2004 Volkswagen Touareg Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 50about this part
- Share
- 22%of 231 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,000miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 50 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, 22% of the 231 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,000 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Drive train failed within warranty period. Also, the module failed within six months of the drive train being replaced. The ABS module however; failed 3 months after warranty expired. As a result I skidded unpredictably on ice and came within inches of causing a serious accident. $1500 was quoted to me to replace the module.”
NHTSA complaint #10212149, filed 2007-12, 66,000 miles“The center carrier bearing on the drive shaft went out. At first it sounded like I had a flat tire but upon further inspection that was not the case. This seems to be a common failure. I was told a design flaw and all of these would fail.. The dealership says that the entire drive shaft has to be replaced. But it will not be covered since it is out of warranty. Since this is a common failure it should be fixed by vw and not costing all their customers over a grand to fix.”
NHTSA complaint #10509086, filed 2013-04, 80,000 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“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“I have a 2004 Touareg and have been having transmission issues hard shifts, bucking and hard downshifts. I have taken this to the vw dealer and they say there is nothing wrong with the transmission. It is very very dangerous when access the highway and in several cases it shifts so hard that it knocks it's self out and you have to pull off the highway until resets to 4th gear from 6th. I now have to shift manually. I have this issu e daily and I know this is a wide spread issue.”
NHTSA complaint #10332622, filed 2010-05, 45,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10242996Dec 8, 2014VW Elsa Newsletter
- 10238600Jul 4, 2014Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an engine, flywheel or transmission, please follow the…
- 10120207Jul 4, 2014Tech Tips (Torque Converter/Flywheel/Flexplate installation): Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage. When installing an…
- 10240605Oct 15, 2013P0102, P1128, P1296 - WA front oxygen sensor faults
- 10240855Apr 2, 2013Please contact VW Helpline before attempting repair
- 10144704Apr 2, 2013On-car analysis list of customer complaints: Transmission Concerns (including clutch assembly, bevel box and Haldex)
- 10144701Mar 21, 2013On-car analysis list of Customer Complaints: Transmission Concerns (including clutch assembly, bevel box and Haldex)
- 10144702Mar 14, 2013On-car analysis list of Customer Complaints: Transmission Concerns (including clutch assembly, bevel box and Haldex)
- 10144703Mar 12, 2013On-car analysis list of Customer Complaints: Transmission Concerns (including clutch assembly, bevel box and Haldex)
- 10157735Oct 1, 2012Transmission Control Module Updates: This document informs of the software, and technical bulletins that service corresponding cars and their Transmission Control Module…
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
| 2015 | 1 | 4% |
| 2014 | 1 | 4% |
| 2013 | 1 | 3% |
| 2012 | 3 | 11% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 3 | 5% |
| 2007 | 1 | 11% |
| 2006 | 5 | 14% |
| 2005 | 10 | 13% |
| 2004 | 50 | 22% |
Other parts of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
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 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