Is the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg a bad year?
231 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 50, 5× a quiet Touareg year.
Keep it, but watch the transmission
The transmission draws 5× the complaints of a quiet Touareg year, spread over 15k–80k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2004 Touareg owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 47,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 50 (22%) | 15k–80k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical systemSTANDS OUT | 49 (21%) | 11k–91k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 27 (12%) | 21k–85k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 26 (11%) | 2k–90k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Fuel system | 33 (14%) | 81k–130k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Tires | 36 (16%) | 8k–44k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Speed control | 22 (10%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 20 (9%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Brakes | 19 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exterior lighting | 13 (6%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Steering | 12 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Visibility and wipers | 11 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Latches and locks | 8 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 47,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 231 complaints: 9 mention a crash · 5 mention a fire · 6 report an injury · 2 say the car was towed.
1 complaint was filed in the last 12 months, the newest in Nov 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
Multiple engine light failures for over 4 years. Engine light came on and engine shut down immediately while wife was on the freeway.
Consumers vehicle is experiencing erratic shifting. When accelerating from a stop car will hesitate and jerk. *ts this problem seems to only occure whil the transmission is in lower gears.
In december 2009 my 2004 VW Touareg was in park with the engine idling while my son, who was driving the car, got out of the car to speak to a parking lot attendant.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 47,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg: 4
These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel filter flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak. A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Certain passenger cars fail to comply with the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 208, "Occupant crash protection." When involved in a crash, the child restraints may not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injuries or death.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the rear seat belt latch attachment bolt may have been insufficiently riveted. In the event of a crash, the seat occupant may not be properly restrained increasing the risk of personal injury.
On certain sport utility vehicles, the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) wiring harness may have been improperly routed during assembly. An improperly routed TPMS wiring harness may contact the parking brake cable spring. If this happens, the TPMS wiring circuit could be interrupted, resulting in an inoperative TPMS, and causing a short-to-ground condition that could potentially result in a fire.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Volkswagen: 151
Repair instructions Volkswagen sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Gasoline Engine Misfire Diagnosis document
Air Conditioning, Cleaning of the Refrigerant Circuit (U.S.Only)
ECM Fault P1250 "Fuel Level Too Low" Will Not Clear
Incorrect torque converter or flywheel/flexplate installation can result in transmission damage
NHTSA defect investigations: 2
SRS warning light illumination
Exterior door handle malfunction
Neighbouring years
2005 Touareg: 75 complaints, keep it.
Every Volkswagen Touareg year
2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · All Touareg years side by side
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Questions
Is the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg a bad year?
231 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 50, 5× a quiet Touareg year. At 47,000 miles the tool says: Keep it, but watch the transmission. The transmission draws 5× the complaints of a quiet Touareg year, spread over 15k–80k miles, so there's no single mileage to plan around.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (50), electrical system (49), air bags (27), engine (26), fuel system (33). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 15k–80k miles.
How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Fuel system (NHTSA 17V-583), Seat belts (NHTSA 04V-592), Seat belts (NHTSA 04V-233), Electrical system (NHTSA 03V-266). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.