Volkswagen Touareg years to avoid (and the best years)
218 NHTSA owner complaints and 5 recalls across 8 model years, 2010 to 2017. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
- 218complaints
- 5recalls
- 5reported crashes
- 3reported fires
- 13reported injuries
Which Volkswagen Touareg years should you avoid?
No Volkswagen Touareg model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Volkswagen Touareg year has 26 complaints on file.
What are the best Volkswagen Touareg years?
The Volkswagen Touareg years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2011 (16), 2017 (24) and 2015 (24). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 24 | 0.9× | 1 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2016 | 44 | 1.7× | 2 | 0 | 3 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2015 | 24 | 0.9× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Engine |
| 2014 | 27 | 1.0× | 2 | 1 | 4 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2013 | 30 | 1.2× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Steering |
| 2012 | 28 | 1.1× | 2 | 1 | 3 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2011 | 16 | 0.6× | 2 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
| 2010 | 25 | 1.0× | 1 | 1 | 1 | Few red flags | Fuel system |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 25 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain21 (84%)
- Steering, suspension & tires2 (8%)
- Brakes1 (4%)
- Airbags & seat belts1 (4%)
Recalls (5)
Safety · 21V321000 · May 2021 · model year 2017
Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.
Safety · 18V329000 · May 2018 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fuel system · 17V151000 · Mar 2017 · model year 2010
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Tires · 16V243000 · Apr 2016 · model year 2016
If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Brakes · 16V170000 · Mar 2016 · model years 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.