2013 Volkswagen Touareg Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Fuel system821.6%
- Steering821.6%
- Other / unspecified410.8%
- Engine410.8%
- Suspension38.1%
- Electrical38.1%
- Airbags38.1%
- Seat belts25.4%
- Driver assistance12.7%
- Powertrain (other)12.7%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON JUNE 3, 2019 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE I-5 NEAR TULARE, CALIFORNIA, AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH WHEN AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, I BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I QUICKLY MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND PREPARED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY LESS THAN A MILE AHEAD. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I WAS FORCED TO COAST OFF THE FREEWAY, NO POWER, NO POWER STEERING AND QUICKLY LOSING MY BRAKES. I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN PARKING LOT IMMEDIATELY OFF THE FREEWAY THAT I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO. AFTER SAFELY COMING TO A STOP, I ATTEMPTED TO LOOK UP THE INDICATOR LIGHT ICON IN THE VEHICLE MANUAL. UNABLE TO FIND THE CODE / REASON FOR THE ENGINE FAILURE, I CALLED FOR A TOW TRUCK. THE NEAREST VW DEALERSHIP WAS 45 MILES AWAY SO I OPTED TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO A LOCAL EUROPEAN CAR SERVICE SHOP IN TULARE, FRANK'S AUTOMOTIVE. AS LUCK WOULD HAVE IT, THEY HAD A VW MASTER TRAINED TECHNICIAN ON STAFF. HE RAN THE CODES, CHECKED THE ENGINE AND DETERMINED THAT MY HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED. HE SAID THE PUMP LITERALLY DISINTEGRATED AND SENT BITS OF ALUMINUM 'SHRAPNEL' THROUGHOUT MY ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM. THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. HE INDICATED THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN ISSUE AND THAT THERE WAS PARTIAL RECALL AS A RESULT. UNFORTUNATELY, MY PARTICULAR MODEL WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND VW DECLINED TO ASSIST. THE REPAIR ENDED UP COSTING ME MORE THAN $8,000. IF VW HAD GIVEN ME A WARNING ABOUT THIS ISSUE, I WOULD MOST CERTAINLY HAVE HAD THE PUMP REPLACED BEFORE IT CATASTROPHICALLY FAILED. VW NEEDS TO BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THESE FAILURES. WHEN THE PUMP FAILS, IT'S CATASTROPHIC!
2013 VOLKSWAGON TOUREG RECALL
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED. BAXTER VOLKSWAGEN LA VISTA (7108 S 124TH CIR, LA VISTA, NE 68128, (402) 983-9801) STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ASSEMBLY WERE CORRODED, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS, AIR BAGS, AND HORN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,600.
STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT , INTERNAL FAULT WITH RACK SEAL, REPLACED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN MAY 2019 THIS IS SECOND REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR REPLACEMENT IN NOVEMBER 2015 I FEEL ITS VERY UNUSUAL TO CHANGE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON SAME VEHICLE TWICE IN 4 YEARS TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT HAPPENS OFTEN IN VW TOUAREG BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A SHAKE, SHIMMY, OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 70-80MPH. 72MPH BEING THE MOST OBVIOUS. IT ALSO TENDS TO PULL MOSTLY TO THE RIGHT. IT CURRENTLY IS IN FOR ITS 2ND ATTEMPT AT REPAIR. THE FIRST WAS A REMOUNT AND REBALANCE OF ALL 4 WHEELS AS WELL AS "CLEANING" THE HUBS. THIS WAS TO COMPLY WITH THEIR OWN INTERNAL TSB. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FIXED AND IT IS NOT. I'M WAITING TO PICK IT UP.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60 MPH - 75 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE IS NOTICEABLE TO THE POINT THAT IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL YOU LITERALLY CAN SEE THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE BACK AND FORTH. THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES HAS BEEN CHECKED, THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER HAS ROAD FORCE BALANCED THE TIRES 2X IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OVER THE DURATION OF A YEAR. THE ATTEMPTS BY VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NO ANSWER TO WHY THE VEHICLE IS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
The weld broke at the rear pre cat connection
So there’s a campaign to add a bracket to one of the catalytic converters. That’s great except I never knew about it and the thing they added the bracket to prevent happened to me. The exhaust pipe from the catalytic separated from the flange connecting to the manifold. It’s a 2000 dollar part from the dealer. Luckily I found a mechanic who is welding the flange and fixing what I got. Just another example of a car company knowing there’s an issue but not really attempting to fix it, only in a policy no one reads.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60 MPH - 75 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE IS NOTICEABLE TO THE POINT THAT IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL YOU LITERALLY CAN SEE THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE BACK AND FORTH. THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES HAS BEEN CHECKED, THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER HAS ROAD FORCE BALANCED THE TIRES 2X IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OVER THE DURATION OF A YEAR. THE ATTEMPTS BY VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NO ANSWER TO WHY THE VEHICLE IS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY. *TR
THE CAR KEEPS HAVING A CLICKING NOISE ON THE BACK, SUSPENSION PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT IT DOES KEEP HAVING THE SAME NOISE, BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IT IS. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED. BAXTER VOLKSWAGEN LA VISTA (7108 S 124TH CIR, LA VISTA, NE 68128, (402) 983-9801) STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ASSEMBLY WERE CORRODED, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS, AIR BAGS, AND HORN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,600.
2013 VOLKSWAGON TOUREG RECALL
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED. BAXTER VOLKSWAGEN LA VISTA (7108 S 124TH CIR, LA VISTA, NE 68128, (402) 983-9801) STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ASSEMBLY WERE CORRODED, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS, AIR BAGS, AND HORN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,600.
AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED. HORN NOR STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS WORK. ADVISED IT WAS A STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING FAULT. THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Seat belts
Reports naming seat belts, buckles, retractors and pretensioners.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE DRIVER'S SEATBELT APPEARS TO BE BUCKLED, BUT RELEASES UNDER LOAD. WHEN INSERTING THE END INTO THE BUCKLE IT CLICKS AND LOOKS AND FEELS BUCKLED, BUT WHEN LOADED RELEASES WITHOUT WARNING. THIS OCCURRED WITH DIFFERENT DRIVERS AND RELEASED UNEXPECTEDLY MULTIPLE TIMES WHILE THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN. REPLACING THE BUCKLE END RESOLVED THE DEFECT.
THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY 91 IN LOS ANGELES IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WITHIN 10 SECONDS COMPLETE STOP AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. TOWED TO VW DEALERS AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IS FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP . HTTPS://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/FEDS-CLOSE-PROBE-INTO-VW-AUDI-TDI-VEHICLES-FOR-HIGH-PRESSURE-FUEL-PUMP-FAILURE.HTML
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY SYMPTOMS OF A POWER PROBLEM. WE HAD TO MOVE ACROSS FOUR LANES OF CAR AND TRUCK TRAFFIC WHILE RAPIDLY DECELERATING. LUCK AND SKILL PREVAILED TO AVOID A SERIOUS AND POTENTIALLY FATAL ACCIDENT. NO WARNING INDICATORS WERE DISPLAYED. SAFELY IN THE BREAKDOWN LANE THE VEHICLE CONTINUED AN APPROXIMATELY 1300 RPM IDLE AND WOULD MOVE AT ABOUT 15- 20MPH. I STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND THE ACCLERATOR PEDAL CONTINUED TO BE UNRESPONSIVE. I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN NEUTRAL WITH NO CHANGE IN THE ABILITY TO INCREASE RPM WITH THE ACCELERATOR. I SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE AND NORMAL ACCELERATION FUNCTION RETURNED. WE DROVE ANOTHER 35-40 MINUTES WITHOUT FURTHER PROBLEMS. THE NEXT MORNING THE VEHICLE DROVE NORMALLY AND I TOOK IT TO THE VW DEALER. THEIR DIAGNOSTIC REVIEW SHOWED NO ISSUES AND NO MALFUNCTIONS WERE DETECTED.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A SHAKE, SHIMMY, OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 70-80MPH. 72MPH BEING THE MOST OBVIOUS. IT ALSO TENDS TO PULL MOSTLY TO THE RIGHT. IT CURRENTLY IS IN FOR ITS 2ND ATTEMPT AT REPAIR. THE FIRST WAS A REMOUNT AND REBALANCE OF ALL 4 WHEELS AS WELL AS "CLEANING" THE HUBS. THIS WAS TO COMPLY WITH THEIR OWN INTERNAL TSB. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FIXED AND IT IS NOT. I'M WAITING TO PICK IT UP.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .