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Volkswagen TouaregModel year report

2009 Volkswagen Touareg Problems

Complaints
19filed with NHTSA
Median mileage
75,625miles, 14 complaints with mileage
Recalls
2campaigns on record
Trend
FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA crash rating
—overall rating starts with 2011 models
EPA fuel economy
16 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl 4WD/AWD · 14 city / 20 hwy

Sources: NHTSA records for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg (complaints, recalls, investigations), NHTSA crash tests, EPA fuel economy. Report an error

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg. The part named most often is fuel system, with 11 complaints (58% of the total), followed by steering (3) and air bags (2). 14 of the complaints include a mileage, and 14% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 75,625 miles. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 642 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign and 68 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Steering complaints overlap with 6 technical service bulletins filed under the same part.

This model year has fewer than 25 complaints on record, so the numbers below can change a lot with a few new reports.

Which parts are reported most

Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.

Example complaints

Fuel system: “My vehicle's engine stumbled (mis-fired), then the engine line came on and as I coasted to the side of the road the engine shut off. The vehicle would turn over but not start. I then had it towed to the dealer. The dealer told me that the entire fuel system needs to be replaced. I understand that there is an existing nthsa issue open on Volkswagen diesels. My vehicle is a 2009 Volkswagen Touareg tdi (turbo diesel injection).”

NHTSA complaint #10637298, filed 2014-09, 88,000 miles

Steering: “As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly flashed a system malfunction on the dash and stated service needed to be performed immediately. As I was pulling over to side, the vehicle instantly stalled out and turned off. My steering was compromised and I had no ability to turn the vehicle back on or move the shifter into neutral to get out of traffic. I towed the vehicle to the dealer who after inspection did not immediately know the reason. They reached out to vw of america who confirmed with them an entire fuel system replacement was in order as a result of a failed fuel pump. …”

NHTSA complaint #10660935, filed 2014-11, 70,000 miles

Air bags: “The dashboard on the passenger side of the vehicle is cracking all the way around the air bag container. I fear safety and I am afraid that the air bag will pop out through the cracks and cause an injury or not be functional if needed. The cracks have been spreading slowly over time regardless if the vehicle is in motion. Currently the cracks are closing in to the full line around the air bag container. I wonder what will happen when the crack line is complete. Will the airbag pop out on its own and cause an injury? I was told that the air bag pressure is causing the cracks.”

NHTSA complaint #11180940, filed 2019-02, 155,000 miles

Engine: “While driving after refilling the diesel exhaust fluid with peak brand iso 22241-1 compliant def the no start in 450 mile warning came on. Take it in for service and the vw dealership replaces the pump, heater, and controller. But they failed at flushing out the lines and injector for within 50 miles of being picked up the warning for no restart was back on and a check engine light also now.”

NHTSA complaint #10863055, filed 2016-05, 70,250 miles

Mileage when problems were reported

14% of the 14 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 62,227 and 90,500 miles.

0%0–107%10–257%25–5036%50–7529%75–10014%100–1507%150+
Share of complaints by mileage when the problem was reported, in thousands of miles (14 complaints with mileage). Red bars: under 50,000 miles. Bucket widths differ. Median: 75,625 miles.

Complaints by year filed

Trend: falling. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.

2011201442016201820202023
Complaints by year the complaint was filed with NHTSA. Red bars: the last 3 full calendar years used for the trend. The current year (2026) is partial.

Crash test ratings

NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg. Frontal results are shown driver / passenger; rollover shows the star rating and NHTSA's estimated risk of rolling over in a single-vehicle crash.

VersionOverallFrontalSideSide poleRollover
Touareg 2 · sedan AWDnot rated5 / 5——4

Ratings before the 2011 model year come from an older, less demanding test and are not comparable with ratings for 2011 and later.

Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (5-Star Safety Ratings), nhtsa.gov/ratings.

Fuel economy and running cost

EPA ratings for each 2009 Volkswagen Touareg version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).

VersionEngineTransmissionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yr
Touareg 4WD/AWD3.6L 6-cyl6-speed automatic142016$5,150
Touareg 4WD/AWD4.2L 8-cyl6-speed automatic131815$5,500
Touareg AWD3.0L 6-cyl · diesel6-speed automatic172420$4,800

Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.

Recalls and investigations

Recall details for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls

Technical service bulletins

TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 642 on record; the latest 10 are shown.

See all 642 bulletins →

Other model years of the Volkswagen Touareg

YearComplaintsMedian miRecallsCrash ★MPGScore (50 = typical)Trend
20172412,3461—19—Falling
20164519,6462—1950 · TypicalFalling
20152439,1153—19—Stable
20142732,0003—1958 · TypicalFalling
20133036,6643—1943 · TypicalStable
20122840,0004—1950 · TypicalRising
20111634,7504—19—Falling
20102570,0001—160 · FewerFalling
20091975,6252—16—Falling
20085689,0004—1655 · TypicalFalling
2007959,4603—16—Not enough data
20063768,5001—16Not compared (before 2008)Stable
20057570,0002—16Not compared (before 2008)Rising
200423135,0004—15Not compared (before 2008)Stable

All Volkswagen Touareg model years · Best and worst years by complaints

Frequently asked questions

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg have?

NHTSA recorded 19 consumer complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

What part of the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg is reported most often?

Fuel system is named most often, in 11 complaints (58% of the total), followed by steering with 3.

Has the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg been recalled?

NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What gas mileage does the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg get?

The EPA rates the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg (Touareg, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 16 mpg combined, 14 city and 20 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $5,150 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.

At what mileage are problems with the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg reported?

Among the 14 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 75,625 miles and the middle half falls between 62,227 and 90,500 miles; 14% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.

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. Crash ratings are from NHTSA’s New Car Assessment Program. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).

Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.