Car Defect Radar
Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated September 22, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.

Recalls

0 total

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

No recalls on record for this model

No safety recalls were found in this dataset. It is still worth entering the exact VIN on NHTSA before purchase, since recalls can be added at any time.

Owner complaints by system

25 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Worth reading
21

Most reports here involve sudden stalling.

sudden stalling 9fluid leaks 8smoke 2
A recent report: Previous recall in 2017 regarding fuel filter housing cracks and seals has failed. In 2017 it was approved to allow VW to use cellophane sticky tape to cover the fuel filter crack in plastic housing…
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Previous recall in 2017 regarding fuel filter housing cracks and seals has failed. In 2017 it was approved to allow VW to use cellophane sticky tape to cover the fuel filter crack in plastic housing. It has failed. The car has 43,000 miles, the cabin has strong odor smell. The left rear wheel arch has extremely strong gasoline smell. How was VW able to get approval to fix a serious fuel leak with sticky tape?

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11619059 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Brakes

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: VW ABS CONTROL MODULE RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR DID NOT INCLUDE 2010 TOUAREGS. HOWEVER, I OWN 2 OF THEM AND BOTH HAVE AN ABS MODULE ISSUE. AS DOES MY MOTHER IN LAW'S 2010 TIGUAN. PLEASE LOOK INTO…
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VW ABS CONTROL MODULE RECALL EARLIER THIS YEAR DID NOT INCLUDE 2010 TOUAREGS. HOWEVER, I OWN 2 OF THEM AND BOTH HAVE AN ABS MODULE ISSUE. AS DOES MY MOTHER IN LAW'S 2010 TIGUAN. PLEASE LOOK INTO EXTENDING THE RECALL TO THESE MODEST. ATTACHED IS THE $2,839 ESTIMATE FROM A VW DEALER TO REPLACE THE ABS MODULE. THAT IS AN ABSURD AMOUNT OF MONEY TO PAY FOR A GENTLY USED CAR WITH LOW MILEAGE WHICH HAS BEEN REGULARLY MAINTAINED. THANK YOU. [XXX] CELL INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11003267 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Worth reading
2

Most reports here involve premature wear. Of these, 1 mention a crash, 1 mention an injury.

premature wear 1
A recent report: I PURCHASED A SET OF 4 NITTO MOTIVO'S FOR MY TOUAREG TDI IN SEPT 2013 AT WHICH TIME I HAD 60,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. TODAY, 6/17/14, @ 75, 000 MILES WITH 15,000 MILES ON THE MOTIVO'S, I NOTICED 2…
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I PURCHASED A SET OF 4 NITTO MOTIVO'S FOR MY TOUAREG TDI IN SEPT 2013 AT WHICH TIME I HAD 60,000 MILES ON MY VEHICLE. TODAY, 6/17/14, @ 75, 000 MILES WITH 15,000 MILES ON THE MOTIVO'S, I NOTICED 2 DEFECTS IN 2 OF MY TIRES. THE LEFT REAR TIRE HAD A HUGE BULGE ON THE SIDEWALL...ABOUT 3" INCHES ACROSS AND 2" HIGH. THE RIGHT FRONT TIRE HAD THIS 2" X 2" CUT/GASH OR SOMETHING ON THE SIDEWALL. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO DISCOUNT TIRE WHERE I BOUGHT THEM AND THEY SAID THESE ISSUES WERE PROBABLY THE RESULT OF DRIVING OVER POTHOLES AND THAT ALL 4 WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SINCE I HAVE AN ALL-WHEEL DRIVE VEHICLE AND THAT THE BEST THEY CAN DO IS GIVE ME A TREAD WEAR BASED CREDIT ON A NEW SET IN THE AMOUNT OF AROUND $320. I PAID OVER $1000 FOR YOUR TIRES, WHICH WERE WARRANTED FOR 60,000 AND I ONLY GOT 15,000 OUT OF THEM. AND TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE, IT APPEARS THAT THE QUALITY OF THE SIDEWALL IS VERY POOR CAUSING THE DEFECTS I MENTIONED. I CONTACTED NITTO NUMEROUS TIMES AND THEY ADVISED THAT THEY DO NOT COVER "ROAD HAZARDS" WHICH THEY SAY CAUSED THE DEFECTS IN MY 2 TIRES. THEY ALSO ADVISED THAT SINCE MY TIRES WERE ONLY MEASURED AS HAVING BETWEEN 5/32 AND 6/32 OF TREAD WEAR, ESSENTIALLY 1/2 WORN OUT, THEY ONLY WARRANTY THEIR TIRES IF THEY ARE BETWEEN 1/32 AND 2/32...IE, TOTALLY WORN OUT, BEFORE THEY WOULD ISSUE A PRO-RATED CREDIT. THIS IS ABSURD!!! THE WARRANTY IS FOR 60,000 MILES...AFTER JUST 15,000 MILES, MY TIRES ARE HALFWAY WORN OUT! I SHOULD GET A CREDIT FOR 75% OF THE COST OF THE TIRES. I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR CONSIDERATION IN HELPING ME TO RECEIVE CREDIT IN THE AMOUNT OF 75% ($750) OF THE $1000 I PAID FOR THESE TIRES, SINCE I ONLY HAVE 15, 000 MILES ON THEM AND THE WARRANTY IS FOR 60,000. *TR

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10599210 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
1

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 1
A recent report: TAKATA RECALL FOR AIRBAG DASH LIGHT ON. ALSO, CHECK 'ENGINE LIGHT' FOR DIESEL DEF HEATING ELEMENT FAULT. BOTH LIGHTS APPEARED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE/STATIONARY AND HAVE REMAINED ON EVER SINCE.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11174501 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 25 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2024, roughly 2 a year, which is more than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.