2014 Volkswagen Touareg: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 27 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering.
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 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The safety computer which checks the different sensors and reports their condition on the i instrument dash indicated air bag sensor failure, This automobile has not been in any accident.. A rear seat belt came apart. The top plastic locking system came apart from the metal part of the locking system, Making the seat belt not useable . The sear belt was not used very much, since we are retired sad my wife does all the driving/ Ergo the rear seat is not use very often. The VW dealer does not believe this type of failure is a future safety condition. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)”Owner report · Seat Belts · Dec 2023
“The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle and smoke was seen coming from the front console. After stopping the vehicle to inspect the cause it was discovered that the front passenger side seat heater had malfunctioned burning a hole into the seat and the passenger's pants. During the incident, the passenger sustained a burn to the left thigh area. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not yet notified of the incident. The failure mileage was 128,000.”Owner report · Electrical System · Oct 2021
“I attempted to start the vehicle and the starter button clicked followed by a strong ozone electrical smell and copious smoke from under the hood. We called the local fire department but canceled the call as the smoke seemed to be clearing. VW dealer says the starter, alternator, battery and two wiring harnesses need to be replaced. Full details pending as they are still working on it but estimate cost of nearly $4000. This is a serious concern and was transporting my 92 year old Mom. Fortunately the burning stopped on its own. Please contact Wyoming Valley VW at 272-770-2997 for details.”Owner report · Electrical System · Jul 2021
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“Vehicle has 72000 miles on it, Driver seat heater burned a hole on the leather, burning my pants, underwear and skin while I was driving. I had to pull over because smoke started to come out of the seat. VW of Fort Myers checked it out and confirmed the heater was bad, but they said they don't make the replacement part anymore. No warning lights came on.”Owner report · Seats · Feb 2021
“Keep getting water in my air filter box, soaking the air filter. Took it to the dealer, they said they removed some part in the drain. Doesnt seem like a fix to me”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2020
“Engine air filter and housing are wet, this is an ongoing event. I remedy it buy buying a new filter, drying out the housing and replacing the wet filter. I am afraid at some point the water will enter the engine causing damage and perhaps an accident if the car stalls.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2020
“Tl* the contact owns a 2014 volkswagen touareg. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle did not accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 132,000. *tt*jb”Owner report · Vehicle Speed Control · Jan 2019
“On august 10, 2018 at approximately 1:30 pm in bountiful utah, I was turning left into a business. I stopped on a steep hill and allowed the on coming traffic to pass. It then became safe for me to complete my turn. That is until the car hesitated yet again. This hesitation problem is severe post repair of vw due to emissions recall. Fortunately the oncoming driver slowed down allowing me to enter the business; however, this hesitation is beyond dangerous. I have communicated with the local vw dealership and the regional office but to no avail. The safety of this vehicle has been adversely impacted by this recall!”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Aug 2018
“Strong vibration in steering wheel (&noise) while driving when making turns. This is sporadic and happens whether turning steering wheel left or right. Traveling at slow speeds when leavin my driveway, on paved roads, city streets... I don't know the exact date this started but it started in the last 30 days”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2018
“The vehicle turns off spontaneously in motion with no warning and unpredictably. Has been on a certified service center on multiple occasions and for prolonged periods of time and the problem can not be diagnosed or identified. The problem has occurred on multiple ocassions however can not be diagnosed by the certified service center.”Owner report · Electrical System · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 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 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.
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 2014 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
NHTSA has 27 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg have open recalls?
3 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.