TRANSMISSION JUMPS, LUNGES, HAS DONE THIS SINCE 2009. THE DEALER STATES IT NEEDS REPLACING. SHOULD BE REPLACED BY VOLKSWAGEN.
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
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.
What owners actually said
231 reportsAIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AFTER CHANGING BATTERY. LOCAL MECHANICS CAN'T TURN IT OFF. DEALER WANTS LARGE AMOUNT TO "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SEATBAG WARNING SYSTEM COMING ON RANDOMLY...VERY DANGEROUS...AND VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS. THE OTHE…
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AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT COMES ON AFTER CHANGING BATTERY. LOCAL MECHANICS CAN'T TURN IT OFF. DEALER WANTS LARGE AMOUNT TO "DIAGNOSE" THE PROBLEM. SEVERAL OTHER OWNERS HAVE THE SAME ISSUE WITH THE SEATBAG WARNING SYSTEM COMING ON RANDOMLY...VERY DANGEROUS...AND VW KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR YEARS. THE OTHER ISSUE IS WITH THE ENGINE...THE 2004 TOUAREG ENGINE BLEW AT LESS THAN 50K...DEALER SAID WE MUST HAVE DRIVEN THE CAR WHEN IT WAS HOT. JUST NONSENSE. SEVERAL OTHERS HAVE HAD MAJOR PROBLEMS WITH THE TOUAREGS.. ENGINE PROBLEMS AND THE TRANSMISSIONS/ENGINES SURGE ON SLOWING DOWN OR EVEN SPEEDING UP. TONS OF PROBLEMS WITH THE VEHICLE LINE AND VW AMERICA AND GERMANY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT. THE ENGINE BLEW WHEN IT WAS ABOUT 100 DEGREES OUTSIDE.. WE ALWAYS SERVICE OUR VEHICLES REGULARLY.
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALARM WAS GOING OFF MORE FREQUENTLY AND TO SILENCE IT I WOULD PULL THE SPING ON THE BRAKE UP. THE BRAKE ALARM RANDOMLY WAS ANOYING BUT NOT A MAJOR CONCERN. I HADN'T HAD ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR UNTIL 01/23/16 I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND RECIEVED AN ERROR MESSAGE THE READ STEERING DEFECT AND IT W…
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THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALARM WAS GOING OFF MORE FREQUENTLY AND TO SILENCE IT I WOULD PULL THE SPING ON THE BRAKE UP. THE BRAKE ALARM RANDOMLY WAS ANOYING BUT NOT A MAJOR CONCERN. I HADN'T HAD ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR UNTIL 01/23/16 I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND RECIEVED AN ERROR MESSAGE THE READ STEERING DEFECT AND IT WOULDN'T ALLOW YOU TO START THE CAR BEYOND THE ERROR MESSAGE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGON MENTOR OHIO AFTER HOLDING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN A WEEK I WAS FINALLY OFFERED A DIAGNOSIS THAT THE ACCESS MODULAR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING MEANING THE BRAIN OF THE VEHICLE WASN'T FUNCTIONING AND THE VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T HAVE ANSWER TO HOW THIS HAPPENED THEY HAD A $2500 SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND THEY WERE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST IN REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCESS MODULAR WITH THERE HEARTY COST. THE BRAIN THE VOLKSWAGON ACCESS MODULAR STOPS FUNCTIONING AND VOLKSWAGEN AT NO FAULT OF MINE AND I'M CHARGED $2500 PLUS. MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE I UNDERSTAND BUT REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLES ACCESS MODULAR IS A REPAIR THAT I FEEL VOLKSWGON SHOULD COVER.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR EMMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FAST ENOUGH DUE TO AN RPM MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OXYGEN SENSOR EMMISSIONS WARNING LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE FAST ENOUGH DUE TO AN RPM MALFUNCTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 134,447.
DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS IN 2004 VW TOUAREG, LIGHTS GO OUT PERIODICALLY WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. THIS WAS AN ISSUE COVERED BY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. NOW VW WON'T EVEN TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT AND REFERS YOU TO AN 800 NUMBER THAT WAS DISCONNECTED YEARS AGO. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND VW IS RUNNING AWAY FROM THEIR LIABILITY. TYPICAL …
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DEFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS IN 2004 VW TOUAREG, LIGHTS GO OUT PERIODICALLY WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING. THIS WAS AN ISSUE COVERED BY A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. NOW VW WON'T EVEN TALK TO YOU ABOUT IT AND REFERS YOU TO AN 800 NUMBER THAT WAS DISCONNECTED YEARS AGO. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND VW IS RUNNING AWAY FROM THEIR LIABILITY. TYPICAL BEHAVIOR FOR VW.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE W…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING AT 50 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE SEAT AIR BAGS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FOR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING AT 45 MPH, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DIFFICULT TO DEPRESS. THE CONTACT HAD TO APPLY FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL IN ORDER TO STOP THE VEHICLE. ALL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT WAS UNSURE ABOUT WHAT REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 31,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
DRIVING ALONG IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION AND A LOUD THUMPING NOISE BEGINS IN THE TRANSMISSION HUMP UNDER THE ARMREST - FELT LIKE SOMETHING HEAVY HAD BECOME WRAPPED AROUND THE DRIVESHAFT AND WAS CAUSING INTENSE VIBRATION ABOVE 30MPH. PARK THE CAR AND TOW TO REPAIR SHOP AND LEARN THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD …
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DRIVING ALONG IN A RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOOD UNDER SLIGHT ACCELERATION AND A LOUD THUMPING NOISE BEGINS IN THE TRANSMISSION HUMP UNDER THE ARMREST - FELT LIKE SOMETHING HEAVY HAD BECOME WRAPPED AROUND THE DRIVESHAFT AND WAS CAUSING INTENSE VIBRATION ABOVE 30MPH. PARK THE CAR AND TOW TO REPAIR SHOP AND LEARN THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD BROKEN AND REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT. THIS IS A VEHICLE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN OFFROAD AND VAST MAJORITY OF MILES ARE COMMUTING ON THE FREEWAY AND GENERAL AROUND-TOWN DRIVING. NO WAY SHOULD A WELL-MAINTAINED VEHICLE DOING LIGHT HIGHWAY DRIVING SUFFER A DRIVESHAFT FAILURE AT ONLY 105K MILES. CLEARLY A DEFECT THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR. REPAIR BILL WAS APPROXIMATELY $1600.
AIRBAG MODULE DEFECTIVE WITH ONLY 54,496 MILES AND A $1200 COST TO FIX. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE! DASH LIGHTING HAS WENT ON AND OFF FOR AIRBAG. A WASHER PUMP DEFECTIVE, POWER TRAIN TRANSMISSION JUMPS AND HAS BEEN AN ONGOING PROBLEM AND KNOWN PROBLEM BY VOLKSWAGEN BUT NOBODY WANTS TO ADMIT THE DEFECT PROBLEM. *TR
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.
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