2016 Volkswagen Touareg Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 11%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- —not reported
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the electrical system of the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg, 11% of the 45 complaints for this model year.
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.
“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 2022-02“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 2025-11“Electronic Parking Brake lever light was flashing and dashboard showed parking brake error message. Drove car to VW Dealership, which diagnosed problem as likely bad Parking Brake Control Module (Part J540). Dealership ordered part, and stated I could drive car home. Within 1 mile of dealership, parking brake engaged automatically abruptly slowing car and error flashed on dash stating Disengage Parking Brake. Pulled over, turned car off and back on, which disengaged parking brake. Returned to dealership and left car until it could be repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11441626, filed 2021-11Related service bulletins
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026This 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…
- 11030829Mar 6, 2026This 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…
- 11028490Jan 6, 2026This 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 a…
- 11027254Dec 8, 2025Diagnosis for Excessive Current Draw.
- 11007398Aug 28, 2024Battery testing
- 10249136Jan 11, 2024Addressing Cybersecurity or Vehicle Hack concerns
- 10239654Jul 13, 2023Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- 10238400Jun 30, 2023This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars.
- 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
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 2016 Volkswagen Touareg
22 complaintsOther or unknown
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsFuel system
2 complaintsVehicle speed control
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
1 complaintsLane departure
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2016 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