2013 Volkswagen Touareg: owner complaints and recalls

Analysis of 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA and 2 recall campaigns. Updated 2026-07-25.

30
Complaints
2
Recalls
1
Crash reports
0
Fire reports
0
Injuries
13.3
Severity index

Severity index 13.3 - Low. This weights crashes, fires, injuries and fatalities per 100 complaints; see methodology.

What actually fails

ComponentComplaintsShare of complaints citing it
STEERING826.7%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM620.0%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER516.7%
ENGINE413.3%
AIR BAGS310.0%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM310.0%
WHEELS310.0%
SUSPENSION310.0%

The single most-reported system is STEERING, cited in 8 of 30 complaints (26.7%). One complaint can name several systems, so these shares overlap and do not total 100%.

Complaints filed per year

2012: 12013: 42014: 52015: 12016: 32017: 32018: 42019: 52021: 12022: 12023: 12024: 1121314151617181921222324
YearComplaints
20121
20134
20145
20151
20163
20173
20184
20195
20211
20221
20231
20241
Complaint volume is declining, consistent with a defect that was addressed by recall or that affected early builds.

Recall campaigns

CampaignReportedComponentSummary
18V32900016/05/2018UNKNOWN OR OTHERVolkswagen 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
16V17000024/03/2016SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGESVolkswagen 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.
Source. US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration public complaint and recall APIs (api.nhtsa.gov), retrieved 2026-07-25. Complaints are unverified consumer reports; volume is influenced by how many units were sold and how long the vehicle has been on the road. Not affiliated with NHTSA or any manufacturer.