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.
The worst 2005 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system23
- Electrical14
- Transmission10
- Tires9
- Airbags8
- Seat belts7
- Brakes4
- Engine4
- Lights4
- Steering4
- Visibility4
- Body3
- Seats3
- Locks2
- Suspension2
- Acceleration1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
Recalls 2
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 17V583000 · Recall details
Seat belts
- What is wrong
- 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.
- Risk
- 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.
Recall number 04V592000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
Defect investigations
Srs warning light illumination
My 2004-05 (to 11/2004) touareg vehicles have a potentially faulty/loose side air bag wiring connector that can cause the wiring circuit resistance to exceed the design limit and illuminate the supplemental restraint system (SRS) air bag light.on 02/2005, vw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb #69-05-02) to address this condition by replacing the connector with a direct connection.vw's testing has shown that proper deployment of the side air bag is not affected by the connector fault.however, there are a large number of warranty claims due to air bag light (abl) illumination.vw is planning to initiate a touareg service pack/ customer satisfaction campaign (csc) in december 2006.vw will replace the side air bag wiring connector with a direct connection on all remaining uncorrected vehicles built prior to 11/2004.in addition, vw reports that a small number of vehicles built in october and november 2003, may contain an incorrectly manufactured side air bag module.this also may produce abl illumination that would become evident soon after the vehicle is put into service.warranty data indicates that these modules have been corrected and no longer present a risk.vw has not received any alleged side air bag non-deployment report.action taken by the manufacturer is sufficient to resolve the issue raised by this investigation.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.the agency reserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE06022
Exterior door handle malfunction
Vw issued a technical service bulletin (tsb) dated june 10, 2005, describing a condition of exterior door handle sticks in the opened position after the door is opened.vw described the cause of the problem to be a potential for increased friction between the door handle and the lock cylinder housing . . . Because some guide nubs that were molded into the plastic door handle . . . Were slightly higher than specified.in addition to the tsb, vw has introduced production changes (lubrication, deletion of the guide nubs, introduction of a low friction guide surface on the lock cylinder housing) to address the problem.vw reports that the failure occurs predominantly in the very early life stage of the vehicle.odi examination of vw's warranty data shows fewer claims as the vehicle ages.the one injury resulted when the unlatched door hit the occupant's hand.a safety defect trend has not been identified at this time and further use of agency resources does not appear to be warranted.the closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that no safety-related defect exists.odi will continue to monitor complaints andreserves the right to take further action if warranted by the circumstances.
PE05042
Technical service bulletins for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg 278
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Update model year applicability to include 2023.
- Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger
- This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.
- Information on the location of trailer brake controller connector and adapter harness creation.
- Body surfaces (engine compartment and underside of hood) are not directly visible (exposed) therefore do...
- Battery testing
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the part numbers listed (State of California only).
2005 Volkswagen Touareg fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 19 | 16 |
| 4.2L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 12 | 17 | 14 |
What 2005 Volkswagen Touareg owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 17V583000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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
Compare the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
Other model years
Questions about the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg
Is the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
Owners have filed 75 complaints about the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg, 2.7 times a typical Touareg model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg year score?
The 2005 Volkswagen Touareg scores 39 out of 100 (poor). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Touareg: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 23 complaints, typically around 99,000 miles. Next is electrical (14).
How many recalls does the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg have?
2 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and seat belts.
Was there a recall on the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg fuel system?
Yes, 1 recall: 17V583000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Touareg have the most fuel system problems?
The Volkswagen Touareg model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2004 (33 complaints), 2008 (25 complaints) and 2005 (23 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg get?
Official estimates for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg range from 14 to 16 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.2L 6-cyl, 4WD) gets 14 city and 19 highway.
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