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 2008 Volkswagen Touareg owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
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. …
Takata recall. It happened several months ago, when I felt my car is hard to accelerate during driving. So while I am driving on the highway, it cannot go beyond 35 MPH, which is really dangerous. It felt like the fuel cannot be powered on. I took the car to a dealership. They first recommended changing the intake manifold, which was also recommended from dealer's body shop, where they had done some inspection a few days ago. After they changed the intake manifold, then they found the fuel pressure is low, and then they replaced the fuel pump. ( they didn't really detected the problem at that time from what they had said later, but they had to replace one item at a time to see if things could get better). After they replaced the fuel pump, then they found pressue did not get better, so they supposed the high pressure fuel pump was also broken. …
On December 28, 2020 I detected the distinct odor of gasoline outside of the driver's side of our 2008 vw Touareg while it was stationary, not running. Later while driving the pungent odor was also discernable within the vehicle. A picture of the tank reflects wetness on the driver's side. This morning during a call to donaldson's vw service, they responded that there are no open recalls for this vehicle regarding a fuel leak, for which a history of recalls exist. Is it possible that a prior recall service requires incremental remediation? What recourse is available to have a vw dealer resolve this manufacturer defect at Volkswagen's expense? A brief internet search reveals precedent for vw Touareg fuel leaks affecting production years 2004 through 2013 (and possibly beyond the scope of my search). …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. While driving 65 MPH, the contact noticed that the vehicle was burning an excessive amount of fuel. The contact pulled over and observed fuel leaking from the vehicle and a strong odor of fuel was present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel lines were leaking. The vehicle was repaired and the mechanic installed a new fuel pump; however, the failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact continued to smell a strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who instructed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, a strong fuel odor was noticed inside and around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (royal Volkswagen, located at 3010 columbiana rd, birmingham, al 35216) where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter flange detached and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the contact would need to pay out of pocket for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fee. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17V151000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that he had to paid out of pocket and would possibly be reimbursed. …
Huge fire/ health hazard: the fuel pump housing is cracked in our car causing a significant amount of fuel to spill out underneath the vehicle (3-4 drops/ sec). The fuel pools in the frame and under-body first until the frame becomes so full that it spills out. This is a common issue with the 2004-2012 Volkswagen Touareg/ Porsche cayenne, and very visible online. It is a manufacturing defect. The fuel pumps are located under the passenger rear seats, and fuels pools inside the covers in at those locations and around the electrical connections. These leaks caused the occupants (my wife/kids) to be exposed to severe gasoline fumes inside the car causing them dizziness, nausea, and headaches. This problem will cause a fire and kill people. Volkswagen is unable to provide assistance. I filed a complaint with them and escalated it with no results.
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the rear driver side tire had an abnormal odor. The contact called the dealer, keefer Volkswagen in huntersville, nc, and was informed to bring in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the keefer dealer where the contact was charged for a diagnostic test and was informed that the fuel pump failed, and not the filter. The contact stated that the diagnostic was incorrect and that the fuel filter was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V151000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.
Underneath the car around the rear end, there is an obvious leaking of fuel ( usually observed after stopping and turning off car). The leaked fuel can form a small puddle. It will stop after a while. But judging from the situation this leak can become bigger and bigger, which could be very dangerous and is a fire hazard. I am not a specialist on cars, but since I am not a frequent driver and never drive cars to uneven sand roads, therefore the manufacture of the fuel tank itself and maybe its design is most possible for the cause of the this problem.
Related recalls
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.
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.
Fuel System complaints in other Touareg years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg?
NHTSA has 25 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg, 45% of the model year's 56 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › hoses, lines/piping, and fittings (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2008 Volkswagen Touareg fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 17V-151 (fuel system, gasoline, Mar 8, 2017); NHTSA recall 08V-035 (hoses, lines/piping, and fittings, Jan 28, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Touareg fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 95,000 miles, and 12% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 2 fires and 1 injury to fuel & propulsion system problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.