The 2005 Volkswagen Touareg has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 124,424 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 106 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.
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.
Consequence
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…
SEAT BELTS04V5920002004-12-1550,483 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
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.
Complaints by component
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
16
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
14
AIR BAGS
7
SEAT BELTS
6
TIRES
6
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION
5
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
4
POWER TRAIN
4
ENGINE
3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
3
Total complaints106
What owners report
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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…”
“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 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…”
“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…”
“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…”
Defect investigations
InvestigationPE05042 Opened 2005-08-11 · closed 2005-12-21
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…
InvestigationPE06022 Opened 2006-06-19 · closed 2006-10-30
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…
InvestigationPE06022 Opened 2006-06-19 · closed 2006-10-30
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…
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
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