2005 Volkswagen Touareg Owner Complaints

My OBD port cannot be read. It will not communicate, or I cannot communicate with the vehicle using any OBD reading software. Myself or my mechanic. This is a major safety concern due to several reasons. Most importantly, I'm being told that it can affect, or it's probably caused by, electrical problems that are well known on this particular model and year for this maker. Something's wrong with it, where it's either being shorted somewhere, or for whatever reason, because it's not communicating. It's caused the vehicle to shut off randomly, sometimes it will allow you to restart, and then sometimes it will not. And this is a cause of concern if and when I drive on the highway.

NHTSA ID

11734415

Incident

Mar 7, 2025

The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V583000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.

NHTSA ID

11621518

Incident

Oct 20, 2024

Mileage

99,000 mi

Due to a leak in either the sunroof or the windshield water continuously drips down every time it rains onto the floorboard of the driver side of this vehicle, creating a sopping wet floor board that has 2 inches of water, which in turn soaks the whole electrical system for this vehicle. I mean the water continuously drips from the time you purchase this vehicle until forever I guarantee that anybody who has a v8 version of the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg has a sopping wet driver, side floor board! The water never has a chance to dry, especially in colder climates Mine went into limp mode due to this electrical system, failing. VW MECHANICS told me I needed a whole new engine w! When I did my research and I found out that this is very common on this model, and if there are some wires that inevitably get corroded from all the water that ruins the electrical system underneath the driver side floor board, and therefore the wires become corroded and severed which creates a real problem for the electrical system to function

NHTSA ID

11541808

Incident

Aug 31, 2023

The issue explained in Recall Notice 20Ai has reappeared after being 'fixed'. Issue Summary: On certain vehicles, the fuel pump flange may develop fine cracks or fissures, which could result in a fuel leak. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Date of Recall Repair: 02/25/2019 Date of noticed failure: 08/07/2023 It has not been communicated that this part will continue to be a hazard, and I have now discovered that even when noted that this recall action has been completed, my vehicle has gasoline leaking into the passenger compartment via the same avenue as Recall 20Ai notes. This is highly concerning as all impacted VW Touaregs that were 'recalled' may still be at risk of vehicle fire or ignition.

NHTSA ID

11537153

Incident

Aug 7, 2023

After doing major research with other owners of like year and model I have discovered that i'm not the only one that is experiencing headlight electronics or headlight electrical system within the headlight assembly frying the electrical wires, cracking the brittle wire coating and exposing many of the electrical wires together within the housing unit of the headlight Assembly. This caused many short circuits Headlights Shutting off at random times but most importantly shutting off at night on a dark highway. Depending on the bumps and bruises of the streets would cause the Wires to touch each other and short circuit. Although this is a 17-year-old vehicle but I've never experienced electrical components being degraded this much For like Like age of any vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11508252

Incident

Feb 2, 2023

Gas leak (see pics). I started noticing a strong gasoline smell and my car keeps running out of gas almost immediately after filling up. This has not been inspected nor confirmed by a dealer. This is my only source of transportation and needs to be fixed ASAP. There is not a VW dealership where I live, the closest being in Mario, IL, or St. Louis, MO.

NHTSA ID

11477238

Incident

Jun 27, 2022

My vehicle is leaking gas, I was told there is a recall on my vehicle so I took it into the volkswagen dealership where I was told that the recall only covers the driver side leak but not the passenger side leak which makes absolutely no sense. Because when I drive off of the service lot the problem still exists which means I could be blown up or cause injury of fire. This recall should cover ALL aspects of the fuel leak! Not just one side! Making customers pay for this is disgusting! I am a single mom and don't have an extra $600 to spend on an issue that should have been corrected by the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11431381

Incident

Sep 1, 2021

PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH SHOWS AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. WATER COMES FROM BEHIND DASHBOARD ONTO DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WHEN TURNING WHILE DRIVING LIKELY CAUSE BY CLOGGED AC DRAINS BEHIND WHEEL WELLS. FUEL PUMP PREMATURE FAILURE, AFTER REFUELING. HEADLINER FALLING FROM CEILING ON TO DRIVER AND PASSENGERS WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, WEATHER WAS HOT AND HUMID.

NHTSA ID

11291763

Incident

Dec 1, 2010

Mileage

75,000 mi

I TOOK MY SUV TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR A FUEL PUMP RECALL, ABOUT 3,000 MILES AFTER MY SUV IS CAUSING PROBLEMS LIKE START BUT TURN OFF WITHIN 40 SECONDS. I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS AND HE SAYS IS THE FUEL PUMP. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP BUT THEY ARE KIND OF UNRESPONSIVE...NO ADVISORS AVAILABLE, NO RETURNED CALLS (VOLKSWAGEN SOUTH COAST SANTA ANA CA).

NHTSA ID

11255351

Incident

Aug 10, 2019

Mileage

25 mi

WHEN I GET GAS FOR MY TOUAREG 2005 I'LL SHUT THE SUV OFF POP OPEN THE FUEL BOX DOOR AND PUT THE GAS IN THEN AS I PUT CAP BACK ON SHUT DOOR GET IN THE SUV I TRY TO START THE SUV BUT IT SEEMS AS IF THE CARS EITHER OUT OF GAS OR BATTERY HAS DIED SO AFTER THE FIRST LIKE SAY 4-6 TIMES OF THIS HAPPENING TO ME I TRIED TO LEAVE THE CAR RUNNING AS I PUT THE GAS IN THE SUV IN HOPES OF IT STILL REMAIN ON AND RUNNING BUT SURE ENOUGH THE SUVS BATTERY LIGHT WILL POP ON AND THE CAR WILL LOSE LIFE BUT THE LIGHTS AND STUFF STILL REMAIN ON BUT NO DRIVING HAPPENING SO I'D HAVE TO TURN THE KEY OFF THEN TRY AND START IT UP AGAIN BUT AS I TURN THE KEY I'LL HAVE TO PUMP THE GAS PEDDLE A BUNCH TO CATCH THE FLOW I GUESS

NHTSA ID

11139893

Incident

Jul 4, 2018

Mileage

128,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT EACH TIME IT RAINED, WATER ACCUMULATED ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FLOOR THROUGH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE DOOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES ON THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE FLOOR WERE CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT LATER CALLED STONE MOUNTAIN VOLKSWAGEN AT (678) 367-4286 (LOCATED AT 3500 STONE MOUNTAIN HWY, SNELLVILLE, GA 30078) AND WAS INFORMED TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.

NHTSA ID

11132737

Incident

Jul 4, 2018

Mileage

104,000 mi

OVERALL LIFE OF CAR HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE MAJORITY OF THE HOSES IN THE ENGINE, THE FUEL LINE, THE EMERGENCY BRAKE RELEASE LEAVOR-3 TIMES, THE HORN ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE. AND WITH THE RECALL THE GAS FLANGE - CRACKING. THE PRODUCT VW USES IN THIS VEHICLE IS INFERIOR- PLASTIC EXPANDS WHEN HOT AND CONTRACTS WHEN COLD= CRACKING. PLEASE RECALL THIS VEHICLE DUE TO THE POTENTIAL OF THE GAS FLANGE OR WHATEVER ELSE IS RELATED TO THE GAS BEFORE ANYONE IN MY FAMILY OR OTHERS DIE. OR MY CAS GOES UP INTO FLAMES CAUSING SEVERE TRAUMA- ESPECIALLY BECAUSE YOU ALREADY KNOW THERE IS A PROBLEM. WE HAVE PAID THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS IN REPAIR COSTS IN THIS VEHICLE THAT VW OF AMERICA WILL NOT HELP - THE ENTIRE ENTERRIER PLASTIC COATING TO THE VEHICLE HAS MELTED - THE DRIVERS SIDE VISITOR HANGS AS THE SPRING ACTION OR WHAT EVER IT'S CALLED IS BROKEN. WE HAVE OWNED MANY CARS, FORDS, TOYOTA'S, HONDA'S AND SEVERAL VWS. THE TOUAREG AND ALL OF PRIMARY SAFETY FEATURES SHOULD ALWAYS FUNCTION SAFELY-THE GAS ISSUE IS A MAJOR ISSUE THAT SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY BE A RECALL TO SAVE LIVES!

NHTSA ID

11124546

Incident

Aug 7, 2018

Mileage

139,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V583000. (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PARTS TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WERE UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER (PERRY VOLKSWAGEN, 12200 LOS OSOS VALLEY RD, SAN LUIS OBISPO, CA 93405, 805-544-5200) WAS CONTACTED AND CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE FOR THE RECALL REMEDY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND WAS NOT ABLE TO CONFIRM WHEN THE PARTS WERE TO BECOME AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT HAD NOT EXPERIENCED A FAILURE. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ID

11102984

Incident

May 17, 2018

2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE. *LD THE CONSUMER REQUESTED TO BE REIMBURSED FOR THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE RECALL. *JS

NHTSA ID

11089391

Incident

Apr 18, 2015

IN JUNE 2017, I NOTICED FUEL SMELL INSIDE THE VEHICLE. ON JULY 1, 2017, I INSPECTED THE ISSUE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE WAS DAMAGED AND LEAKING FUEL (FUMES) CLOSE TO ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND UNDER THE SEAT WHERE MY SON SITS. PLEASE SEE THE ATTACHED PHOTO. I ORDERED THE RETAINER RINGS AND GASKETS (BOTH SIDES) FROM A VW DEALERSHIP. ON JULY 14, 2017, I ORDERED TA NEW FUEL FILTER FLANGE FROM A SELLER ON EBAY THAT SPECIALIZES IN NEW VW PARTS. THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE WAS NEW AND MANUFACTURED BY VDO (CONTINENTAL). I INSTALLED ALL THE PARTS TOWARDS THE END OF JULY 2017 AND THIS FIXED THE PROBLEM. I ACTUALLY REPLACED BOTH SIDES (DRIVER & PASSENGER) BECAUSE BOTH SIDES ARE A PROBLEM. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I WASN'T OR SHOULDN'T HAVE WAITED UNTIL THE RECALL NOTICE. THIS WAS A SERIOUS SAFETY FLAW AND NEEDED TO BE FIXED IMMEDIATELY. I HAVE A GOOD KNOWLEDGE IN MECHANICS AND CAPABLE TO PERFORM MOST REPAIRS. I DIDN'T DRIVE THE CAR UNTIL I RECEIVED THE PARTS AND FIXED THE ISSUE. I SUBMITTED MY RECEIPTS FOR REIMBURSEMENT UNDER THE RECALL. PLEASE SEE THE LETTER FROM VW DENYING ANY REIMBURSEMENT. THEY CLAIM THAT MY PARTS WERE NOT NEW AND NOT VW APPROVED PARTS. THE RETAINER RING & GASKET WAS PURCHASED BY A VW DEALERSHIP AND THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE WAS NEW AND MANUFACTURED BY VDO, WHICH IS THE OE COMPANY THAT MAKES THEM FOR VW. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA IS CLEARLY NOT TAKING THIS ISSUE SERIOUS AND DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE SAFETY OF ITS CONSUMERS. THEY ARE DENYING CLAIMS FOR REIMBURSEMENT AND DISREGARDING THIS SERIOUS ISSUE. I HAD NO CHOICE AND FIXED THE ISSUE IMMEDIATELY.

NHTSA ID

11080663

Incident

Jun 28, 2017

VEHICLE CABIN COULD SMELL GAS, FACTORY ISSUED LETTER TO US WITH RECALL AND FREE REPAIR AND REPLACEMENT, BUT AFTER CONTACT VW DEALERSHIP, THE DEALERSHIP REFUSE TO REPAIR IT FOR FREE, QUOTE 480 DOLLARS FOR FIXING THIS RECALL ISSUE.

NHTSA ID

11066916

Incident

Feb 1, 2018

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 ID

11047624

Incident

May 1, 2017

Mileage

95,000 mi

GASOLINE LEAKING FROM THE TANK RUNS OVER THE RIGHT-SIDE EXHAUST TUBES TO THE GROUND. THE FLOW OF THE FUEL LEAKAGE IS VERY HIGH AT A DROP-RATE OF MORE THAN ONE DROP PER SECOND WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED AND THE ENGINE RUNNING AT IDLE SPEED. ONCE THE ENGINE IS TURNED OFF THE LEAKAGE STOPS WITHIN SHORT TIME. I GOT AWARE OF THE DEFECT DUE TO THE STRONG GASOLINE SMELL AFTER STOPPING AND GETTING OFF THE VEHICLE. I INVESTIGATED AND SAW GASOLINE DROPPING TO THE GROUND BETWEEN THE REAR WHEELS. THE FACT THAT THE FUEL IS RUNNING OVER THE EXHAUST TUBE MADE ME GROUND THE VEHICLE IMMEDIATELY FOR SAFETY REASONS. ALTHOUGH I NEED THIS VEHICLE I DECIDED TO KEEP IT GROUNDED DUE TO THE HIGH RISK THAT THE GASOLINE GETS IGNITED BY THE HOT EXHAUST TUBE.

NHTSA ID

11047622

Incident

Nov 20, 2017

Mileage

100,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, THERE WAS AN ODOR OF FUEL EMITTED IN AND AROUND THE VEHICLE, MOSTLY ON THE PASSENGER SIDE AND THE REAR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND DID NOT OFFER FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

NHTSA ID

11030031

Incident

Aug 1, 2017

Mileage

115,000 mi

FUEL LEAKING AT FUEL PUMP FLANGE. STRONG FUEL VAPOR ODOR IN THE CABIN WHILE DRIVING AND PARKED.

NHTSA ID

11021518

Incident

Aug 10, 2017

Mileage

102,000 mi

I WENT IN VACATION AND LEFT MY CAR PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE WINDOWS UP AND DOORS LOCKED.WHEN I CAME BACK TO MY CAR THE ADHESIVE/GLUE MUST HAVE MELTED DUE TO THE HEAT OUTSIDE THE CAR CAUSED THE REAR VIEW MIRROR TO DETACH FROM THE WINDSHIELD AND IT IS NOW DANGLING BY THE WIRES FROM THE INSIDE OF THE CAR/WINDSHIELD

NHTSA ID

11004339

Incident

Jul 10, 2017

Mileage

115,000 mi

THE TOP OF THE FUEL FILTER HOUSING CRACKED AND WAS LEAKING FUEL. THIS HOUSING IS UNDERNEATH THE REAR SEAT BEHIND THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE CRACKS WEREN'T RELATED TO USAGE OF THE VEHICLE OR AN ACCIDENT. IT APPEARS TO BE GENERAL DETERIORATION OF THE PLASTIC. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM COVERED BY VW RECALL 20Z4 OR NHTSA REFERENCE #17V151000. HOWEVER THOSE ONLY COVER VEHICLES BACK TO 2007.

NHTSA ID

10995705

Incident

Apr 3, 2017

Mileage

77,000 mi

SMALL CRACKS DEVELOPED IN THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE ON THE FUEL TANK RESULTING IN FUEL LEAKING OUT WHEN THE DRIVERS DOOR WAS OPENED OR WHEN THE CAR WAS RUNNING. THIS RESULTED IN LARGE AMOUNTS OF GASOLINE LEAKING ONTO MY GARAGE FLOOR. THE FLANGE WAS REPLACED. THIS IS AN IDENTICAL PROBLEM THAT IS BEING EXPERIENCED BY THE AUDI Q7 WHICH HAS THE IDENTICAL VW PART NUMBER FOR THE AFFECTED PART. THE NHTSA RECALL NUMBER FOR THAT PROBLEM IS 16V60000 IF YOU HAVE A TOUAREG, PORSCHE CAYENNE, OR AUDI Q7 (THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME PART) AND YOU SMELL GASOLINE, DO NOT OPEN THE DRIVERS DOOR. DOING SO PRIMES THE FUEL SYSTEM PUTTING THE FLANGE UNDER PRESSURE CAUSING LARGE AMOUNTS OF FUEL TO LEAK OUT.

NHTSA ID

10917541

Incident

Jul 15, 2015

Mileage

110,000 mi

I AM THE OWNER OF A 2005 VW TOUAREG WHICH RECENTLY HAD THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT COME ON AND STAY ON. I TOOK THE TOUAREG TO A VOLKSWAGEN DEALER WHERE I WAS CHARGED $104.48 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST PROVIDED THE STORED FAULT CODE OF 01218, FRONT SIDE PASSENGER AIRBAG IGNITOR UPPER LIMIT EXCEEDED, THUS RECOMMENDING REPLACEMENT OF THE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS FOR $320.00 ESTIMATE. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A KNOWN MANUFACTURERS DEFECT THAT VW ADDRESSED WITH THE NHTSA BY A TOUAREG SERVICE PACK/CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN LATE DECEMBER 2006 WHERE VVV REPLACED THE SUBJECT DEFECTIVE HARNESSES AT NO EXPENSE TO TOUAREG OWNERS. THE VW ASSISTANT SERVICE MANAGER INFORMED ME THAT ACCORDING TO THE VEHICLE RECORDS THIS REPLACEMENT WAS NOT PERFORMED ON MY TOUAREG. PLEASE ADVISE WHY THIS DEFECTIVE AIRBAG WIRING HARNESS WAS NOT REPLACED DURING THIS CAMPAIGN. BASED UPON MY CONCERN AS A SAFETY AND HEALTH PROFESSIONAL, AND MY REVIEW OF THE INFORMATION AND FILES AVAILABLE FROM NHTSA CONCERNING THE PREVIOUS INVESTIGATION OF THIS PROBLEM IN 2006, I BELIEVE THAT VWS FAILURE TO CONTINUE TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BY NHTSA FOR CONSIDERATION OF REOPENING OF THIS INVESTIGATION. AS STATED IN THE ODI RESUME FOR INVESTIGATION: PE 06-022, SUBJECT: SRS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATION, .THE AGENCY RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES. I EXPECT NHTSA WILL REQUEST DATA FROM VW ON HOW MANY VW TOUAREGS HAVE REPORTED, OR BEEN DIAGNOSED WITH THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2006, AND HOW MANY OWNERS HAVE PAID VW OR OTHER REPAIR FACILITIES TO REPLACE THESE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESSES AND RELATED EQUIPMENT. THE TOUAREG SERVICE PACK/CUSTOMER SATISFACTION CAMPAIGN IN LATE DECEMBER 2006 WHERE VVV REPLACED THE SUBJECT DEFECTIVE HARNESSES AT NO EXPENSE TO TOUAREG OWNERS WAS AN ACTION TAKEN AT THAT TIME TO AVOID A RECALL. RECONSIDER!

NHTSA ID

10759641

Incident

Sep 4, 2014

Mileage

104,098 mi

TRIED TO BUCKLE UP ONE OF THE REAR SEAT BELTS AND BUCKLE PLASTIC HOUSING BROKE. THE DEALER FAILED TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT A SEAT BELT MECHANISM SHOULD NEVER FAIL. INSTEAD, THE DEALER SAID I HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO HAVE IT REPLACED. I CONTACTED VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA TO REPORT THIS CONCERN AND ASKED THEM TO COVER FOR THIS REPAIR. THEY DECLINED TO COVER THIS REPAIR FREE OF CHARGE.

NHTSA ID

10730264

Incident

Jun 5, 2015

Mileage

92,000 mi