Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: running costs are the problem rather than the car itself.
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg, and it carries 2 recalls. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 12 | 16% |
| Power train | 6 | 8% |
| Seat belts | 5 | 7% |
| Tires | 5 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 4 | 5% |
| Air bags | 4 | 5% |
| Fuel system | 3 | 4% |
| Steering | 3 | 4% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 4% |
| Structure | 2 | 3% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
My OBD port cannot be read. It will not communicate, or I cannot communicate with the vehicle using any OBD reading software. Myself or my mechanic. This is a major safety concern due to several reasons. Most importantly
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart
NHTSA complaint: Fuel system
Due to a leak in either the sunroof or the windshield water continuously drips down every time it rains onto the floorboard of the driver side of this vehicle, creating a sopping wet floor board that has 2 inches of wate
NHTSA complaint: Power train
The issue explained in Recall Notice 20Ai has reappeared after being 'fixed'. Issue Summary: On certain vehicles, the fuel pump flange may develop fine cracks or fissures, which could result in a fuel leak. Leaking fuel
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
After doing major research with other owners of like year and model I have discovered that i'm not the only one that is experiencing headlight electronics or headlight electrical system within the headlight assembly fryi
NHTSA complaint: Electrical system
Gas leak (see pics). I started noticing a strong gasoline smell and my car keeps running out of gas almost immediately after filling up. This has not been inspected nor confirmed by a dealer. This is my only source of
NHTSA complaint: Exterior lighting
My vehicle is leaking gas, I was told there is a recall on my vehicle so I took it into the volkswagen dealership where I was told that the recall only covers the driver side leak but not the passenger side leak which ma
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
PASSENGER AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT ON DASH SHOWS AIRBAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN A CRASH. WATER COMES FROM BEHIND DASHBOARD ONTO DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD WHEN TURNING WHILE DRIVING LIKELY CAUSE BY CLOGGED AC DRAINS B
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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
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
Risk: WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES OR DEATH.
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
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 57 | average |
| Depreciation | 62 | average |
| Performance | 66 | good |
| Efficiency | 29 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other SUVs in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 75 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and fuel/propulsion system is the most reported area with 12 of them (16%). There are 2 recalls on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2005 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: skip unless cheap, because running costs are the problem rather than the car itself. Its overall ownership score is 63/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.