2015 Volkswagen Touareg: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 24 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 24 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated while her husband was stopped at a traffic light, he started to hear an abnormal sound. The driver stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the catalytic converter to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,500.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Jul 2023
“Collision Avoidance Camera (Part Number: 7P6907217BZ1Y) has failed. The camera is still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. All front assist/safety systems are unavailable, including cruise control. Systems are designed specifically to prevent collisions. The dealer (Volkswagen of Corpus Christi) has confirmed the issue as of September 4, 2023. The control module is failing all over the world, on various vehicle brands (Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen) and models. A replacement is not available, new or used. This was confirmed by the dealership.”Owner report · Forward Collision Avoidance · Apr 2023
“The car at half tank will read as being empty. Fuel pump flange? The car will have gas and then randomly show fuel error and drop to empty. The car is drivable and then while drive will switch to empty back to half full mode. Less of the worry the adaptive cruise control and fwd collision warning freeze/not working”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2023
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“Today, engine completely cut off in the middle of traffic (20-30 MPH), loss of power steering and breaking power. Engine dashboard yellow message appeared. I experience this several times before and previously brought to the attention of VW service department and some ECU repairs and engine sensor repairs were done - but the problem continues to happen. Sometimes engine cuts off simply at idle (e.g. waiting at traffic light) but loss of engine power together with power steering and breaks is very concerning when driving.”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2021
“When pulling out into traffic there can be a huge lag in time from when you depress the accelerator to when the car reacts and accelerates.it is not consistent which is where the danger arises. This started when vw "fixed" the emissions system. It is very dangerous when you have a smaller gap to get into in traffic. I was almost hit multiple times since vw retuned the car. I worry about my wife and kids getting hit by someone because of the lag/hesitation that is occurring. Vw should fix this issue. I am not the only one experiencing this.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2021
“Partially wet/moist air filter. Vehicle was not driven through any standing water. 1/3rd of the air filter is wet and looks like there was standing water in the airbox as the air filter displayed signs on water damage upon replacement for routine maintenance. It seems that water collects in the bottom of airbox and does not drain out even when drain valve is unobstructed and operational. Could cause an issue with engine hydro-locking and failing. Poor design. This could cause engin”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“After a rainstorm where the vehicle was parked at an angle I started the car and noticed it was making an odd sound. Discovered that the fixture that holds the air filter was contained water and the air filter was sopping wet. Ingestion of water into the engine can cause issues such as hydrolocking. *tr”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2020
“Throttle lag. When I pull out into oncoming traffic it is dangerous. There is a significant lag between when I hit the pedal and when the car moves. If I throw the pedal all the way to the floor, it is not better. It is dangerous. I've never driven a car with such awful response to the throttle.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2020
“Water is somehow finding its way into engine air filter housing(intake) and soaking air filter element despite having only been driven under normal weather/road conditions. Vehicle has never been driven through any water deeper than a mud puddle. Am concerned about potential engine damage that could possibly occur if further water intrusion occurs, particularly if it were to happen while driving.”Owner report · Engine · Dec 2019
“Vehicle was being driven at slow city speeds and suddenly loud exhaust noise started to come from engine compartment. When hood was opened to see what the issue was, flames were being spit out of the exhaust manifold because the pre-cat pipe was completely separated. Cylinder 4-6 pre-cat (rear/upper) separated from exhaust manifold flange because of a failed weld. Issue addressed on vw recall 26l3. Vw recall 26l3 does not address 2015 models but does 2013 models, dealer refused to set up an appointment to carry out the recall because they state that vw has not included model year 2015 in the recall campaign. Escalated to vwoa, waiting for a response.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2019
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.
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Is the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
NHTSA has 24 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2015 Volkswagen Touareg. The most complained-about area is engine.
Does the 2015 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.