VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG · model year

2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG

373 NHTSA complaints, 16 crash reports, and 4 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2004VOLKSWAGENTOUAREG carries 373 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 16 crashes, 14 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2004 TOUAREG is electrical system with 36 filings, followed by power train:automatic transmission (26) and tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems (23). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 4 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2004 TOUAREG, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

373
Complaints
16
Crashes
14
Fires
14
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

373 filings

Crashes Reported

16 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM36
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION26
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS23
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM23
AIR BAGS20
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL17
STEERING12
TIRES12
SUSPENSION12
POWER TRAIN11
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING10
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC10
EXTERIOR LIGHTING10
SUSPENSION:FRONT7
ENGINE7

Recalls (4)

03V26600025/07/2003

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING

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.

17V58300020/09/2017

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

04V23300019/05/2004

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.

04V59200015/12/2004

SEAT BELTS

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

Recent Complaints

20251109FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I have contacted Volkswagen about my recall over a month ago the man claimed he ordered the parts and would be in contact but has never contacted me ever since and since then my vehicle has completely stopped working and the gas smell is at a very dangerous level

20250904FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The flange for the fuel does not leak from that i can see couse if it was leaking it would be on the ground.

20241024EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Hello: this is the 2nd VW TOUAREG this year to repair so far, this one is a 2004 model that I have had to replace complete left & right xenon headlamp assembly Very pricy. Wiring insulation turns brittle, cracks & falls off inside the headlamp assembly, This allows the bare wires to touch & short causing fuses to blow shutting off headlamps while driving at night. This I think should be recalled, I have fixed 5 of these TOUAREGs in 4 years for this same problem. THANK YOU 10/24/24

20230424FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My SUV was sitting for a few days at the airport and I when I got in the car, it started fine but the headlights, interior lights, power folding mirrors and the voltmeter were not working. I had to leave the car there since it was night time. The next day I drove it home in daylight and started checking fuses. I noticed two fuses (#2, #12) on the driver side fuse panel were failed. I replaced the #2, 5 amp, fuse and no changes were noticed. Then I replaced the #12, 25 amp, fuse and I heard a number of systems clicking and powering on; the lights flickered. Then I smelled burning and saw a puff of smoke come from under the dash. I immediately pulled the fuse . After troubleshooting, I found the body control module 7L6-937-049-K had caught fire internally and started to burn through the casing. Had I not pulled the fuse and disconnected the battery, this could have been catastrophic. Once I smelled the smoke, I realized it was like the acrid smell in the suv the night before. The fact t

20230424FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

My SUV was sitting for a few days at the airport and I when I got in the car, it started fine but the headlights, interior lights, power folding mirrors and the voltmeter were not working. I had to leave the car there since it was night time. The next day I drove it home in daylight and started checking fuses. I noticed two fuses (#2, #12) on the driver side fuse panel were failed. I replaced the #2, 5 amp, fuse and no changes were noticed. Then I replaced the #12, 25 amp, fuse and I heard a number of systems clicking and powering on; the lights flickered. Then I smelled burning and saw a puff of smoke come from under the dash. I immediately pulled the fuse . After troubleshooting, I found the body control module 7L6-937-049-K had caught fire internally and started to burn through the casing. Had I not pulled the fuse and disconnected the battery, this could have been catastrophic. Once I smelled the smoke, I realized it was like the acrid smell in the suv the night before. The fact t

20220614FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. The vehicle had previously been serviced at the dealer under NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V583000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the fuel pump failed after the recall repair was performed. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with fuel pump failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20211125FireENGINE

Leaking gas caught on fire put it out but now I have no head lights no high beams replaced everything still nothing. All lights on dash go crazy kills battery all the time and had to replace something in the rear end. Overall it has cost me $2500 and I still have no headlights at all and leaking gas. It’s my only vehicle I hope next time it doesn’t catch back on fire could have been worse and still could be. Somebody could get hurt and I have kids.

20211125FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Leaking gas caught on fire put it out but now I have no head lights no high beams replaced everything still nothing. All lights on dash go crazy kills battery all the time and had to replace something in the rear end. Overall it has cost me $2500 and I still have no headlights at all and leaking gas. It’s my only vehicle I hope next time it doesn’t catch back on fire could have been worse and still could be. Somebody could get hurt and I have kids.

20211125FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

Leaking gas caught on fire put it out but now I have no head lights no high beams replaced everything still nothing. All lights on dash go crazy kills battery all the time and had to replace something in the rear end. Overall it has cost me $2500 and I still have no headlights at all and leaking gas. It’s my only vehicle I hope next time it doesn’t catch back on fire could have been worse and still could be. Somebody could get hurt and I have kids.

20210628AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated while driving approximately 75 mph, the driver’s side curtain air bag deployed inadvertently. Due to the inadvertent air bag deployment, the vehicle failed to restart. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

Mileage: 90,000

20201117FireELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LIGHT WENT OUT ON DARK ROAD. NEARLY CRASHED. FOUND INSULATION ON WIRES FOR LIGHTS DETERIORATED. HARNESS WAS MELTED LOWER IN THE FENDER. ONLINE SEARCH FOUND SAME ISSUE IS COMMON AND INCLUDED FIRES.

Mileage: 110,000

20201117FireEXTERIOR LIGHTING

LIGHT WENT OUT ON DARK ROAD. NEARLY CRASHED. FOUND INSULATION ON WIRES FOR LIGHTS DETERIORATED. HARNESS WAS MELTED LOWER IN THE FENDER. ONLINE SEARCH FOUND SAME ISSUE IS COMMON AND INCLUDED FIRES.

Mileage: 110,000

20200809FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SUV IS NOT GETTING GAS TO ENGINE

Mileage: 1

20191204FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THERE IS A STRONG SMELL OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR AFTER THE CAR HAS BEEN DRIVEN (OR WHILE IT'S DRIVING, BUT IT'S NOT OFTEN I'M OUTSIDE OF THE CAR WHILE IT'S RUNNING). THIS IS DUE TO THE PLASTIC HOUSING ON THE FUEL PUMP THAT HAS DEVELOPED A CRACK, AND IS LEAKING GASOLINE. THIS IS SIMILAR TO ANOTHER RECALL, 17V583000, WHICH IS FOR THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE, BUT VW IS SAYING THEY WILL NOT COVER IT UNDER THAT BECAUSE THIS IS THE HOUSING, NOT THE FLANGE. BUT IT'S THE SAME RESULT...

Mileage: 85,000

20190820SERVICE BRAKES

LIGHTS ON THE DASH COME ON HILL ASSIST SHUTS ON AND OFF BY ITSELF BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SUNROOF HAS OPEN BY ITSELF AC HAS STOPPED WORKING AND THE NEXT DAY WORKS AGAIN HEATED STEERING WHEEL WORKS WHEN IT WANTS THIS HAPPENED WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET HAS POINTED TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THIS IS AN EVERYDAY THING

Mileage: 131,403

20190820ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

LIGHTS ON THE DASH COME ON HILL ASSIST SHUTS ON AND OFF BY ITSELF BRAKE LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF SUNROOF HAS OPEN BY ITSELF AC HAS STOPPED WORKING AND THE NEXT DAY WORKS AGAIN HEATED STEERING WHEEL WORKS WHEN IT WANTS THIS HAPPENED WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING OR SITTING STILL EVERYTHING I HAVE READ ON THE INTERNET HAS POINTED TO AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE THIS IS AN EVERYDAY THING

Mileage: 131,403

20190708ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY @ 70MPR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STARTS ACTING SLUGGISH FOR A MIN THEN BACK TO NORMAL, AND RANDOMLY FOR THE NEXT HOUR OR SO DOES(I HAD A WAYS TO GO) THIS A FEW MORE TIMES. I GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND LET HER REST FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DOING FINE EXCEPT NOW THE EMISSION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. BY THIS TIME IT WAS TIME FOR THE 100,000 MILE MAINTENANCE TO BE DONE AND IT DID GREAT UNTIL ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING @ 35MPR WHEN IT STARTED LOOSING POWER, THO I ONLY LOST A LITTLE BIT OF POWER STEERING WAS FORCED TO COME TO A STOP, WHICH JUST HAPPEN TO BE A ONE WAY BRIDGE, BABY IN THE CAR AND HAD TO PUSH MYSELF THE REST OF THE WAY ACROSS IT. ONCE OFF THE BRIDGE I TURNED THE CAR OFF (IT STAYED ON TIL I DID THIS) LET IT REST A MINUTE AND IT STARTED UP FINE AND LET ME GO A FEW BLOCKS STILL SLUGGISH AND THEN LOST POWER AGAIN. I REPEATED THIS PROCESS FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO WHEN I WAS FORCED TO PARK IT CUZ I DIDN'

Mileage: 103,000

20190708ENGINE

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY @ 70MPR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STARTS ACTING SLUGGISH FOR A MIN THEN BACK TO NORMAL, AND RANDOMLY FOR THE NEXT HOUR OR SO DOES(I HAD A WAYS TO GO) THIS A FEW MORE TIMES. I GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND LET HER REST FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DOING FINE EXCEPT NOW THE EMISSION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. BY THIS TIME IT WAS TIME FOR THE 100,000 MILE MAINTENANCE TO BE DONE AND IT DID GREAT UNTIL ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING @ 35MPR WHEN IT STARTED LOOSING POWER, THO I ONLY LOST A LITTLE BIT OF POWER STEERING WAS FORCED TO COME TO A STOP, WHICH JUST HAPPEN TO BE A ONE WAY BRIDGE, BABY IN THE CAR AND HAD TO PUSH MYSELF THE REST OF THE WAY ACROSS IT. ONCE OFF THE BRIDGE I TURNED THE CAR OFF (IT STAYED ON TIL I DID THIS) LET IT REST A MINUTE AND IT STARTED UP FINE AND LET ME GO A FEW BLOCKS STILL SLUGGISH AND THEN LOST POWER AGAIN. I REPEATED THIS PROCESS FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO WHEN I WAS FORCED TO PARK IT CUZ I DIDN'

Mileage: 103,000

20190708FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY @ 70MPR WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN WITHOUT WARNING THE CAR STARTS ACTING SLUGGISH FOR A MIN THEN BACK TO NORMAL, AND RANDOMLY FOR THE NEXT HOUR OR SO DOES(I HAD A WAYS TO GO) THIS A FEW MORE TIMES. I GOT TO MY DESTINATION AND LET HER REST FOR THE NIGHT. THE NEXT MORNING IT WAS DOING FINE EXCEPT NOW THE EMISSION CONTROL LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. BY THIS TIME IT WAS TIME FOR THE 100,000 MILE MAINTENANCE TO BE DONE AND IT DID GREAT UNTIL ABOUT 6 MONTHS LATER I WAS DRIVING @ 35MPR WHEN IT STARTED LOOSING POWER, THO I ONLY LOST A LITTLE BIT OF POWER STEERING WAS FORCED TO COME TO A STOP, WHICH JUST HAPPEN TO BE A ONE WAY BRIDGE, BABY IN THE CAR AND HAD TO PUSH MYSELF THE REST OF THE WAY ACROSS IT. ONCE OFF THE BRIDGE I TURNED THE CAR OFF (IT STAYED ON TIL I DID THIS) LET IT REST A MINUTE AND IT STARTED UP FINE AND LET ME GO A FEW BLOCKS STILL SLUGGISH AND THEN LOST POWER AGAIN. I REPEATED THIS PROCESS FOR ABOUT 5 MILES OR SO WHEN I WAS FORCED TO PARK IT CUZ I DIDN'

Mileage: 103,000

20190708FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

FUEL FLANK WAS SEALED BY THE DEALERSHIP. HOWEVER, THERE IS FUEL LEAKING.

Compare 2004VOLKSWAGENTOUAREG to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG have?
The 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has 373 NHTSA complaints, 16 crashes, 14 fires, 14 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
Yes, the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has 4 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
The most-complained component for the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM with 36 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION and TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS.
Is the 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.