2004 Volkswagen Touareg Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 49about this part
- Share
- 21%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 34,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 49 complaints about the electrical system of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, 21% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 34,000 miles. 4 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I recently purchased a 2004 vw tuareg in july 1st of 2014. Immediately upon purchasing the vehicle I began receiving a parking brake alarm when I turned on the vehicle. The alarm would persist until I pushed down on the parking brake. I would also receive an occasional alarm for the tire pressure monitoring system. Then, on december 15, 2014 the vehicle refused to turn on at all. The dashboard display had a flashing steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #10679060, filed 2015-01, 115,000 miles“About 2 weeks ago, I started blowing fuses for the drivers side turn signal. I would have no front or rear turn signal, as well as no hazards on the drivers side. I looked inside the headlight assembly and found that all the wiring was exposed due to the wiring insulation rotting off, leaving exposed wiring. I am a firefighter, and this is a vehicle fire, waiting to happen. You cant even wrap electrical tape around it, due to the headlamp unit not being able to be taken apart. …”
NHTSA complaint #10960102, filed 2017-03, 140,232 miles“The esp light came on steady and the lights around the differential switch came on flashing. Then the vehicle lost electrical power and would not start. I had it towed into the dealer and the service people indicated there were numerous recalls on this vehicle that caused this problem. I was never notified of these recalls.”
NHTSA complaint #10205718, filed 2007-10, 34,000 miles“I went to start the car in my driveway and a red warning icon appeared on the instrument panel. I looked it up in the owners manual which stated the icon indicated a steering system failure. Further, the ignition key then stuck in the ignition switch/lock and could not be removed. As a result the truck's transmission gear selector could not be taken out of the park detent. This resulted in my not being able to get the truck to a position where a tow truck could access the car until the snow melted two months later. …”
NHTSA complaint #10464286, filed 2012-07, 100,000 miles“2004 vw Touareg, in the first year of ownership the car has been in the shop or in alarm mode for 220 days. I have had the car in eight times for a tire scrubbing problem and three times for an alarm problem. I have noe filed a law suit and sold the car without ever hearing any concerns from vw.”
NHTSA complaint #10125126, filed 2005-06, 400 milesRelated recalls
- 03V266000Jul 25, 2003On certain sport utility vehicles, the tire pressure monitoring system (tpms) wiring harness may have been improperly routed during assembly. An improperly…Covers: Volkswagen Touareg 2004
Related service bulletins
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10204722Dec 15, 2021This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- 10169135Dec 5, 2019Update model applicability to MY 2020.
- 10165029Sep 4, 2019This document outlines updates to the ODIS diagnostic software. Updates include corrected diagnostic test plans for the stated vehicles.
- 10163542Jul 29, 2019Update vehicle metadata to include pull ahead models. Also includes R32 2002-2007 and 2002-2006 Jetta Wagon.
- 10163371Jul 26, 2019Trailer braking information.
- 10159014Mar 22, 2019Alternative method for radio code retrieval.
- 10158529Feb 19, 2019Battery Testing and Charging instruction. Updated to include model year 2019 applicability.
- 10144652Jun 6, 2018This information bulletin contains instructions for checking the pins/terminals for contacts and nano contacts.
- 10133469Nov 10, 2017Tip for Scan tool concerns that may occur duing a test plan
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 11% |
| 2014 | 3 | 11% |
| 2013 | 3 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 14% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 14% |
| 2006 | 7 | 19% |
| 2005 | 14 | 19% |
| 2004 | 49 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
50 complaintsTires
36 complaintsFuel system
33 complaintsAir bags
27 complaintsEngine cooling
22 complaintsVehicle speed control
22 complaintsBrakes
20 complaintsSuspension
20 complaintsExterior lighting
13 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
11 complaintsLatches, locks and linkages
8 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology