFACTURER, AND WAS FIXED ACCORDING TO VOLKSWAGEN STANDARDS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10131722

9,029 miles · Feb 24, 2005
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2004 DOES NOT STOP IN INCLEMENT WEATHER. *BF ALL FOUR TIRES WERE PRACTICALLY BALD AND THE VEHICLE NEEDED AN ALIGNMENT. THE FRONT TIRES WERE SLIGHTLY MORE WORN THAN THE REAR. ALSO, THE CLOCK WAS INOPERATIVE AND THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK UP ON SNOWY CONDITIONS. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10113633

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.