2008 Volkswagen Touareg Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 7about this part
- Share
- 13%of 56 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 115,346miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 7 complaints about the engine of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg, 13% of the 56 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 115,346 miles. 2 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.
“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 miles“April 21, 2008, my wife finished her job and called me that she will be home soon. Few minutes later I got the call from her telling me that something has happened to our 2008 vw Touareg that there was a big explosion and smoke was coming from under the hood. She was very disturbed not knowing what just had happened. I arrived at the scene and noticed that hood had some dents from the inside out. I lifted the hood and saw fuel intake manifold completely destroyed. My wife was shaking, people form work were asking what happened? …”
NHTSA complaint #11322027, filed 2020-04, 198,000 miles“Takata recall. It happened several months ago, when I felt my car is hard to accelerate during driving. So while I am driving on the highway, it cannot go beyond 35 MPH, which is really dangerous. It felt like the fuel cannot be powered on. I took the car to a dealership. They first recommended changing the intake manifold, which was also recommended from dealer's body shop, where they had done some inspection a few days ago. After they changed the intake manifold, then they found the fuel pressure is low, and then they replaced the fuel pump. …”
NHTSA complaint #11022524, filed 2017-09, 97,000 miles“I was driving the vehicle and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood I pulled over immediately and the whole engine compartment was on fire I tried to put fire but Fire department showed up and extinguish the fire, fire was due to a fuel leak”
NHTSA complaint #11627551, filed 2024-11“The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. When the contact's husband attempted to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The contact's husband proceeded to look under the hood to see if the battery needed a jump; however, nothing appeared abnormal. When another attempt to start the vehicle was made, the manifold exploded on top of the engine, which produced smoke and caused plastic pieces to fly everywhere. A piece of plastic struck the eye of the contact's husband. Medical attention was not needed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10979092, filed 2017-04, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10244545Oct 30, 2023VW Engine oil quality standards
- 10212929May 26, 2022Engine oil pressure priming.
- 10208284Feb 21, 2022Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10206820Jan 21, 2022Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10202843Oct 28, 2021Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10198230Jun 22, 2021Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10198166Jun 21, 2021VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10190228Apr 5, 2021Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)
- 10181413Oct 2, 2020Mandatory fastener.
- 10180093Sep 18, 2020Symptom based diagnostic assistance for high pressure fuel pump being out of time.
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 19 | 79% |
| 2016 | 22 | 49% |
| 2015 | 14 | 58% |
| 2014 | 6 | 22% |
| 2013 | 4 | 13% |
| 2012 | 5 | 18% |
| 2011 | 4 | 25% |
| 2010 | 7 | 28% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 7 | 13% |
| 2007 | 3 | 33% |
| 2006 | 2 | 5% |
| 2005 | 3 | 4% |
| 2004 | 7 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg
25 complaintsElectrical system
8 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 30, 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