Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2004 Volkswagen Touareg
NHTSA data on file today
The 2004 Volkswagen Touareg has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 231 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #17V583000 Fuel Filter Flange May Crack Causing Fuel Leak NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V592000 VW/FMVSS 208/SEAT BELT RETRACTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V233000 VW/SEAT BELT BUCKLE RIVET NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V266000 VW/TPMS WIRING HARNESS ROUTING NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Power Train 50 complaints
- Electrical System 49 complaints
- Tires 36 complaints
- Air Bags 27 complaints
- Fuel/Propulsion System 23 complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 22 complaints
Of the 231 complaints on file, 9 report a crash and 5 a fire; across all 231 complaints, owners report 6 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Below average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $8,000–$18,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2004 Volkswagen Touareg has a below-average reliability rating due to a notable number of owner complaints and four recall campaigns. Common issues are with the power train and electrical system. While the recall campaigns address significant safety concerns, the complaint data suggests potential for broader maintenance challenges.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power train | 80,000–110,000 miles | $1,500–$4,000 | common |
| Electrical system | 60,000–90,000 miles | $500–$2,000 | common |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Regular oil changes
- Brake fluid replacement
- Transmission fluid change
- Timing belt inspection
- Tire rotation and balance
- Coolant replacement
- Air filter changes
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Unusual transmission noises
- Erratic electrical behavior
- Fuel smells near vehicle
- Brake vibrations
- Airbag warning light
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.