[pilgrim]

A short intro

I think VW have a serious problems with the Touareg, it is still a great vehicle, although I have had my vehicle for over a year it was delivered 17th April 2004 and I have encountered some of the problems that others have had, the service for me has been good. It would appear there are more issues than VW are prepared to admit. The major one I would put on the list is the early diagnosis of problems by the garages, which is very poor, in general.
The ones that come to mind is the transfer box, stepper motors, or suspension, tyre wear etc, the issue here is how to convince the garage there is a problem.
My take on this is try to analyse the problems step by step, in the case of some of the issues above, when driving up, lightly accelerating from say 5mph, slight incline can you feel a jerk/clunk as though the vehicle is changing gear, normally felt through the steering wheel. This may be early symptom of transfer box problem this also can show up on the tyres with wear on the outer edge of the tyre.

Stepper motors, drive round in a tight circle on full lock and or reverse if you get judder and or skipping, grinding sound the it could be the stepper motors. This also can be caused if the diff lock is locked. This also can cause excessive tyre wear.

If you do not experience these symptoms then may be you do not have problem
Unless there is suspension alignment problem and you experiencing uneven tyre wear.

I have tried to consolidate a number of people's experiences, as in the past these have come out piece by piece but also trying to track down if particular build dates or if batches of parts are faulty.

In the past I have tried to get handle on some of these faults by trying to identify VIN numbers, build dates etc

It would also be useful to get what tyres were on the vehicle and what did you change to and at what mileage?

 

[Scottie]

I.ll start problem V10

Build Date Sept 2003

Vin xxx16xx

Stepper Motor had the ECU upgrade done twice still faulty had the front and rear stepper motors replaced fixed the problem.

Please note I had no uneven tyre wear total miles cover >10,000 miles.

 

[mjstubley]

2.5tdi built July 2004

Intermittent juddering in full lock going slow in forward and reverse (never been able to prove it at a garage

!

Really bad wear on inside of drivers front and outside of passenger rear tyres. 17'' Dunlop Grand Treks

Other 2 are worn on outside edge but done 14.5k miles so to be expected. VW doing nothing so far as done over 12k miles but last 3.5k were done over past 4 weeks (which was nice!)

Software and Transfer box have been checked and both are most up to date. Not sure stepper motors were checked so may suggest this to Dealer tomorrow unless he reads this here first!

 

[Numb boy]

Now thats very interesting boys!

My general feeling is that there's a 3 part prablem on some of the Treks.

1. there is some sort of miss match in the transfere boxes and motors that mathematically work but not quite perfect in practice

2. there is a soft ware problem still on this cars. some where on the line there is information that is not passed on completely to the transfere controle unit, which leads to in some cases a transfere wind up.

3. the good old bridgestone tytres. it is an good tyre been fitted to that vehicle as far as moothness and grip and water displacement goes. But bridgestone tyres are to a soft compound for the Trek, and if you get about 15k out of it I think you are a very generouse and easy driver.

I would think a slight hader compound might all the differance in the world.

 

[pilgrim]

I think the point made regarding tyre compound is well made, I have changed my tyres to Hankooks, which is a hard compound tyre. I know somebody on the board went the same way they do give a slightly harder ride but very good all round tyre. I posted under the transmission problems a modified note saying about tyres it may a subject that could become a talking point. Anyway, here is to long life tyres.

 

[Richard Walsh]

July 2003 V10.
Purchased this vehicle Feb 2005, 11500 miles.
Had one new tyre (dealer fit) at 12k to match the other three.
Thought nothing of it at the time.
19k both front tyres worn to excess on outer edges. Paid VW to fit two new tyres which we fitted on the back and put back tyres onto the front. also paid VW to carry out 4 wheel alignment/tracking.
22k had to put the two new tyres on the front and the fronts to the back since wearing out so fast. 27,600 rear tyres worn to excess.

In between the new tyres/tracking had the vehicle into dealership for clunking/groaning. This is along the lines that we all know, low speed turning, low speed moving forwards and gentle acceleration, however, our dealership does not know of this. They now know of this since have contacted VW and made them contact the dealership to make them aware.

Car currently in the dealership being investigated.

Previous History - Nov 2004 vehicle had transfer recall.

Will most likely cover another 20k by the year end so should be using a lot of tyres unless VW can sort this out.

Would I purchase another ? If VW can sort this out and ensure that their appointed "Luxury" car dealers have the facilities on line to secure repair, yes. And by the way, does anyone else get given a Polo as a courtesy car ?
I'm not a snob, but I have a 4x4 since I require a 4x4, we also have a "normal" car (a Beetle) for "normal" car duties and a sports car for those other occasions which life sometimes allows us time to endulge in.

Can we pool our experiences and achieve progress with VW UK ?

 

[Richard Walsh]

V10 - should have mentioned the tyres are Bridgestone Turanza.

 

[Guest]

QUOTE(Richard Walsh @ Jun 10 2005, 11:43 PM)And by the way, does anyone else get given a Polo as a courtesy car ?

[snapback]5128[/snapback]​

Even though when I bought my Treg, I was told "we will soon be getting Touregs in as loan vehicles for our Luxury car customers", when I called my dealer (Inchcape Shrewsbury) last to arrange a courtesy car I was told quite clearly from the service dept "we only have Polo's as courtesy cars Sir".
Fortunately I ended up fixing the problem myself so didn't have to have the Polo.

I love my Treg, but it is becoming quite clear that VW are no luxury car dealer - shame really, as I for one may soon be moving on

Kaine

 

[Scottie]

QUOTE(Richard Walsh @ Jun 10 2005, 11:43 PM)July 2003 V10.
Purchased this vehicle Feb 2005, 11500 miles.
Had one new tyre (dealer fit) at 12k to match the other three.
Thought nothing of it at the time.
19k both front tyres worn to excess on outer edges. Paid VW to fit two new tyres which we fitted on the back and put back tyres onto the front. also paid VW to? carry out 4 wheel alignment/tracking.
22k had to put the two new tyres on the front and the fronts to the back since wearing out so fast. 27,600 rear tyres worn to excess.

In between the new tyres/tracking had the vehicle into dealership for clunking/groaning. This is along the lines that we all know, low speed turning, low speed moving forwards and gentle acceleration,? however, our dealership does not know of this. They now know of this since have contacted VW and made them contact the dealership to make them aware.

Car currently in the dealership being investigated.

Previous History - Nov 2004 vehicle had transfer recall.

Will most likely cover another 20k by the year end so should be using a lot of tyres unless VW can sort this out.

Would I purchase another ?? If VW can sort this out and ensure that their appointed "Luxury" car dealers have the facilities on line to secure repair, yes. And by the way, does anyone else get given a Polo as a courtesy car ?
I'm not a snob, but I have a 4x4 since I require a 4x4, we also have a "normal" car (a Beetle) for "normal" car duties and a sports car for those other occasions which life sometimes allows us time to endulge in.

Can we pool our experiences and achieve progress with VW UK ?

[snapback]5128[/snapback]​

hello,

sounds to me like you have had the software upgrade with the TSB recall but it has not worked we had two upgrades with no success sounds like you need the stepper motors replaced.

if you go into http://www.clubtouareg.com you will get detailed information so that you are well informed when dealing with the dealer.

I can tell you our March 2005 built V10 is just so much smoother than our Sept 2003 V10 so hopefully as time goes on VW are starting to get it right.

 

[Scottie]

QUOTE(Kaine @ Jun 10 2005, 11:50 PM)Even though when I bought my Treg, I was told "we will soon be getting Touregs in as loan vehicles for our Luxury car customers", when I called my dealer (Inchcape Shrewsbury) last to arrange a courtesy car I was told quite clearly from the service dept "we only have Polo's as courtesy cars Sir".
Fortunately I ended up fixing the problem myself so didn't have to have the Polo.

I love my Treg, but it is becoming quite clear that VW are no luxury car dealer - shame really, as I for one may soon be moving on?

Kaine

[snapback]5130[/snapback]​

NO you can't move on

go to another dealer they are not all bad

Guess I've been Lucky with Stuart at our dealers he wouldn't dare do anything but give us first class service but I can understand peoples frustration with some of the service we here about on here.

 

[Guest]

QUOTE(ScottieTreg @ Jun 10 2005, 11:56 PM)NO you can't move on

? go to another dealer they are not all bad

[snapback]5132[/snapback]​

sshhh!!!! you didn't hear that right

Kaine

or should I say Kayenne

 

[slider]

QUOTE(Richard Walsh @ Jun 10 2005, 11:43 PM)July 2003 V10.
Purchased this vehicle Feb 2005, 11500 miles.
Had one new tyre (dealer fit) at 12k to match the other three.
Thought nothing of it at the time.
19k both front tyres worn to excess on outer edges. Paid VW to fit two new tyres which we fitted on the back and put back tyres onto the front. also paid VW to? carry out 4 wheel alignment/tracking.
22k had to put the two new tyres on the front and the fronts to the back since wearing out so fast. 27,600 rear tyres worn to excess.

In between the new tyres/tracking had the vehicle into dealership for clunking/groaning. This is along the lines that we all know, low speed turning, low speed moving forwards and gentle acceleration,? however, our dealership does not know of this. They now know of this since have contacted VW and made them contact the dealership to make them aware.

VW are using too soft and sporty a tyre for this vehicle IMO - Why a 2 1/2 tonner with a balance toward understeering should need the same tyre as an M3 is beyond reason. Also because the bias is toward understeer, if the vehicle is wrenched thru corners it WILL wear out the outside edges of the fr tyres hard or soft compound alike. Drivers will need to adopt a slightly less agressive slow speed corner driving style to get mileage out of the fronts. - Maybe fitting an uprated a/r bar to the rear will help alleviate the problem and get less u/steer..

Nb: You should not hold pwr steering on full lock, the pump doesn't like it and you may be able to feel some juddering as a result.

 

[royfox]

Collected car with I think 8k miles on it. Front two tyres were worn on the inner edge.. Dealer replaced but didn't align.
Covered another 9k miles and the front two tyres were bald on the inner edges again, rears were worn normal but needed replacing.
VW stumped up 60% of the cost for the fronts only (after an argument). all four tyres replaced at 17k miles, I had to pay for a full wheel alingment.. apprently these off roaders, built to go up the side of a mountain, well almost.. can't stand driving up and down a dropped kerb... really.. I was told that...

So, 600 quid down and already I've added 2k miles to the car, lets wait and see.

I've suggested this once and I'll do it again. I've complained to BBC watchdog about this very problem. I suggest anyone else who feels let down by VW with this issue do the same. It's the only way VW will take this seriously.

Forgot who asked.. but YES I get a polo or Golf as well when the car is in the dealer.
I specifically asked this time to have a Touareg or even the V6 TDI as I would consider swapping. I was told it wasn't available..

I got an employee to contact the showroom that day pertending to be interested in the V6 TDI. He asked for a test drive and was told, come along the car is here all day.. I have to say.. service is terrible..and I'm considering changing to the porker as well at the moment..

Anyway. Bye for now. sorry to winge on..

 

[Richard Walsh]

Tyres and Driving Style - I for one am not in the habit of driving a 4x4 "hard".
Our V10 does long distance driving ordinarily 400+ miles per journey, often the Highlands and back (circa 1,000 per journey, predominately MOTORWAY) , often with a light weight trailer, hence the V10 and hence the 4x4.

Immediately prior to the V10 I did 70,000 miles in our Mercedes ML55 AMG (350 hp 5.5 V8) , tyre wear was 25,000 miles plus per pair of tyres, and yes 9x18 Dunlops, NO UNEVEN TYRE WEAR.

Power steering noises - NOT ON FULL LOCK, or even near FULL LOCK.

VW monetary contributions - my issues are still outstanding with VW and I will post the news here as and when, todate not a penny or any admission of problems with the vehicle.

It is important to state that it is not the rate of tyre wear, it is the kind of UNEVEN tyre wear which indicates that something is not right, not to mention the fact that at £300 plus vat per pair it would be nice to gain more miles per tyre !

 

[Richard Walsh]

Wednesday 22nd June took V10 to DANE VW, Chester.
Within ONE HOUR they diagnosed the problem as the transfer box.
The transfer box HAD NOT BEEN REPLACED despite being informed by VW and the dealer (Inchcape, SHrewsbury) that all the recalls had been carried out on the vehicle.

This perhaps confirms that some of the VW Touareg dealers are not experienced enough with this product to offer effective after sales support.

DANE VW - Chester - Alan, the mechanic, was very informative and knew what he was looking for, Ian the Service Manager could not have helped enough prior to and during the time the V10 was with them, very professional and DANE now have the service of the V10 and my wife's Tdi Beetle !

Due now to contact VW Luxury Support Team and find out what they are prepared to do to recompense us for tracking, visits and tyres !

 

[pilgrim]

Richard I have commented on your great success under tyre wear. Again its quite difficult to chase things all over the board. Once again great news for you.

 

[pilgrim]

Just a few additional comments following on from whats been said above. If anyone experiences these types of problems. Get the VIN number and check for any changes etc, that have been made or claimed to have been made, then ask for copies any of the work sheets including warranty work which should give part numbers etc. Check with VW direct ie Luxury cars or the warranty group at Milton Keynes. In the case of transfer boxes they have a part number if the part number differs from either of the records, there may be something going on. It is not uncommon for a somebody not to change the box or whatever part and charge the manufacturer for the work. I am not suggesting this is what happens in particular cases, I merely put it forward as idle speculation.

This just a view from the sidelines having worked in and around various industries

 

[pilgrim]

Again repeating what has been said before and seems to have been lost,the majority of transfer box problems are below VIN 15xxx
then a bit of a gap and below 45xxx MY 2003.This covers up to the end MY 2004.Having said that there are some in build groups up to 75xxx but not that many unless somebody tells me different.I am begining to think that stepper motors are merely the symptom of a transfer box problem but like all these ideas proof is required before judgement.
MY2006 started June 2005, It will be interesting to see how MY 2006 pans out, I hope that the problems are getting less. It does seem that those that
have been fixed in the last twelve months seem to not have had the
problems reoccur so far,which indicates the probably they have got it sorted. Here's hoping!!!!

PS Don't forget the VIN last six digits are world wide and start again with each model year

 

[CovRob]

I raised the tyre wear & transmission problems with Joe at Listers, Stratford before I placed my order. He conceded that there was a issue with some early 2004 MY builds as far as transmission problems and wheel alignment, but it was "all sorted now" That seems to be backed up by this thread and some others. It reassured me enough to still place my order last week.

However, looking at some low mileage used examples on dealer forecourts, it is surprising how many have tyres that either appear low on tread (albeit faily evenly worn) or have obviously had a complete new set of tyres fitted before going on display.

Nevertheless, you'd think that, with such a relatively small number of Lux dealers, the standards/knowledge/corrective ability would be more consistent. It seems such a postcode lottery when selecting a dealer to commit to, spend money with and rely on.

Rob

 

[Guest]

Thought it would be useful to pin this thread at the top.

Pilgrims summary is very clear for those unsure whether they have any problems.

Kaine