Touareg (1st)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
4.2-V8-Gas
4.2L 8-cyl / 310 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.2-V6-Gas
3.2L 6-cyl / 220 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Volkswagen Touareg Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
TDI
3.0L 6-cyl Turbo / 225 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
4.9-V10-Diesel
4.9L 10-cyl / 310 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
EA390 VR6
3.6L 6-cyl / 276 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
2.7-V6-Gas
2.7L 6-cyl / 250 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Owner Complaints by System
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA about the Volkswagen Touareg, counted across every engine. A complaint can name more than one system.
What to check on a used 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg
On a used 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the fuel system (125), the electrical system (82) and the transmission and drivetrain (72). Each one has an inspection step below, with counts as of 2026-10-12. A complaint is an owner report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 125 owner complaints on the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 82 owner complaints on the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg about the electrical system.
- Accelerate gently through every gear, then once at full throttle. Shift into Reverse and back to Drive.Costly repair. NHTSA has 72 owner complaints on the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg about the transmission and drivetrain, all engines combined.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 56 owner complaints on the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg about the engine, all engines combined.
- Measure the tread on all four tires, read the date codes and look at each wheel.Safety. NHTSA has 52 owner complaints on the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg about the wheels and tires.
Recalls (8)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Touareg vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel filter flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS CHANGED DURING PRODUCTION WHICH COULD LEAD TO INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CONNECTOR.
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS MISSING THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS.
Show 3 older recalls
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED DURING ASSEMBLY. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED TPMS WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTACT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE SPRING.
NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings
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Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg complaints?
Owners have filed 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg. The systems they name most often are the fuel system, the electrical system and the transmission.
Is the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg a good used car?
That depends on the model year, the mileage and the maintenance history of the car in front of you. Owners have filed 444 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg. Check which systems they name most often and whether a recall is still open on that car.
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg have?
NHTSA has 444 owner complaints on file for the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg as of the latest data pull. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect, and counts rise with sales.
What recalls affect the 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg?
NHTSA lists 8 recalls covering some 2004-2010 Volkswagen Touareg vehicles. Which ones apply depends on the VIN: enter it at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see the open campaigns on a specific car.
What should I check before buying a used Volkswagen Touareg?
Run the VIN through NHTSA's recall lookup and confirm every open recall has been done. Look hardest at the fuel system, the electrical system and the transmission, the systems owners complain about most. Ask for maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the car and run a vehicle history report for prior accidents and title issues.
What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Touareg?
The 2010 Volkswagen Touareg received an overall N/A-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: N/A stars. Side crash: N/A stars. Rollover: 4 stars. Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 444 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.