FaultScore

FaultScore report

2017 Volkswagen Touareg problems

Owners have filed 34 complaints about the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg with NHTSA between 2018 and 2024. The largest single group is the engine & cooling. Across this model's run it ranks 10 of 13 worst.

B

FaultScore 32/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Volkswagen Touareg.

How this is worked out

The numbers

34

Complaints

0

Crashes reported

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries reported

11,000 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

90%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 24 vs 50 Severity 0 vs 50 Early failure 100 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 24
Against the median year of the Volkswagen Touareg. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 100
90% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2017 compares with every other Volkswagen Touareg

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2017 Volkswagen Touareg

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

Engine & Cooling 19 55.9%

Median failure at 12,346 miles

Other & Unspecified 6 17.6%

Median failure at 21,000 miles

Driver Assist & Collision Avoidance 2 5.9%
Seats 1 2.9%
Wheels 1 2.9%

Median failure at 10,670 miles

Suspension 1 2.9%

Median failure at 10,670 miles

Brakes 1 2.9%
Steering 1 2.9%

Median failure at 10,670 miles

Electrical System 1 2.9%

Median failure at 6,900 miles

Transmission & Drivetrain 1 2.9%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 2 10.0%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 3 15.0%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 11 55.0%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 3 15.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 1 5.0%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

May 2018 peak 4 Jan 2024

Recalls on the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

21V321000

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

Memphis, TN

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I purchased a 2017 Volkswagen Touareg V6 in October 2023. A problem with the vehicle revealed itself right away. It was consuming too much oil. Oil splatter is present on the hood, the car doors, the back bumper and built up oil residue is present in both tailpipes. Oil has to be added in about three week intervals. The vehicle is displaying the same issues as the vehicles recalled under recall number 21V321000 and I believe this vehicle should be added. I have taken the car to two shops that have confirmed the over consumption. Please evaluate.

NHTSA complaint #11562874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Memphis, TN

ENGINE

I purchased a 2017 Volkswagen Touareg V6 in October 2023. A problem with the vehicle revealed itself right away. It was consuming too much oil. Oil splatter is present on the hood, the car doors, the back bumper and built up oil residue is present in both tailpipes. Oil has to be added in about three week intervals. The vehicle is displaying the same issues as the vehicles recalled under recall number 21V321000 and I believe this vehicle should be added. I have taken the car to two shops that have confirmed the over consumption. Please evaluate.

NHTSA complaint #11562874 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Ladson, SC

ENGINE

The vehicle has an internal oil drain system that slowly leaks oil past the pistons into the combustion chamber of the engine causing the engine to burn oil. This is very dangerous when smoke exits the vehicle from the exhaust and into the air that could be inhaled by others. This same issue over time can cause an engine fire after the exhaust system is entirely clogged by the burned oil residue in the exhaust system. I have spoken with other 2017 VW Touareg owners who have the same exact issue and the problem is widely reported online by other drivers in forums.

NHTSA complaint #11538024 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Exhaust line for cylinders 4-6 developed crack immediately before catalytic converter. Problem has occurred in other Touaregs, there is even a recall for 2014 models. Crack allows exhaust to leak nearby air intake to cabin. Noticeable exhaust smell inside cabin, especially when stopped. No warning, just check engine light after the crack. Crack along thin weld, leading right into the catalytic converter. Also environmental concern that exhaust gasses are not being treated. Potential fire hazard.

NHTSA complaint #11522797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Baltimore, MD

ENGINE

Exhaust line for cylinders 4-6 developed crack immediately before catalytic converter. Problem has occurred in other Touaregs, there is even a recall for 2014 models. Crack allows exhaust to leak nearby air intake to cabin. Noticeable exhaust smell inside cabin, especially when stopped. No warning, just check engine light after the crack. Crack along thin weld, leading right into the catalytic converter. Also environmental concern that exhaust gasses are not being treated. Potential fire hazard.

NHTSA complaint #11522797 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Diego, CA

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

While using Adaptive Cruise Control, vehicle intermittently displays "ACC not available" cruise control completely disengages and does not allow for traditional cruise control functions. Typically ACC begins to function again after about 5 mins or by powering off and powering on vehicle. Vehicle has never been in an accident. All incidents occur in Southern California. Situation when it disengages can pose safety risk to due sudden loss of propulsion while keeping up with traffic, especially frightening when driving at an incline, i.e. Grapevine. Message is intermittent and can turn on 10 minutes into a drive or two hours into a drive. Unable to show dealer message. No advanced notice of ACC failing or issue with vehicle. Vehicle has had all maintenance done with dealer. No modifications to any component.

NHTSA complaint #11504505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Diego, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS

While using Adaptive Cruise Control, vehicle intermittently displays "ACC not available" cruise control completely disengages and does not allow for traditional cruise control functions. Typically ACC begins to function again after about 5 mins or by powering off and powering on vehicle. Vehicle has never been in an accident. All incidents occur in Southern California. Situation when it disengages can pose safety risk to due sudden loss of propulsion while keeping up with traffic, especially frightening when driving at an incline, i.e. Grapevine. Message is intermittent and can turn on 10 minutes into a drive or two hours into a drive. Unable to show dealer message. No advanced notice of ACC failing or issue with vehicle. Vehicle has had all maintenance done with dealer. No modifications to any component.

NHTSA complaint #11504505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

San Diego, CA

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

While using Adaptive Cruise Control, vehicle intermittently displays "ACC not available" cruise control completely disengages and does not allow for traditional cruise control functions. Typically ACC begins to function again after about 5 mins or by powering off and powering on vehicle. Vehicle has never been in an accident. All incidents occur in Southern California. Situation when it disengages can pose safety risk to due sudden loss of propulsion while keeping up with traffic, especially frightening when driving at an incline, i.e. Grapevine. Message is intermittent and can turn on 10 minutes into a drive or two hours into a drive. Unable to show dealer message. No advanced notice of ACC failing or issue with vehicle. Vehicle has had all maintenance done with dealer. No modifications to any component.

NHTSA complaint #11504505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, NC

SEATS

Power seat reclining function on passenger and driver side. Due to the top of the adjustment lever being positioned too close to the top of the set cushion, if you sit on the edge of the seat, the seat back will continue to recline until you get up if you notice it or it hits the back seat bottom cushion. if there is a child in the back seat it could cause injury. My daughter almost had her legs crushed when my mom delayed exiting the vehicle with the passenger door open and sitting partially on the seat. She did not even notice the seat reclining until it hit my daughters knees.

NHTSA complaint #11482652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Harrisburg, NC

SERVICE BRAKES

When coming to a stop with the AutoHold activated, sometimes it comes to an abrupt stop instead of a smooth stop. Also when you have Autohold engaged, when you come to a stop and put the car in park, disconnect the seatbelt the parking brake engages(expected), however when you turn the car off (after you've already removed your foot from the break pedal) it slightly releases and reengages the brake causing a slight movement of the vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11482659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington Island, WI

POWER TRAIN

While driving the power train was seriously impacted, it is no longer operational and available for inspection at the dealer now. This is absolutely a safety risk as there was power loss and inconsistency which could have been very dangerous depending on the level of control required by the traffic conditions. The dealer has diagnosed and insurance is scheduled to inspect. the manufacturer has been requested by us to do a root cause but no response from them - this is apparently a known issue (class action lawsuit) that has not been official recognized as a recall. a transmission warning came on prior to the failure.

NHTSA complaint #11429708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Washington Island, WI

ENGINE

While driving the power train was seriously impacted, it is no longer operational and available for inspection at the dealer now. This is absolutely a safety risk as there was power loss and inconsistency which could have been very dangerous depending on the level of control required by the traffic conditions. The dealer has diagnosed and insurance is scheduled to inspect. the manufacturer has been requested by us to do a root cause but no response from them - this is apparently a known issue (class action lawsuit) that has not been official recognized as a recall. a transmission warning came on prior to the failure.

NHTSA complaint #11429708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Tarrytown, NY

ENGINE

In a non-driving environment rain water drains off the hood of the vehicle, down the right headlight and drains directly into the vehicle's intake pipe. In turn, this rain water collects in the intake air filter box, destroys the air filter and allows water to enter the combustion chamber causing erratic engine performance and untold engine damage due to the violent shuddering and erratic idle. This is a safety issue when driving in rain because the condition can be exaggerated causing the engine to lose power at highway speeds. This is a known safety issue and has been addressed via recall in China and Europe.

NHTSA complaint #11419485 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 33,000 miles Miami, FL

ENGINE

WATERLOGGED AIRFILTER - CAR WAS SERVICED EXACTLY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO ISSUE, AND SERVICE DIRECTOR ACCUSED ME OF DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. WHILE I HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH PROGRESSIVELY BAD WEATHER IN FL FOR YEARS, I EXPLAINED THAT I DIDN'T THAT WEEK AND ASKED IF THIS COULD BE DUE TO ACCUMULATION WHICH WAS OVERSEEN PRIOR, BUT HE DENIED. $1000.00 LATER, I AM UNCLEAR HOW THIS OCCURRED AND HOW TO PREVENT IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT IS IDENTIFIED BY MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND REMAINS UNADDRESSED BY VW NORTH AMERICA.

NHTSA complaint #11361868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 30,000 miles Arlington, VA

ENGINE

THE AIR INTAKE IS COLLECTING WATER AND GETTING INTO THE AIR FILTER HOUSING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SUCK IN WATER, DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THERE IS A RECALL AT VW CHINA BUT VW NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA complaint #11351327 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Panama City Beach, FL

ENGINE

FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WE NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. WE ASSUMED IT WAS A CRACKED WASHER FLUID TANK. TOOK TO DEALER THEY FOUND NOTHING DURING SERVICE APPOINTMENT. TECHNICIAN MENTIONED NOTHING OF THE WATER IN THE FILTER AREA. OVER NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS THE SAME PUDDLE NOTICED WHICH WE ASSUMED IT WAS MERELY HVAC CONDENSATION DUE TO US LIVING IN HIGH HUMIDITY REGION. THIS VERY MORNING OF JULY 13 2020 MY WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN A WEEK AND I IMMEDIATELY HEARD THE ENGINE SURGING AND SUFFOCATING. HAD HER IMMEDIATE SHUT OFF. THE LOCATION OF THE NOISE RESINATED FROM THE ENGINE AIR FILTER BOX. AFTER I OPENED THE BOX MY FEET WERE SOAKED FROM THE SEEMING 2 QUARTS OF WATER THAT SPLASHED TO THE GROUND. I REMOVED THE COMPLETE WATER SOAKED AIR FILTER AND SCOOPED OUT THE REMAINING 3 CUPS OF WATER STILL LYING IN THE BOTTLE PART OF THE BOX. THE DRAIN VALVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX FAILED TO DRAIN OFF WATER WHICH WATER SHOULDN'T BE IN THAT REGION ON ANY CAR. I SPOKE TO THE LOCAL DEALER WHO RESPONDED IN A SURPRISED MANNER AS IF THEY NEVER HEARD OF THAT BEFORE... WELL AFTER INTERNET RESEARCH I FOUND THIS ISSUE IS A WORLD WIDE ISSUE WITH PENDING LAWSUITS ... NO REMEDY AVAIL ABLE RENDERING THE CAR UNDRIVEABLE UNTIL RESOLUTION IDENTIFIED. NO MOVEMENT ON THIS ISSUE FROM 2014-2017 MODELS AS INTERNET RESEARCH.

NHTSA complaint #11339230 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 38,000 miles Wilmington, NC

ENGINE

MY CAR ENGINE TRANSMISSION/FAULT LIGHTS CAME ON AND I BROUGHT IT INTO DEALER, WHO IDENTIFIED A WET, MOLDY AIR FILTER AND WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAMBER. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP, BUT I CHECKED AIR FILTER AGAIN TODAY AFTER A STEADY RAIN WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND THE BOX HAD WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF IT. ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS I NOTICED WERE CONDENSATION ON INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD AND DANK SMELL.

NHTSA complaint #11310966 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,477 miles Kingsport, TN

ENGINE

WATER IS GETTING INTO AIRBOX, SOAKING THE ENGINE AIR FILTER.

NHTSA complaint #11246338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles Tinton Falss, NJ

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 VW TOUAREG SPORT. WATER IS ENTERING THE AIR FILTER COMPARTMENT. IF WATER ENTERS THE ENGINE IT WILL SHUT DOWN THE CAR POSSIBLY IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION, IN ADDITION THE ENGINE WILL BE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE IS LIKE NEW AND 100% FACTORY EQUIPPED. THIS IS A FLAW IN DESIGN. I BECAME AWARE OF THE SITUATION WHILE CHANGING THE AIR FILTER. AFTER RESEARCHING THE CLUBTOUAREG FORUM MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT OVER THE ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.CLUBTOUAREG.COM/THREADS/2017-SPORT-W-TECH-ENGINE-INGESTED-WATER.263721/ I BELIEVE RECALL IS JUSTIFIED GIVEN THE HIGH PROBABILITY WATER ENTERING THE ENGINE, CAUSING A SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #11244595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles Tinton Falss, NJ

ENGINE

I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 VW TOUAREG SPORT. WATER IS ENTERING THE AIR FILTER COMPARTMENT. IF WATER ENTERS THE ENGINE IT WILL SHUT DOWN THE CAR POSSIBLY IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION, IN ADDITION THE ENGINE WILL BE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE IS LIKE NEW AND 100% FACTORY EQUIPPED. THIS IS A FLAW IN DESIGN. I BECAME AWARE OF THE SITUATION WHILE CHANGING THE AIR FILTER. AFTER RESEARCHING THE CLUBTOUAREG FORUM MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT OVER THE ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.CLUBTOUAREG.COM/THREADS/2017-SPORT-W-TECH-ENGINE-INGESTED-WATER.263721/ I BELIEVE RECALL IS JUSTIFIED GIVEN THE HIGH PROBABILITY WATER ENTERING THE ENGINE, CAUSING A SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE.

NHTSA complaint #11244595 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 21,000 miles White Plains, NY

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WITH FAMILY IN VEHICLE THE CAR LOST POWER AND STALLED DURING A RAIN STORM. CAR WAS NOT ABLE TO RESTART AND WAS ON SIDE OF ROAD FOR LENGTH OF TIME AFTER ATTEMPTING TO RESTART. CAR RESTARTED AND THE IDLE WAS ROUGH AND KEPT HESITATING WAS NOT ABLE TO GET VEHICLE ABOVE 15 MPH. VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO LOCAL DEALER COULD NOT IDENTIFY PROBLEM ADDED F FUEL ADDITIVE. UPON DRIVING HOME PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN LOSING POWER WHILE IN MOTION AND DRIVING ABOVE 30 MPH VEHICLE STALLED AND LOSS OF POWER CAUSING AN UNSAFE SITUATION. I RETURNED TO THE VW DEALER AND THEY BROUGHT IT BACK INTO THE SHOP WHERE THEY VERIFIED THE ISSUE. THEY CONTACTED ME TODAY EXPLAINING THERE WAS WATER IN THE SEALED INTAKE THAT CAUSED THE ENGINE TO STALL. THEY WILL BE PERFORMING TESTS FOR ENGINE DAMAGE AND VERIFY SEVERITY OF ISSUE. UPON INVESTIGATION I HAVE FOUND SIMILAR DESIGN FLAWS IN THE 2017 VW TOUAREG AS REPORTS AND CLAIMS HAVE BEEN MADE. THEIR IS ALSO A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM IN VW CHINA. HAVING A VEHICLE STALL IN THE RAIN DUE TO AN ISSUE WITH WATER ENTERING THE AIR BOX IS TRULY DANGEROUS AND A SAFETY CONCERN FOR MY WELL BEING AND FAMILY.

NHTSA complaint #11234225 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 52,000 miles Piedmont, SC

ENGINE

ENGINE AIR INTAKE DESIGN IS SUSCEPTIBLE TO FLOODING WITH WATER. A LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER WILL COLLECT IN THE INTAKE TUBE BEHIND THE FRONT GRILL. THE DRAIN INSTALLED IN THE INTAKE TUBE IS NOT SUFFICIENT ENOUGH FOR HIGH VOLUMES OF WATER IN A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME, SUCH AS IN A THUNDERSTORM. THE DRAIN ALSO CLOGS EASILY WITH DIRT AND DEBRIS. THE WATER THEN MIGRATES INTO THE AIR FILTER BOX, WHERE IT CAN BE SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. THIS ISSUE HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED BY SEVERAL PEOPLE WORLDWIDE. THIS OCCURS WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED AND/OR DRIVING THROUGH HEAVY RAIN REGARDLESS OF LOCATION. SEE THIS THREAD ON THE TOPIC: HTTPS://WWW.CLUBTOUAREG.COM/FORUMS/F95/2017-SPORT-W-TECH-ENGINE-INGESTED-WATER-263721-5.HTML

NHTSA complaint #11233478 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 12,346 miles Raleigh, NC

ENGINE

THE ENGINE AIR FILTER BOX GETS FLOODED WITH WATER WHICH COULD LEAD TO ENTERING WATER IN THE ENGINE AND SEIZE THE ENGINE OPERATION. I NOTICED THAT THIS HAPPENS TO MULTIPLE TOUAREG OWNERS AND VW OF AMERICA DOES NOT WANT TO ISSUE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. IT LOOKS LIKE VW OF EUROPE AND CHINA RE-CALLED THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP!

NHTSA complaint #11197000 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6 miles Gainesville, FL

ENGINE

WATER GETTING IN THE ENGINE AIR FILTER BOX, AND SATURATING AIR FILTER. WE HAVE NOT DRIVEN IN HEAVY RAIN, OR THROUGH ANY PUDDLES.PROBLEM WAS FOUND AT DEALER OIL CHANGE SERVICE

NHTSA complaint #11181302 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 10,000 miles Portland, OR

ENGINE

MY VEHICLE HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING WATER DAMAGE TO THE AIR FILTER. IT IS UNKNOWN IF THIS IS FROM A CAR WASH, DRIVING IN THE RAIN OR THE VEHICLE SITTING IN THE RAIN. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG AN ONLINE WEBSITE FORUM.

NHTSA complaint #11149586 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.