2004 Volkswagen Touareg electrical problems

Filed Apr 24, 2023 · Electrical, Lights · TX · fire

My SUV was sitting for a few days at the airport and I when I got in the car, it started fine but the headlights, interior lights, power folding mirrors and the voltmeter were not working. I had to leave the car there since it was night time. The next day I drove it home in daylight and started checking fuses. I noticed two fuses (#2, #12) on the driver side fuse panel were failed. I replaced the #2, 5 amp, fuse and no changes were noticed. Then I replaced the #12, 25 amp, fuse and I heard a number of systems clicking and powering on; the lights flickered. Then I smelled burning and saw a puff of smoke come from under the dash. I immediately pulled the fuse . After troubleshooting, I found the body control module 7L6-937-049-K had caught fire internally and started to burn through the casing. Had I not pulled the fuse and disconnected the battery, this could have been catastrophic. Once I smelled the smoke, I realized it was like the acrid smell in the suv the night before. The fact the fuse blew the previous day saved the vehicle. It was parked on the fourth floor of parking garage at the airport so many vehicles could have been damaged and people endangered had it caught fire. Not to mention the disruption at an airport. There were no warning lamps. The only indication of a problem was the inoperable systems I mentioned. Also thinking back, the slight acrid smell was present the day I arrived at the airport, I had mistaken it for plane exhaust and car exhaust smells in the garage. The vehicle has not been inspected by any dealer, manufacturer or govermental agency. I have contacted the manufacturer for guidance and help with repairing. I am awaiting a response.

Filed Nov 25, 2021 · Electrical, Engine · AL · fire · 1 injury

Leaking gas caught on fire put it out but now I have no head lights no high beams replaced everything still nothing. All lights on dash go crazy kills battery all the time and had to replace something in the rear end. Overall it has cost me $2500 and I still have no headlights at all and leaking gas. It’s my only vehicle I hope next time it doesn’t catch back on fire could have been worse and still could be. Somebody could get hurt and I have kids.

Filed Nov 17, 2020 · Electrical, Lights · 110,000 miles · MO · fire

Light went out on dark road. Nearly crashed. Found insulation on wires for lights deteriorated. Harness was melted lower in the fender. Online search found same issue is common and included fires.

Filed Aug 20, 2019 · Brakes, Electrical · 131,403 miles · OH

Lights on the dash come on hill assist shuts on and off by itself brake light comes on and off sunroof has open by itself AC has stopped working and the next day works again heated steering wheel works when it wants this happened while you're driving or sitting still everything I have read on the internet has pointed to an electrical issue this is an everyday thing

Filed Dec 12, 2017 · Electrical · 135,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen touareg. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start when attempting to drive. When the vehicle was started, an electrical noise was heard from the dashboard. In addition, the electrical system failed after three days. The vehicle was taken to david maus volkswagen north (1050 lee rd, orlando, fl 32810, phone: (407) 233-0529), but the cause of the failure could not be determined. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 135,000.

Filed Mar 11, 2017 · Electrical, Lights · 140,232 miles · IN

About 2 weeks ago, I started blowing fuses for the drivers side turn signal. I would have no front or rear turn signal, as well as no hazards on the drivers side. I looked inside the headlight assembly and found that all the wiring was exposed due to the wiring insulation rotting off, leaving exposed wiring. I am a firefighter, and this is a vehicle fire, waiting to happen. You cant even wrap electrical tape around it, due to the headlamp unit not being able to be taken apart. I have no left turn signals, and risk being hit, sideswiped, or getting a ticket from the police for something I cannot fix. I have replaced 4 different fuses now trying to fix this.

Filed Apr 5, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · OH

The emergency brake alarm was going off more frequently and to silence it I would pull the sping on the brake up. The brake alarm randomly was anoying but not a major concern. I hadn't had any mechanical issues with my car until 01/23/16 I attempted to start my car and recieved an error message the read steering defect and it wouldn't allow you to start the car beyond the error message. I had my car towed to volkswagon mentor ohio after holding my car for more than a week I was finally offered a diagnosis that the access modular was not functioning meaning the brain of the vehicle wasn't functioning and the vw dealership service department didn't have answer to how this happened they had a $2500 solution to the problem and they were more than happy to assist in replacement of the access modular with there hearty cost. The brain the volkswagon access modular stops functioning and volkswagen at no fault of mine and I'm charged $2500 plus. Mechanical maintenance I understand but replacement of the vehicles access modular is a repair that I feel volkswgon should cover.

Filed Jan 26, 2015 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 115,000 miles · NV

I recently purchased a 2004 vw tuareg in july 1st of 2014. Immediately upon purchasing the vehicle I began receiving a parking brake alarm when I turned on the vehicle. The alarm would persist until I pushed down on the parking brake. I would also receive an occasional alarm for the tire pressure monitoring system. Then, on december 15, 2014 the vehicle refused to turn on at all. The dashboard display had a flashing steering wheel. I had the vehicle towed to a volkswagen dealership where the technicians looked it over and told me that the cause of the problem is that two cables touched and shorted out the system. After 3 weeks of holding the vehicle, the cost of repair was quoted at around $3,500 to replace some modules. I was also informed that this might be a recall issue as many other 2004 vw tuaregs have had similar problems.

Filed Dec 21, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 93,000 miles · VA

Came out to 2004 v8 touareg,and it would not start. Mri reads steering defective workshop. After some research I discovered that this is a common defect in touaregs and one which vw refuses to take responsibility of.it renders the vehicle paralyzed and due to it being all wheel drive, requires special equipment to even tow it. I am furious. This is a known, dangerous issue and no recall for it - shame on you vw. What if I was with my young children? There is no warning for this failure. All is fine and then wham, it will not start, turn over, shift into neutral, etc. You are 100% paralyzed where you are - be it at a gas pump or a remote dirt road.

Filed Jul 9, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · AZ

While accelerating onto the highway, a loud, repetitious bang/clunk from the middle underside of the vehicle started, sounding similar to a blown tire. No abnormal operations noted prior to this. Limped the car back to the shop at 15 MPH and found the center driveshaft carrier bearing failed. The service tech acted as if this was common and was not surprised. I have a 1981 mercury with over 305000 miles and never lost a bearing in my driveshaft. Mechanical parts fail. The worst part of this event is voa's reaction that somehow they are not responsible for a poor/weak design. List of other major component failures with no recall that are common to all touaregs of this generation according to the company's own service tech's: center differential lock motor fail rear diff. Lock motor fail cooling fans do not shut off, drain battery thermostat housing leak radio failure.