2011 Volkswagen Touareg: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 16 owner complaints on record; most reports concern engine.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 16 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen touareg. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to volkswagen of norwood (1280 providence hwy, norwood, ma 02062) where it was diagnosed with the catalytic converter needing to be replaced. The vehicle had been repaired under an unknown recall however, the failure occurred. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 100,032.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“On my 2011 VW Touareg TDI there is an exhaust leak. Can be smelled within seconds of starting it. A turbo/EGR pipe cracks and the result is a serious exhaust leak under hood right next to where air is drawn into the cabin for HVAC. Parts are backordered with no ETA. Even though when driving there is exhaust getting into the car the dealer and VW corporate just says "sorry for the delay of the parts". This part failure seems to be a known issue- The VW dealer was told by corporate that installing a used part is not acceptable either. Currently been waiting 11 months on this part. The leak was noticed right after VW had to "fix" all the TDIs for the emissions scandal.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“The vehicle recently completed a 70,000 mile service at the local vw dealer. Two days after the service, the vehicle began to exhibit the faint smell of fuel on the driver's rear side of the vehicle when parked. With each passing day, the scent of fuel continues to increase and now enters the vehicle cabin at low idle speeds (especially when exiting major roads of travel).”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“My diesel vw touareg needs the nox sensor replaced. Why is this not considered part of the warranty for the emissions system ? Sinde the epa has designated the vw diesels must be either buyback or replaced/repaired it seems apparent that this sensor is just as important to the function of the emissions system but it is not a covered part. This part is very expensive and functions along with the ad-blue pump which is covered.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Mar 2017
“While driving at approximately 60mph on a smooth two lane wide highway the front sunroof panel (panoramic) shattered. There were no other vehicles on the road, no overpasses and no trees above. It was around 65-70 degrees fahrenheit. It was not hailing or raining at the time. No objects were recovered from inside of the vehicle. The glass appeared to have broken upwards instead of inwards. Fianc and two dogs (trunk area) were inside of the crucible. Glass caused very minor cuts. Vehicle recently detailed and also cleaned by myself. No rock chips present in sunroof glass. No visible cracks prior to incident.”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · May 2016
“This is an ongoing problem since we took possession of the vehicle.unpredictable and inconsistent acceleration stumble': this occurs unpredictably and generally from a standing start. One depresses the accelerator and the car does not accelerate. It decelerates -then it recovers often abruptly. This puts the driver and passengers in peril of a crash from oncoming traffic. *tr”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Feb 2014
“Hesitation of vehicle when entering on ramp to highway. This has happened multiple times and will lead to an accident. *tr”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Apr 2013
“Glow plug warning light came on and vehicle lost throttle response -- did not stop running but felt like running on 1/2 cylinders. Pulled off the highway at the next opportunity; vehicle died at the end of the off-ramp and could not be re-started. Vehicle towed to nearest vw dealer, who says that the entire fuel system must be replaced from back to front. Dealer claims that rear lift pump caused the incident but also says the hpfp (injector pump) failed. Three weeks into the incident the vehicle is still being repaired. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Diesel · Dec 2012
“Tl* the contact owns a 2011 volkswagen touareg. The contact stated that while driving 65 mph the steering wheel began to shake violently. The vehicle was taken to the dealer several times for the failure who advised the contact that the tires and rotors needed to be replaced. The failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The VIN was not available. The failure mileage was 18,000 and the current mileage 20,500.”Owner report · Steering · Jun 2012
“In a front-on collision that caused $22,000 of damage to the front of my vehicle, neither of the front airbags deployed. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2012
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 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly to verify the presence of the securing clip and install any missing securing clips, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46G4.
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."
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL AN OVERLAY CONTAINING THE CORRECT TIRE PRESSURE INFORMATION ONTO THE EXISTING VEHICLE CERTIFICATION LABEL FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE APRIL 19, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a fitted drain valve to allow water to drain properly, free of charge. The recall began late February 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this 53B8.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2011 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
NHTSA has 16 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning unknown or other. 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.