Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2004 Volkswagen Touareg owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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 for a adjuster to view the cars involved. The car was purchased new in aug. And was taken back to the service center twice within a month. First for an air bag problem, 2 for a brake warning light. They did not do a diagnostic fr the brakes they only changed a light bulb. The warning light came a went sporadically before this service.
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.
I brought a Volkswagen Touareg. This vehicle has a lot problems with the brake and engine. So I filed a lemon request. Last month, vw asked me to drop this vehicle to vw dealer to investigate the brake problem. On March 23, the vw expert test drove my Touareg and had an accident because the brakes failed. There is a police report. The rear wiper made a clicking noise. Updated 05/04/06. The check engine light illuminated. The dealer replaced the engine control module. The transmission control module was updated. Updated 06/01/06.
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
6/04 & 9/04 - took vehicle in to dealership to check brake efficiency & squealing noise. Both times dealership reported no problem and brake noise was created by brake dust & was normal. 2/05 - brakes failed and caused car accident.
Since I purchased a 2004 vw Touareg on 2/28/04 I have had various problems with it. The most severe is the front end allignment and brakes. I have had a total of 6 front end allignments since I purchased the vehicule. It is in the shop right now and they can not correct it. This is a an extreme hazard at higher speeds since the SUV pulls hard to the right. I was told by the mechanic that worked on my vehicule that he set the allignment to factor specs and it still pulls to the right. I took it to tire kingdom twice and they did the same and did a high speed balance on the tires as well and it still pulls to the right. Also volkwagon of America put out circular vwa-04-12 stating that there is a factory problem with front end allignments on certin VIN numbers on the Touareg. Vw will not acknowledge that there is a problem. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that he took the vehicle to the dealer for regular service when he was advised that the brakes needed replacing. The contact was also advised that the bolts to the calipers were fractured along with the steering links, which would also need replacing. The dealer repaired the brake disk, calipers, brake lining, bolts and the steering knuckles. The manufacturer was contacted and they advised him that the vehicle was no longer covered under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 114,940. The current mileage was approximately 115,000. Updated 11/12/12 the consumer stated the holding calipers not fractured, threads were badly rusted into steering knuckle requiring replacement of driver side steering knuckle. The failures are not duplicated on the right front brake assembly. The consumer has the defective parts. …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. The warning tone of the tire pressure monitoring system sounds intermittently. In addition, the headlights failed, and the vehicle pulled to the right sporadically and without warning. The dealer was unable to diagnose the cause of failure. The contact possessed the repair invoices. The failure mileage began at 100. The consumer stated the failures continue, she has had multiple problems with this vehicle brake rotors replace at 15,000 miles, brake pads had to be replaced at 18,000 miles, two tires replace at 16,000 miles, tps lights continue to go on and off been fixed, four new tires at 30,000 miles. The consumer states that there have been 9 recalls and tps lights still in failure. Update 05/04/07
My 2004 Touareg with less than 5000 miles has been in for servicing 7 times. The brakes have been worked on and looked at three times. They still squeal but the problem has lessened. Of more concern are the safety issues that have affected me. I have been locked out of my vehicle twice, each time with a different resolution. Updated software was the latest fix. My airbag fault light is now on. Another software resolution is on the way. I have no confidence in the quality or safety of this vehicle or when the next issue will arise. Volkswagen told me my car was not problematic and I had "buyers remorse". I am in awe of their lack of concern especially when I know I am not the only Touareg owner out there with problems.
Volkswagen 2004 Touareg sport utility 4d has serious alignment problems resulting in premature tire wear on all 4 tires! Front 2 tires are down to metal showing with only 19,880 miles. Car has been in for all scheduled services and rotations. Almost lost control of car while driving! Also, pre-mature wear of front & back brakes & pads due to the alignment/tire problems! Condensation on front windshield that defogger does not remove. Fuel injection recall that on service bulletin stated it could result in a fire if not fixed! Tire pressure monitoring system failure, ESP failure, computer software failure!
Brake complaints in other Touareg years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the brakes of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, 9% of the model year's 231 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Volkswagen Touareg brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Touareg brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 18,000 miles, and 60% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 0 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.