Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
Has anyone had a similar problem and found a solution.
Thanks and happy new year to all. Peter
In my humble opinion it is a design bug and not something that can be solved.
News about the recall. Although not explained well by the dealer, I was told that it would cure air bag in doors, lights, shifting, crabbing and much more to include the dash displays. Problem is that the fix lasted for 30 minutes and I had to return because my lights quit working, turn signals went wild and others that i can't remember. When I got back to the dealer, I was (1) of three that had brought their VW's back and all swearing to the service manager that they will never own another VW again. They stayed until 7 pm to get me back on the road but 5 days later the air bag light went on and the next day the check engine light came on. We have not had the time to take the car back in. Without loaner cars it is very difficult to keep renting a car to have these numerous repairs done.
I think there's a company line being maintained at all costs. Although I miss my Touareg, VW will never sell me another car, no matter how much fun they are to drive. Japanese or American from now on. I cannot afford to be different.
I just got the $3000 coupon in the mail yesterday, touting the incredible resale value. That's BS. Compared to what?
I am looking for contact information for the Western Regional Manager who would be responsible for the San Francisco Bay area (East Bay-Oakland). I cannot seem to locate a mailing address.
My Touareg has been good although it chewed up a set of tires in 24K miles, and the alignment is attrotious. Although they wouldn't take care of these issues, particularly with their history of this specific issue, I had to purchase new tires and alignment.
My complain is the key that we purchased with the car is defective and the dealership won't replace it. We waited over a month to get our spare key, and when we did get it it was stored appropriately and not used. We later found out it didnt work correctly and they are claiming there is rust inside it and wont fix it. They are asking that we pay another $300 to replace it. First, its part of the car and therefore under warranty. Second, its a defective key and not used by us (even still has the tags on it from the dealer). After spending over $50K for this vehicle, I expect the key to work, and in the event that it doesnt, I expect VW to correct it under warranty without question. Lastly, if they aren't going to stand up regarding warranty of this item, they shouldnt be utilizing $300 keys to their vehicles.
So does anybody have contact information for VW management?
Thanks.
That's directly to the VW corporate offices. And yes, you have to call on your own dime. :sick: What kind of reputable company these days doesn't have a toll free number?? :confuse:
Frustrated in CT
The Touareg definately handles the road well, the v6 will give you more than enough power, v8 if you tow. I'm in CT and the VW dealer I bought from in Enfield CT turned out to be horrible. Yes, there are other dealers. I have the 2006. It's a bit tempermental as you have read. If you don't have time to deal with problems, I'd go with the X5, the MDX or a Honda or Toyota AWD. The Touareg is great but VW dosn't seem to want to address some issues on it, in it's fourth year of production. Just my own thoughts, others will have other views. I think the quality of the MFG and how the dealer treats you is as important as the vehicle. I happened to buy mine from a no-customer-service dealer.
I drove my VW on a 300 mile trip and it felt like I was driving a a soft cloud all the way, tremdous handeling. Good Luck! At 65 the V6 gets 20+ miles per gallon, it quickly decreases to 13 to 16mpg as you hit 70mph and higher.
Ride: No comparison; VW wins. BMW is good, but a little busy, The FX rides like a lumberwagon - you feel every crack in the road.
Handling: BMW and FX are pretty similar, VW almost as good, but remember, it weighs at least 800 pounds more.
Brakes: All 3 feel similar
Comfort: VW and FX are excellent but very different, with BMW a little behind, unless the car has the comfort or sport seats.
Reliability: Basically, until this year, BMW was building the same car for six years. They got it pretty right from a reliability standpoint. A 2004-2006 might be a good option. That said, they pay for maintenance for 4 years, and they only get oil changes at about 12,000 mile intervals. I'm not impressed with leaving oil in that long, from a long term engine wear standpoint, particluarly for city cars. Apparently BMW is ok with it. When you are paying for maintenance on any of these cars, you will be shocked at what it costs. They are all excellent highway cruisers. The V8 is nice, but you do not need it unless you have a 23 foot Sea Ray bowrider following you. There is a definite gas mileage difference between the v6 and v8 versions of all of them. I understand the BMW v8 is a little better on gas than either the VW or FX V8's. When I bought my Touareg, the BMW and FX were my second and third choices. VW got first mainly because I go off-road alot and having a low range transfer case was important. If I did not have to go off road for work, I might have chosen the BMW first. Then the question became whether to get the X5 or X3. The X5 is a little tanky. Hard to describe as fun to drive. The X3 drives like a car and is a lot of fun to toss around. The ride isnt nearly as bad as the car mags make out, even with the sport package. The FX is a go cart. Not sure I could live with the ride or the obnoxious exhaust drone. Comfort, quality and features were first rate though.
I called the locak VW dealership and said that I was sold on the features/performance but how could anyone in their right mind buy one of these - and said I wanted to give him 5 minutes to do his sales thing and see if he could get me to budge - and he actually said something fairly interesting. He said when you get one, you don't necessarily drive it off the lot. Once you choose one, they apply what was at the time around 15 TSBs which can take a week or more, then you come pick it up. This was around 6 months ago. He said that as long as you have all the TSBs applied the car is doing quite well.
So what do people think - is it perhaps finally time to get one?
On the opposite side, the 08 Highlander looks like it is quite awesome despite not actually being an offroader. Might have to wait for that instead.
Looking at Consumer Reports repair history - and if we translate the black/red circles to numbers where 1 is really bad and 5 really good 04 has 10 1s, 3 2s, 0 3s, 1 4, and 1 5, the 05 has 5 1s, 4 2s, 3 3s, 1 4 and 3 5s, and the 06 has many 5s, and only 2 1s - but with the consumer reports defect reporting the newer models always fair a lot better - basically not enough data yet. It doesn't mean the car is better.
Anyway I'd love to get one but am scared it won't work...
Good Luck
Just got rid our Volvo XC90, got a 2004 V8, NAV, Air suspension, every option available for 2004 (short the V10 even though I'm a diesel guy). This thing is so cool to drive
I have the same issue when my 2004 V6 downshifts to 1st gear after coming off an exit or after driving at a high rate of speed (65-80) and having to stop suddenly. If you stop slowly it does not occur.
Dealership did 2 software upgrades and still not fixed, of course I could not replicate with tech in the car.
Has VW acknowledged this issue and resolved?
Steve
scmiles at hotmail.com
The first rule of motorcycles is never, ever race a car. Should the rider be stupid enough to race you and possess the skills to operate the cycle at even 7/10ths of the machine's capability, he or she would have smoked you. The Touareg is pretty decent in the corners for a 5500 lb SUV, but don't fool yourself. I'm glad you've had a good experience with yours; mine was great as long as my checkbook was fat. The preceding posts about brakes brought warm remembrance.
Thanks,
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
BTW, the rotors are made of dampened iron, which is softer to help absorb the resonant energy the brake pads can create - it helps the brake system be both quieter and grip better - this is a Ferrari class brake system after all !
So the stealer is not the only way to go if you take the initiative!!
Geoff
(2004 VW Touareg V6, del. 10/2003)
Actually, it's not dampening that reduces brake noise. The gray cast iron changes the modulus (effectively the mass) of the rotor affecting the resonant frequencies. There's some good physics behind it and anyone interested may want to take a look at this article.
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
Becky
It seems like sales of the Touareg are picking up where I live. The dealer inventory is way down and I see a lot more around town. Love the white ones. Normally I don't like white vehicles but it looks great in white.
Was it a mistake to buy this vehicle. No. The reliability is a concern but this vehicle has sheltered the family on two trips in snowstorms. It's a cat on a new couch in snow.
Do your research if you even think about this car... I highly suggest you dont buy.
***the driver seat does not line up with the instrument panel and it also can cause back pain. Please be aware!!