Volkswagen Touareg
Reliability, NHTSA Complaints & Recall History
10 model years analyzed (2009–2018). All data sourced directly from the NHTSA public complaints and recall database — the same data used by federal regulators.
Checking a specific Volkswagen Touareg? Run a VIN check for its exact history.
⭐ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
AI Interpretation
High ConfidenceAverageComplaints for the 2009–2018 Volkswagen Touareg are concentrated in the engine, steering, and fuel/propulsion system. The highest number of complaints occurred in 2016, 2013, and 2012, while 2009, 2010, and 2018 had zero complaints. Crash-related complaints are few, and the overall complaint volume is moderate for a 10-year span.
- Engine complaints dominate with 74 reports, far exceeding other components.
- Steering and fuel/propulsion system each have over 20 complaints.
- Complaints peaked in 2016 with 44 reports, followed by 2013 (30) and 2012 (28).
- No complaints were recorded for model years 2009, 2010, and 2018.
- ENGINE: 74 complaints, the most reported component.
- STEERING: 26 complaints, a recurring theme.
- FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM: 21 complaints, notable frequency.
2016, 2013, and 2012 show elevated complaints, with engine issues being the primary driver. These years may warrant closer inspection.
Model years 2009, 2010, and 2018 had zero complaints, which may indicate better reliability or lower sales volumes. Buyers may consider these years as potentially less problematic.
- Request service records for engine, steering, and fuel system repairs.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Have a mechanic inspect the engine and steering components before purchase.
- Check for any outstanding safety recalls related to forward collision avoidance or air bags.
🔔 NHTSA Safety Recalls
16 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
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Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2009–2018. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
🔧 Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 193 NHTSA complaints.
📋 NHTSA Complaint Reports
193 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
On my 2011 VW Touareg TDI there is an exhaust leak. Can be smelled within seconds of starting it. A turbo/EGR pipe cracks and the result is a serious exhaust leak under hood right next to where air is drawn into the cabin for HVAC. Parts are backordered with no ETA. Even though when driving there is exhaust getting into the car the dealer and VW corporate just says "sorry for the delay of the parts". This part failure seems to be a known issue- The VW dealer was told by corporate that installing a used part is not acceptable either. Currently been waiting 11 months on this part. The leak was noticed right after VW had to "fix" all the TDIs for the emissions scandal.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF NORWOOD (1280 PROVIDENCE HWY, NORWOOD, MA 02062) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED WITH THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER NEEDING TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED UNDER AN UNKNOWN RECALL HOWEVER, THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 100,032.
THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, AT LOW SPEEDS, CAR GOES INTO LIMP HOME MODE RANDOMLY AND CREAKS ALONG AT 8 MILES AN HOUR, MOST RECENTLY LOST BRAKING POWER AND MESSAGE COMES UP "HYBRID ERROR, PULL OVER IN A SAFE LOCATION." THEN WHEN YOU TURN IT OFF AND ON AGAIN IT WORKS FINE. THIS IS NOT HELPFUL AS THERE IS NO INFORMATION FOR THE MECHANIC TO GO BY TO SOLVE THE PROBLEM. WE HAVE REPLACED THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER, BOTH FUEL PUMPS AND PRE-FUEL PUMP MECHANISMS AND STILL THE ODD ERROR MESSAGE LACK OF CAR RUNNING. I AM THINKING ABOUT USING IT AS A PLANTER IN MY YARD, CURRENTLY IS IT LIVING WITH THE MECHANIC WAITING TO BEHAVE BADLY AGAIN, SO HE CAN TRY AND THE PROBLEM, BUT NOT DRIVEABLE BY AN ORDINARY CITIZEN. IT HAS HAPPENED, WHILE SLOWING DOWN, WHILE TURNING, ALL AT LOW SPEEDS, BUT THAT DOESN'T REALLY HELP MUCH. I STILL CAN'T DRIVE IT. IT HAS 138K ON A HYBRID ENGINE. IT WAS REAR-ENDED AND REPAIRED ABOUT 3 YEARS AGO, BUT IT RAN FINE AFTER THAT FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS. THIS IS A MYSTERY PROBLEM.
WATER FOUND IN THE AIR INTAKE BOX DURING AIR FILTER CHANGE ON MY 2011 VW TOUAREG. BOTTOM 3.5 INCHES OF OLD FILTER WAS FOUND WET WHEN AIR BOX WAS OPENED. THIS IS A SERIOUS ISSUE AS LIQUID WATER THAT ENTERS THE ENGINE DURING OPERATION CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STALL WHILE IN TRAFFIC RESULTING IN A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. WATER OR FILTER MATERIAL INGESTION INTO THE ENGINE CAN ALSO RESULT IN CATASTROPHIC ENGINE DAMAGE REQUIRING ENGINE REPLACEMENT. THIS APPEARS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE BY VW WITH NO ACTION TAKEN TO DATE, DESPITE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS FROM OWNERS REGARDING THIS ISSUE. I REQUEST THAT NHTSA INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE AND COMPEL VW OF NORTH AMERICA TO PROVIDE A FIX AND CONDUCT A RECALL CAMPAIGN AS HAS BEEN DONE IN CHINA AND GERMANY.
THE VEHICLE RECENTLY COMPLETED A 70,000 MILE SERVICE AT THE LOCAL VW DEALER. TWO DAYS AFTER THE SERVICE, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT THE FAINT SMELL OF FUEL ON THE DRIVER'S REAR SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED. WITH EACH PASSING DAY, THE SCENT OF FUEL CONTINUES TO INCREASE AND NOW ENTERS THE VEHICLE CABIN AT LOW IDLE SPEEDS (ESPECIALLY WHEN EXITING MAJOR ROADS OF TRAVEL).
MY DIESEL VW TOUAREG NEEDS THE NOX SENSOR REPLACED. WHY IS THIS NOT CONSIDERED PART OF THE WARRANTY FOR THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM ? SINDE THE EPA HAS DESIGNATED THE VW DIESELS MUST BE EITHER BUYBACK OR REPLACED/REPAIRED IT SEEMS APPARENT THAT THIS SENSOR IS JUST AS IMPORTANT TO THE FUNCTION OF THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM BUT IT IS NOT A COVERED PART. THIS PART IS VERY EXPENSIVE AND FUNCTIONS ALONG WITH THE AD-BLUE PUMP WHICH IS COVERED.
WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60MPH ON A SMOOTH TWO LANE WIDE HIGHWAY THE FRONT SUNROOF PANEL (PANORAMIC) SHATTERED. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD, NO OVERPASSES AND NO TREES ABOVE. IT WAS AROUND 65-70 DEGREES FAHRENHEIT. IT WAS NOT HAILING OR RAINING AT THE TIME. NO OBJECTS WERE RECOVERED FROM INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE GLASS APPEARED TO HAVE BROKEN UPWARDS INSTEAD OF INWARDS. FIANC AND TWO DOGS (TRUNK AREA) WERE INSIDE OF THE CRUCIBLE. GLASS CAUSED VERY MINOR CUTS. VEHICLE RECENTLY DETAILED AND ALSO CLEANED BY MYSELF. NO ROCK CHIPS PRESENT IN SUNROOF GLASS. NO VISIBLE CRACKS PRIOR TO INCIDENT.
THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM SINCE WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE.UNPREDICTABLE AND INCONSISTENT ACCELERATION STUMBLE': THIS OCCURS UNPREDICTABLY AND GENERALLY FROM A STANDING START. ONE DEPRESSES THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE. IT DECELERATES -THEN IT RECOVERS OFTEN ABRUPTLY. THIS PUTS THE DRIVER AND PASSENGERS IN PERIL OF A CRASH FROM ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR
THE STEERING WHEEL ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR SHAKES PERSISTENTLY AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 60MPH MAKING IT UNPLEASANT, IF NOT DANGEROUS, TO DRIVE. *TR
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 60-75MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES DRAMATICALLY. DEALER RE-BALANCED, STILL SHOOK. DEALER REPLACED EAGLE LS2'S AT 32K MILES WITH SAME TIRES AND ROAD-FORCE BALANCED...STILL SHOOK. BASED ON OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM, I RECOMMENED THEY TRY GY LATITUDES...ALONG WITH ROAD-FORCE BALANCE AND NITRO FILL, SHAKING HAS BEEN GONE FOR PAST 15K MILES. BUT THIS IS A REPEATABLE EVENT ON FLAT/SMOOTH ROAD SURFACES, AT SPEED. MANY DEALERS APPARENTLY UNABLE TO CORRECT, BASED ON FEEDBACK AT VARIOUS TOUAREG FAN SITES (VW VORTEX, CLUB TOUAREG, ETC.) SEEMS TO IMPACT TDI LUX (MY TRIM) MORE THAN OTHERS, FROM 2011-2013. *TT
HESITATION OF VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING ON RAMP TO HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE -- DID NOT STOP RUNNING BUT FELT LIKE RUNNING ON 1/2 CYLINDERS. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY; VEHICLE DIED AT THE END OF THE OFF-RAMP AND COULD NOT BE RE-STARTED. VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST VW DEALER, WHO SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED FROM BACK TO FRONT. DEALER CLAIMS THAT REAR LIFT PUMP CAUSED THE INCIDENT BUT ALSO SAYS THE HPFP (INJECTOR PUMP) FAILED. THREE WEEKS INTO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE IS STILL BEING REPAIRED. *TR
WEDNESDAY 8/15 - FOLLOWING AN APPROXIMATELY 50 MILE EARLY MORNING HIGHWAY DRIVE FROM HOME TO A REMOTE OFFICE LOCATION, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE STANDING AT A STOP LIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AND PROCEED A SHORT DISTANCE THROUGH THE LIGHT, WHEREIN THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, WITH MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHTS, GLOW PLUG COIL SIGNALS DISPLAYED. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. FOLLOWING DAY, 8/16 ADVISED THAT THE 'ALGAE' DISCOVERED IN FUEL - REQUIRING DRAIN OF FUEL TANK, FLUSH AND CLEANING OF FUEL SYSTEM - ESTIMATED COST ~ $400. FOLLOWING DAY, 8/17 ADVISED THAT DRAIN, FLUSH COMPLETE BUT THAT FUEL RETURN VALVE REQUIRED REPLACEMENT - ESTIMATED COST INCREASED TO ~$800. PARTS ORDERED, CAR TO REMAIN AT DEALERSHIP THROUGH WEEKEND. TUESDAY 8/21 RECEIVED CALL, ADVISED THAT 'METAL SHAVINGS IN FUEL SYSTEM' REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF FUEL SYSTEM - APPROX. $10,000 REPAIR. REGIONAL VW SERVICE REP. REVIEWED MATTER AND ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. QUESTIONED SUDDEN SHIFT FROM ALGAE TO METAL SHAVINGS CONTAMINATION WITHOUT MATERIAL RESPONSE. LATER THAT DAY RECEIVED FOLLOW UP CALL THAT PARTS REQUIRED 'RED TAG' ORDERING, MEANING PARTS HAD TO COME FROM GERMANY. CAR TO BE LAID UP FOR ADDITIONAL 10 DAYS (APPROX). 8/27 - ASKED FOR UPDATE AND USE OF LOANER CAR. PARTS STILL ON ORDER. DEALERSHIP HAD NOT EXPERIENCED NON - GASOLINE GENERATED FUEL SYSTEM CONTAMINATION/FAILURE - NO REASONED EXPLANATION FOR FAILURE. LOANER CAR DENIED AS CAR WAS BEYOND 36K WARRANTY PERIOD, YET VW ELECTED TO ASSUME RESPONSIBILITY FOR REPAIR. WEB BASED RESEARCH INDICATESWELL DOCUMENTED AND GROWING TDI FUEL SYSTEM FAILURE PROBLEM. *TR *JS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 20,500.
KEY CAME OUT OF THE CAR WHILE RUNNING. COULD NOT GET THE KEY BACK INTO IGNITION AND COULD NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER TALKING TO VW CUSTOMER CARE, THE ONLY SOLUTIONS PROVIDED WERE TO LET THE CAR RUN UNTIL IT RUNS OUT OF FUEL THEN WE CAN TOW IT. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A DIESEL AND THE TANK WAS FUEL (26 GALLONS) - THIS WOULD REQUIRE FOR THE CAR TO RUN FOR DAYS...AND NO WAY TO LOCK THE DOORS. ALSO, THEY SUGGESTED THAT IF THAT WAS GOING TO TAKE TOO MUCH TIME I COULD CONSIDER SIFFENING THE FUEL - WHERE AM I SUPPOSE TO STORE 26 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL. VW HAS REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND I'M WAITING ON A SOLUTION IF THIS HAPPENS AGAIN. NEEDLESS TO SAY I CONSIDER THIS A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY HAZARD. *TR
IN A FRONT-ON COLLISION THAT CAUSED $22,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Collision Avoidance Camera (Part Number: 7P6907217BZ1Y) has failed. The camera is still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. All front assist/safety systems are unavailable, including cruise control. Systems are designed specifically to prevent collisions. The dealer (Volkswagen of Corpus Christi) has confirmed the issue as of September 4, 2023. The control module is failing all over the world, on various vehicle brands (Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen) and models. A replacement is not available, new or used. This was confirmed by the dealership.
The Driver Assistance System (Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Collision Avoidance, AEB, and Lane Departure/Lane Keeping system) all do not work. The VW dealers have said the Front Collision Avoidance Camera is not working. The system was intermittently working, then stopped working on the interstate highway in the left lane. The car failed to warn/slow/break automatically while the ACC function was activated, forcing me to engage the brakes manually to avoid a collision. The ACC/Front Collision warning light goes on now but did not when it first malfunctioned, and still only goes on intermittently but the system does not work at all. I had two local VW dealers check out the Driver Assist system. One said the entire system is not working. Another said the fault codes are emanating from the Front Collision Avoidance Camera. This is VW part 7P6907217BZ1Y. I ordered the part in November 2023 from a OKC VW dealer online (since it was the best price.) They then told me the part was unavailable/on back order. However, it has been 7 months and there is no ETA on the part availability. The dealer sent me a text message exchange with VW and that is what VW told the dealer. I am concerned VW is no longer making the part as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118-30119 and/or 49 U.S.C. 30120. I am part of VW Touareg owner forums. There are other Touareg (and other VW model) owners who report this same problem, lack of part availability, and no info from VW on whether they are even trying to obtain/supply this part any longer. I believe this is a serious, widespread safety issue based on reading other complaints online by Touareg/VW owners who have ACC/Driver Assist, who face the same dilatory action by VW to perhaps avoid fixing this issue until their legal obligation to manufacture the part expires. The parts and overall ACC/Collision Avoidance systems are very pricey, and this is a direct safety issue. thank you
Collision avoidance system / cruise control malfunction
Question 1: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer 1: Collision Avoidance Camera. The camera can be removed from the vehicle and shipped for inspection. Question 2: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer 2: All front safety feature stop working. Collision avoidance warning, emergency braking, adaptive cruise control. Question 3: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer 3: Yes. This is a well documented failure. Onboard data shows a communication failure with the camera. The car has been diagnosed with a failure in the front AAC camera. This camera is failing all over the world, in numerous years and models. Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and VW Touareg. A replacement is not available, new or used. Question 4: Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Answer 4: Car starts and runs without warning for a time. All of a sudden a warning appears that the Accident Avoidance system is not functioning. I no longer have any front facing safety features. This camera has a high failure rate. If being used and it fails an accident is very possible.
Showing 20 of 193 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Check a Specific Volkswagen Touareg
This page shows fleet averages across all 10 model years. Enter a VIN to see the exact accident history, odometer records, title brands, and open recall status for a specific car.
📖 Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is — but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Volkswagen Touareg has 193 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Volkswagen Touareg has 16 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 4 of the Volkswagen Touareg's 193 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions — a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the AI Rating Calculated?
The AI reliability rating (Average) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. The rating provides a plain-English summary for buyers who want a quick verdict without parsing raw numbers. It is one input in your buying decision — always verify with a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable — simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Volkswagen Touareg vehicles on the road — not any specific car. Two Volkswagen Touareg vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage — NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Volkswagen Touareg has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.