Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (wheels, lug nuts, original-equipment tires, TPMS).
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).
Takata I was driving perfectly fine and I came upon a turning to make the left and out of no where my car start sliding out of control I tried to control it because there was a ditch close by where I was it was sliding to the right tried to spin the steering to the left but the car was just doing what it felt like I ended up hitting in the rail where the ditch was and pushing the car back into the middle of the road bear in mind I had my children in my car no one can give me an explanation to my my car just spiral out of control and I know I was not driving fast I am not a fast driver one thing is to be done and check out with this vehicle before it claim the life of anyone that god my love and my kids was spared the brakes speed control and body of the car was affected as well but it is not allowing me to select all of the options above
From the date of purchase( in December of 2003), TPMS has been "on" in yellow/orange color indicating that the tire pressure in all/various locations need adjustment. After inspection by myself, gas station attendants, tire shop companies, and vw dealerships, I finally gave up. In the beginning, the dealership ( where I purchased the car) would not officially admit to the problem, but after a couple of years, in a very informal way, they claimed the this technology was brand new and that it has its flaws! That I should not take those warnings too seriously. Unaware of any recalls, I gave up on this topic. Now, I just want to be on the record!
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.
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 …
Tl contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. While driving approximately 55 MPH on normal road conditions, the flat tire caution warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle continued to travel three to four miles when the emergency flat tire warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The driver pulled over to the side of the road, but did not notice any flat tires. The warning indicators remained illuminated until the engine was turned off. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer for diagnostic testing and they stated that the failure was related to a faulty manufacturer design. There was no repair available. The technician was unable to disengage the tire pressure module to avoid the false warnings displayed on the instrument panel. The failure mileage was 38,200 and current mileage was 40,083. Updated 3/19/09 updated 03/23/09.
Door handles stick on all four doors. Last year, my husband was in the passenger seat as I went around a corner, the passenger door flung open and my husband almost fell out. Luckily he was wearing his seat belt. The door handles were replaced by the dealership. However, the door handles have started sticking again. I have to pull the handle and let it go quickly to loosen the handle so it closes fully. I noticed with 1000 miles on my vehicle that there was a pull in the front end. I took it to the dealer and they said it needed to be aligned. They refused to pay for the alignment, my tires were completely worn to the tread bars with 15,000 miles on all four, they were cupped. The manufacturer replaced 2 tires and I paid for 2 tires and a 4 wheel alignments.
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
Tl* the contact owns a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated the gear shift selector would not move out of park and he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. While the vehicle was being towed, the entire console and warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated water was entering the vehicle and settling in the trunk near the spare tire. The dealer removed the shifter cable and replaced the harness, a wire and the shifter column. The failure mileage was 75,285 and the current mileage was 76,065. Updated 11/02/10. The consumer stated the trunk would not open properly. The tire sensors would come on. The ignition switch was defective and had to be replaced. Updated 11/04/10
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.
Tire monitoring system failed. This is a recurring problem, hopefully will soon be classified as a recall. I have taken the vehicle to vw service 5 times in the last 3 months to get this issue fixed, but either the service bulletins are inadequate or the service dept at abq dealership incompetent. Regardless they have not been able to solve the problem. The error (monitoring failure) light comes on sporadically informing me that there is a problem with at least one of the tires. I take the car to the dealership to get fixed, they reset the motoring system and a few days later the light comes on again. As of today they have completed the last step in the service tech bulletin. Problem is not solved.
Wheel & Tire complaints in other Touareg years
Frequently asked questions
How common are wheel & tire problems on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg?
NHTSA has 39 complaints about the wheels & tires of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, 17% of the model year's 231 complaints. The component named most often is pressure monitoring and regulating systems (23 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2004 Volkswagen Touareg wheel & tire problems?
No. NHTSA lists no wheels & tires 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 wheel & tire problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 15,000 miles, and 64% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 1 fire and 1 injury to wheels & tires 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.