Touareg (2nd)
Data covers 2 NHTSA model names
Reliability Score
Complaints by Engine Code
3.0-V6-Diesel
3.0L 6-cyl / 225 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
EA390 VR6
3.6L 6-cyl / 280 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Volkswagen Touareg Unidentified Engine
View details
Complaint Breakdown
Show 2 additional engine variants with limited data
3.0-V6-Hybrid
3.0L 6-cyl / 333 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
3.2-V6-Gas
3.2L 6-cyl / 220 hpView details
Complaint Breakdown
Battery & Propulsion Reliability
Hybrid (HEV)
Battery & propulsion complaint analysis for the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg
Too few field reports to rate this generation against peers yet. Most recently launched models accumulate complaints over the first 2-3 years.
Battery & propulsion recalls (1)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it may cause an electrical short in the high voltage battery.
Consequence: An electrical short in the high voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Source: classified from NHTSA complaint and recall data. "Battery-related" includes high-voltage propulsion battery, charging system, hybrid drivetrain, electric propulsion, regenerative braking, 12V auxiliary battery, and thermal-event complaints. Other complaints (suspension, steering, brakes, infotainment) appear in the engine and vehicle-level sections. Rates are absolute counts, not normalized per-VIN — high-volume models naturally produce more raw complaints than low-volume ones. Self-reported death and injury counts are capped per complaint to limit form abuse.
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 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg
On a used 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg, the systems with the most NHTSA owner complaints are the engine (77), the fuel system (26) and the steering (26). 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.
- Start the engine cold and listen for the first 30 seconds, then again at idle once it is warm.Costly repair. NHTSA has 77 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg about the engine, all engines combined.
- Let the engine idle for five minutes, walk around the car and smell for fuel.Safety. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg about the fuel system, all engines combined.
- Turn the wheel from lock to lock while parked, then drive straight on a level road with a light grip.Safety. NHTSA has 26 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg about the steering.
- Switch the ignition on and watch the airbag light. On the drive, check the backup camera and any collision or lane warning.Safety. NHTSA has 22 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg about the airbags and driver-assist systems.
- Switch on every electrical item in turn: lights, windows, locks, wipers, climate fan, screen and power outlets.Costly repair. NHTSA has 17 owner complaints on the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg about the electrical system.
Recalls (7)
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
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."
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it may cause an electrical short in the high voltage battery.
Show 2 older recalls
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 TOUAREG HYBRID VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 2, 2010, THROUGH FEBRUARY 3, 2011. THE CERTIFICATION LABELS ON THESE VEHICLES CONTAIN INCORRECT TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION AND THEREFORE FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, "TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS."
All Generations
Alternatives in Midsize SUV
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the most common 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg complaints?
Owners have filed 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg. The systems they name most often are the engine, the fuel system and the steering.
Is the 2011-2017 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 192 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011-2017 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 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg have?
NHTSA has 192 owner complaints on file for the 2011-2017 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 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg?
NHTSA lists 7 recalls covering some 2011-2017 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 engine, the fuel system and the steering, 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.
Does the Touareg have NHTSA crash test ratings?
NHTSA has not published crash test ratings for the 2011-2017 Volkswagen Touareg. Not all vehicles are tested each year. For the latest NHTSA safety information, visit nhtsa.gov/ratings.
Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 192 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-10-12.