2004 Volkswagen Touareg
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Suspension, Wheels & Tires
Suspension, Wheels & Tires leads by volume: 51 of 231 complaints (22%) mention it.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | vs. 2004 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 5,000–5,550 | 4,850–5,550 | 4,850–5,550 | |
| Combined MPG | 14–18 | 14–16 | 14–17 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 12–15 / 17–22 | 12–14 / 17–19 | 12–15 / 17–20 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 566–635 | 555–635 | 555–635 | |
| Complaints filed | 231 | 75 | 37 | |
| Recalls issued | 4 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 9 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 0 | 1 | |
| Injuries reported | 6 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 3 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg?
Suspension, Wheels & Tires: 51 of 231 NHTSA complaints (22%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg get?
EPA rates it 14–18 MPG combined across 3 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg?
EPA estimates $5,000–$5,550 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (3)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 6 | 3.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 13 mpg | 19 mpg | 15 mpg | $5,150 | 592 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 8 | 4.2L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 12 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 14 mpg (low) | $5,550 (high) | 635 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 10 | 5.0L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 18 mpg (high) | $5,000 (low) | 566 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 29 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 50 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 33 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 49 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 24 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 51 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 31 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 18 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 24 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 11 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 17V583000 · Sep 22, 2017
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Touareg vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel filter flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Consequence: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel filter flange for cracks, replacing the flange if cracks are found. If no cracks are found, a protective cover will be installed onto the filter flange. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Ai.
SEAT BELTS · Campaign 04V592000 · Dec 20, 2004
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.
Consequence: WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES OR DEATH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY INSTALL A 'CLIP' IN EACH OF THE TWO REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS. THE CLIPS WILL PREVENT UNWANTED DEACTIVATION OF THE ALR MODE WITH CHILD SEAT INSTALLATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER · Campaign 04V233000 · May 26, 2004
Defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.
Consequence: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING · Campaign 03V266000 · Aug 1, 2003
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TPMS WIRING HARNESS ROUTING AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-893-5298.