Model year guide

2004 Volkswagen Touareg

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 91 on record.

2004 Volkswagen Touareg — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Volkswagen Touareg at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints231
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$4,670

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Volkswagen Touareg recalls 4

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #17V583000 · 20/09/2017

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.

Fix: 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…

Seat Belts NHTSA Campaign #04V592000 · 15/12/2004

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 R…

Fix: 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.

Seat Belts:rear/other NHTSA Campaign #04V233000 · 19/05/2004

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.

Electrical System:wiring NHTSA Campaign #03V266000 · 25/07/2003

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED DURING ASSEMBLY. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED TPMS WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTACT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE SPRING.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TPMS WIRING HARNESS ROUTING AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-893-5298.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Volkswagen Touareg common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Exterior Lighting
Confirm all headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, with no moisture inside the housings.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.

2004 Volkswagen Touareg MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City13 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,967

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg worth?

Low
$2,600
Typical price
$4,670
High
$6,995

From 90 comparable 2004 Volkswagen Touareg listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$24,835
Fuel only$24,835
Per mile$0.33

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. There aren't enough comparable listings to estimate depreciation for this model, so it is left out. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Volkswagen Touareg trims & engines on record

Trims
V8 · V6 · V10 TDI
Engines
4.2L 8-cyl 310 hp · 3.2L 6-cyl 220 hp · 4.9L 10-cyl 310 hp

2004 Volkswagen Touareg vehicles on record

Other Volkswagen Touareg model years

2004 Volkswagen Touareg — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg?

Based on 231 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, exterior lighting, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Volkswagen Touareg at about 16 mpg combined (13 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2004 Volkswagen Touareg worth?

Comparable 2004 Volkswagen Touareg listings run roughly $2,600–$6,995, typically around $4,670 (from 90 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.