Use the search facility.

Others have reported vibrations both in the US and UK.

It doesn't happen with all of them.

Some cars have been bought back by VW and some owners are still trying to get their cars fixed.

Don't let the dealer tell you it is normal and they all do it. THAT is complete bollocks.

Put your complaint in writing immediately to the dealer principal and tell him you intend to reject the car unless it gets sorted pronto Tonto.

Point out you are not prepared to wait 3 months and more as some have done for a new transmission.

And if he continues to tell you it is normal, ask to try some other Touaregs side by side with yours, or go to another dealer [not in your Touareg] and go for a decent demo run.

 

Just take it back to the dealer,it's under warranty. If they don't fix it then go further. JP

 

Agreed. IMO, forget the forum on this one and go back to the dealer pronto and get that 'premium VW model' done under warranty. It ain't good enough if they don't give you their full attention to meet your satisfaction.

 

vibrations

I took my new 2011 touareg today to denlo service, told them about the vibrations. They tested the vehicle and commented that there is a slight vibrations and that is normal for touaregs. Service manager had a another 2011 touareg, we drove that one and noticed the same vibrations in that one as well. I am confused now because if these vibrations are normal then why my car took two days to develop it. I want to hear from 2011 TDI owners about their comments please.

 

I have a 2012 TDI and don't have any of those issues thank heavens. I would insist they do more analysis. My vehicle was built during july/August od 2011. Shouldn't have anything to do with a difference in performance.

 

could be your tires starting to wear, i know the 20's transfer road noise and feel alot more than the other wheels. I got a slight vibration a while back, I had the wheels rotated and balanced and it's pretty much gone.

 

My 2012 is june built and i took delivery in december, it could be resonance which is more rpm related. At 1500 to 1700 rpm the resonance is very much noticable, doesn't matter whatever speed. do you still think it could be tyres.

 

I doubt you have enough mileage to change the tires condition,but have you hit any big pot holes? Have the tires rebalanced as a possible issue solver. good luck JP

 

The vibrations in my new 2012 touareg comes and goes irespective of speed, but they come in a particular range of RPM, so I am narrowing down to engine, torque converter or exhaust related vibrations. Also I noticed another thing that vibrations increases when the engine is hot. As dealer had said previously that these vibrations are normal and booking it in is not going to make a difference.
I don't what to do. but these are making me crazy and i am not able to concentrate on the road, Any advice is welcome.

 

The vibrations in my new 2012 touareg comes and goes irespective of speed, but they come in a particular range of RPM, so I am narrowing down to engine, torque converter or exhaust related vibrations. Also I noticed another thing that vibrations increases when the engine is hot. As dealer had said previously that these vibrations are normal and booking it in is not going to make a difference.
I don't what to do. but these are making me crazy and i am not able to concentrate on the road, Any advice is welcome.

If you rulled out tire and wheel, then next I would have them check fly wheel and drive shaft.

 

Usually if it stays within a specific rpm range, it's something in the drivetrain after the tranny. As mentioned, driveshaft for instance. What you are describing is what happens with a bad u-joint on a driveshaft.

 

Usually if it stays within a specific rpm range, it's something in the drivetrain after the tranny. As mentioned, driveshaft for instance. What you are describing is what happens with a bad u-joint on a driveshaft.

It still could be fly wheel or out of balance drive shaft. The vehicle is unit construction so no matter where it's coming from it would be felt throughout vehicle.

Call the touareg executive team at 877-389-4928 and request a regional service rep to meet you at dealership. Only the rep had the authority to test everything, some of which may include removing parts for process of elimination. I had this once years back on a jeep Cherokee and ended up being the transmission, which they replaced. But not before dulling out all other moving parts.

 

I had steering wheel shake (otherwise not a real noticeable vibration within the vehicle) when I first bought my 2011.

I didn’t think about it being an rpm issue, as it was very evident at about a 65-70mph range. Higher, it would taper off.

Dealer had tire pressure way above spec when I took delivery but stated they felt that was good pressure for the tire and winter season….hmm.

I took it back for re-balance. Was a little better afterward and dealer insisted tires were already in-balance but they re-did them all the same.

I’ve since let some out (Summer) and added some air in (Winter). It’s now a pretty uncommon event for me, but it does occur periodically, but certainly not as much as I saw in the first few months of ownership.

One other note, two hands on the wheel and it's almost not there at all...one hand you start to notice it a bit more...no hands and the steering wheel will noticably shake a bit.

So not sure why this is...but figure it's another anomoly we TReg owners need to live with ala squeaky reverse brake pads! I look at that noise as a free warning feature now

And it it were a mechanical issue...ie drive shaft, etc, I don't think it would randomly come and go as it is, seemingly with air pressure changes with the tires.

 

Timm, as you said if it is related to engine revs it must be before the output of the transmission. Where abouts in Oz are you? Maybe one of the forum members nearby can add some light or a different perspective. John

 

Timm

I've joined here to try and help you. I've had this problem which has been covered comprehensively elsewhere.

Firstly, do you really have the problem. Your description was a bit vague. Where and when does the vibration manifest itself? How obvious is it? Is it clearly "not usual", or could it be considered as typical if it wasn't an exceptionally quiet and smooth shifting vehicle?

The best test is to drive in 7th gear at between 1500 and 200 revs and define exactly where and when you think the problem occurs. Then get the service engineer to sit in the back of the car while you drive at the same rev range the problem occurrs in. Get the service engineer to feel the steering wheel when the vibration occurs. Does it twitch - slightly at first but consistently? Is it discernable from the passengers seat? It should be.

VW is an excellent organisation (I have no connection) but there is the question of consumer crossover - some read of a problem and get convinced they have it. I'm not saying you do that - I'm just saying be sure its an issue.

If it is (and I did have a clear problem), then precisely itemise the rev range, the effect, the consequences of the effect i.e. spoiling the enjoyment, unexpected in a prestige vehicle etc, and send it signed to your VW importer or Customer Care centre.

After your reply I will post more information that may help...

 

I test droved an another car today with a different dealer but same model 2011 150 TDI and it was very smooth and powerful and no much vibrations noticable. Then I droved my touareg150TDI straight away and was convinced that something is wrong.

I observed the following differences compared with the demo
--my car's pick was very slow and it feels like the engine is labouring.
--the engine noise is loud
--very noticable differences in vibrations are felt in the range of 1300 to 1700

Another symptom i noticed that when I drive short distances the vibrations are less and when I drive long distances vibrations get worse after 30 min of drive and are felt in almost every gear in the above mentioned range. Why is that?

I have mentioned earlier in my previous posts that my car was very responsive and smooth for a few days.

So what is causing this vibrations which was not present before and why the vibrations get worse after 30 mins or so. Is something is loose and out of balance or could it be the transmission.

I am thinking to take my car to this dealer service centre and ask him to compare with the demo model they have.I am not sure about the dealer extended warranty from where i bought the vehicle . I think that will void if i take the vehicle to an another service centre.

 

I wouldn't ignore the forum, Timm. I'd learn more from the people that own these cars than those who sell them, or have a vested interest.

Oilslurper, with the greatest respect, I note your prolific postings and constantly dispensed opinions - some of which are ridiculous reflex posts and of no real worth. That was one of them. Learn from NoobyToogy.

The vibration you note is probably gearbox related. It can be fixed but it depends on exactly what you are experiencing. All cars have some vibrations somewhere, sometime. You just aren't aware of them.

Since my 2012 Treg had this problem, I noticed a similar vibration in my Lexus - albeit varied in range and effect. My Mercedes-Benz ML loan car had it too - again in a different guise.

Your dealer, with the right approach, will give you a result but don't take an agressive "your problem you fix it" attitude with them. Too much of that about.

 

The vibration that plagues some Touaregs will be noticeable in a far more precise rev range than 1300 to 1700, and in a specific gear more than the others. Try to be exact. Take it to your dealer and have the Service Manager ride with you, If you are certain its below spec, and you have driven a similar vehicle with a less obvious problem, then request an immediate back-to-back drive. The point is you must be sure there's a problem, you must exactly specify in writing what the problem is, where, and how it occurs and then by law in Australia, you have to give them a chance to repair the problem.

 

My 2c, could be tyres. thus find another treg and swap all 4 wheels see if the vibration goes away. If it is the tranny or drive train load should make the vibrations worse. Thus hook up a trailer 1.5tonnes + find a steep hills and give it some. If you have no tow bar load the car with 4 big mates some bags of concrete in the boot and find a steep hill, and give it some in different gears and speed see if the vibrations get worse.

Take this as ammunition to VW.

 

My bet is on the tires. Even they are 'balanced' they can still be out of round a bit. If this happens on more than one tire - say both front tires - the 'roundness' can get in and out of sync as you go around corners, etc. I've also had a set of tires that grew 'bubbles' on the inside sidewall where it couldn't be seen. If near the tread, a variable vibration set up exists.
Another tire manufacturing defect that can happen is steel belts that are not properly centers either axially (side-to-side) or radially. Again, the tires may balance on the machine but still be the cause of vibrations.
The simplest, and cheapest, test is to switch out tires and/or rims and see what happens.

 

In Australia the statutory warranty period for a new car is 12 months.
The manufacturer's warranty on the Treg is 3 years.

 

I stand corrected, thank you, but my other comments apply. I believe VW meet their responsibilities AND the manufacturer's warranty is enforceable in law, if needed.

 

You are most likely correct in your context (UK&NZ?). In Australia, having gone through the process in a lengthy and downright painful way, I can say my personal experience says otherwise (despite polite, and considered correspondence on my part), I found VW Group Australia to be highly offensive and intimidating.

In terms of VGA taking on responsibility, I have it in writing from VW that outside the warranty period, it's ALL my responsibility, that includes the standard of technical support their authorised dealers provide. That's right, when the warranty runs out, it's all my risk whether they can correctly diagnose and fix a VW or not (despite VW being the designer manufacturer and technical standards controller), and if they get it wrong, I pay, they can continue to get it wrong indefinitely. In my case, a simple sensor issue was misdiagnosed multiple times, and incorrectly repaired (which I paid for) multiple times, the whole process stretching into a year. By the time it was fixed, more damage has been done to the car (which is the reason why I would urge Timm to attend to problems asap.

During this year long process, I'm told by the dealer they have followed ALL VW protocols, including consulting with VW, and after all is said and done, what does VW say? MY problem.

Statutory protection? In Australia, there is no lemon law, there is very limited protection and which has only been beefed up recently (1st January 2011). If you're lucky enough to have statutory protection coverage, it is still mostly up to the manufacturer how they remedy the problem.

If the dealer plays hardball, to get anywhere with the factory warranty, one has to go to court. Which is why IMHO, Timm should be firm and communicate that he expects the problem is fixed prompto, for a couple of reasons:
1. minimise further damage; &
2. lay down the paper trail.

I must admit, prior to my dealings with VGA, I had a fair bit of trust in the dealer and VGA (my mistake), and I also admit, the situation in your country may also be different. My post is purely from personal experience.

 

Interesting thread and I am going to add my experience since I just went through a virbration fiasco with VW on my 2011 TDI Lux. I think everything is sorted on mine and it did come down to the tires. Ended up being right on the fringe of a Lemon Law with mine.

My problem was a vibration you could see in the steering wheel and feel throughout the car and in the seat. Intensity would come and go, worse at some times and very mild at others. Then sometimes nearly violent. But always there.

I'll outline my visits:
VW visit 1) Was told the Eagle LS2 tires were out of balance and VW rebalanced them. Vibration not fixed.
VW visit 2) Was told the Eagle LS2 not right tires for vehicle and replaced under warranty with Conti Contact 4x4. Vibration not fixed.
My mechanic visit 3) Had the Conti's rebalanced and alignment checked. Vibration still there.
VW visit 4) Really pushed dealer on this visit. They have been nothing but friendly and really wanting to fix the problem. They had the car for 5 days. Finally came back to me and said that one tire was showing a Roadforce of 47lbs so they ordered one new Conti tire.

Problem is resolved.

Reason for problem as explained by head foreman (who I've gotten to know very well). The suspension on the T is very stiff and transmits a lot more through to the car than most trucks. The tires on our cars are light truck tires and possibly they are not made to the same tolerances as car tires. Most pickups or softer suspension trucks can absorb a roadforce up to 40lbs w/o feeling it through the car or steering wheel. Most cars will start to feel roadforces once they hit over 20lbs.

I am sure some will say the explanation is BS, others may find some merit in it. I'm not going to argue the fact, it is what it is.

Going forward I am thinking maybe getting one of the Porsche or Audi specific versions of the tires may prove to give a better ride, even if it is a V rated tire which doesn't last as long. Or maybe a car based tire if there is one with a stiff enough sidewall.

 

Interesting you post this...I too have been to the dealer on two occasions for the same issue with the Eagle LS tires installed. First time they rotated tires, vibration/shimmy in steering wheel still evident. Second time they performed a balance and said that the tires were out, but vibration/shimmy still persisted. I attribute this to a poorly designed Goodyear product and this hasn't been the first time I've come across this (Most R32 owners went through bubbling sidewalls with Eagle F1's, Goodyear didn't warranty their product).

I'm going to try for yet a third time to see if this newly opened dealership can alleviate this problem. This is really trying my patience as I got into it with the shop foreman who accused me of running over something or into a curb to have this problem rear its ugly head. However with a few friendly discussions all is good and I'll give them another chance to try and get this straight.

 

I agree with barefoot, my experience with two vw dealerships is not good either. How frustating it is when the vw mechanics road tested my vehicle and said that it is the first time they are driving a Touareg and they don't know how normally it should drive.

One of them has a demo model which is going to be used for comparision.

Many members have suggested that it is a tyre issue, its definitely not that because this vibration is not speed related, rather it is rpm related.

I am more inclined to Melben suggestion of Gearbox problem, because vibrations intensifies after a long drive.

I have emailed a three page letter to Customer care Manager and cc to managing director, lets see what they say.

My touareg is booked for inspection on 25/1/12 and I will let know what happens.