Volkswagen Touareg Problems by Model Year
NHTSA recorded 646 consumer complaints across the 14 model years of the Volkswagen Touareg (2004–2017) that have at least 5 complaints. 2004 has the most, with 231. Across all years, the part named most often is fuel system (151 mentions). Pick a model year below to see its parts, mileage, recalls and service bulletins.
Best and worst Touareg years →
All Touareg model years
Years with fewer than 5 complaints are not listed. The score compares years of the same model, allowing for the era and for how long each year has collected complaints: 50 is a typical year, lower means fewer complaints. It is not adjusted for sales volume.
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | TSBs | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 24 | 12,346 | 1 | 463 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 45 | 19,646 | 2 | 604 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 24 | 39,115 | 3 | 731 | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 27 | 32,000 | 3 | 969 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 30 | 36,664 | 3 | 987 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 28 | 40,000 | 4 | 979 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2011 | 16 | 34,750 | 4 | 894 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 25 | 70,000 | 1 | 712 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 19 | 75,625 | 2 | 642 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 56 | 89,000 | 4 | 418 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 9 | 59,460 | 3 | 363 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 37 | 68,500 | 1 | 332 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 75 | 70,000 | 2 | 276 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 231 | 35,000 | 4 | 240 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
Parts named most often, all years
Counts add up complaint mentions across the listed years. A complaint can name several parts.
- Fuel system151 24%
- Engine105 17%
- Electrical system98 15%
- Transmission and drivetrain81 13%
- Air bags53 8.4%
- Tires52 8.2%
- Other or unknown48 7.6%
- Steering46 7.3%
Example complaints
One per model year, chosen for length and detail. Personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
2008: “Upon starting the engine in my 2008 vw Touareg as normal to leave, the engine turned over to start, but sounded like it was turning over longer than usual. I grabbed my key in the ignition to turn it off. A few seconds later, I hear a loud pop, from under the hood. A few puffs of white smoke emerge. I open the hood and see the intake manifold had exploded and was in pieces.”
NHTSA complaint #11377040, filed 2020-11, 113,659 miles2005: “I took my SUV to the dealership for a fuel pump recall, about 3,000 miles after my SUV is causing problems like start but turn off within 40 seconds. I took it to a local mechanic for diagnosis and he says is the fuel pump. I contacted the dealership but they are kind of unresponsive...no advisors available, no returned calls (Volkswagen south coast santa ana ca).”
NHTSA complaint #11255351, filed 2019-09, 25 miles2016: “Sunroof leaking moisture into car and vw refuses to repair under warranty. Mold growing in a enclosed environment could be toxic. After dealer return my vehicle from another problem that still isn't fixed, after having it parked on their lot 17 days, I immediately noticed moisture in the vehicle. This time the dealer has had it 8 days and counting and refuses to fix the sunroof drains.”
NHTSA complaint #11330385, filed 2020-06, 1,600 milesOther Volkswagen models
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About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Methodology