NHTSA Complaint #10149099 — 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG

TWICE IN 18 MONTHS THE ENTIRE FRONT GRILL OF OUR 2004 VOLKSWAGEN TOURAEG HAS FLOWN OFF THE CAR, CRASHED INTO THE WINDSHIELD, AND THEN BOUNCED OFF THE TOP OF THE CAR INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. IN BOTH CASES THE MOTORIST, AND IN ONE CASE MOTORCYCLIST HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID BEING HIT. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPENED WAS IN SUMMER 2004. WE HAD IT REPAIRED AND VW ASSURED US IT WAS A FREAK INCIDENT, BUT IT OCCURRED AGAIN LAST SATURDAY. BOTH TIMES IT OCCURRED WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEED, BUT CERTAINLY NOT EXCESSIVELY. IT HAPPENED ONCE WHEN I WAS DRIVING, AND ONCE TO MY HUSBAND. THERE WAS NO WARNING AT ALL. THE GRILL DID NOT APPEAR TO BE LOOSE OR MAKING ANY RATTLING NOISES. WE FEEL VERY LUCKY THAT SERIOUS INJURY WAS AVOIDED, BUT ARE CONCERNED THAT THIS IS A RECURRING DEFECT THAT WILL SOONER OR LATER LEAD TO INJURY OR DEATH TO THE PEOPLE DRIVING BEHIND US IN PARTICULAR. *NM