What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Volkswagen Touareg

Typical pattern

6% of complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 5.4 yr in service. The most-reported system is engine (22 complaints), typically at 4.3 yr or about 21,565 miles.

Complaints
67
Median age at failure
5.4 yr
Median mileage
21,000 n=27
Crash / fire / tow
1.5% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
22 reports · 21,565 mi
4.3 yr
0%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

16V243000 2016-04-26
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems

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. Additionally, the tire pressures printed on the Safety Certification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."

If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.

16V170000 2016-03-24
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.

If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

In owners’ own words

Engine 9,000 mi 3.0 yr in service
CONSTANT ISSUES WITH WATER ENTERING THE AIRBOX FROM FAULTY DESIGN. THIS CAN ENABLE PARTS OF THE FILTER TO ENTER THE ENGINE AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE (HYDRO LOCK). THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY SAT OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN OR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN; ALL NORMAL CONDITIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE (CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9000).
Engine 35,000 mi 3.2 yr in service
WHEN CHANGING AIR FILTER, THE FILTER WAS SOAKED WITH WATER AT THE BOTTOM. THE AIR INTAKE TUBE WAS FILLED WITH WATER AND WASN'T DRAINING. I'M LUCKY THE WATER WASN'T SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. THE LITTLE DRAIN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE INTAKE TUBE WAS CLOGGED NOT ALLOWING THE WATER TO DRAIN BUT WHY WAS WATER ALLOWED TO GET IN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.
Engine 134 mi 3.4 yr in service
AIR INTAKE WATER INGESTION BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH ONLY 134 DEALER MILES ON IT. WENT FROM DELIVERY TRUCK TO DRIVEWAY WHERE IT WAS PARKED (NO PLATES YET, SO HAS NOT BEEN DRIVEN). OPENED AIR FILTER BOX TO INSPECT FILTER ELEMENT...BOTTOM 2-3 INCHES OF THE FILTER WAS SOAKED. THIS IS CONSISTENT WITH COMPLAINTS DOCUMENTED ON THE CLUBTOUAREG FORUM, AND THE RECALL ISSUED BY VW CHINA. THIS ALSO NEEDS TO BE A RECALL IN THE USA SINCE WATER INGESTION MAY LEAD TO HYDRO-LOCKING AND SUDDEN AND CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS.

Other Touareg model years

20172016200820052004

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