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2004 Volkswagen Touareg transmission problems

50 complaints (22% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 45,000. 2 crashes reported.

owner complaints
50
of this car's complaints
22%
typical mileage
45,000
crashes
2
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    26
  • Driveline
    4
  • Automatic transmission: control module (TCM/PCM/tecm)
    4
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    3
  • Manual transmission
    1
  • Driveline: driveshaft
    1
  • Automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Volkswagen Touareg transmission problems in other years

200420102017

Specific symptoms reported on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Hesitation 21Jerking 11

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

What 2004 Volkswagen Touareg owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Jul 4, 2018 · Transmission · 5 miles · CA

( started noticing this problem about 1 to 2 years ago)while the automatic transmission is in 5th gear and speeds of under 50 mi./hr, when stepping on the accelerator, the automatic down shift occurs with a very harsh "kick" to a point that the passengers feel the jolt. A few years ago, a similar problem regarding the down-shift was subject of recall which the dealers had to install a "patch" ( updated software) in order to fix that problem.

Filed Jun 19, 2016 · Transmission · NM

Transmission jumps, lunges, has done this since 2009. The dealer states it needs replacing. Should be replaced by volkswagen.

Filed Jul 31, 2015 · Transmission · 105,000 miles · CA

Driving along in a residential neighborhood under slight acceleration and a loud thumping noise begins in the transmission hump under the armrest - felt like something heavy had become wrapped around the driveshaft and was causing intense vibration above 30mph. Park the car and tow to repair shop and learn the drive shaft had broken and required complete replacement. This is a vehicle that has never been offroad and vast majority of miles are commuting on the freeway and general around-town driving. No way should a well-maintained vehicle doing light highway driving suffer a driveshaft failure at only 105k miles. Clearly a defect that the manufacturer should be responsible for. Repair bill was approximately $1600.

Filed Feb 4, 2015 · Airbags, Transmission · 54,496 miles · MI

Airbag module defective with only 54,496 miles and a $1200 cost to fix. This is a safety issue! Dash lighting has went on and off for airbag. A washer pump defective, power train transmission jumps and has been an ongoing problem and known problem by volkswagen but nobody wants to admit the defect problem.

Filed Oct 27, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 90,000 miles · AZ

Car stalls, skips gears, jerks, when coming from a full stop to accelerating jerks and pull really hard going into 1st and 2nd gear,, took it to the dealer after paying 800 dollar they could find anything wrong,, and that was vw dealer.... I've been seein alot of the same complaints for this specific model and year, can some please let me know if volkswagen is not going to take responsibility for this issue atleast tell me what could be wrong, so I can fix it and get rid of this stupid car. Im better off with an american car...

Filed Apr 22, 2013 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · KY

The center carrier bearing on the drive shaft went out. At first it sounded like I had a flat tire but upon further inspection that was not the case. This seems to be a common failure. I was told a design flaw and all of these would fail.. The dealership says that the entire drive shaft has to be replaced. But it will not be covered since it is out of warranty. Since this is a common failure it should be fixed by vw and not costing all their customers over a grand to fix.

Filed Oct 15, 2012 · Transmission · 80,000 miles · OH

Rear center drive shaft from gearbox to differential, middle bearing fails. Volkswagen only supplies new shafts for $1,400 no bearings or exchange. This happens to a lot of touaregs according the clubtouareg forum. This is a premature design failure of this car.

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.

Filed Sep 10, 2010 · Transmission · 92,000 miles · MN

At 94,000 miles transmission problems, told transmission non-serviceable vw does not recommend any transmission fluid replacement. Could be gear box cost $2400 or entire transmission cost $7,000. Vwa will pay $1,000 to our choice of gear box or transmission replacement but if we choose wrong repair will not pay for anything further! Vwa obviously is aware of problem and designed the transmission in such a way that it can't be serviced. We have had prior engine coil recall replaced, updated computer software and replaced drive-train at cost of $1900 at 74,000 miles.

Filed Aug 5, 2010 · Body, Electrical · 75,285 miles · NY

Tl* the contact owns a 2004 volkswagen touareg. The contact stated the gear shift selector would not move out of park and he was unable to remove the key from the ignition. The vehicle was towed to an authorized dealer. While the vehicle was being towed, the entire console and warning lights illuminated. In addition, the contact stated water was entering the vehicle and settling in the trunk near the spare tire. The dealer removed the shifter cable and replaced the harness, a wire and the shifter column. The failure mileage was 75,285 and the current mileage was 76,065. Updated 11/02/10. *lj the consumer stated the trunk would not open properly. The tire sensors would come on. The ignition switch was defective and had to be replaced. Updated 11/04/10

Questions about the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg transmission

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 50 complaints about the transmission of the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg, 22% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2004 Volkswagen Touareg transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 45,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Volkswagen Touareg have bad transmission?

The Volkswagen Touareg model years with the most transmission complaints are 2004 (50 complaints) and 2005 (10 complaints).

Other 2004 Volkswagen Touareg problems

Electrical 49Tires 36Fuel system 33Engine 29Airbags 27Acceleration 22Brakes 20Suspension 20Lights 13Steering 12Visibility 11Body 8Locks 8Driver assistance 4Seat belts 4Seats 3Wheels 3

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