RoadVitals

2010 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.
25
Latest Oct 10, 2024
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.
1
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.
2
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 25 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 709 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

  • Engine823.5%
  • Powertrain (other)25.9%
  • Electrical25.9%
  • Tires & wheels12.9%
  • Brakes12.9%
  • Suspension12.9%
  • Airbags12.9%

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

1 campaign 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

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

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

Fuel system
Filed Oct 10, 2024

Previous recall in 2017 regarding fuel filter housing cracks and seals has failed. In 2017 it was approved to allow VW to use cellophane sticky tape to cover the fuel filter crack in plastic housing. It has failed. The car has 43,000 miles, the cabin has strong odor smell. The left rear wheel arch has extremely strong gasoline smell. How was VW able to get approval to fix a serious fuel leak with sticky tape?

NHTSA ID
11619059
Incident
Oct 2, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Sep 28, 2021

I have a 2010 VW Touarge V6, recently it started leaking fuel out, after taking the car to VW dealership, they told me the fuel was leaking out from the fuel filter flange. VW had a recall on (2007-2010 VW Touarge) fuel filter flange back in 2017 (see below) https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2017/RCRIT-17V151-3759.pdf They acknowledges that there was a flaw in the fuel filter flange that the plastic part could crack and leak out fuel after some years. Back in 2017, I took the car to VW dealership and the recall repair they did on my car was to install a protective film on the flange (since they deemed that the flange was not broken when examined during the recall repair at the time). Now 4 years later, the flange is cracking and leaking fuel out, obviously the recall fix (protective film) did not stop the flange from cracking or fuel from leaking out. I have contacted VW customer care and stated that they failed to fix the fuel leaking hazard as the protective film was ineffective in stopping fuel to leak out from a now broken flange. I hoped they could cover the fix of the broken flange. VW customer service refused to fix the problem for me under the recall and asked me to be fully responsible for the fix, as they claimed that the "recall was done", despite that I showed they the recall details, and mentioned that the problematic flange was not replaced, and questions the effectiveness of the recall repair done in 2017. I feel I have to question whether the original recall fix was proper (that for un-cracking flange at the time, only a protective film was installed instead of replacing the problematic fuel filter flange, that had big leaking problems) So please help to investigate the case, and let VW know that they should always put customer's safety first. Looks to me, they used a cheap method (a plastic film) to avoid replacing an already inexpensive flange part, and in exchange, customer had to face such safety hazard and big car repair bill...

NHTSA ID
11434728
Incident
Sep 18, 2021
Engine
Filed Jul 27, 2021

my 2010 vw touareg tdi 3.0 have 2 service campaign 23r3 and 26k2 which is commonly known for vw tdi diesel scandal. i took my car to vw they said they will replace the catalytic converts and knox sensors. and the ad blue box. today i got a call stating that my car will not get a catalytic converter that's epa compliant. and they can only do computer software and replce 2 glow plugs out of the 6 and that's cant be done before i replace a knox sensor which is the service campaign is for then when the check engine light is off i can take it back to vvw to replace the parts and program the computer. or pay then $900 for that sensor.

NHTSA ID
11426705
Incident
Jul 26, 2021
Fuel system
Filed Jul 16, 2019

SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 FUEL PUMP FLANGE VW HAD A SAFETY RECALL ABOUT THE FUEL PUMP FLANGE. BUT THEY DID NOT REPLACE THE FLANGE FOR ME. INSTEAD THEY ONLY PUT A PROTECTIVE FILM THERE WHICH DID NOT WORK. NOW MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING FUEL BUT VW REFUSED TO COVER IT. THE PROBLEM IS STILL THERE AND THEIR RECALL SIMPLY DO NOT FIX THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WAS STATIONARY. IT HAS BEEN LEAKING FUEL FOR A FEW DAYS.

NHTSA ID
11232517
Incident
Jul 14, 2019
Mileage
84,000 mi
Fuel system
Filed May 24, 2019

HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILED CAUSING OUR VEHICLE TO STALL WITH NO POWER IN THE MIDDLE OF A VERY BUSY OFF RAMP FROM THE HIGHWAY. I HAD MY SON, WIFE AND DOG IN THE CAR. I COULD NOT MOVE THE 5000LB VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD, SO I REMOVED MY FAMILY TO SIDE OF THE ROAD WHILE DIRECTED TRAFFIC. VW DEALER THEN CAME FOR US WHILE I WAITED FOR THE TOW TRUCK. VERY DANGEROUS. NOW AT DEALER AND VW IS CLAIMING MANY MANY VERY EXPENSIVE ISSUES WITH IT DUE TO THIS FAILURE THAT THEY WILL NOT PAY FOR, WE WERE 837 MILES FROM OUR HOME. HAD TO STAY 2 NIGHTS IN A HOTEL AND RENT A CAR TO DRIVE HOME. THEY STILL CANNOT FIX OUR CAR. IT'S CURRENTLY STILL AT THE DEALER WITH NO CLUE TO WHAT IS WRONG. THERE WAS NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR ANY OTHER SIGN OF SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO THE STALL. IT JUST LOST POWER AND DIED. I COULD NOT RESTART IT.

NHTSA ID
11209684
Incident
May 7, 2019
Mileage
135,000 mi
Airbags
Filed Feb 5, 2019

TAKATA RECALL FOR AIRBAG DASH LIGHT ON. ALSO, CHECK 'ENGINE LIGHT' FOR DIESEL DEF HEATING ELEMENT FAULT. BOTH LIGHTS APPEARED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE/STATIONARY AND HAVE REMAINED ON EVER SINCE.

NHTSA ID
11174501
Incident
Jan 17, 2019
Mileage
105,828 mi
Fuel system
Filed Sep 10, 2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED OR BEING DRIVEN, THERE WAS A FUEL ODOR EMITTED THROUGH THE AIR VENTS AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DON BEYER VOLVO WINCHESTER (LOCATED AT 4015 VALLEY PIKE, WINCHESTER, VA 22602, (540) 868-3000) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE CONNECTOR SEAL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND INFORMED THEM OF THE FAILURE, BUT NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,757.

NHTSA ID
11128533
Incident
Sep 7, 2018
Mileage
46,757 mi
Fuel system
Filed Jul 17, 2017

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, A FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED INSIDE AND OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BROOKLYN VOLKSWAGEN IN BROOKLYN, NEW YORK WHERE THE WASHER/GASKET WAS REPLACED DUE TO LEAKAGE, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED AS THE CONTACT DROVE AWAY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS CLEANED AND THE FUEL ODOR WOULD SUBSIDE FOR A FEW DAYS, BUT WOULD RECUR. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE DEALER STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS "PENDING". THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND PROVIDED THE CONTACT WITH CASE NUMBER: 170-879-370. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ID
11005893
Incident
Jul 10, 2017
Mileage
109,000 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 13-20-01_3

ENGINE

Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.

TT 10-18-02_2

ENGINE

Lubricating engine components before reassembly.

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
2010Viewing251145.3
2009192143.8
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.