2005 Volkswagen Touareg: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg: 2 recalls, 75 owner complaints and up to 16 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Seat belts Vehicle recall #04V592000 · 2004 · 50,483 vehicles
What's wrong: 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…
Why it matters: When involved in a crash, the child restraints May not be properly secured, increasing the risk of injuries or death.
The 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.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #17V583000 · 2017 · 73,941 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
The 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 1 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel & propulsion (16): the most common themes are leaks (10), fire / smoke (4), electrical failure (3).
- Electrical (14): the most common themes are electrical failure (10), stalls / loses power (3), fire / smoke (3).
- Transmission & drivetrain (10): the most common themes are hard / delayed shifting (3), noise or vibration (3).
- Tires (9): the most common themes are tire tread / blowout (9).
The 2005 Volkswagen Touareg has 75 owner complaints, ranking #2 of 14 Touareg model years for complaints (1.6× the average Touareg year). Complaints peaked in 2006 (12 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 6 years old, at a median of 70,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2004 (231 complaints, 4 recalls), 2006 (37 complaints, 1 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.2 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | Premium |
| 4.2 L 8-cyl | Automatic (S6) | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 | 17 | 14 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
From $19.99/mo · $59.99/yrStep-by-step photos written from a real teardown. Great for first-timers.
Books ~$30–$40 · AllAccess $34.99/moHeads up: we may earn a commission if you buy through these links, at no extra cost to you. Prices checked 2026-10 and can change. We never host or link to pirated manuals. Disclosure
FAQ
Does the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2005 Volkswagen Touareg problems?
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel & propulsion (16), electrical (14), transmission & drivetrain (10).
What gas mileage does the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg get?
EPA ratings run up to 16 mpg combined (3.2 L, Automatic (S6)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.