Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2005 Volkswagen Touareg owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact pulled over and attempted to restart the vehicle, but the vehicle failed to restart. The contact stated there was no warning light illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V583000 (Fuel System, Gasoline); however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 99,000.
The issue explained in Recall Notice 20Ai has reappeared after being 'fixed'. Issue Summary: On certain vehicles, the fuel pump flange may develop fine cracks or fissures, which could result in a fuel leak. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition source, could lead to a fire causing injury and/or damage to property. Date of Recall Repair: 02/25/2019 Date of noticed failure: 08/07/2023 It has not been communicated that this part will continue to be a hazard, and I have now discovered that even when noted that this recall action has been completed, my vehicle has gasoline leaking into the passenger compartment via the same avenue as Recall 20Ai notes. This is highly concerning as all impacted VW Touaregs that were 'recalled' may still be at risk of vehicle fire or ignition.
My vehicle is leaking gas, I was told there is a recall on my vehicle so I took it into the volkswagen dealership where I was told that the recall only covers the driver side leak but not the passenger side leak which makes absolutely no sense. Because when I drive off of the service lot the problem still exists which means I could be blown up or cause injury of fire. This recall should cover ALL aspects of the fuel leak! Not just one side! Making customers pay for this is disgusting! I am a single mom and don't have an extra $600 to spend on an issue that should have been corrected by the manufacturer.
Gas leak (see pics). I started noticing a strong gasoline smell and my car keeps running out of gas almost immediately after filling up. This has not been inspected nor confirmed by a dealer. This is my only source of transportation and needs to be fixed ASAP. There is not a VW dealership where I live, the closest being in Mario, IL, or St. Louis, MO.
Overall life of car have had to replace the majority of the hoses in the engine, the fuel line, the emergency brake release leavor-3 times, the horn on the passenger and drivers side. And with the recall the gas flange - cracking. The product vw uses in this vehicle is inferior- plastic expands when hot and contracts when cold= cracking. Please recall this vehicle due to the potential of the gas flange or whatever else is related to the gas before anyone in my family or others die. Or my cas goes up into flames causing severe trauma- especially because you already know there is a problem. We have paid thousands of dollars in repair costs in this vehicle that vw of America will not help - the entire enterrier plastic coating to the vehicle has melted - the drivers side visitor hangs as the spring action or what ever it's called is broken. …
Gasoline leaking from the tank runs over the right-side exhaust tubes to the ground. The flow of the fuel leakage is very high at a drop-rate of more than one drop per second with the vehicle parked and the engine running at idle speed. Once the engine is turned off the leakage stops within short time. I got aware of the defect due to the strong gasoline smell after stopping and getting off the vehicle. I investigated and saw gasoline dropping to the ground between the rear wheels. The fact that the fuel is running over the exhaust tube made me ground the vehicle immediately for safety reasons. Although I need this vehicle I decided to keep it grounded due to the high risk that the gasoline gets ignited by the hot exhaust tube.
When I get gas for my Touareg 2005 I'll shut the SUV off pop open the fuel box door and put the gas in then as I put cap back on shut door get in the SUV I try to start the SUV but it seems as if the cars either out of gas or battery has died so after the first like say 4-6 times of this happening to me I tried to leave the car running as I put the gas in the SUV in hopes of it still remain on and running but sure enough the suvs battery light will pop on and the car will lose life but the lights and stuff still remain on but no driving happening so I'd have to turn the key off then try and start it up again but as I turn the key I'll have to pump the gas peddle a bunch to catch the flow I guess
Small cracks developed in the fuel filter flange on the fuel tank resulting in fuel leaking out when the drivers door was opened or when the car was running. This resulted in large amounts of gasoline leaking onto my garage floor. The flange was replaced. This is an identical problem that is being experienced by the Audi q7 which has the identical vw part number for the affected part. The NHTSA recall number for that problem is 16v60000 if you have a Touareg, Porsche cayenne, or Audi q7 (they all have the same part) and you smell gasoline, do not open the drivers door. Doing so primes the fuel system putting the flange under pressure causing large amounts of fuel to leak out.
Tl* the contact owns a 2005 Volkswagen Touareg. While the vehicle was parked, there was an odor of fuel emitted in and around the vehicle, mostly on the passenger side and the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V151000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer stated that the VIN was not included in the recall and did not offer further assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 115,000.
Passenger airbag warning light on dash shows airbag will not deploy in a crash. Water comes from behind dashboard onto drivers and passenger side floor board when turning while driving likely cause by clogged ac drains behind wheel wells. Fuel pump premature failure, after refueling. Headliner falling from ceiling on to driver and passengers while driving on highway, weather was hot and humid.
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Fuel pump
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 complaints in other Touareg years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg?
NHTSA has 23 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2005 Volkswagen Touareg, 31% of the model year's 75 complaints. The component named most often is storage › tank assembly (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2005 Volkswagen Touareg fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-583 (fuel pump, Sep 20, 2017). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2005 Volkswagen Touareg fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 99,000 miles, and 13% before 25,000 miles.
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.