2016 Volkswagen Touareg Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 22about this part
- Share
- 49%of 45 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 21,565miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 22 complaints about the engine of the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg, 49% of the 45 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 21,565 miles.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 miles“When it rains heavily, my Touareg air filter is very easy to get into the water. I checked the information on the internet, it said in other countries, there are lots of reports that the same model of imported Touareg has lost the power on free way because of the water filter entering the water.”
NHTSA complaint #11269082, filed 2019-10, 32,000 miles“The vehicle was left parked on my driveway for 4 days, during so heavy rainstorms passed over my area. When I went to go start the car after 4 days, a sunny dry day finally, its sputtered and suffocated when starting up. Having heard these vehicles have water problems with the air intake for the engine I immediately shut off the car. When I opened the air filter housing there were about 2 inches of water in the housing that undoubtedly got sucked into my engine when it was started. …”
NHTSA complaint #11360845, filed 2020-09, 28,000 miles“Engine light came on after driving three miles in dry weather. After seeing recalls in china about water entering the air filter box and saw that the bottom .25% was soaked. Saw many other Touareg owners on forums with same problem. Dealer towed vehicle in and falsely claimed car was sitting in water. Reset the engine code and charged me $50+ for a new air filter and delivered the car back to me, with the engine light still on. I've called the service manager and waiting on a call back.”
NHTSA complaint #11242301, filed 2019-08, 1,200 miles“While reading a vw forum I became aware of a known problem with the air filter housing drain becoming clogged and the air filter becoming wet and water being ingested into the engine, hydrolocking the engine and requiring the installation of a new engine. I then checked my air filter and found the bottom 3 - 4 of the air filter completely soaked, to the point that water was dripping from the foam portion of the filter. I contacted vw and they have noted my concerns but there is currently no recall for this problem. I am now hesitant to drive the vehicle at all. …”
NHTSA complaint #11155554, filed 2018-12, 21,565 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Suggested fuel additive
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
- 11030847Mar 27, 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…
- 11025452Oct 17, 2025Coolant Bleed Procedure
- 11025437Oct 14, 2025G12Evo can now be mixed with previous coolants.
- 11025430Oct 14, 2025Engine misfire diagnostic aid.
- 11025436Oct 9, 2025How to measure engine oil consumption.
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 2016 Volkswagen Touareg
10 complaintsForward collision avoidance
8 complaintsBrakes
5 complaintsElectrical system
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 29, 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