2016 Volkswagen Touareg Problems
Compared with other Volkswagen Touareg years
Typical for this model
50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Volkswagen Touareg year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 7 of its 45 complaints were filed by the end of 2018.
- Most reported part: Engine (22 complaints, median 21,565 mi).
- 2 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with a typical complaint level and no open NHTSA investigation: 2013
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 45filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 19,646miles, 26 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
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl AWD · 17 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg. The part named most often is engine, with 22 complaints (49% of the total), followed by other or unknown (10) and forward collision avoidance (8). 26 of the complaints include a mileage, and 92% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 19,646 miles. Of all complaints, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns and 604 technical service bulletins for this model year. Engine complaints overlap with 67 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Other or unknown complaints overlap with 48 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 5 Volkswagen Touareg model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
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.
- Engine22 49%
- Other or unknown10 22%
- Brakes5 11%
- Electrical system5 11%
- Body and structure4 8.9%
- Fuel system2 4.4%
- Vehicle speed control2 4.4%
- Air bags1 2.2%
Also reported: Lane departure (1), Steering (1), Suspension (1).
Example complaints
Engine: “My engine was damaged and brought to the dealership. The dealer is suggesting I have gotten water in the intake box and the drain was clogged resulting in engine damage. They are asking that I pay for the damages and I believe it is a design flaw. This was a reclass by vw globally but not in america.”
NHTSA complaint #11256613, filed 2019-09, 60,000 milesOther or unknown: “Since the tdi fix I have experienced two incidents of power loss and then the activation of the check engine light. The 1st incident occurred in my driveway at a slow speed. The loss of power was for a short period of time. Vw called it a glitch not related to the tdi fix, and reset the check engine light. The 2nd incident occurred 33 days later on a surface street. I was in traffic at 40 MPH and the car had a rapid drop in speed. I pushed the accelerator to the floor which resulted in a slow acceleration. Full power restored in about a mile of limp it to work driving. …”
NHTSA complaint #11187380, filed 2019-03, 52,650 milesForward collision avoidance: “There was a big rain last week locally. I drove through a couple big puddles but nothing that's super uncommon for the area. Almost immediately, my car's electric components started going crazy. ACC stopped working completely. Lane assists aren't working. There was an error that I think was shift lock, but it was red, and the car was driving really weird.”
NHTSA complaint #11451182, filed 2022-02Brakes: “The car will stop (while driving) for no apparent reason. “Phantom Braking”. This is without any known objects/people approaching our vehicle. It’s a part of the electronic automatic braking system but obviously it is not programmed correctly. It is DANGEROUS. A brief review on internet shows these sudden stops have caused accidents (people rear ending vehicle after sudden stops). Cars have also had to move quickly off highway to avoid collision. Another issue: the Panoramic Sunroof has had frequent issues with water leaks. …”
NHTSA complaint #11699303, filed 2025-11Mileage when problems were reported
92% of the 26 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 1,610 and 32,000 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.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2016 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).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touareg AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 17 | 23 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Touareg AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 8-speed automatic | 21 | 28 | 24 | $4,000 |
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
- 16V243000Apr 26, 2016Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systemsCovers: Volkswagen Touareg 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toureg vehicles manufactured July 7, 2015 to March 3, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be improperly calibrated and, as a…
- 16V170000Mar 24, 2016Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkagesCovers: Volkswagen Touareg 2011–2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Recall details for the 2016 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. 604 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Engine. Suggested fuel additive
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11036868Aug 6, 2026Other or unknown. Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- 11036870Aug 4, 2026Other or unknown. Differences between a leak and seepage
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026Electrical system. This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019…
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Engine. Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Engine. Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Engine. Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Air bags. Inquiries
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Engine. Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
Other model years of the Volkswagen Touareg
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 24 | 12,346 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 45 | 19,646 | 2 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 24 | 39,115 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 27 | 32,000 | 3 | — | 19 | 58 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 30 | 36,664 | 3 | — | 19 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 28 | 40,000 | 4 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2011 | 16 | 34,750 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 25 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 16 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 19 | 75,625 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 56 | 89,000 | 4 | — | 16 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 9 | 59,460 | 3 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 37 | 68,500 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 75 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 231 | 35,000 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volkswagen Touareg model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg have?
NHTSA recorded 45 consumer complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg as of Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg is reported most often?
Engine is named most often, in 22 complaints (49% of the total), followed by other or unknown with 10.
Has the 2016 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 2016 Volkswagen Touareg get?
The EPA rates the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg (Touareg, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 17 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,550 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg reported?
Among the 26 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 19,646 miles and the middle half falls between 1,610 and 32,000 miles; 92% 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. 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.