2008 Volkswagen Touareg Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 14%of 56 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 80,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the electrical system of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg, 14% of the 56 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 80,500 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The headlights of my 2008 Volkswagen Touareg have been burning the bulbs and giving me many problems to condition in the night yesterday april 26, 2019 the headlight burned left I saw smoke coming out and opened the hood and I found that there was a small flame of fire and I turn it off and went to my house without lights when I remove the headlight I find that all the cables are without the cover this is not safe for not boby I want to know where I can go to fix this problem”
NHTSA complaint #11204264, filed 2019-04, 5 miles“My issue started out with the passenger airbag off warning indicator light being on even when an average side adult was sitting in the passenger seat. It escalated to an airbag fault warning light on in the control panel. This light does not go off. Another issue started when I would enter the car and the door signal was suddenly loud and odd sounding. This went on for a week or so then all of the sounds in the car ceased completely. No blinker sound, no lights on indicator, no interior lights, no door open indicator, and no parking brake indicator. …”
NHTSA complaint #11129528, filed 2018-09, 160,000 miles“Digital speedometer is reading in km, not MPH. Owners manual incorrectly explains it can be set in MPH but the manufacturer has told me that it is not possible on my model. It is confusing and not safe to have two different speed reading in the dash.”
NHTSA complaint #10226838, filed 2008-05, 1 miles“Insulation on wires in headlight assembly falls off wires causing shorts and disables both headlights causing loss of vision at night. This also stops daytime running lights. Also plastic headlight assembly hazes and scratches resulting in poor light before the shorting wires disable all headlights.”
NHTSA complaint #11341573, filed 2020-07, 75,000 miles“When changing any of the three bulbs in each headlight assembly, wiring to the bulb holder(s) will be missing insulation and having exposed, or bare, copper wires. Even where the insulation is still intact, the insulation is very likely to be brittle and just the minimal movement of the wires, necessary to replace any of the bulbs, will cause additional insulation to break away from the wiring inside these housings. …”
NHTSA complaint #11064291, filed 2018-01, 92,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10239655Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238308Jun 28, 2023Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- 10238301Jun 27, 2023Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
- 10228178Dec 6, 2022Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.
- 10218611Aug 22, 2022Minimum battery charger requirements during software updates
- 10214750Jun 22, 2022Software Version Management (SVM) instruction. Update to require 70amp minimum battery charger during procedure.
- 10214769Jun 8, 2022Battery Testing and Charging using VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS
- 10212133May 16, 2022Battery Testing and Charging using recommended VW test equipment.
- 10211926May 12, 2022Battery Tester VAS 6161 introduction.
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 1 | 4% |
| 2016 | 5 | 11% |
| 2014 | 3 | 11% |
| 2013 | 3 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 14% |
| 2011 | 1 | 6% |
| 2010 | 2 | 8% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 14% |
| 2006 | 7 | 19% |
| 2005 | 14 | 19% |
| 2004 | 49 | 21% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg
25 complaintsEngine
7 complaintsExterior lighting
6 complaintsSeat belts
4 complaintsBrakes
3 complaintsOther or unknown
3 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsTires
3 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsSuspension
2 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg
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.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology