2008 Volkswagen Touareg: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 56 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is fuel/propulsion system (36% of complaints); the 2006 and 2007 and 2009 and 2010 model years look more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Mar 2017
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 56 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving the vehicle and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood I pulled over immediately and the whole engine compartment was on fire I tried to put fire but Fire department showed up and extinguish the fire, fire was due to a fuel leak”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2024
“Protective coating on wires in the headlight and turn signal assemblies crumbled and disintegrated, causing all the lighting components and ballast for HID lights, light level adjusters and the fuses and relays to short out, sparks and potential fire hazard.”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · May 2022
“Upon starting the engine in my 2008 vw touareg as normal to leave, the engine turned over to start, but sounded like it was turning over longer than usual. I grabbed my key in the ignition to turn it off. A few seconds later, I hear a loud pop, from under the hood. A few puffs of white smoke emerge. I open the hood and see the intake manifold had exploded and was in pieces.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
Show 7 more owner reports
“Insulation on wires in headlight assembly falls off wires causing shorts and disables both headlights causing loss of vision at night. This also stops daytime running lights. Also plastic headlight assembly hazes and scratches resulting in poor light before the shorting wires disable all headlights.”Owner report · Electrical System · May 2020
“Tl* the contact owned a 2008 volkswagen touareg. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle slid and crashed into a fire truck. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to futos wrecker service located at 2050 liddell dr ne, atlanta, ga 30324, (404) 874-5926. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The vehicle was destroyed.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jul 2019
“I don't believe the recall was performed on this vehicle, but they say it was done now they want me to pay for it. I would like a investigation without me having to pay for it since my vehicle did not exhibit those symptoms or characteristics prior to having the service recall done.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
“The headlights of my 2008 volkswagen touareg have been burning the bulbs and giving me many problems to condition in the night yesterday april 26, 2019 the headlight burned left I saw smoke coming out and opened the hood and I found that there was a small flame of fire and I turn it off and went to my house without lights when I remove the headlight I find that all the cables are without the cover this is not safe for not boby I want to know where I can go to fix this problem”Owner report · Exterior Lighting · Apr 2019
“When I'm driving and its raining, water comes pouring down into the vehicle, and it is not coming from the sunroof. It seems to be leaking from the electrical component area above. Also the parking break lever broke off when I tried to release it. When I did release the break with the lever, it did not release it. I had to literally pull on the parking break pedal that releases the parking break. Therefore, I cannot use the parking break by any means.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jan 2019
“The dashboard control center show the driver side airbag failure . This issue happened in 2014, and 2015 , but weren't reported by 2 vw dealers from massachusetts . This warning sign is always on . The actual dealer , who was diagnosed te issue , confirmed that the driver side airbag doesn't properly work”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2018
“Strong smell of fuel leak on drivers side of vehicle. Checked under the hood but no apparent leak and no leaking fuel smell”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2017
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 2 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel filter flange if cracks are found. A protective cover will be applied to the fuel filter to prevent oxidization cracks from forming. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 20Z4.
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.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE REQUIRED TPMS INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
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.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT WEDGES TO THE ROOF EDGE SPOILER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS CHANGED DURING PRODUCTION WHICH COULD LEAD TO INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CONNECTOR.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
Trouble codes owners mention
OBD-II codes that appear in NHTSA complaints about this car.
How other years compare
Check your exact Touareg by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
NHTSA has 56 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. The most complained-about area is fuel/propulsion system (36% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2008 Volkswagen Touareg problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 95,000 miles or less.
Does the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, gasoline. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.