2016 Volkswagen Touareg: Is It Reliable?
Problems, Recalls & Buyer Verdict
Shopping for a used 2016 Volkswagen Touareg? This page highlights owner-reported complaint patterns and recall history so you can inspect the right systems before buying. Current data includes 44 complaints, with Engine Problems as the top reported area.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg Fuel Economy
✓ EPA Official DataEPA-rated fuel economy across 2 2016 Volkswagen Touareg trim configurations. The median figure is shown; range reflects all available trims.
Source: EPA FuelEconomy.gov. Figures reflect EPA lab testing; real-world results vary by driving style, load, and conditions. 2 trims analysed.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg Safety Ratings
NHTSA 5-Star ProgramOfficial crash test results from the NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings program. Stars reflect government-conducted tests; higher is safer.
Overall
Not RatedFrontal Crash
Not RatedSide Crash
Not RatedRollover
Not RatedSource: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Ratings are based on government crash tests and may not reflect all trim levels.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg has 44 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns on record. The most frequently reported component is Engine Problems. NHTSA reliability signal: Good Record.
- Make
- Volkswagen
- Model
- Touareg
- Model year
- 2016
- NHTSA owner complaints
- 44
- Crash-related complaints
- 0
- Safety recall campaigns
- 2
- Top reported component
- Engine Problems
- Reliability signal
- Good Record
- EPA MPG combined
- 24
- EPA MPG city / highway
- 21 / 28
- Fuel type
- Diesel
- Electronic stability control
- Standard
Most Common 2016 Volkswagen Touareg Problems
Top owner-reported complaint areas and where they often appear.
Engine Problems
Uncategorized Issues
Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
Complaint patterns center on Engine Problems, Uncategorized Issues, Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB. Use these as a pre-purchase inspection guide, then verify recall and damage history on the specific VIN.
Should You Buy a Used 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?
The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car.
Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report.
What to Check Before Buying a Used 2016 Volkswagen Touareg
Inspection Focus
- Inspect the engine for reported issues such as stalling or loss of power.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for forward collision avoidance and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Before You Close the Deal
- Inspect the engine for reported issues such as stalling or loss of power.
- Verify all open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
- Request service records for forward collision avoidance and electrical systems.
- Have a mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase.
Shortlist with model-year data. Decide with the exact VIN.
Before buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Touareg, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, theft checks, and open recalls for the exact vehicle.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
Editorial interpretation of NHTSA public complaint data. Source: nhtsa.gov. Complaints are owner-submitted and do not confirm a defect. Methodology
Based on 44 NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg, the data suggests that engine problems are the most frequently reported issue, followed by uncategorized complaints and forward collision avoidance system concerns. No crash-related complaints were recorded, but the confidence level is low due to the limited sample size.
- Engine problems account for the largest share of complaints (22 out of 44).
- Forward collision avoidance (AEB) issues are the third most reported component with 8 complaints.
- No crash-related complaints were reported for the 2016 model year.
- Engine Problems
- Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB
- Electrical Faults
All 2016 Volkswagen Touareg Complaints by Category
Every owner-reported complaint category filed with NHTSA for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg. Use this as a pre-purchase inspection checklist.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine Problems | 22 | — | — | — | |
| Uncategorized Issues | 10 | — | — | — | |
| Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB | 8 | — | — | — | |
| Electrical Faults | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Brake System | 5 | — | — | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Lane Departure | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Airbag Malfunctions | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Steering Defects | 1 | — | — | — | |
| Suspension Failures | 1 | — | — | — |
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Complaint counts may exceed total complaints because one report can span multiple categories.
Real Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
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…
My lane assist camera is not functioning and Volkswagen is telling me the part is now obsolete and can't be repaired. It is part #7p6907217bxz1y. I took it to Pompano Volkswagen on 4/4/24 and have been waiting for the part which has been out of stock and they (Gunther Volkswagen …
UNKNOWN- simply picking up my kids and various alerts came on the dashboard including the ABS brakes error, Parking brake error, and others that I am not sure of. I just bought this suv on Friday from DCH Acura of Montclair, NJ/ Lithia Motors in Verona, NJ [XXX]. INFORMATION RED…
Rear viewing camera does not display when vehicle is placed in reverse.
Vehicle manufacture (Volkswagon) has quit supplying/manufacturing a safety guidence parts for my auto. 7P6-907-217-BX-Z1Y Collision Avoidance Camera NOT AVAILABLE i would like my anti Self collision guidance repaired, but no parts for my 8-9 year old car. part was on order (…
My ACC/AEB went out over 2 years ago. At the time this vehicle was out of warranty. The dealer ordered the part (camera) and charged me for it. I waited over a year for the part. During this time VW lost a class action lawsuit regarding this and notified me that this was now …
car has a design flaw. If car sits in the sun the emergency stop braking system will fail due to heat. The camera/computer board is mounted in the ceiling behind the rearview mirror. when the sun is out the system will fail do to heat. This problem is in Volkswagons, Audi's and P…
The windshield camera that is responsible for the imaging used for many of the system on the 2016 Touareg is a high failure item and has been constituently backordered from VW. When this camera fails, the advanced systems that were part of this option fail to operate. This includ…
I was driving to lunch one day when my 2016 Volkswagen Touareg TDI stalled in the middle of the road and was not able to be restarted due to a failed CP4 HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump) this repair was major and everything that the diesel fuel touches was replaced such as fuel pum…
Random engine hesitancy reducing acceleration while driving. Vehicle maintained by the dealer for all scheduled maintenance and service visits. Within 30 days of a manufacture's repair that dealt with the HVAC and air filter AND a service visit to change oil and rotate tires, t…
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 …
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 mil…
NTHSA folks, Two months ago, I began getting an "Error Airbag" amber warning in the Touareg's driver-information display. I visited the dealer and was told "the airbag module" (volkswagen-2016-volkswagen-touareg-control-module-7p0959655g08p) was the issue. I was told they'd orde…
2016 Touareg was towed to OStein VW service after engine would not accelerate and ran rough when got onto the interstate. OStein VW diagnostic was water into the air filter that got into engine and now need to replace engine block because of water getting into the air filter fro…
There is an ongoing issue with the drain from the air cleaner box clogging and water collecting in the box and then being ingested into the engine. On other occasions I had drained water from the box and changed the wet air filter to a dry one. Today (5/26/2021) I pulled out of…
DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AS A COLD FRONT APPROACHED, OUTSIDE TEMPERATURE DROPPED TO 17 DEGREES. ALL OF A SUDDEN WE HEARD A LOUD SOUND, LIKE A GUNSHOT AND IMMEDIATELY GLASS FELL ON OUR HEADS. THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED FOR NO APPARENT REASON AS THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES AROUND US. …
VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING. WOULD DESCRIBE THE FEELING AS RANGING FROM A SHUDDER OR "HICCUP" TO A DROPPING SENSATION. OCCURS AT ANY POINT OF ACCELERATION - WHETHER FROM LOW RATE OF SPEED TO HIGH (AS IN ENTRANCE RAMP ACCELERATION) OR FROM CRUISING SPEED T…
ENGINE AIR FILTER COMPARTMENT FILLS WITH WATER UNDER NORMAL, IN-MOTION OPERATING CONDITIONS, LEAVING A SPONGY, MOLDY MESS OF THE AIR FILTER AND EXTREMELY POOR ENGINE PERFORMANCE AS WELL AS ENGINE OVERHEATING DURING SUMMER MONTHS. HAVE REPLACED THE FILTER REPEATEDLLY. THIS IS A …
AT 18,293 MILES THE VEHICLE ENTERED "LIMP MODE" WHILE UNDER NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS THE ENGINE AIR FILTER BEING SATURATED WITH WATER DUE TO A CLOGGED AIR BOX DRAIN HOLDING WATER. AT 26,054 MILES, THE FILTER WAS AGAIN FOUND TO BE SATURATED WITH WAT…
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 AI…
Source: NHTSA Complaints Database. Real owner reports for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg Recalls
2 campaignsNHTSA recall campaigns for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Recalls are free to fix at authorized dealers, but completion status must be verified on the exact VIN.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg Buying FAQ
Buyer-focused answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this model year.
Is the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?▾
Good Record. NHTSA currently shows 44 owner complaints, 0 crash-related complaints, and 2 recall campaigns for this model year. The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Treat this as a model-year signal, then verify the exact vehicle's condition and history before purchase.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?▾
#1: Engine Problems (22 complaints). #2: Uncategorized Issues (10 complaints). #3: Forward Collision Avoidance: AEB (8 complaints)
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?▾
Mileage data is not available or insufficient for this model year.
How safe is the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?▾
Complaint data is not the same as crash-test scoring, but it does highlight possible risk patterns. For the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg, NHTSA complaints include 0 crash-related reports and 0 fire reports out of 44 total complaints. 3 injury reports are also on file. For controlled crash-test ratings, check nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg have any recalls?▾
Yes. 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affect the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg. A major recall area is TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS. 2 recall campaigns are on record for this model year. Always verify open recalls by VIN because completion status varies by vehicle.
Should I buy a 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?▾
The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg looks comparatively lower-risk based on complaint volume, but model-year averages do not confirm the condition of any specific used car. Use the model-year trend to shortlist candidates, then confirm the exact vehicle condition with service records, recall status, and a VIN history report. Pay extra attention to Engine Problems during inspection. Before committing, run a VIN history report to verify accidents, title brands, odometer records, and recall completion for the exact car.
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinSpector AI.
Wider context: See the full Volkswagen Touareg reliability report with year-by-year comparison.
Owner Reliability Rating
Rate the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg based on your ownership experience.
Add your rating:
Ratings are based on owner experience and are separate from NHTSA data shown above.
Check the Exact Vehicle History Before You Buy
Model-year complaints and recalls reveal patterns. A VIN report confirms whether the exact car has accident history, title brands, mileage issues, or open recalls.