54 of the
945 complaints filed about the Volkswagen Touareg
are about the tires —
6% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2004.
I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE TIRE SHOP THIS MORNING TO HAVE THE TIRE PATCHED FOR A SMALL SCREW THAT WAS PICKED UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION. I RECEIVED A CALL A SHORT TIME LATER FROM TIRE SHOP TELLING ME THAT THE SIDEWALL OF MY TIRE HAD FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND SIDEWALL FAILURE MY GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2'S HAVE EXPERIENCED IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. VEHICLE IS 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG, AND THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL WITH THE VEHICLE. 50% FAILURE RATE IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FIRST ONE AND WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE SECOND ONE AS WELL. THESE ARE AROUND $325 PER TIRE, SO OUT AROUND $650 IN LESS THAN A YEAR, BUT I FEEL INCREDIBLY LUCKY THAT NEITHER INCIDENT WAS AT SPEED, OR THE LOSS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HEAVIER. I AM A FATHER TO TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN, AND I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THESE TIRES ARE SAFE, AND AM BEYOND CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELL BEING.
NHTSA complaint #10905657 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI SCORPION VERDE TIRES, SIZE 265/50/R19. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT PROPERLY INFLATED WITH NITROGEN. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,850 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,800.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10893143 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE PRESSURE DECREASED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. DUE TO THE READ OUT, ADDITIONAL AIR WAS CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE TIRES. ALL THE TIRES WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
NHTSA complaint #10865377 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I PURCHASED A SET OF 4 NITTO MOTIVO'S FOR MY TOUAREG TDI IN SEPT 2013 AT WHICH TIME I HAD 60,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. TODAY, 6/17/14, @ 75, 000 MILES WITH 15,000 MILES ON THE MOTIVO'S, I NOTICED 2 DEFECTS IN 2 OF MY TIRES. THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A HUGE BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL...ABOUT 3" INCHES ACROSS AND 2" HIGH. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD THIS 2" X 2" CUT/GASH OR SOMETHING ON THE SIDEWALL. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE WHERE I BOUGHT THEM AND THEY SAID THESE ISSUES WERE PROBABLY THE RESULT OF DRIVING OVER POTHOLES AND THAT ALL 4 WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SINCE I HAVE AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE AND THAT THE BEST THEY CAN DO IS GIVE ME A TREAD WEAR BASED CREDIT ON A NEW SET IN THE AMOUNT OF AROUND $320. I PAID OVER $1000 FOR YOUR TIRES, WHICH WERE WARRANTED FOR 60,000 AND I ONLY GOT 15,000 OUT OF THEM. AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, IT APPEARS THAT THE QUALITY OF THE SIDEWALL IS VERY POOR CAUSING THE DEFECTS I MENTIONED. I CONTACTED NITTO NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY ADVISED THAT THEY DO NOT COVER "ROAD HAZARDS" WHICH THEY SAY CAUSED THE DEFECTS IN MY 2 TIRES. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT SINCE MY TIRES WERE ONLY MEASURED AS HAVING BETWEEN 5/32 AND 6/32 OF TREAD WEAR, ESSENTIALLY 1/2 WORN OUT, THEY ONLY WARRANTY THEIR TIRES IF THEY ARE BETWEEN 1/32 AND 2/32...IE, TOTALLY WORN OUT, BEFORE THEY WOULD ISSUE A PRO-RATED CREDIT. THIS IS ABSURD!!! THE WARRANTY IS FOR 60,000 MILES...AFTER JUST 15,000 MILES, MY TIRES ARE HALFWAY WORN OUT! I SHOULD GET A CREDIT FOR 75% OF THE COST OF THE TIRES. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION IN HELPING ME TO RECEIVE CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF 75% ($750) OF THE $1000 I PAID FOR THESE TIRES, SINCE I ONLY HAVE 15, 000 MILES ON THEM AND THE WARRANTY IS FOR 60,000.
NHTSA complaint #10599210 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
WE HAVE A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG WHICH HAS HAD A CONTINUING PROBLEM SINCE JUNE 2009. THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM CONTINUALLY COMES ON WITH LOUD AND SOMETIMES INTERMITTENT AND SOMETIMES CONTINUING BEEPING WARNING OF FLAT TIRES, OR THE SYSTEM IS "LEARNING". EACH WHEEL HAS A BATTERY OPERATED UNIT (WHEEL SENSOR) WHICH WILL NOT BE REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY UNTIL THE BATTERY IS COMPLETELY DEAD. THERE IS A $75- CHARGE EACH TIME TO INFORM YOU THAT THE BATTERY IS NOT YET DEAD. IN THE MEANTIME YOU DRIVE ALONG WITH THE WARNING SIGNAL GOING OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10347945 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THE GEAR SHIFT SELECTOR WOULD NOT MOVE OUT OF PARK AND HE WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY FROM THE IGNITION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING TOWED, THE ENTIRE CONSOLE AND WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED WATER WAS ENTERING THE VEHICLE AND SETTLING IN THE TRUNK NEAR THE SPARE TIRE. THE DEALER REMOVED THE SHIFTER CABLE AND REPLACED THE HARNESS, A WIRE AND THE SHIFTER COLUMN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,285 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,065. UPDATED 11/02/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRUNK WOULD NOT OPEN PROPERLY. THE TIRE SENSORS WOULD COME ON. THE IGNITION SWITCH WAS DEFECTIVE AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. UPDATED 11/04/10
NHTSA complaint #10347465 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG IT HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR REPAIRS AND OR PROBLEMS AND RE-CALLS SINCE DAY ONE. BUT MY BIGGEST PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE STEPPER MOTOR PROBLEM WHICH HAS BEEN TEARING MY TIRES TO THREADS. SINCE DAY ONE WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO THE VW DEALER AND COMPLAINED ABOUT THE TIRES SKIPPING AND CHUGGING ON THE PAVEMENT AS YOU TURN AT SLOW SPEEDS. THIS IS APPARENTLY FROM WHAT I FOUND OUT TO BE CAUSED BY THIS STEPPER MOTOR. BUT I DID NOT FIND THAT OUT THROUGH ANY OF THE SERVICE PEOPLE OR MECHANICS FROM VW DEALERSHIPS. APPARENTLY THERE IS A SIMPLE FIX OF SOME SOFTWARE UPDATE. BUT NO DEALERSHIPS HAVE A WORKING CD FOR THIS SO-CALLED SOFTWARE UPDATE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED IN MY GARAGE AND I DO NOT USE IT OFTEN AS I CANT AFFORD TO KEEP REPLACING MY TIRES. THE SKIPPING OF THE TIRES WHEN U TURN IS CUPPING THEM AND MAKING THE TIRES VERY LOUD WHILE YOU DRIVE. ALL I HAVE BEEN TOLD FROM VW DEALERS FROM NEW JERSEY TO MAINE IS THAT THIS VEHICLE IS SUPPOSE TO DO THAT. THAT'S WHAT I HAVE BEEN TOLD SINCE I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE NEW. IT WASN'T TILL I JOINED A CLUB CALLED CLUB TOUAREG THAT I THEN FOUND ALL THIS INFORMATION ABOUT THE PROBLEMS WITH MY 2005 VW TOUAREG. I ALSO HAVE THIS VEHICLE ALIGNED EVERY 2-3 EVEN 4 TIMES A YEAR BECAUSE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE. MY THOUGHT ARE THAT THIS IS A VERY UN SAFE VEHICLE TO DRIVE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO STAND UP AND HELP US CONSUMERS OUT. HOW CAN A VEHICLE MANUFACTURE BE ABLE TO PRODUCE AND SELL A VEHICLE WITH THIS AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS? DO WE HAVE TO WAIT FOR SOMEONE TO DIE? BEFORE SOMETHING IS DONE. VW SHOULD BE MADE TO HAVE TO RECALL ALL THESE LEMON VEHICLE THAT THE SO POORLY MADE AND THAT OUR GREAT GOVERNMENT HAS ALLOWED THEM TO SELL. BUT GUESS YOUR TO BUSY WITH THE ECONOMY, THE OIL SPILL AND YEAH TOYOTA AND DON'T FORGET THAT LAST ONE. SO DO SOMETHING PEOPLE STAND UP FOR US. THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WITH THIS SAME VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG PROBLEM WHO UNLIKE ME DON'T NO WHY THERE TIRES ARE BEING CHEWED OFF.
NHTSA complaint #10342759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
2004 VW TOUAREG V-8 MANY PROBLEMS BUT 3 WORTH REPORTING: FOR NO APPARENT REASON PASSENGER DOOR COULD NOT BE OPENED OR UNLATCHED BY USING ANY KNOWN MEANS INCLUDING THE INSIDE DOOR HANDLE OR OUTSIDE DOOR HANDLE, ELECTRIC LOCK ACTUATOR CLICKS AS IF THE DOOR IS UNLOCKED BUT THE DOOR CAN NOT BE OPENED OR UNLATCHED. VEHICLE HAD TO BE BROUGHT TO VW DEALERSHIP AND WORKED ON BY DESTROYING THE DOOR HANDLE TO OPEN THE DOOR AND PERHAPS CUTTING A WHOLE IN THE BODY PANNEL AT THE COST OF 2 HOURS OF DIAGNOSTICS, 8 HOURS OF LABOR TO OPEN DOOR AND PROBABLY 2 OR 3 ADDITIONAL HOURS OF REPLACING DOOR HANDLE IF BODY OF DOOR IS NOT BENT, PLUS PARTS VEHICLE HAS MANY ELECTRICAL GLITCHES INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO INTERMITTENT MALFUNCTION OF AIR BAG IGNITERS....ONCE AGAIN HAVING THE POTENTIAL TO CAUSE SERIOUS HARM OCCUPANTS GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCES THIS IS A POTENTIAL DANGEROUS SITUATION AND HAS MADE ME LOSE ALL FAIH IN THIS MANUFACTURER. VEHICLE LUNGES FORWARD WHEN STOPPED AT TRAFIC LIGHTS AND BEGINNING TO PROCCEED ON A GREEN.
NHTSA complaint #10334661 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE VEHICLE HAD PIRELLI SCORPION STRS TIRES, TIRE SIZE 265/45ZR20. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE OVER INFLATED BY TWO POUNDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE IN OPERATION. A FAILURE HAD NOT OCCURRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DISAGREED WITH THE PRACTICE OF OVER INFLATING THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,280.
NHTSA complaint #10325123 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG 2 WHICH WAS PURCHASED NEW WITH PIRELLI TIRES. AT APPROXIMATELY 12,000 MILES, I NOTICED A VIBRATION IN THE STEERING AND TOOK MY CAR IN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER FOUND NOTHING WRONG AT THAT TIME. THE CAR STARTED TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AT ABOUT 20,000 MILES AND AGAIN I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER WOULD NOT ALIGN THE TIRES BECAUSE THEY SAID THAT THERE WERE TOO MANY HIGHS AND LOWS IN THE TIRES ALTHOUGH I HAD DONE EVERYTHING REQUIRED BY THE DEALER. I CALLED PIRELLI WHO SAID THAT THE TIRES SHOULD BE ROTATED EVERY THREE TO FOUR THOUSAND MILES BUT VW SAYS THAT THEY ONLY ROTATE AT 10,000. AFTER FILING A COMPLAINT WITH VW THE DEALER OFFERED TWO NEW TIRES BUT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE OTHER TWO. NOT A SATISFACTORY SOLUTION AS THE DEALER WOULD NOT GIVE ME THE TWO TIRES WITHOUT MY PERSONAL PURCHASE OF TWO MORE. THE DEALER CLAIMED THEY DIDN'T KNOW THAT THE PIRELLI SUGGESTED ROTATING AT 3,000 MILES.
NHTSA complaint #10285865 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THIS 2005 TOUAREG HAS GIVEN ME PROBLEMS SINCE I GOT. FIRST IT WAS ALWAYS THE HEADLIGHTS THAT GAVE ME TROUBLE, THEN THE TIRES WORE OUT WAY BEFORE THE TIME, THE BRAKING SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED ALL THE WAY AROUND AT ABOUT 30,000, NOW THE TRANSMISSION IS SLIPPING OR JUMPING , THE COATING ON THE DOOR AND ON THE HEATING VENTS IS PEELING OFF, I HAD TO HAVE THE LOCK ON THE DOOR FIXED CAUSE THAT NEVER WORKED. THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN A SERIOUS PROBLEM SINCE I GOT IT AND I FEEL LIKE IT IS A LEMON.
NHTSA complaint #10264154 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH ON NORMAL ROAD CONDITIONS, THE FLAT TIRE CAUTION WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO TRAVEL THREE TO FOUR MILES WHEN THE EMERGENCY FLAT TIRE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE DRIVER PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, BUT DID NOT NOTICE ANY FLAT TIRES. THE WARNING INDICATORS REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING AND THEY STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO A FAULTY MANUFACTURER DESIGN. THERE WAS NO REPAIR AVAILABLE. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DISENGAGE THE TIRE PRESSURE MODULE TO AVOID THE FALSE WARNINGS DISPLAYED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 38,200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 40,083. UPDATED 3/19/09 *CN UPDATED 03/23/09.
NHTSA complaint #10257731 — 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.
THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM WILL PERIODICALLY DISPLAY VARIOUS WARNING MESSAGES INDICATING A FLAT TIRE. TIRE PRESSURE HAS ALWAYS BEEN NORMAL (UNCHANGED FROM PRIOR TARE), AND VISUAL INSPECTION OF THE TIRE INCLUDING SOAP TEST HAS ALWAYS BEEN NORMAL. DEALER HAS BEEN UNABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM, CITING INABILITY TO REPLICATE IT.
NHTSA complaint #10250800 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
FOR MONTHS I LISTENED TO "DEFECTIVE TIRE" WARNINGS AND "CHECK TIRE PRESSURE" WARNINGS - ALL TO NO AVAIL - EVERYTHING WAS FINE. FINALLY, A LIGHT CAME ON - "TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM FAULT". I TOOK IT IN THE VACAVILLE VW, AND THEY DETERMINED IT WAS THE TPMS MODULE (NOT THE SENSOR). I HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND WAS FIRST TOLD THAT THE MODULE WAS A COVERED COMPONENT, WHILE THE SENSOR WAS NOT. I LEFT IT THERE FOR THE APPROPRIATE REPAIRS ON A THURSDAY (11-6-08). ON FRIDAY, I WAS INFORMED THAT THE REPAIRS HAD BEEN MADE, BUT WHEN TEST DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER CHECKING...THEY FIND THE COIL IS BAD. VACAVILLE VW REPLACES THE COIL AND IT IS READY FOR PICKUP ON TUESDAY, 11-11-08. I PICK THE VEHICLE UP ON WEDNESDAY AND TWO DAYS LATER, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR SYSTEM FAULT LIGHT COMES ON AGAIN. IT IS NOW AT VACAVILLE VW AND I AM WAITING TO FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG NOW.
NHTSA complaint #10249027 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHT FAILURES FOR OVER 4 YEARS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY WHILE WIFE WAS ON THE FREEWAY. VERY DANGEROUS...ESSENTIALLY NO WARNING. HAVE REPLACED WIRING HARNESS IN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES MANY TIMES. UNSAFE HANDLING AND ACCELERATION...CAR JUMPS FORWARD AT STOPS WHILE IT IS DOWNSHIFTING. THINK THE TRANSMISSION, TIRES AND BRAKES SHOULD BE TESTED. THINK YOU WILL FIND THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. ENGINE BLEW UP AT 44,000 MILES. VERY DANGEROUS CAR..AND YOU WILL FIND OTHER TOUAREGS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10238426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHT FAILURES FOR OVER 4 YEARS. ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND ENGINE SHUT DOWN IMMEDIATELY WHILE WIFE WAS ON THE FREEWAY. VERY DANGEROUS...ESSENTIALLY NO WARNING. HAVE REPLACED WIRING HARNESS IN THE VEHICLE AND HAVE HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR ELECTRICAL ISSUES MANY TIMES. UNSAFE HANDLING AND ACCELERATION...CAR JUMPS FORWARD AT STOPS WHILE IT IS DOWNSHIFTING. THINK THE TRANSMISSION, TIRES AND BRAKES SHOULD BE TESTED. THINK YOU WILL FIND THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. ENGINE BLEW UP AT 44,000 MILES. VERY DANGEROUS CAR..AND YOU WILL FIND OTHER TOUAREGS WITH SIMILAR ISSUES. SHOULD BE RECALLED.
NHTSA complaint #10238426 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I LEASE A 2005 TOUAREG V6 AND ALL TIRES OF THE CAR ARE WORM OUT AFTER 8K MILES. MAKER REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THE PROBLEM. ONE OF THE TIRES ALSO HAS A DEEP CRACK. THE LEASE VEHICLE RETURN FINAL INSPECTION CAME OUT WITH 150$ CHARGE FOR EACH TIRE.
NHTSA complaint #10234908 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
ON JANUARY 21, 2008 I PURCHASED A NEW 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER. THE TPMS CONTINUOUSLY WARNS OF A LOW TIRE (S). HOWEVER, NO SUCH LOW TIRE CONDITION EXISTS. AFTER COMPLAINING, I LEARNED THAT VOLKSWAGEN SETS THE 'LOW TIRE PRESSURE WARNING TELLTALE' WARNING TO ALERT AT A TIRE PRESSURE LOSS OF ABOUT 4 PSI, BASED ON A FACTORY FIXED INITIAL TIRE PRESSURE PRESET OF 46 PSI REAR, AND 39 PSI FRONT. THESE FIXED PRESET PRESSURES ARE BASED UPON A MAXIMUM VEHICLE LOAD. AT LESS THAN MAXIMUM VEHICLE LOAD, 46 PSI IN THE REAR TIRES IS EXCESSIVE, GREATLY REDUCING THE TIRE PATCH AREA THAT CONTACTS THE ROAD SURFACE. THIS CONDITION IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY IN WET OR ICY CONDITIONS DUE TO DECREASED TRACTION. MOREOVER, TREAD LIFE WILL BE GREATLY REDUCED WITH THIS LIMITED TREAD CONTACT. TO REMEDY THIS CONDITION, THE VOLKSWAGEN OWNER'S MANUAL DESCRIBES A PROCEDURE TO CHANGE THE TIRE PRESSURE PRESET (S) BASED ON THE TYPE OF TIRE, AND/OR THE CONDITIONS EXPECTED. (3.1 CONTROLS AND EQUIPMENT) IN THIS SECTION, THERE IS ALSO A NOTATION; 'THE DRIVER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURES FOR ALL TIRES ON THE VEHICLE.' THIS FEATURE IS VISIBLE, BUT LOCKED BY THE MANUFACTURER SO THAT IT IS NOT ACCESSIBLE TO ANY OWNER, OR THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER. MY EFFORTS TO HAVE ACCESS TO THE TPMS PRESET PRESSURES AS DESCRIBED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL (OR) TO AT LEAST HAVE THE TPMS MORE CLOSELY FOLLOW THE FEDERAL STANDARDS (49 CFR PARTS 571 AND 585) HAVE BEEN DENIED BY VOLKSWAGEN AND/OR ITS REPRESENTATIVES, WITH THE DECISION FINAL. WITH THE SYSTEM DESIGNED AS IT IS, THE TPMS TELLTALE LIGHT IS CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED UNDER ALL DRIVING CONDITIONS, MAKING THIS MANDATED SAFETY DEVICE COMPLETELY INEFFECTIVE FOR ITS INTENDED PURPOSE. VOLKSWAGEN SAID THAT IF I DON'T LIKE THE SYSTEM, MY ONLY OPTION IS TO TURN IT OFF. THIS IS NOT A COMPLAINT ABOUT MY DEALER. THEY WOULD LIKE TO HELP ME AND OTHERS WITH THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10217577 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.