23rd Feb 2005, 05:25
As far as I know the doors relocking themselves after 30 seconds is a security feature. If I trip the doors by remote and don't open any of them they all relock after 30 seconds. Handy if you accidentally press the remote and unlock your car don't you think?
The passenger door not unlocking every time is a well documented and accepted fault. It can be cured under warranty by new parts being fitted. The quick fix is to relock and then try again. A very minor inconvenience until the permanent fix is applied. Rear door wind noise is another one that comes up too. From the reports I've seen it's a matter of the dealer tightening up the doors a little.
Not sure about the water leaks at the rear, that sounds hideous, but the other things are minor and easily fixed. I'm sure a lot comes down to the knowledge of your local dealer.
22nd Aug 2005, 05:03
On the upside, I have an April 2004 Touran and have had zero problems with it - no leaks, no locking problems and it has needed no new oil. My local dealer is poor aswell, but luckily I've not had to go near. Sometimes you just get unlucky.
I just felt it was important to balance such a lot of problems with one of the many people who have a great experience of the car. We tend not to post!
26th Aug 2005, 10:52
I have bought a 2004 Touran and I really want to like it, but it has the most disconcerting shake / shudder/ vibration when ticking over in neutral. It has been back to the dealer who has adjusted the idling speed and changed glow plugs, but its still there. Does anyone else have this problem? It seems to have been experienced by quite a few Touran owners in Germany, but not here.
11th Nov 2005, 08:40
I have a 2004 1.6fsi auto.. I know not my idea of fun either, but bad back and long commute pushed decision. Having said that, it is a practical 7 seater.
However this one has a shake / judder / vibration, but at 30 to 40 mph. Have had all the wheels balanced. Dealer has replaced knock sensor. Also swapped wheels from another car (to test). They have given it back saying they cannot help & to take it back where I bought it (bought from another VW dealer in London)!
Has anyone else experienced this fault or heard of it please?
Many thanks.
6th Jan 2006, 15:03
One reviewer reports steam (on a diesel Touran) coming from under the bonnet (and also drivers wing). This is actually diesel fumes from a "Webasto" auxiliary heater and is quite normal if a bit alarming if you don't know what the source of the white smoke is!
On diesel models the auxiliary heater cuts in at 2oC and below to heat the coolant and diesel fuel. The result is the vehicle heats up as quick as any petrol car in cold weather.
There is a small silver pipe under the drivers side (UK) wing which pumps out diesel fumes from the heater which can waft out as a puff of white smoke. Diesel Tourans fitted with these have a Webasto sticker on the front valence under the bonnet. The heaters also tend to run on for about 5 minutes after the engine is switched off.
They come on automatically at 2oC, but can be over ridden and switched off by pushing the ECON button so the yellow light is ON before starting the engine.
10th Nov 2006, 13:13
I have a 2.0 TDI, and love it. We had a problem with rattling headrest in the rear, as the rear seats shake quiet a bit. The fix was eventually new headrests - work a charm. And why did VW label the Aircon with an Econ button? Weird!
9th Dec 2006, 10:42
It's likely that people are to motivated to post when they have a problem. Our Touran has been fine so far, 6000 miles - not even a minor niggle.
23rd Jan 2007, 06:36
23rd Jan 2007.
We have a Touran December 04 1.9 TDI. First experience of the white smoke from under the bonnet was this morning. Very cold morning - looked like the car was bathed in dry-ice (it was pretty embarrassing actually) but OK once we got going again.
Not sure how other cars are set up, but one click on the key tab opens only the drivers door- a second opens the remaining doors. Your VW can change this so that all doors open at once... its worth reading the manual...
Ours also rattles at low revs- I think this is just diesels really. otherwise its fantastic!
26th Mar 2007, 15:42
I have an 8 year old diesel Mondeo with a factory fitted Webasto fuel heater, and that doesn't steam / smoke / smell at all. Sounds like a design fault or an excuse to me.
13th Aug 2007, 04:30
Modern VW's are expensive and overrated. No less problematic than any other marque, but still priced like they're a cut above by dealers who redefine arrogance and sloppiness. Smart money goes elsewhere these days. VW need to start building cars like they did back in the 80's and early 90's if they want to even get close to delivering on their reputation.
I was put off the Touran by my neighbours having a serious accident in theirs caused by a gearbox failure. The car had 15,000 miles on it, and a full VW history. This was on top of a list of electrical and build faults. We chanced our arm on a Renault Scenic which has now done 41,000 miles without a single fault to its name.
16th Feb 2008, 16:51
I've had a 2003 Touran 1.9Tdi from 6 months/6,000 miles. Generally I'm very pleased with it, and hope to keep it a while yet.
However, I had a failure of the electric fuel flap release on a journey, and the dealers are not informed what to do to get you going (remove rear pillar trim and lift lever on solenoid - takes about 30 seconds). This can turn a minor niggle into a crisis. I've had temporary failures of the tailgate release as well (tap smartly beside the lock with the palm of the hand).
Tyre wear seems quite heavy. I have the 5 seater - I'd never buy a car without a spare tyre.
3rd Dec 2008, 06:50
Our 53 plate Touran has been nothing but trouble since we got it - the biggest problem being a constant water leak in the passenger side footwell (sounds like same problem as post #1). It's been back to the garage at least six times in 18 months, and despite the whole inside trim coming out, the water leak keeps coming back... I would NEVER EVER buy another one (and we have been loyal VW customers for years and years).
21st Feb 2005, 07:18
I too have had problems with my Touran. It has been back to the local dealer 6/7 times now and it is still not fixed. Have now rejected the car back to VW (UK), so I am waiting to see what their response is. I think it will not be a helpful one as they have totally and utterly lacked in any part of CUSTOMER CARE or thought.