RoadVitals

2009 Volkswagen Touareg

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
19
Latest Jun 16, 2023
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
2
Latest Mar 8, 2017
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
1
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
0

Overview

Our database contains 19 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg, most frequently naming the fuel system, steering and airbags categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 638 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Fuel system1145.8%
  • Steering312.5%
  • Airbags28.3%
  • Engine28.3%
  • Powertrain (other)28.3%
  • Exterior lighting14.2%
  • Visibility14.2%
  • Body & structure14.2%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

2 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
17V151000

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Mar 8, 2017
20,908 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
The 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. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 20Z4.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 20Z4View on NHTSA.gov
09V248000

STRUCTURE:BODY

Jul 2, 2009
14,416 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SPOILER COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
The 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.
VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA, INCManufacturer number 66D6/S5View on NHTSA.gov

Safety investigations

NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.

EA11003ClosedEngineering Analysis

High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Feb 7, 2011
Closed Mar 27, 2015

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.

FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 19
ElectricalExterior lightingVisibility
Filed Jun 16, 2023

No warning prior to failure. At highway speed, Dashboard Notice: SYSTEM FAULT - SERVICE NOW. All electrical systems stopped working, including: Lighting - No Headlight/Running Light control- No Turn Signals- 4-Way Flashers worked, then stopped working- No Windshield Wipers- No interior Windshield defogger- No Side Window Control for manual traffic signals- Do not know if Brake Lights were working- Mechanic states that battery was not charging- Some Dashboard displays were not working - Cruise control stopped working -

NHTSA ID
11527464
Incident
Apr 22, 2023
Fuel system
Filed Aug 23, 2022

A fuel smell is detected in my vehicle, as noted in Repair Available for Safety Recall 20Z4 – Fuel Pump FlangeCertain 2007-2010 MY Volkswagen Touareg / NHTSA Campaign Number: 17V151000.

NHTSA ID
11480792
Incident
Aug 20, 2022
Fuel system
Filed Dec 23, 2020

DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE A FAULT LIGHT STARTED FLASHING "ENGINE FAULT SERVICE NOW" ALONG WITH THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT. I PUT THE TRANSMISSION INTO NEUTRAL AND MOVED INTO THE SLOW LANE. THE ENGINE IMMEDIATELY STOPPED. I PUT ON MY HAZARD LIGHTS AND WAS ABLE TO ALLOW IT TO ROLL IT A SAFE PLACE TO PULL OVER. THE DEALERSHIP SAID THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED (HPFP) WHICH CAUSED THE ENGINE TO IMMEDIATELY STOP. LUCKILY I WAS IN AN AREA WHERE I COULD ROLL TO A SAFE PLACE AND WASN'T PULLING A TRAILER LIKE WE OFTEN DO. I WAS ALSO LUCKY I WAS IN AN AREA WITH CELL RECEPTION. I HAD SPENT MOST OF THE DAY DRIVING IN A REMOTE AREA THAT WOULDN'T HAVE HAD RECEPTION.

NHTSA ID
11384688
Incident
Dec 10, 2020
Mileage
112,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Oct 21, 2019

STARTED WITH FAINT SMELL OF GAS OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE ON DRIVERS SIDE. THE GAS SMELL IS STRONGEST WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN PARKED FOR SOME TIME LIKE OVER NIGHT. DEVELOPED OVERTIME THAT THE GAS SMELL BEGAN TO BE SMELLED INSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. CURRENTLY THE GAS SMELL IS EXTREMELY STRONG BOTH INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11270051
Incident
May 16, 2019
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed Feb 18, 2019

THE DASHBOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE IS CRACKING ALL THE WAY AROUND THE AIR BAG CONTAINER. I FEAR SAFETY AND I AM AFRAID THAT THE AIR BAG WILL POP OUT THROUGH THE CRACKS AND CAUSE AN INJURY OR NOT BE FUNCTIONAL IF NEEDED. THE CRACKS HAVE BEEN SPREADING SLOWLY OVER TIME REGARDLESS IF THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION. CURRENTLY THE CRACKS ARE CLOSING IN TO THE FULL LINE AROUND THE AIR BAG CONTAINER. I WONDER WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN THE CRACK LINE IS COMPLETE. WILL THE AIRBAG POP OUT ON ITS OWN AND CAUSE AN INJURY? I WAS TOLD THAT THE AIR BAG PRESSURE IS CAUSING THE CRACKS.

NHTSA ID
11180940
Incident
Feb 18, 2019
Mileage
155,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 4, 2018

THE VEHICLE SMELLED LIKE GAS INSIDE & OUT WHETHER STILL, OR DRIVING, RUNNING OR OFF. THEN A FEW DAYS IN, FUEL, OR A GAS-SMELLING SUBSTANCE, BEGAN RAPIDLY LEAKING FROM THE UNDERSIDE OF THE CAR. I WAS TOLD IT WAS ALSO COOLANT.

NHTSA ID
11124448
Incident
Aug 4, 2018
EngineFuel system
Filed Aug 15, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS ON AN INCLINE, THE VEHICLE MALFUNCTIONED AND THE ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STRUGGLED TO ACCELERATE ON THE INCLINE AND DECELERATED. NEMER MOTOR GROUP OF LATHAN, NEW YORK AND HACKELS FOREIGN CAR SERVICES OF ALBANY, NEW YORK WERE NOTIFIED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ID
11015388
Incident
Dec 1, 2016
Mileage
110,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 8, 2017

THERE IS AN OPEN, PENDING RECALL ON THE FUEL FILTER ASSEMBLY. IT IS NOTICED BY THE SMELL OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE AND POSSIBLY INSIDE THE CABIN, MOSTLY COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR DOOR AS THE ASSEMBLY IS UNDER THE BACK SEAT ON THAT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA ID
11003786
Incident
Jun 20, 2017
Mileage
90,500 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

VOS-26-42

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019 - Hotfix 12-V battery test(s) – No battery diagnosis - Inconclusive test result.

V1718062017813_24

ENGINE

Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

TT 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

V6919012010479_17

AIR BAGS

Inquiries

V1719012012855_81

ENGINE

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Volkswagen Touareg by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2018000—
2017241037.2
2016442045.6
2015242039.9
2014272050.8
2013302145.8
2012282152.6
2011162152.2
2010251145.3
2009Viewing192143.8
2008564050.6
2007930—
2006371033.7
2005752248.4
20042314256.8
2003000—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.