Volkswagen Touareg Problems by Year
NHTSA has 646 owner complaints and 12 safety recalls on file for the Volkswagen Touareg, across 14 model years (2004–2017). The 2004 model year has the most complaints (231). The most reported problem area overall is fuel/propulsion system.
Volkswagen Touareg years to avoid? What the complaint data shows
These model years drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Touareg year: 2004, 2005, 2008. Look at what owners reported before buying one, and check the VIN for open recalls.
Model years with the most complaints
- 2004 Touareg: 231 complaints, 4 recalls
- 2005 Touareg: 75 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2008 Touareg: 56 complaints, 4 recalls
Model years with the fewest complaints
- 2007 Touareg: 9 complaints, 3 recalls
- 2011 Touareg: 16 complaints, 2 recalls
- 2009 Touareg: 19 complaints, 2 recalls
Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold or how long each year has been on the road, so newer and less popular years naturally have fewer complaints. Use them to spot problem patterns, not as a safety ranking.
Most common Volkswagen Touareg problems (all years)
| Problem area | Complaints | Model years | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion System problems | 115 | 13 | 1 |
| Engine problems | 105 | 14 | 0 |
| Electrical System | 98 | 12 | 0 |
| Power Train | 81 | 13 | 2 |
| Air Bags | 53 | 11 | 5 |
| Tires | 52 | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 46 | 10 | 1 |
| Suspension | 33 | 8 | 2 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 30 | 8 | 1 |
| Exterior Lighting | 29 | 6 | 0 |
| Engine and Engine Cooling | 28 | 7 | 1 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 26 | 4 | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 24 | 7 | 1 |
| Seat Belts | 22 | 8 | 0 |
| Structure | 22 | 8 | 0 |
| Service Brakes | 14 | 7 | 1 |
| Forward Collision Avoidance | 13 | 3 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 12 | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 12 | 3 | 1 |
| Latches/locks/linkages | 11 | 3 | 0 |
| Seats | 11 | 7 | 0 |
| Wheels | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Visibility/wiper | 8 | 6 | 0 |
| Equipment | 7 | 2 | 0 |
| Electronic Stability Control (esc) | 6 | 3 | 0 |
| Lane Departure | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Parking Brake | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Trailer Hitches | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Back Over Prevention | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Fuel System, Other | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Volkswagen Touareg problems by model year
Problem areas with enough reports for their own page.
- 2004: power train (50)
All Volkswagen Touareg model years
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls | Crash rating | Top problem | Compared with other years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 Touareg | 24 | 1 | — | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2016 Touareg | 45 | 2 | — | Engine | More complaints than other years |
| 2015 Touareg | 24 | 2 | — | Engine | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2014 Touareg | 27 | 2 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2013 Touareg | 30 | 2 | — | Steering | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2012 Touareg | 28 | 2 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2011 Touareg | 16 | 2 | — | Engine | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2010 Touareg | 25 | 1 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | About as many complaints as other years |
| 2009 Touareg | 19 | 2 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | Fewer complaints than other years |
| 2008 Touareg | 56 | 4 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2007 Touareg | 9 | 3 | — | Engine | |
| 2006 Touareg | 37 | 1 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | More complaints than other years |
| 2005 Touareg | 75 | 2 | — | Fuel/propulsion System | Far more complaints than other years |
| 2004 Touareg | 231 | 4 | — | Power Train | Far more complaints than other years |
More from Volkswagen: all Volkswagen models · Volkswagen VIN decoder
Frequently asked questions
Which Volkswagen Touareg years should you stay away from?
By NHTSA complaints, 2004 (231), 2005 (75), 2008 (56) drew at least twice as many complaints as a typical Touareg year. Counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, and newer years have had less time to collect complaints.
What is the biggest problem with the Volkswagen Touareg?
Fuel/propulsion System, with 115 complaints across 13 model years.
How many recalls does the Volkswagen Touareg have?
12 safety recalls across all model years. Each model year page lists its recalls and fixes.