2004 Volkswagen TOUAREG problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
231 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
35,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 163 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 36 of 231 complaints (15.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Electrical and battery issues | 38 | 16.5% |
| Braking behavior | 37 | 16.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 31 | 13.4% |
| Steering behavior | 16 | 6.9% |
| Engine operation | 15 | 6.5% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 5.2% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 36 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 26 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 23 |
| Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems | 23 |
| Air Bags | 20 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 17 |
| Steering | 12 |
| Suspension | 12 |
Electrical System: 36; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 26; Fuel/Propulsion System: 23; Tires:Pressure Monitoring And Regulating Systems: 23; Air Bags: 20; Vehicle Speed Control: 17; Steering: 12; Suspension: 12
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 71 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 22 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 19 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 28 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 18 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 71; 25,000 to 49,999: 22; 50,000 to 74,999: 19; 75,000 to 99,999: 28; 100,000 to 149,999: 18; 150,000 and above: 5
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (71). 68 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2003 | 2 |
| 2004 | 42 |
| 2005 | 48 |
| 2006 | 20 |
| 2007 | 17 |
| 2008 | 7 |
| 2009 | 6 |
| 2010 | 17 |
| 2011 | 3 |
| 2012 | 5 |
| 2013 | 5 |
| 2014 | 8 |
| 2015 | 5 |
| 2016 | 6 |
| 2017 | 14 |
| 2018 | 11 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2003: 2; 2004: 42; 2005: 48; 2006: 20; 2007: 17; 2008: 7; 2009: 6; 2010: 17; 2011: 3; 2012: 5; 2013: 5; 2014: 8; 2015: 5; 2016: 6; 2017: 14; 2018: 11; 2019: 6; 2020: 2; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Electrical and battery issues appears in 38 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 37 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 31 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10053967 · 2004-02-19 (February 19, 2004)
ELECTRICAL WIRING HARNESS WAS MOUNTED TOO CLOSE TO THE MANIFOLD. THE CLAMP FOR THESE WIRES BECAME TOO HOT AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO STALL. *AK *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 77,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10053967 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10060804 · 2004-03-09 (March 9, 2004)
2004 TOUAREG THAT HAS EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE BATTERY FAILURES DUE TO EXCESSIVE DRAW. THE VEHICLE CANNOT BE LEFT UNATTENDED FOR MORE THAN 3-4 DAYS W/OUT EXPERIENCING BATTERY FAILURE. HAS BEEN TO VW SERVICE ON 3 OCCASSIONS FOR A TOTAL OF 40 BUSINESS DAYS. THE CAR HAS ALSO EXPERIENCED MULTIPLE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILURES WHICH COULD PROVIDE ERRONEOUS INFORMATION DIRECTLY RELATED TO THE TIRE CONDITION. ACCORDINGLY, THE VEHICLE ISS UNRELIABLE, PRONE TO ELECTRICAL SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONS WHICH COULD IMPACT OPERATOR, PASSENGER AND OTHER MOT…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,079 miles reported. Look up ODI 10060804 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10054962 · 2004-01-27 (January 27, 2004)
2004 VW TOUAREG V8. THESE VEHICLES EXHIBITS FREQUENT BUT INCONSISTENT DELAY IN THROTTLE RESPONSE. THIS ISSUE ARISES MOST OFTEN IN HEAVY TRAFFIC WHEN THE DRIVER COMES TO A ROLLING STOP. WHEN SHIFTING INPUTS FROM THE BRAKE TO THE THROTTLE THE VEHICLE WILL FREQUENTLY EXHIBIT A 1-2 SECOND DELAY BEFORE THERE IS ANY RESPONSE FROM THE ENGINE. THIS HAS TWO DANGEROUS CONSEQUENCES. FIRST, THE DRIVER MAY INCREASE THE THROTTLE PRESSURE WAITING FOR A RESPONSE, THEN GETTING MORE THEN EXPECTED ACCELERATION WHEN THE ENGINE FINALLY RESPONDS. SECOND, THE …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10054962 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10066214 · 2004-04-15 (April 15, 2004)
VW TOURAGE- SEVERAL TIMES WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP THE ENGINE LOSES POWER AS THE VEHICLE BEGINS TO ACCELERATE. THIS HAS PLACED ME IN SITUATION WHERE ON COMING TRAFFIC NARROWLY STOPPED BEFORE COLLIDING WITH ME. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE IN THE SHOP AND WILL BE TAKING IT AGAIN NEXT MONDAY;HOWEVER, THEY HAVE NOT FOUND THE PROBLEM. THE DEALER HAS SUGGESTED IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH A SAFETY DEVIVE THAT IS SOME WAY CONNECTED TO THE BRAKING SYSTEM.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10066214 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10056401 · 2004-02-03 (February 3, 2004)
MY 2004 VW TOUAREG HAS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE WITH ITS TRANSMISSION. WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR LOW SPEED THE TRUCK HESITATES AND THEN LURCHES FORWARD. I HAVE CONTACTED VW AND THE DEALERSHIP WITH NO RESOLUTION. I HAVE TALKED WITH OTHER TOUAREG OWNERS AND THEY HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT, SO IT APPEARS TO BE AFFECTING MORE THAN A SINGLE VEHICLE. I WOULD ASK THE NHTSA TO HELP TOUAREG OWNERS BY FORCING VW TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS ISSUE AND FIND A RESOLUTION BEFORE THERE IS A FATALITY DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10056401 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10058921 · 2004-02-24 (February 24, 2004)
STEERING WHEEL AIRBAG MODULE (HORN AREA) "POPPED" OUT OF PLACE WHILE THE CAR WAS PARKED. AIRBAG MODULE WAS THEN NO LONGER SEATED PROPERLY. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 3,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10058921 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106396 · 2005-01-15 (January 15, 2005)
WHILE PULLING INTO THE APT. PARKING LOT THE BRAKES FAILED AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED, THERE WAS AN ALERT ON THE CONTROL SCREEN BUT I AM NOT SURE WHAT IT SAID. AS A RESULT THE CAR DROVE OVER A FIRE HYDRANT AND HIT THE TRUNK OF A CAR PARKED NEXT TO THE HYDRANT. BOTH FRONT WHEELS WERE DAMAGED AND THE DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL CAME COMPLETELY OFF. THERE WERE NO PHYSICAL INJURIES AND ONLY ONE PERSON (TOM) WAS INVOLVED IN THE ACCIDENT. THE POLICE WERE CALLED AND THE OFFICER STATED THAT THE BRAKES FELT "MUSHY." NO TICKETS WERE ISSUED. STILL WAITING F…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,244 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106396 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10061792 · 2004-03-10 (March 10, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS VEHICLE STALLED, FORCING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO BE INSPECTED, AND MECHANIC COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10061792 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10179235 · 2007-01-20 (January 20, 2007)
I BOUGHT A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG NEW AND TREATED IT LIKE A BABY. DEALER SERVICE, NEVER OFF-ROAD. AT 80,000 MILES (I COMMUTE 200 MILES PER DAY ON THE FREEWAY) THE ENGINE BLEW. DEALER SAID THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN PARKED AND TURNED OFF THE FUEL INJECTOR PARTIALLY FILLED A CYLINDER WITH LIQUID GASOLINE. LATER WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STARTED THE PISTON SLAMMED INTO THE LIQUID AND BLEW THE ENGINE. PARTS ALONE TO REPAIR ARE $15,000. SINCE THE COST OF REPAIRS EXCEEDS THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE I WON'T BE REPAIRING IT -- IT IS A TOTAL LOSS. *…
Owner-reported narrative. 80,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10179235 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10464651 · 2012-07-09 (July 9, 2012)
IN PREVIOUS WEEKS, SEVERAL INTERMITTENT MIL LIGHTS FOR LOOSE GAS CAP CAME ON AND OFF. CHECKED CODES, FOUND "LARGE EVAP LEAK" IN THE MEMORY WHICH CONFIRMED THE GAS CAP SUSPICION. I FOUND SEVERAL SMALL CRACKS IN THE SEAL AND WAS PLANNING ON REPLACING THE CAP. FAINT GASOLINE ODOR COULD BE DETECTED AFTER SHUTDOWN AND WHILE STORED IN GARAGE OVERNIGHT. TODAY, IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING A FILL-UP TO THE AUTO SHUTOFF LEVEL, A LARGE AMOUNT OF GASOLINE BEGAN DRIPPING FROM THE MID-LEFT UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR IN VERY CLOSE PROXIMITY TO HOT EXHAUST PARTS. (IGN…
Owner-reported narrative. 101,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10464651 at NHTSA ↗