Most common 2008 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Share of the 56 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Volkswagen Touareg complaints by model year
Best Touareg years: 2007, 2009, 2011. Years to avoid: 2004, 2005, 2016. Compare all years →
2008 Volkswagen Touareg recalls (4)
Fuel system, gasoline
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.
Structure › Body
Volkswagen is recalling 14,416 my 2007-2009 touareg vehicles. The fastening struts on the roof edge spoiler can crack, causing the spoiler to become loose and possibly detach from the vehicle without warning, even though initially the spoiler May feel secure.
Remedy: Dealers will install reinforcement wedges to the roof edge spoiler free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during August 2009. Owner May contact Volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, gasoline › Delivery › Hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, a fuel supply line was changed during production which could lead to insufficient sealing of the fuel supply line connector.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel supply line, if necessary. The recall is expected to begin during February 2008. Owners May contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
Equipment › Other › Owners/service/other manual
Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 138, "tire pressure monitoring systems." the owner's manual is missing the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) written instructions.
Remedy: Owners will be sent an owner's manual insert containing the required TPMS information. The recall began on July 6, 2007. Owners May contact vw at 1-800-893-5298.
What 2008 Volkswagen Touareg owners say
Fuel & propulsion system all 25 →
I was driving the vehicle and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood I pulled over immediately and the whole engine compartment was on fire I tried to put fire but Fire department showed up and extinguish the fire, fire was due to a fuel leak
2008 Touareg 3.6L/V6 Intake Manifold/Valve Cover explosion.... March 2021, several incidents while driving vehicle would completely shut off/ loose power, with no prior warning or apparent cause, leaving driver at a total loss of steering control, as well as leaving vehicle completely disabled supposedly resulting from battery dying. Engine code scanner findings: several cylinders misfiring, possible timing chain, & (P0456) EVAP leak (among others). Repairs performed: 06/25/21 valve cover & battery replacement. Shortly after repairs noticed (never before seen) oil leak caused from recently repaired (faulty part) valve cover, which was then replaced again. …
Electrical system
Protective coating on wires in the headlight and turn signal assemblies crumbled and disintegrated, causing all the lighting components and ballast for HID lights, light level adjusters and the fuses and relays to short out, sparks and potential fire hazard.
I was driving the vehicle and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood I pulled over immediately and the whole engine compartment was on fire I tried to put fire but Fire department showed up and extinguish the fire, fire was due to a fuel leak
Engine & cooling
I was driving the vehicle and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood I pulled over immediately and the whole engine compartment was on fire I tried to put fire but Fire department showed up and extinguish the fire, fire was due to a fuel leak
April 21, 2008, my wife finished her job and called me that she will be home soon. Few minutes later I got the call from her telling me that something has happened to our 2008 vw Touareg that there was a big explosion and smoke was coming from under the hood. She was very disturbed not knowing what just had happened. I arrived at the scene and noticed that hood had some dents from the inside out. I lifted the hood and saw fuel intake manifold completely destroyed. My wife was shaking, people form work were asking what happened? I towed my car to vw service to find out what caused the explosion they could not pin point what really caused it. I searched the internet and find out that this is not the only time it has happened. When calling vw of Canada I was told, because the car has no warranty they can not do anything and I will have to pay for the repair out of my own pocket. …
2008 Volkswagen Touareg engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 10-cyl turbo diesel | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 20 / 17 |
| 3.6L 6-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 20 / 16 |
| 4.2L 8-cyl | 6-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 12 / 17 / 14 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg a good car?
Based on 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2008 Touareg rates average: 1.2× as many complaints as a typical year of the Touareg at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg?
The fuel & propulsion system — 25 complaints, 45% of all complaints for this model year, most often about delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings. Next are the electrical system (8) and engine & cooling (7).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg have?
There are 4 recalls for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg, the most recent from March 8, 2017 (fuel system, gasoline). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Volkswagen Touareg?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2007, 2009 and 2011. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2004, 2005 and 2016. See the full Volkswagen Touareg years comparison.
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Touareg problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 91,000 miles; 25% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 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.