44 of the
945 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Touareg
are about the braking system —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
The car will stop (while driving) for no apparent reason. “Phantom Braking”. This is without any known objects/people approaching our vehicle. It’s a part of the electronic automatic braking system but obviously it is not programmed correctly. It is DANGEROUS. A brief review on internet shows these sudden stops have caused accidents (people rear ending vehicle after sudden stops). Cars have also had to move quickly off highway to avoid collision. Another issue: the Panoramic Sunroof has had frequent issues with water leaks. We’ve already had to pay for one such leak ($1000) and now face payment for a second serious leak which they can’t seem to fix. Internet searches show that VW Corporation has known about this manufacturing defect since 2016 but has “hidden” these manufacturing defects from customers. These leaks have caused pools of water to form in the trunk (under spare tire). The pool of water inside vehicle can range up to 1.5 feet and more! We’ve heard issues that if not caught sooner, these leaks case severe damage to electrical systems (battery, etc…) due to excess water in vehicle. It burns out electrical systems. To our knowledge, VW will take NO RESPONSIBILITY. People who own these cars have to pay for the fixes. Very expensive fixes which are not working. We no longer feel safe driving this car. VW will not offer us a solution.
NHTSA complaint #11699303 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
UNKNOWN- simply picking up my kids and various alerts came on the dashboard including the ABS brakes error, Parking brake error, and others that I am not sure of. I just bought this suv on Friday from DCH Acura of Montclair, NJ/ Lithia Motors in Verona, NJ [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA complaint #11662004 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When coming to a stop with the AutoHold activated, sometimes it comes to an abrupt stop instead of a smooth stop. Also when you have Autohold engaged, when you come to a stop and put the car in park, disconnect the seatbelt the parking brake engages(expected), however when you turn the car off (after you've already removed your foot from the break pedal) it slightly releases and reengages the brake causing a slight movement of the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11482659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Electronic Parking Brake lever light was flashing and dashboard showed parking brake error message. Drove car to VW Dealership, which diagnosed problem as likely bad Parking Brake Control Module (Part J540). Dealership ordered part, and stated I could drive car home. Within 1 mile of dealership, parking brake engaged automatically abruptly slowing car and error flashed on dash stating "Disengage Parking Brake." Pulled over, turned car off and back on, which disengaged parking brake. Returned to dealership and left car until it could be repaired. Had I been on the interstate traveling at a higher rate of speed, this may have caused an accident.
NHTSA complaint #11441626 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLID AND CRASHED INTO A FIRE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUTOS WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2050 LIDDELL DR NE, ATLANTA, GA 30324, (404) 874-5926. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.
NHTSA complaint #11252183 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11245345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2016 VOLKSWAGEN TOUREG (VIN # XXXXXX) PURCHASED 5/25/2019. VROOM ASSURED ALL VEHICLES UNDERGO RIGOROUS INSPECTION AND WRITTEN GUARANTEE OF A CLEAN TITLE / NO FLOOD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED ON 6/17/2019. ON 6/18/2019 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A STANDARD PREPURCHASE INSPECTION. I PAID $150.64 FOR THIS SERVICE. THE INSPECTION REPORT RETURNED SEVERAL AREAS OF INTERNAL RUST IN THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ONLY BE CAUSED BY SITTING IN WATER FOR EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME, AS WELL AS OTHER CONDITIONS CLEARLY INDICATIVE OF FLOOD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD VISIBLE RUST ON THE INTERIOR OF ALL FOUR WHEELS, WHICH IS OBVIOUS INDICATOR OF A FLOODED VEHICLE. WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY ON 6/19/2019 TO LET THEM OUR INTENTION TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED A COPY OF THE INSPECTION REPORT. WE HAD NO ISSUE RETURNING THE VEHICLE AS WE WERE WELL WITHIN THE 7 DAY RETURN POLICY (CAN RETURN THE VEHICLE WITHIN 7 DAYS FOR ANY REASON). WE SPOKE TO MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS DURING THE RETURN PROCESS, AS EACH STEP REQUIRED A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT. ULTIMATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY VROOM AND WE SPOKE TO AN INDIVIDUAL OVER THE PHONE TO GO OVER THE RETURN PROCESS AND ISSUE OUR REFUND. THE CONTACT WE SPOKE TO INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND THE VEHICLE DAMAGED, AND STATED THEY WOULD LIST THE REASON FOR THE RETURN AS 'PREFERENCE' (ALLOWING THEM TO SELL THIS DAMAGED VEHICLE TO SOMEONE ELSE). THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS TO HAVE A RECORD OF THAT THIS VEHICLE, VIN # (XXXXXX) HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY WATER AND IS NOW BEING ATTEMPTED TO BE SOLD AS A CLEAN TITLED CAR TO AN UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER. AS OF 7/15/2019, THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LISTED FOR SALE BY VROOM IN STAFFORD, TX. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11231894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
VW ABS CONTROL MODULE RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR DID NOT INCLUDE 2010 TOUAREGS. HOWEVER, I OWN 2 OF THEM AND BOTH HAVE AN ABS MODULE ISSUE. AS DOES MY MOTHER IN LAW'S 2010 TIGUAN. PLEASE LOOK INTO EXTENDING THE RECALL TO THESE MODEST. ATTACHED IS THE $2,839 ESTIMATE FROM A VW DEALER TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. THAT IS AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PAY FOR A GENTLY USED CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE WHICH HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THANK YOU. [XXX] CELL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11003267 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE BRAKE BOOSTER CONTINUALLY GOES OUT AND THE VW DEALERSHIP CAN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED SEVERAL TIMES IN RAPID SUCCESSION EITHER WHILE YOU ARE MOVING OR JUST STANDING STILL, IT BECOMES INCREDIBLY HARD TO FURTHER PUSH DOWN AND THE BRAKES BECOME ALMOST COMPLETELY UNRESPONSIVE. SO IF YOU ARE IN TRAFFIC AND THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU IS CONSTANTLY DEPRESSING THEIR BRAKE PEDALS, IT IS INCREDIBLY EASY TO REAR END THEM IF YOU DON'T ALLOW FOR A LOT OF ROOM BETWEEN YOU AND THE CAR IN FRONT, WHICH ISN'T ALWAYS POSSIBLE IN TRAFFIC. ONLY AFTER WAITING FOR MAYBE 30 SECTIONS DO THE BRAKES RETURN TO A SOMEWHAT NORMAL MODE.
NHTSA complaint #10876122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
NHTSA complaint #10786723 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I OWN A 2012 VW TOUAREG AND RECENTLY, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT OR FOR A LONG TIME, AFTER 5 OR MORE SECONDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTS TO GO DOWN AND THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD. I CAN STOP THE ROLLING IF I PUSH THE BREAKS ALL THE WAY DOWN FURTHER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AND THEREFORE CANNOT CHANGE ANY PARTS OR DO ANYTHING FOR ME. SINCE I AM UNWILLING TO GAMBLE WITH MY BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WITH MY SON IN THE VEHICLE, I HAVE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THEY CAN REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS BREAK ISSUE, BUT I WANTED SOMEONE TO BE AWARE.
NHTSA complaint #10614989 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2006 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP CONCERNING SEVERAL VEHICLE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FROM THE BEGINNING, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE UNIT WAS REMOVED AND INSTALLED AGAIN. THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE EVAP PURGE VALVE WAS REPLACED, THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED, CORROSION BUILT UP IN THE SENSOR AND WIRING OF THE HEADLIGHT, AND THE WIRING AND HEADLIGHT WERE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DUE TO A FAULTY PURGE VALVE, FOR THE THIRD TIME. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATIONS AND HEARD LOUD NOISES UNDER THE CENTER ARM REST. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE PROPELLER SHAFT WAS BROKEN. ALSO, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS MATERIAL, WAS METAL ON METAL. THE BRAKES ONLY LASTED 24,600 MILES. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE WATER PUMP AND OIL PAN WERE LEAKING.
NHTSA complaint #10533574 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 *CN 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. THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OPERATED IN OFF ROAD CONDITION OR EXPOSED TO SALT WATER. UPDATED 12/11/2012
NHTSA complaint #10480155 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE KNOCKING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER 9 DAYS, THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A SPECIAL SPRAY TO THE DEALER TO SPRAY BEHIND THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 1,200.
NHTSA complaint #10467905 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
EVERY TIME THE CAR IS STARTED THE WARNING LIGHT SHOWS THAT THE PARKING BRAKE IS ENGAGED. I NEVER USE THE PARKING BRAKE. I HAVE TALKED TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAY THAT THE PARKING BRAKE PEDAL NEEDS TO BE "HAND LIFTED" TO CLEAR THE WARNING LIGHT. WHEN I TRIED THIS IT DID CLEAR THE WARNING LIGHT FROM THE DASH. MY QUESTION IS WHY WOULD MY PARKING BRAKE BE ENGAGED IF I NEVER HAVE USED THE PARKING BRAKE? IT MAY JUST BE SOME MALFUNCTION WITH THEIR WARNING LIGHTS OR SENSORS, BUT HOW I AM I TO KNOW IF THIS IS A REAL PARKING BRAKE WARNING?
NHTSA complaint #10371126 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WHEN TAKING FOOT OFF OF BRAKE PEDAL, BRAKES HANG UP AND MAKE A SQUEALING SOUND, INDICATING THE BRAKES ARE NOT RELEASING AS THEY SHOULD. V.W. TOLD US TO REPLACE BRAKES TO SOLVE PROBLEM, DID SO AND DID NOT SOLVE PROBLEM, WROTE V.W. A LETTER AND ABSOLUTELY NO RESPONSE OR CONCERN FROM V.W. CONCERNED COULD HAVE BRAKE FAILURE IN EMERGENCY.
NHTSA complaint #10313602 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2008 VW TOUAREG LOUD SQUEALING NOISE EMITTED WHEN VEHICLE COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND MOVING UNDER 10 MILES. MADE 2 ATTEMPTS TO DEALERSHIP BUT TO NO AVAIL. DEALER HEARD THE NOISE BUT UNABLE TO RESOLVED MATTER.
NHTSA complaint #10311479 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SQUEALING NOISE AFTER I STOP AND BEGIN TO ACCELERATE OR WHEN I DRIVE SLOW. DEALER SAYS TOUAREGS ARE ROUGH ON BRAKES. IT HAS ABOUT 42,000 MILES ON IT. HE SUGGESTS I LIVE WITH THE SQUEALING NOISE FOR A YEAR OR TWO UNTIL THE BRAKES REALLY GO. OR THEY CAN REPLACE THEM NOW - $700+. UGH. JUST BOUGHT THE CAR 60 DAYS AGO.
NHTSA complaint #10255928 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE HAD MY 2004 VW TOUAREG SINCE JUNE 2006 AND HAVE HAD PROBLEM AFTER PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE. THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WENT OUT WITHIN 6 WEEKS OF BUYING THE CAR, THE DRIVE SHAFT HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE AIR CONDITIONING COMPRESSOR HAD TO BE REPLACED, THE BRAKES HAVE HAD TO BE REPLACED AND I AM GETTING ANOTHER "CHECK BRAKE PADS" ERROR AGAIN, THE TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM CONTINUALLY TELLS ME I HAVE A FLAT, THE RADIO AMPLIFIER WAS MAKING A LOUD CRACKING SO THE DEALERSHIP REPLACED A FUSE AND BLEW THE 2 BACK SPEAKERS (WHICH THEY WOULD NOT FIX, HEWLETT VW IN GEORGETOWN, TEXAS), THE AUTO DIFFERENTIAL IS GOING OUT. THERE SEEMS TO BE NO END IN SIGHT FOR REPAIRS.
NHTSA complaint #10252545 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.