46 of the
945 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Touareg
are about the steering —
5% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
After driving the car for approximately 30 minutes without any problems and turning it off, it would not turn the ignition back on, release the parking brake or shift out of „P“. Several towing companies were unable to tow the vehicle due to the manufacturer’s failure to provide instructions on how to release the shifter in case of a problem. Other vehicles have a release button somewhere, the 2012 VW Touareg doesn’t. On page 481 of the owners manual VW advises the owner that if „you want to have the vehicle towed, the gear shift selection lever must first be released with the emergency procedure. Get professional assistance.“ The manual doesn’t explain what this emergency procedure would be. We had to call 3 different towing companies with professionals who didn’t have any clue in regards to the question how to release the shifter. The fourth company came with special equipment which allowed to tow the vehicle with the shifter in „P“ The dealership found that the ESL module (electronic steering lock) was faulty, which could be a safety issue, especially if it actuates while driving the vehicle.
NHTSA complaint #11726250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED. BAXTER VOLKSWAGEN LA VISTA (7108 S 124TH CIR, LA VISTA, NE 68128, (402) 983-9801) STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ASSEMBLY WERE CORRODED, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS, AIR BAGS, AND HORN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,600.
NHTSA complaint #11219734 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT , INTERNAL FAULT WITH RACK SEAL, REPLACED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN MAY 2019 THIS IS SECOND REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR REPLACEMENT IN NOVEMBER 2015 I FEEL ITS VERY UNUSUAL TO CHANGE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON SAME VEHICLE TWICE IN 4 YEARS TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT HAPPENS OFTEN IN VW TOUAREG BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA
NHTSA complaint #11218128 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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
NHTSA complaint #11192399 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND IT HAS A VISIBLE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WERE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT JUST KEEPS COMING BACK. EVENTUALLY VW CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SAYING THAT IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY AFFECTED PERSON, THERE ARE EVEN VIDEOS PUBLISHED TO SHOW THE PROBLEM , AND VW IS TRYING TO AVOID ADMITTING IT IS A DEFECT. THEY EVEN WANTED ME TO TRY ANOTHER CAR ON THE LOT WHICH HAD A SIM LAB PROBLEM AND THE SHOP FOREMAN AT IDE VW SAID HE HASN'T SEEN THIS PROBLEM BEFORE AND HE IS SURPRISED AND THE CAR SHOULD NOT HAVE THAT PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #11092622 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STRONG VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL (&NOISE) WHILE DRIVING WHEN MAKING TURNS. THIS IS SPORADIC AND HAPPENS WHETHER TURNING STEERING WHEEL LEFT OR RIGHT. TRAVELING AT SLOW SPEEDS WHEN LEAVIN MY DRIVEWAY, ON PAVED ROADS, CITY STREETS... I DON'T KNOW THE EXACT DATE THIS STARTED BUT IT STARTED IN THE LAST 30 DAYS
NHTSA complaint #11081937 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKING DEVICE DOES NOT BLOCK THE STEERING WHEEL ANY MORE AFTER PARKING THE VEHICLE AND REMOVING THE KEY IGNITION LOCK. INSTEAD WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THERE IS A PRONOUNCED RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM INSIDE THE STEERING WHEEL. THE WHEEL LOCKING MECHANISM DOES NOT WORK.
NHTSA complaint #11047624 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AFTER PURCHASING AN 08 TOUAREG WITH 120000 MILES, I HAVE FOUND IT TO HAVE A VERY LOUD STEERING NOISE, LIKE A BLENDER ON LOW SPEED SETTING. ALONG WITH THE NOISE, IT SEEMS TO LOSE SOME IF NOT ALL STEERING. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BELLOW 1000 RPM, WHETHER IT BE STATIONARY, MOVING, IN REVERSE OR NOT. IF THE RPM IS ABOVE THAT, STEERING IS NORMAL, NO SOUND IS HEARD, AND ALL IS NORMAL. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN PARKING, AS IT IS A LOW SPEED LOW RPM SITUATION. I HAVE READ ABOUT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND GOING THROUGH A RUNAROUND CYCLE WITH VW ON REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE STEERING RACK, AND MORE MULTIPLE TIMES. ALL VW REPS ARE "COMING TO THE CONCLUSION" IN THEIR MINDS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP US TOUAREG, AND PASSAT OWNERS, AND THEY KEEP TELLING US IT'S NORMAL. THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP THIS FROM BECOMING A RECALL FOR TOO LONG. I AM INCLUDING A LINK TO A FORUM THAT HAS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. THANKYOU. HTTP://WWW.CLUBTOUAREG.COM/FORUMS#/TOPICS/41443?PAGE=1
NHTSA complaint #10986147 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2016 TOUAREG TDI IN SEPTEMBER 2015. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION HAS BECOME QUITE AN ISSUE AS IT IS GETTING WORSE THE LONGER I DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD IT ROAD TESTED, WHEELS BALANCE TIRES ROTATED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND IT CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AT THE STEERING. I HAVE ONLY 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE VIBRATION BEGINS AROUND 45-50 MPH. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TYPE OF SURFACE. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA THEY SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. NOT ONLY IS THIS VIBRATION WRONG IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, AND POSSIBLY A BLOW OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #10870833 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE CARS' STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60MPH+ EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING VOLKSWAGENS' SERVICE BULLETINS, NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, ROADFORCE BALANCE, ETC. THE VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.
NHTSA complaint #10855320 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES DURING HIGH WAY DRIVING. MOSTLY HAPPENS AROUND 80 MPH, HAVE DONE THE ROAD FORCE BALANCING AND 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENTS. THE POWER STEERING WHEEL ALSO HAS A WEAK ASSISTANT TO TURN BACK TO CENTER. HERE IS A YOUTUBE LINK OF DEMONSTRATION OF STEERING SHAKE. HTTPS://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=GQIK_KW7KGG
NHTSA complaint #10854971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ALARM WAS GOING OFF MORE FREQUENTLY AND TO SILENCE IT I WOULD PULL THE SPING ON THE BRAKE UP. THE BRAKE ALARM RANDOMLY WAS ANOYING BUT NOT A MAJOR CONCERN. I HADN'T HAD ANY MECHANICAL ISSUES WITH MY CAR UNTIL 01/23/16 I ATTEMPTED TO START MY CAR AND RECIEVED AN ERROR MESSAGE THE READ STEERING DEFECT AND IT WOULDN'T ALLOW YOU TO START THE CAR BEYOND THE ERROR MESSAGE. I HAD MY CAR TOWED TO VOLKSWAGON MENTOR OHIO AFTER HOLDING MY CAR FOR MORE THAN A WEEK I WAS FINALLY OFFERED A DIAGNOSIS THAT THE ACCESS MODULAR WAS NOT FUNCTIONING MEANING THE BRAIN OF THE VEHICLE WASN'T FUNCTIONING AND THE VW DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT DIDN'T HAVE ANSWER TO HOW THIS HAPPENED THEY HAD A $2500 SOLUTION TO THE PROBLEM AND THEY WERE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ASSIST IN REPLACEMENT OF THE ACCESS MODULAR WITH THERE HEARTY COST. THE BRAIN THE VOLKSWAGON ACCESS MODULAR STOPS FUNCTIONING AND VOLKSWAGEN AT NO FAULT OF MINE AND I'M CHARGED $2500 PLUS. MECHANICAL MAINTENANCE I UNDERSTAND BUT REPLACEMENT OF THE VEHICLES ACCESS MODULAR IS A REPAIR THAT I FEEL VOLKSWGON SHOULD COVER.
NHTSA complaint #10853446 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED AND WOULD NOT INCREASE IN SPEED WHILE THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE MAKING A TURN, THERE WAS A LOUD CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 123,000.
NHTSA complaint #10806532 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUES TO OSCILLATE AND VIBRATE AT FREEWAY SPEEDS ABOVE 65MPH. IT CONTINUES TO DO SO REGARDLESS OF ROAD SURFACE. VW HAS REPLACED TIRES, STEERING COLUMNS, AND OTHER AREAS THAT MAY BE CAUSING THIS ISSUE, BUT THE PROBLEM REMAINS. THE VEHICLE IS NOW AT 22,000 MILES AND IS STILL EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND VW IS NOT ACKNOWLEDGING THE LONG TERM ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE VW TO REPURCHASE THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #10761526 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A SHAKE, SHIMMY, OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 70-80MPH. 72MPH BEING THE MOST OBVIOUS. IT ALSO TENDS TO PULL MOSTLY TO THE RIGHT. IT CURRENTLY IS IN FOR ITS 2ND ATTEMPT AT REPAIR. THE FIRST WAS A REMOUNT AND REBALANCE OF ALL 4 WHEELS AS WELL AS "CLEANING" THE HUBS. THIS WAS TO COMPLY WITH THEIR OWN INTERNAL TSB. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FIXED AND IT IS NOT. I'M WAITING TO PICK IT UP.
NHTSA complaint #10717211 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 2/1/15. I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 63 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH WHICH IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, SEAT & FRONT END. I OPENED A CASE WITH VW ON ABOUT 2/11/15 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 2/16/15. ON 2/16/15 THE VW DEALER MADE A REPAIR WHICH HELPED REDUCE THE SWS, BUT IT DID NOT GO AWAY. I MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR 2/23/15 FOR THEM TO REVISIT THIS PROBLEM. FOR THE SECOND APPOINTMENT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THEY DIDN'T DETECT ANY SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND FOUND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL SHAKING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 63 MPH. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP (SAME DAY) AND TOOK THE SERVICE ADVISOR WITH ME ON A TEST DRIVE. I DEMONSTRATED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED IT. HE STATED THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET RID OF IT. I LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO WORK ON IT MORE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SWAPPED WHEELS WITH ANOTHER TOUAREG AND IT STILL HAD THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING PROBLEM. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND THIS PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS.
NHTSA complaint #10691016 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP WHERE THE TECHNICIANS LOOKED IT OVER AND TOLD ME THAT THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM IS THAT TWO CABLES TOUCHED AND SHORTED OUT THE SYSTEM. AFTER 3 WEEKS OF HOLDING THE VEHICLE, THE COST OF REPAIR WAS QUOTED AT AROUND $3,500 TO REPLACE SOME MODULES. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THIS MIGHT BE A RECALL ISSUE AS MANY OTHER 2004 VW TUAREGS HAVE HAD SIMILAR PROBLEMS.
NHTSA complaint #10679060 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AT ROAD SPEEDS, 65-75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VIBRATION, AND ALL PARTS (DASH, SEATS ETC) VIBRATE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF WHEEL, IT WILL VISIBLY SHAKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER TWO WEEKS COMBINED WITH THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS TO NO AVAIL. ON LIFT OVER TWO DAYS WITH 60 PSI IN TIRES-DID NOT FIX IT. ROAD FORCED ALL TIRES AND WHEELS,-DID NOT FIX IT. NEW SET OF TIRES OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER-DID NOT FIX IT. CAR STILL VIBRATES. DEALER SAID IT WAS OK, BUT STILL VIBRATES.
NHTSA complaint #10672240 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
CAME OUT TO 2004 V8 TOUAREG,AND IT WOULD NOT START. MRI READS STEERING DEFECTIVE WORKSHOP. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT IN TOUAREGS AND ONE WHICH VW REFUSES TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY OF.IT RENDERS THE VEHICLE PARALYZED AND DUE TO IT BEING ALL WHEEL DRIVE, REQUIRES SPECIAL EQUIPMENT TO EVEN TOW IT. I AM FURIOUS. THIS IS A KNOWN, DANGEROUS ISSUE AND NO RECALL FOR IT - SHAME ON YOU VW. WHAT IF I WAS WITH MY YOUNG CHILDREN? THERE IS NO WARNING FOR THIS FAILURE. ALL IS FINE AND THEN WHAM, IT WILL NOT START, TURN OVER, SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL, ETC. YOU ARE 100% PARALYZED WHERE YOU ARE - BE IT AT A GAS PUMP OR A REMOTE DIRT ROAD.
NHTSA complaint #10667491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AS I WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY FLASHED A SYSTEM MALFUNCTION ON THE DASH AND STATED SERVICE NEEDED TO BE PERFORMED IMMEDIATELY. AS I WAS PULLING OVER TO SIDE, THE VEHICLE INSTANTLY STALLED OUT AND TURNED OFF. MY STEERING WAS COMPROMISED AND I HAD NO ABILITY TO TURN THE VEHICLE BACK ON OR MOVE THE SHIFTER INTO NEUTRAL TO GET OUT OF TRAFFIC. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHO AFTER INSPECTION DID NOT IMMEDIATELY KNOW THE REASON. THEY REACHED OUT TO VW OF AMERICA WHO CONFIRMED WITH THEM AN ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM REPLACEMENT WAS IN ORDER AS A RESULT OF A FAILED FUEL PUMP. THIS WOULD HAVE BEEN A MUCH MORE DANGEROUS SITUATION IF I WAS ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY OR GOING AT A FASTER SPEED. THE FACT THAT IT WAS DAYLIGHT OUT AND ON A STRAIGHT FLAT ROAD GREATLY ASSISTED ME IN STAYING SAFE. IF THIS HAD OCCURRED ON A BUSY INTERSECTION OR HIGH SPEED ROADS OR CURVES THE OUTCOME COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH DIFFERENT.
NHTSA complaint #10660935 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.