Volkswagen Touareg Problems by Year

We compared every Volkswagen Touareg model year from 2004–2017 using 646 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 12 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2004, 2005 and 2016, which drew far more complaints than other Touareg years at the same age. The best years are 2007, 2009 and 2011.

14model years
646complaints
12recalls
2004, 2005worst years
2007, 2009best years

Complaints by model year

200420052006200720082009201020112012201320142015201620172317537956192516283027244524
Owner complaints per model year, Volkswagen Touareg. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201724typical1EngineAverage
2016451.8×2EngineCaution
201524typical2EngineAverage
201427typical2SteeringAverage
2013301.2×2SteeringAverage
201228typical2Fuel SystemAverage
201116−38%2Fuel SystemAverage
201025typical1Fuel SystemAverage
200919−42%2Fuel SystemGood
2008561.2×4Fuel SystemAverage
20079−73%3EngineGood
200637−15%1Fuel SystemAverage
2005752.0×2Fuel SystemCaution
20042316.9×4TransmissionAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Touareg year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Volkswagen Touareg problems

Latest Volkswagen Touareg recalls

Unknown or other

NHTSA recall 21V-321 · May 5, 2021 · 46 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles.

Remedy: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.

Unknown or other

NHTSA recall 18V-329 · May 16, 2018 · 252 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018.

Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump

NHTSA recall 17V-583 · Sep 20, 2017 · 73,941 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Touareg vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel filter flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel filter flange for cracks, replacing the flange if cracks are found. If no cracks are found, a protective cover will be installed onto the filter flange.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA recall 17V-151 · Mar 8, 2017 · 20,908 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Touareg vehicles. The fuel filter flange may crack and allow fuel to leak out.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel filter flange if cracks are found. A protective cover will be applied to the fuel filter to prevent oxidization cracks from forming.

Tires › Pressure monitoring and regulating systems

NHTSA recall 16V-243 · Apr 26, 2016 · 366 vehicles

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toureg vehicles manufactured July 7, 2015 to March 3, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be improperly calibrated and, as a result, the TPMS may fail to warn the driver that the tire pressure is low.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will correct the TPMS settings and replace the safety certification label, free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2016. Volkwagen's number for this recall is 44M9.

All 12 Volkswagen Touareg recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Volkswagen Touareg should you avoid?

2004, 2005 and 2016 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Touareg years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2004.

What is the best year for the Volkswagen Touareg?

2007 has the fewest complaints compared with other Touareg years at the same age, followed by 2009 and 2011. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Volkswagen Touareg problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the fuel & propulsion system (151), engine & cooling (133) and electrical system (98). Fuel System complaints peak in the 2004 model year.

How many recalls has the Volkswagen Touareg had?

12 recalls across 2004–2017. The model year with the most is 2004. See all Volkswagen Touareg recalls by year.

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.