2004 Volkswagen Touareg Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 3%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, 3% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,000 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11114294, filed 2018-07, 168,835 miles“Car stalls, skips gears, jerks, when coming from a full stop to accelerating jerks and pull really hard going into 1st and 2nd gear,, took it to the dealer after paying 800 dollar they could find anything wrong,, and that was vw dealer.... I've been seein alot of the same complaints for this specific model and year, can some please let me know if Volkswagen is not going to take responsibility for this issue atleast tell me what could be wrong, so I can fix it and get rid of this stupid car. Im better off with an american car...”
NHTSA complaint #10650277, filed 2014-10, 90,000 miles“Airbag warning light comes on after changing battery. Local mechanics can't turn it off. Dealer wants large amount to diagnose the problem. Several other owners have the same issue with the seatbag warning system coming on randomly...very dangerous...and vw knows about the problem. Has been happening for years. The other issue is with the engine...the 2004 Touareg engine blew at less than 50k...dealer said we must have driven the car when it was hot. Just nonsense. Several others have had major problems with the touaregs.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10873624, filed 2016-06, 49,850 miles“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11441658, filed 2021-11“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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10786723, filed 2015-10, 31,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10167196Oct 29, 2019Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards.
- 10165535Sep 24, 2019Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards.
- 10164209Aug 19, 2019Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards. Also includes 2004 and 2005 Jetta Wagon and 2018-2020 Tiguan LWB
- 10163517Jul 16, 2019Engine oil quality standards. Also includes all models for 1997-2003. Also Rabbit from 2006-2009.
- 10159016Mar 12, 2019Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standards
- 10126870Oct 20, 2016Update to include additional model year applicability.
- 10241340Sep 2, 2014Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00
- 10120329Sep 2, 2014Technical Bulletin (Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard): This document informs of a sample list of products generally available in the North American market…
- 10241339Aug 22, 2014Oil Consumption Measurement
- 10124471Aug 22, 2014Technical Bulletin (Oil Consumption Measurement): Customer states oil consumption is higher than the Volkswagen oil consumption standard of up to 0.5 quarts per 600 miles, or 0.5…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 19 | 79% |
| 2016 | 22 | 49% |
| 2015 | 14 | 58% |
| 2014 | 6 | 22% |
| 2013 | 4 | 13% |
| 2012 | 5 | 18% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 7 | 28% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 7 | 13% |
| 2007 | 3 | 33% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
50 complaintsElectrical system
49 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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