RoadVitals

2016 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.
45
Latest Oct 9, 2026
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 Apr 26, 2016
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.
0
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
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 45 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg, most frequently naming the engine, driver assistance and brakes categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 607 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

  • Engine2242.3%
  • Driver assistance1121.2%
  • Brakes59.6%
  • Electrical59.6%
  • Body & structure47.7%
  • Fuel system23.8%
  • Suspension11.9%
  • Steering11.9%

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

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
16V243000

TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS

Apr 26, 2016
366 units potentially affected
The defect: 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."
The risk: If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will correct the TPMS settings and replace the safety certification label, free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2016. Volkwagen's number for this recall is 44M9.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 44M9View on NHTSA.gov
16V170000

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Mar 24, 2016
46,574 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly to verify the presence of the securing clip and install any missing securing clips, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46G4.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.Manufacturer number 46G4View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

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

View all 45
Body & structure
Filed Oct 9, 2026

The interior door release mechanism broke, trapping my wife in the driver's seat and unable to open the door. Our VW dealer was not able to evaluate the broken mechanism for several days so we took the vehicle to a local repair shop. A disabled senior [XXX] was unable to exit the vehicle, unable to climb over the center console or into the back seat which is a serious safety issue. The outside door handle release was still functional and I was able to open the door. If I were not at home, my wife would have had to call a neighbor, police or fire department to free her from the vehicle. Photograph of broken part is part of this report as well as receipt for the repair. A quick web search indicates several other owners have had this issue. No injury except a bruised arm trying to reach the exterior door release (unsuccessfully). INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11770146
Incident
Oct 1, 2026
BrakesDriver assistanceElectrical
Filed Nov 13, 2025

The car will stop (while driving) for no apparent reason. “Phantom Braking”. This is without any known objects/people approaching our vehicle. It’s a part of the electronic automatic braking system but obviously it is not programmed correctly. It is DANGEROUS. A brief review on internet shows these sudden stops have caused accidents (people rear ending vehicle after sudden stops). Cars have also had to move quickly off highway to avoid collision. Another issue: the Panoramic Sunroof has had frequent issues with water leaks. We’ve already had to pay for one such leak ($1000) and now face payment for a second serious leak which they can’t seem to fix. Internet searches show that VW Corporation has known about this manufacturing defect since 2016 but has “hidden” these manufacturing defects from customers. These leaks have caused pools of water to form in the trunk (under spare tire). The pool of water inside vehicle can range up to 1.5 feet and more! We’ve heard issues that if not caught sooner, these leaks case severe damage to electrical systems (battery, etc…) due to excess water in vehicle. It burns out electrical systems. To our knowledge, VW will take NO RESPONSIBILITY. People who own these cars have to pay for the fixes. Very expensive fixes which are not working. We no longer feel safe driving this car. VW will not offer us a solution.

NHTSA ID
11699303
Incident
Jan 23, 2023
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 16, 2025

My lane assist camera is not functioning and Volkswagen is telling me the part is now obsolete and can't be repaired. It is part #7p6907217bxz1y. I took it to Pompano Volkswagen on 4/4/24 and have been waiting for the part which has been out of stock and they (Gunther Volkswagen since Pompano closed) just told me on 8/8/25 the part is no longer available and offer no solution to fix this issue. Seems very odd that a car manufacture would be allowed to not supply a replacement part or be able to fix the problem for a car that is 8 years old. Especially for such an important feature like lane assist and collision avoidance systems - how am I supposed to sell a car without these features functioning? I have contact Volkswagen Corporate Customer Care without any avail as well.

NHTSA ID
11681082
Incident
Apr 4, 2024
BrakesDriver assistance
Filed May 19, 2025

UNKNOWN- simply picking up my kids and various alerts came on the dashboard including the ABS brakes error, Parking brake error, and others that I am not sure of. I just bought this suv on Friday from DCH Acura of Montclair, NJ/ Lithia Motors in Verona, NJ [XXX]. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11662004
Incident
May 19, 2025
Driver assistanceElectrical
Filed May 6, 2025

Rear viewing camera does not display when vehicle is placed in reverse.

NHTSA ID
11659364
Incident
Apr 12, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Feb 5, 2025

Vehicle manufacture (Volkswagon) has quit supplying/manufacturing a safety guidence parts for my auto. 7P6-907-217-BX-Z1Y Collision Avoidance Camera NOT AVAILABLE i would like my anti Self collision guidance repaired, but no parts for my 8-9 year old car. part was on order (from 2024) and notified today NOT available and local car dealership order was cancelled. i might understand if I had hit a 10year threshold, but sure hurts now.

NHTSA ID
11640977
Incident
Feb 5, 2025
Driver assistance
Filed Jan 21, 2025

My ACC/AEB went out over 2 years ago. At the time this vehicle was out of warranty. The dealer ordered the part (camera) and charged me for it. I waited over a year for the part. During this time VW lost a class action lawsuit regarding this and notified me that this was now going to be covered under warranty. I returned to the dealer to file the warranty claim. Warranty claim is now 6 months old and VW still has no news on getting parts and repairing this safety feature.

NHTSA ID
11637367
Incident
Jun 1, 2022
Driver assistance
Filed Aug 22, 2024

car has a design flaw. If car sits in the sun the emergency stop braking system will fail due to heat. The camera/computer board is mounted in the ceiling behind the rearview mirror. when the sun is out the system will fail do to heat. This problem is in Volkswagons, Audi's and Porche's with various models. The issue is described in detail in multiple blogs and car clubs. I bought the car used. I think this system is as important for safety as airbags. As a 2 stage safety feature to avoid an accident. This failure also affects the Adaptable Cruise Control. Car color and climate affect this system. Volkswagon has an AEB recall but refuses to acknowledge the design flaw. Problem keeps occurring.

NHTSA ID
11610332
Incident
Nov 13, 2021

Manufacturer communications

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

V0017132033846_27

ENGINE

Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.

V1718032037201_21

ENGINE

Checking engine oil level.

V0118122014603_22

ENGINE

Reprogramming Control Module process

V1917012022548_16

ENGINE

Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants

V0116132033805_12

ENGINE

Engine missfire diagnostic aid

V0018092053065_8

Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting

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
2016Viewing452045.3
2015242039.8
2014272050.8
2013302145.8
2012282152.6
2011162152.2
2010251145.3
2009192143.8
2008564050.6
2007930—
2006371033.7
2005752248.4
20042314255.3
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.