While driving vehicle hesitated. Consumer pressed down on the accelerator pedal and vehicle moved intermittently on its own. SRS light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Consumer drove vehicle to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic placed the vehicle on a diagnostic machine. The mechanic determined that the sensor shaft for transmission and engine needed to be replaced. This problem was a design flaw defect. Consumer informed the mechanic this problem was not acceptable and had not been resolved.

- West Palm Beach, FL, USA

I have experienced the following issue approximately 5 or 6 times, in a 4 to 5 month period. I have contacted my local VW dealership & their national headquarters. I have not had any resolution or any status updates. What is the problem with the vehicle" will the problem be corrected soon? do I need to get trade or sell my vehicle" (1) usually when slowing down, in the 40-50 mph range, while turning in a curve (2) my 04 Touareg feels (shudders) as if it has slipped a gear. There is no indication or warning when it will occur. The first 2 times it happened, I almost lost control of the vehicle (3) I have contacted my local VW dealership, service manager, and the VW us headquarters. They tell me that I am not the only one experiencing these problems, that they are trying to determine the cause and solution. Thank you,

- Lakeland, FL, USA

When accelerating from a very slow speed or a "rolling" stop, the car hesitates or stalls before accelerating, then lurches forward. This problem occurs randomly, but consistently. When driving up a hill to a stop, the vehicle regularly jumps forward at the last downshift in the stopping process. This is dangerous and threatens my safety, those around me in traffic, my passengers, and other potential drivers of my vehicle. I've been told by Volkswagen of America & my dealer that this is the way this SUV is designed to perform. The fact that the "hesitations/stalls" occur at random only furthers my point that this is clearly a defect and not "just the way this model drives" and "you just have to get used to it" as I was told by the service manager at martens VW.

- Bethesda, MD, USA

Same as others on site have noted: The 2003 Touareg V8 hesitates upon acceleration, resulting in a surge forward when the engine finally "catches." I find this very dangerous. We took it to the dealership; they couldn't replicate the action (unfortunately didn't have time to drive with them to demonstrate -- but will this week). I would also like to ask the NHTSA to help Touareg owners by forcing VW to acknowledge this issue and find a resolution before an injury occurs.

- Shaker Heights, OH, USA

Automatic transmission shifts erratically from first to second gear. Car often hesitates when accelerating from a near stop. Causes a danger when merging or crossing intersections.

- New Orleans, LA, USA

My 2004 VW Touareg has a serious safety issue with its transmission. When accelerating from a stop or low speed the truck hesitates and then lurches forward. I have contacted VW and the dealership with no resolution. I have talked with other Touareg owners and they have the same complaint, so it appears to be affecting more than a single vehicle. I would ask the NHTSA to help Touareg owners by forcing VW to acknowledge this issue and find a resolution before there is a fatality due to this safety issue.

- Dallas, TX, USA