2004 Volkswagen Touareg: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 231 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (15% of complaints); the 2005 and 2006 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Sep 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2025
“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”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Oct 2024
“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.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2022
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“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2021
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Apr 2021
“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.”Owner report · Electrical System · Nov 2020
“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...”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2019
“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”Owner report · Service Brakes · Aug 2019
“Hit a very massive pothole and it caused the airbag faulty statement to appear on the dashboard. It appears the airbag attempted to discharge upon hitting a pothole and did not discharge and thus the airbag mechanism was considered faulty. A pothole/rumble strip should not cause a airbag fault to appear as this could be dangerous.”Owner report · Air Bags · Mar 2019
“The touareg made some rattling noise while I was driving at 35 mph. As soon I stopped and made it my destination and turned off the car the car wouldn't start up. I took it to the dealership and the dealership couldn't figure out why the car wouldn't start. Finally, after a well over a week, they determined that I needed to replace all six fuel injectors. The fuel injectors got replaced now the car turns on but as soon as you step on the gas the car dies.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2018
When filing, owners marked a crash in 9 of these complaints and injuries in 6 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Touareg by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
NHTSA has 231 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. The most complained-about area is power train (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Touareg problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 48,946 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline:delivery:fuel pump. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.