This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
Door handles stick on all four doors. Last year, my husband was in the passenger seat as I went around a corner, the passenger door flung open and my husband almost fell out. Luckily he was wearing his seat belt. The door handles were replaced by the dealership. However, the door handles have started sticking again. I have to pull the handle and let it go quickly to loosen the handle so it closes fully. I noticed with 1000 miles on my vehicle that there was a pull in the front end. I took it to the dealer and they said it needed to be aligned. They refused to pay for the alignment, my tires were completely worn to the tread bars with 15,000 miles on all four, they were cupped. The manufacturer replaced 2 tires and I paid for 2 tires and a 4 wheel alignments.
Our 2004 VW Touareg V-8 has the following problems despite five trips to the dealer: I) hesitation during acceleration; II) pulls hard to the right; and III) shifts roughly at low speeds. Past problems include: Iv) the latch on the rear door broke, such that it came crashing down on my wife's head; V) the rear seat belt latch wouldn't work; vi) the car shuddered badly when you tried to make a turn at low speeds (e.g., while parking) and vii) the flat tire indicator went on even though the tire was neither flat nor low. We have an arbitration scheduled for 11/9/05 under California's lemon law.
Passenger door opened going down the road, handle does not retract sometimes. A litany of electric quirks and excessive tire wear, also jerky acceleration.
Door handels stick in the open position so doors do not close. Taken to dealer, dealer did not fix issue. My daughter's hand then was hurt after door slammed into her as it was did not latch due to sticking door handels. Called Volkswagen, then booked the car for repair. After collecting car from dealer's second repair, the problem still occurs, but at not as often. Car still defective.
My 2004 Touareg with less than 5000 miles has been in for servicing 7 times. The brakes have been worked on and looked at three times. They still squeal but the problem has lessened. Of more concern are the safety issues that have affected me. I have been locked out of my vehicle twice, each time with a different resolution. Updated software was the latest fix. My airbag fault light is now on. Another software resolution is on the way. I have no confidence in the quality or safety of this vehicle or when the next issue will arise. Volkswagen told me my car was not problematic and I had "buyers remorse". I am in awe of their lack of concern especially when I know I am not the only Touareg owner out there with problems.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Cortland, NY, USA