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One thing to keep in mind (and I am not saying this applies to you); when you discuss the issues with the service people, don't take an arguementative attitude. These guys need to go to bat for you with VW. If you are decent to them, they will be more likely to work harder for you.
Please check out the post in the Edmunds VW Touareg SUV forum section I just posted. It gives all the current (as of June 14, 2004) TSBs on the Touareg. I didn't want to repost them here and I don't know how to create a link here either (maybe the HOST can do that).
To post a specific link simply copy the link to the post NUMBER (e.g. #112) to your clipboard then paste it into your message.
tidester, host
Group: 01
Number: 04-13
Date Published: 06/21/2004
Subject:
Volkswagen Technical Bulletin Subject: Update Programming (Flashing) Transmission Control Module (TCM) for Harsh Shifting.
Model(s): Year(s):
Touareg 3.2L V6 (eng. code AZZ,BAA) 2004
Touareg 4.2L V8 (eng. code AXQ,BHX) 2004
See your dealer if you have this problem.
I live in Northern Virginia. The tire sensor ordeal on our V8 TREG (less than 5K miles) started rather undramatically. My wife was driving the vehicle when a "Defective Wheel Onboard" message started flashing. This changed later to a "Flat Tire" warning.
I eventually checked the tire pressure and everything looked fine. At first we thought the warnings could be easily fixed or overriden, but after driving around for a while the warnings came back with a vengeance. The alarm was so incessant we had to stop using the vehicle until we could take it in to the dealership (Fairfax VW/Volvo).
Took the vehicle in on a Monday AM and had to leave it because the techs couldn't fix the problem while I waited. On top of this, the dealership declined to offer a loaner claiming it was against VW policy. [Surprising indeed given the price of this vehicle and since we get a loaner on our 1999 Audi A4 that cost 2X less]
The dealership called me at work a few hours later saying the vehicle was fixed. But, when I picked it up the warning was still flashing, in plain view for everyone to see! My service consultant was gone for the day, but one of the asst managers (really nice fellow actually) told me I had to bring the car back the next day.
Went back the next day, waited in the lounge for over two hours for a promised quick diagnosis that never came - the service consultant didn't even bother to update me of my car's status until I asked. I had to leave the car again and still the dealership claimed VW does not authorize loaners in these situations unless the car was not fixed in 24 hours! And guess what, they had no idea how long the diagnosis/repair would take. We called VW USA, who claimed puzzlement at the attitude of the dealership. The VW USA personnel were very professional and courteous, followed up with the dealership and recommended changing the ECU because the warning was still flashing although everything else checked out okay. VW USA also instructed the dealership to reimburse us for the loaner. [Sidebar: Most service shops treat you like crap if you didn't buy the vehicle from their dealership. Ironically, we didn't get our TReg from this dealership because of poor customer service after we went for a test drive]
To cut this long story short, it has been eight days and the car is still in the shop. From some of the postings on this forum, it sounds we may be waiting a lot longer. As it turned out, a VW USA engineer who happened to be at the shop last week finally diagnosed a faulty tire sensor. You would think this is one of the things the techs checked first, especially since another dealership told us they have seen similar problems with other TRegs. Anyway, just called the shop for the umpteenth time and was told the part was supposed to be in today but wasn't delivered. Maybe tomorrow. You get the picture.
Unfortunately, this experience has validated some of my initial apprehensions when my wife decided she had to get this vehicle. It's apparent that some VW dealerships are way in over their heads with these vehicles and the kind of clientele they bring. I can't imagine buying the Phaeton and enduring such shoddy customer service. What more, we've had similar crappy customer service at the hands of some Audi dealerships in the Washington area, which perhaps points to a larger problem in the VW empire.
"we didn't get our TReg from this dealership because of poor customer service." So you buy your Touareg some place else but bring it to this place for service? And then you are shocked that they give you poor customer service?
Three most important words for getting a great Touareg... Dealer, Dealer, Dealer.
Solution: Add it yourself using OEM parts. I just did that on my V10 and will write up the procedure soon. Watch this space for the link to the DIY page. Button on left of shift lever is the keyless button. It glows red when it senses the key.
Same place you can get the keyless start kit.
I like the nav as it really compliments the look on the dashboard in the car. It does get you to where you want to go. But I know that you can get much less expensive aftermarket nav systems that have more features. My wife has a Garmin iQue 3600. But she doesn't leave it out and it is never ready to use like a built-in unit is.
As the nav plays external audio and video, I think it is a nice feature in the car.
http://tm-techmark.com/touareg/keyless/keyless.htm
1. Check engine light came on - Fuel pump replaced. It took them a week. He only had the car for 2 weeks
2. He picked up the car and it had a dent where one did not exist before.
3. Breaks squeaked and vibrated intermittently. The car was taken back in kept for a whole day by the dealership and they called at 5pm to say they couldn't reproduce the problem when they drove..they did not even examine the breakes and questioned my friends concerns.
HORRENDOUS SERVICE...I WOULD NEVER PURCHASE FROM MILLENNIUM VW!!! Just a word of warning !!
I'd recommend that your friend contact a customer service rep at VW of America - my sister did that with a recurring problem and the dealer managed to pay better attention to her problem the next time.
Steve, Host
She didn't even know she could contact VWofA for help until I suggested it.
VW is aware of their dealer reputation in North America and has been working to fix it, even for new Beetle drivers like my sister. But she probably won't buy another VW.
At least she now knows that the local AutoZone will pull her CEL codes for her for free!
Steve, Host
thank you.
PS. - is DARN ok to use or is that word also offensive?
tidester, host
Look up the Touareg page.
All in all, if you live in Northern VA I'm glad to report that I've found service at Stohlman VW in Tyson's Corner to be much more professional and courteous than at Fairfax VW. I had to take the car in for the 5K scheduled service and decided to try a different dealership. They also had to replace a faulty air bag harness because the warning light was on continuously. Still, there was no loaner, but the car was done in a few hours. VWOA has promised to refund us the cost of renting a car for the day, but I still wish dealerships made loaners available.
All that said, my wife and I still love this vehicle and crazy as it may sound are considering buying a second one. I don't know about the Cayenne since I've never been in one. But, compared to the Mercedes ML and the BMW, I wouldn't trade the TReg for any of them. Someone suggested Lexus as the alternative, and I'm sure Lexuses are fine cars. However, IMO from an esthetic and pedigree standpoint Lexuses, Infinitis and Acuras attract a completely different automotive consumer than do the Euros. For instance, I've heard the Infiniti FX is a fun car to drive, but I simply can't get past the gimmicky exterior.
Any suggestions?
If you check into other nav systems and their suppliers, you will find that full coverage is not guaranteed. I recall about 16 months ago when I was looking at the FX35/45, the nav supplier's website showed which areas were covered and which areas lacked coverage. I don't recall the name of the supplier but I'm sure you can find it with a google search.
The Touareg uses NAVTEQ data CDs. New nav CDs are coming out in the near future. They were initially scheduled to come out in July but this has been pushed back a couple of months.
If you find roads that are not on the NAVTEQ maps, you should fill out a driver's feedback form at NAVTEQ's website. They are quite prompt at checking your feedback and replying. This is one way that data gets updated.
We are adding the Touareg to our shopping list because my wife really likes the exterior look and thinks she may be willing to give up the 7+ passenger seating of the others we are looking at (Pilot/MDX, XC90, GX470).
However, we would like to get a navigation system and are spoiled by the one in my 2004 Acura TL (8" screen, voice activates, DVD based). Am I going to be dissapointed with the VW system? The two Touaregs we have looked at didn't have nav.
Also, is there a difference between the Touareg nav and the one used in the Cayanne, or are they virtually the same?
I have found:
1995 Maxima SE: Actual speed 65.0, indicated speed 69-70.
1996 Isuzu Trooper: Actual speed 65.0, indicated speed 66.
2002 Honda S2000: Actual speed 65.0, indicated speed 65 (digital).
2004 Acura TL: Actual speed 65.0, indicated speed 67-68.
I don't think there is much recourse for anything that is within 5 mph. Although it is disturbing that, given the components that can be manufactured to tolerances of 1/1000 of an inch., the speedometers can be off by 5-7%.
I did not buy the system from NAVETEQ, but from Volkswagen, they in turn have a contract with the software supplier, and VW is my sales agent!
If I buy a computer with pre-loaded software, Microsoft tells me that the computer manufacturer is responsible for the software, and not Microsoft. The same applies for VW. I do not see any reason that I have to buy new software because VW delivered the system with inadequate software. The minimum I expect from VW is a new set of CD's for FREE once they become available!
I paid way over $40,000 for this vehicle and expect it to be flawless, or, if that cannot be achieved, I want VW taking care of this without me having to fight them every inch of the way to an appropriate performance!
Concerning thedoctor's question on speedometer accuracy, the EU directives allow a deviation of 3-4 miles and North America (US and Canada) say it shall not deviate by more than 10% from the actual speed.
If that test isn't enough, then get a Garmin GPS unit like an iQue 3600 and check the mileage against the Garmin.
As for the current nav, you will be disappointed by the lack of features but the nav will get you to your destination. And the fact that you can change/set your destination while in motion, while other systems require that you stop to set/change your destination is one benifit.
For comparisom the 3 Hondas and 1 Toyota I have driven did not show this.
BTW my testing is with those speed display signs on trailers that our local police like to leave in various places for a week or two before they do a speed crackdown. If I compare my speedo to that there is always a +3mph difference. This is at 35 or 65 so it's not related to what speed you are doing, just an absolute adjustment to the indicated speed.