10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
27,647 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2004 Volkswagen Touareg transmission problems

transmission problem

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2004 Volkswagen Touareg Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #26

Apr 012010

Touareg

  • 92,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At 94,000 miles transmission problems, told transmission non-serviceable VW does not recommend any transmission fluid replacement. Could be gear box cost $2400 or entire transmission cost $7,000. Vwa will pay $1,000 to our choice of gear box or transmission replacement but if we choose wrong repair will not pay for anything further! vwa obviously is aware of problem and designed the transmission in such a way that it can't be serviced. We have had prior engine coil recall replaced, updated computer software and replaced drive-train at cost of $1900 at 74,000 miles.

- Minnetrista, MN, USA

problem #25

May 082010

Touareg

  • 95,000 miles
2004 VW Touareg V-8 many problems but 3 worth reporting: For no apparent reason passenger door could not be opened or unlatched by using any known means including the inside door handle or outside door handle, electric lock actuator clicks as if the door is unlocked but the door can not be opened or unlatched. Vehicle had to be brought to VW dealership and worked on by destroying the door handle to open the door and perhaps cutting a whole in the body pannel at the cost of 2 hours of diagnostics, 8 hours of labor to open door and probably 2 or 3 additional hours of replacing door handle if body of door is not bent, plus parts vehicle has many electrical glitches including but not limited to intermittent malfunction of air bag igniters....once again having the potential to cause serious harm occupants given the right circumstances this is a potential dangerous situation and has made me lose all faih in this manufacturer. Vehicle lunges forward when stopped at trafic lights and beginning to procceed on a green.

- Wyckoff, NJ, USA

problem #24

May 282010

Touareg

  • 45,000 miles
I have a 2004 Touareg and have been having transmission issues hard shifts, bucking and hard downshifts. I have taken this to the VW dealer and they say there is nothing wrong with the transmission. It is very very dangerous when access the highway and in several cases it shifts so hard that it knocks it's self out and you have to pull off the highway until resets to 4th gear from 6th. I now have to shift manually. I have this issu E daily and I know this is a wide spread issue.

- Meriden, CT, USA

problem #23

Apr 152010

Touareg 6-cyl

  • 38,800 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Car: 2004 Volkswagen Touareg V6 SUV 38,900miles problem: Car frequently jerks while slowing down (at speeds between 20-40mph). Was told drive shaft was damaged and needed to be replaced at a cost of $1,150 parts plus labor of approx. $1,000 which included computer diagnostic. Upon pick up from mechanic problem still persisted so I took the car back to mechanic. I was told that damaged drive shaft damaged 2 valves in the transmission which now also need replacing at a cost of $1600. I was also told by the mechanic that they had received a 'bulletin" on the car regarding similar complaints about this problem from several owners. This car only has 39,000 miles and is driven with care. It seems extremely premature to have anything of this nature happen especially at a cost of almost $4000 out of pocket to me and other owners. I ask that you please look into Volkswagen's responsibility in correction/reimbursement (possible recall) of this situation.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #22

Mar 102007

Touareg

  • 87,850 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen toureg SUV. The contact stated that immediately after the vehicle was started, it would either shudder or stall. Also, when traveling at speeds of 1 mph and higher, the vehicle would shake in between shifting gears. The dealer performed a diagnostic test on the vehicle but could not duplicate the failure. The failure continued to occur. To date, no repairs were made to correct the failure nor were there any recalls pertaining to the failure. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 87,850.

- Bloomfield Hills, MI, USA

problem #21

Feb 112010

Touareg 8-cyl

  • 72,000 miles
2004 VW Touareg miles 72,000 brought into dealership, because of transmission was acting up. Told I need new transmission, not under warranty how can the car need new transmission at 72,000 miles other people have had troubles with this SUV VW should replace this, tons of stuff has gone wrong with SUV.

- Minneapolis, MN, USA

problem #20

Oct 152009

Touareg

  • 81,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I was parking the vehicle in a tight parking lot and maneuvering around a tree in order to pull further up into the space. As I gently pushed down on the accelerator to inch into the spot, the car lurched forward at a very high rate of speed crashing into a wooden garbage box. I jammed on the brakes before going through the fence. I was incredibly lucky that I was no longer aiming at the tree. It was as though the car suddenly wanted to peal out in a manner that was totally out of sync with the amount of pressure on the gas pedal. It just started speeding toward the fence/box. Looking back on it, I believe that this happened a couple of days before as I started to accelerate after stopping at a stop sign. Though the reaction of the car was similar, it was not nearly so pronounced. It felt as though the car was tripping over itself. I had the insurance tow the car to the mechanic but so far he has not been able to replicate the problem. I spoke with both the local VW serviceman and VW North America but they denied ever hearing about such a problem. I have had this car for over 6 years and have never had this happen before the other day.

- White Plains, NY, USA

problem #19

May 012008

Touareg 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 40,000 miles
The contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. When the contact accelerated more than 45 mph, the vehicle began vibrating, shaking and was stuck in neutral. Eventually, the vehicle began accelerating at the desired speed. Occasionally, when the failure occurred the contact had to shut the engine off; however, it would operate normally after a few minutes. The dealer was unable to diagnose the failure; however, the failure recurred 4 months later and the dealer stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The contact is aware of the safety risk involved. The dealer and the manufacturer stated that they would not be responsible for the repair cost. The failure mileage was 40,000 and the current mileage was 69,000. Updated 10/06/09. The consumer was informed the transmission fluid was burnt. Updated 10/06/09

- Mclean, VA, USA

problem #18

Jul 282008

Touareg

  • 44,000 miles
Multiple engine light failures for over 4 years. Engine light came on and engine shut down immediately while wife was on the freeway. Very dangerous...essentially no warning. Have replaced wiring harness in the vehicle and have had it in the shop for electrical issues many times. Unsafe handling and acceleration...car jumps forward at stops while it is downshifting. Think the transmission, tires and brakes should be tested. Think you will find they are defective. Engine blew up at 44,000 miles. Very dangerous car..and you will find other Touaregs with similar issues. Should be recalled.

- El Dorado Springs, MO, USA

problem #17

Nov 012006

Touareg 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
- the contact stated that since she purchased the vehicle acceleration has been sluggish. The dealer stated that it was the nature of the beast, and there was nothing that they could do about it. The engine was not powerful enough to sustain the weight of the vehicle. The contact often took the vehicle for repairs. Neither road nor weather conditions have been factors in the failure. When accelerating from a dead stop, acceleration is slow but steady, when accelerating while moving between 40 mph acceleration is non-existent for approximately 3 seconds and then takes off fast. Updated 03/30/07.

- Essex, MD, USA

problem #16

Aug 092006

Touareg 4WD 10-cyl Diesel

  • Automatic transmission
  • 34,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

: the contact stated a week after having the transmission replaced by the service dealer, the vehicle was driven 60 mph on the highway, and the engine warning message read "turn the motor off immediately", as the electrical system failed and stalled the engine. The contact was able to steer and coast to a stop on the break down lane. The vehicle restarted and stalled 7 times before making one mile to the contact's driveway. The service dealer provided a number to a towing service. The service dealer diagnosed the problem as an alternator and electrical failure, due to leakage from the engine when the engine was removed to replace the transmission. No evidence was found in the garage or driveway, before or after the problem or while parked in the driveway while waiting for the tow to the service dealer. The manufacturer was notified. Updated 10/25/2006 -

- Darien, CT, USA

problem #15

Jul 012005

Touareg 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 15,000 miles
: the contact stated that there automatic transmission was not operating properly. While traveling at highway speeds, the vehicle would not downshift smoothly. As an alternative pressure was applied to the brakes which in the event of an emergency braking situation the vehicle felt as if it would not stop in time this was caused by the pressure to the transmission. This problem occurs on a daily basis. The vehicle was at a dealership for 3 and a half weeks and the dealer determined the vehicle was operating under normal operating standards. The contact expressed that this is a serious safety concern.

- Centennial, CO, USA

problem #14

Apr 202006

Touareg 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 29,500 miles
: the contact stated the transmission disengaged while driving 65 mph. The vehicle acted as if it was in neutral, regardless of the position of the shifter. The transmission would not engage in any position including park. The engine continued to run, but there was no power to the wheels. After several attempts to restart, the transmission re-engaged. The vehicle has been to the dealership five times for inspection and repairs. They have replaced the battery, alternator, flashed the transmission control module, engine control module, and differential control module however the problem still exists. The vehicle is currently at the dealership awaiting further inspection. The manufacturer was alerted. Updated 07/25/06.

- Philadelphia, PA, USA

problem #13

Jan 282006

Touareg

  • miles
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.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #12

Dec 012005

Touareg 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 4,000 miles
Several transmission failures where the engine would lose power and wouldn't shift.

- South Boston, MA, USA

problem #11

Oct 222005

Touareg 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Our 2004 VW Touareg V-8 has the following problems despite five trips to the dealer: I) hesitation during acceleration; II) pulls hard to the right; and III) shifts roughly at low speeds. Past problems include: Iv) the latch on the rear door broke, such that it came crashing down on my wife's head; V) the rear seat belt latch wouldn't work; vi) the car shuddered badly when you tried to make a turn at low speeds (e.g., while parking) and vii) the flat tire indicator went on even though the tire was neither flat nor low. We have an arbitration scheduled for 11/9/05 under California's lemon law.

- Los Angeles, CA, USA

problem #10

Sep 182005

Touareg 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,900 miles
My 2004 VW Touareg has had an ongoing safety issue since purchase in July of 2004 with regards to the transmission. When accelerating from a stop or low speed the vehicle will often hesitate while running the engine rpms up to 3000-4000 then drop into gear and lurch forward. The transmission also erratically shifts from first to second gear and often hesitates for more than a few seconds before engaging this causes a danger when merging with traffic or crossing intersections. I have contacted the dealer and Volkswagen of North America with no resolution.

- Centreville, VA, USA

problem #9

Sep 282005

(reported on)

Touareg

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,000 miles
Consumers vehicle is experiencing erratic shifting. When accelerating from a stop car will hesitate and jerk. This problem seems to only occure whil the transmission is in lower gears. The vehicle has been taken to the deler at least three times but they have not been able to locate or fix the problem. The consuemr has also contacted tehe manufcature but they provided no assistance. The tire have excessive wear at only 16000 miles.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #8

Oct 052005

Touareg 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 5,000 miles
My 2004 V6 Volkswagen Touareg frequently stalls after the engine is cranked. This has been a problem since we purchased the vehicle in Oct 2004. After cranking you can press all the way down on the gas pedal but the car will not move at all. After a few seconds, it will sputter a little then move then sputter again then it will drive normally. There is no way to tell when this will happen and I am concerned that it will cause an accident if I start the vehicle then pull out into oncoming traffic.

- North Bend, WA, USA

problem #7

Aug 012004

Touareg 8-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles
The consumer states his 2004 Volkswagen Touareg was having a throttle delay problem. This is especially bad when pulling out from an intersection. This lasted for about 2-4 seconds and it is intermittent. After the vehicle has a delay the rpms go up T 3,000 to 4,000. This has been happening for about a year. The vehicle has been at the dealership for this problem 4 times. A regional technical representative came and examined the vehicle. He tried to flash the vehicle and upgraded the computer system. This still has not worked. The vehicle has consistently became worse. The owner has an appointment with Volkswagen next week to assess the problem again. Also, the dealer has been contacted by the manufacturer, who wanted more diagnostic work done. Speed was not a factor. It is coming from a stop to pulling out that the throttle is having the delay. The consumer is providing all the information that he has available at this time. The driver window was inoperative and the heater blower fan was noisy.

- Brigham City, UT, USA

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