The problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it may cause an electrical short in the high voltage battery.
The risk
An electrical short in the high voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
The fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a fitted drain valve to allow water to drain properly, free of charge. The recall began late February 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this 53B8.
Recall details
| NHTSA campaign | 16V-035 (16V035000) |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer number | 53B8 |
| Manufacturer | Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. |
| Component | Hybrid propulsion system |
| Report date | January 25, 2016 |
| Owners notified | June 6, 2016 |
| Vehicles affected | 825 |
| Initiated by | Manufacturer |
Vehicles covered
Plus 3 other model/year combinations not covered on this site.
Frequently asked questions
Is the recall 16V-035 repair free?
Yes. Volkswagen dealers will fix the problem at no cost: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a fitted drain valve to allow water to drain properly, free of charge. The recall began late February 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
How do I know if my car is included?
Not every vehicle of the listed model years is affected — the recall covers 825 vehicles built in a certain window. Check your 17-character VIN with our VIN recall check or at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.