2014 Volkswagen Touareg Owner Complaints

Complaint Summary
The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg has 35 reported complaints.
- Top issues involve steering and engine.
Reliability Score
Reliability Score
Based on 35 complaints
Most Frequent Issues
STEERING
8 22.9%
ENGINE
6 17.1%
SUSPENSION
3 8.6%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 8.6%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 8.6%
Quick Insights
The top category is STEERING, accounting for 22.9% of all complaints.
Owners have reported issues across 16 distinct vehicle systems.
Note: Complaint data reflects owner reports and may not always indicate a verified defect. Compare with Recalls and TSBs for a complete picture.
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What owners keep reporting on the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg
The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg has 35 owner complaints in this dataset. STEERING is the most common complaint category, representing about 23% of the reports shown here.
Most common complaint categories
The top complaint groups for the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg are STEERING (8), ENGINE (6), SUSPENSION (3).
Are these complaints a serious red flag?
Potentially. 25 complaint reports involve higher-attention systems like brakes, steering, engine, powertrain, fuel, suspension, airbags, or electrical components, which is enough to justify a focused inspection.
What should buyers inspect on a used 2014 Volkswagen Touareg?
Start with the top complaint systems, compare them against the recall report, then inspect service records for evidence that those same areas were already repaired or monitored.
Detailed Complaint Log
Showing 16 of 16 systems
STEERING
8 Reports23% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
I PURCHASED A 2014 TOUAREG LUX TDI 3 DAYS AGO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING PRETTY SERIOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVE AROUND 70 MILE PER HOUR. *TR
11/5/2014
VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE BETWEEN 60-75MPH. IT DOES NOT FEEL STABLE OR SAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO FIX REMEDIED. *TR
11/12/2014
ENGINE
6 Reports17% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
VW 3.0 LITER DEISEL ENGINE WITH RECALL ISSUE DUE TO FRAUD BY VW. VW APPLIED THE FIX TO THE ENGINE AS APPROVED BY THE COURT. THIS FIX HAS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT HESITATION ON TAKE OFF AND IN TRAFFIC MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY ENTER THE STREAM OF TRAFFIC OR CROSS TRAFFIC AT INTERSECTIONS. THIS IS A REPETITIVE SITUATION OCCURRING BOTH AT HIGHWAY SPEED AND AT INTERCITY SPEEDS. VW ACKNOWLEDGES THE SITUATION BUT REFUSES TO FIX THE PROBLEM. PROBLEM BEGAN IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECALL COMPLETION TO MAKE VEHICLE COMPLIANT WITH FEDERAL LAW. CAR WAS RETURNED WITHIN THE WEEK TO VW AND HAS BEEN RETURNED ADDITIONAL TIMES TO RESOLVE ISSUE. VW SERVICE REPORTS NO WAY TO SOLVE THE ISSUE.
8/2/2018
WHEN DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALER, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE AIR FILTER HAD BECOME WET WITH WATER. WHILE READING A VW FORUM I BECAME AWARE OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AIR FILTER HOUSING DRAIN BECOMING CLOGGED AND THE AIR FILTER BECOMING WET AND WATER BEING INGESTED INTO THE ENGINE, HYDROLOCKING THE ENGINE AND REQUIRING THE INSTALLATION OF A NEW ENGINE. THE SERVICE ONLY REQUIRED REPLACEMENT OF THE MAF SENSOR. EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY BEEN OWNED FOR LESS THAN 8 MONTHS IS UNDER WARRANTY, I HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS (~$650). I AM NOW HESITANT TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AT ALL. AS THIS HAS BEEN A KNOWN PROBLEM FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS WITH THIS VEHICLE I AM SURPRISED THAT THERE IS NO RECALL IN PLACE.
6/4/2019
SUSPENSION
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
AT ROAD SPEEDS, 65-75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VIBRATION, AND ALL PARTS (DASH, SEATS ETC) VIBRATE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF WHEEL, IT WILL VISIBLY SHAKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER TWO WEEKS COMBINED WITH THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS TO NO AVAIL. ON LIFT OVER TWO DAYS WITH 60 PSI IN TIRES-DID NOT FIX IT. ROAD FORCED ALL TIRES AND WHEELS,-DID NOT FIX IT. NEW SET OF TIRES OF DIFFERENT MANUFACTURER-DID NOT FIX IT. CAR STILL VIBRATES. DEALER SAID IT WAS OK, BUT STILL VIBRATES. *TR
1/13/2015
PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 2/1/15. I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 63 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH WHICH IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, SEAT & FRONT END. I OPENED A CASE WITH VW ON ABOUT 2/11/15 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 2/16/15. ON 2/16/15 THE VW DEALER MADE A REPAIR WHICH HELPED REDUCE THE SWS, BUT IT DID NOT GO AWAY. I MADE ANOTHER APPOINTMENT FOR 2/23/15 FOR THEM TO REVISIT THIS PROBLEM. FOR THE SECOND APPOINTMENT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT STATED THEY DIDN'T DETECT ANY SHAKING OF THE STEERING WHEEL. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND FOUND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS STILL SHAKING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 63 MPH. I RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP (SAME DAY) AND TOOK THE SERVICE ADVISOR WITH ME ON A TEST DRIVE. I DEMONSTRATED THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE AND HE ACKNOWLEDGED IT. HE STATED THEY MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET RID OF IT. I LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO WORK ON IT MORE. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT SWAPPED WHEELS WITH ANOTHER TOUAREG AND IT STILL HAD THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKING PROBLEM. I PICKED THE VEHICLE UP AND THIS PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS. *TR
2/27/2015
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
THE CARS' STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60MPH+ EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING VOLKSWAGENS' SERVICE BULLETINS, NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, ROADFORCE BALANCE, ETC. THE VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.
4/13/2016
WHEN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONING OF THE CAR IT COMES A VERY STRONG SMELL OF ENGINE FUMES IN THE CABIN. IT DOES GIVE US HEADACHE EVERY TIME WE BREATH IT IN. I DO HAVE A SMALL CHILD IN THE CAR SO THAT MAKES IT WORSE. EVERY TIME I GIVE IT FOR INSPECTION IN THE VW DEALERSHIP THEY REFUSE TO SMELL IT AND DENY THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM.
8/30/2017
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
3 Reports9% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
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.
2/1/2017
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.
8/5/2021
AIR BAGS
2 Reports6% of totalPreviewing the first 2 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS INJURED AND REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 33,000.
5/16/2016
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)
1/24/2024
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. REQUIRED TOW TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MY VW TOUAREG TDI (DIESEL). HAVE OWNED SUV 4 MONTHS AND ONLY 4000 MILES. *TR
4/12/2015
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. REQUIRED TOW TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MY VW TOUAREG TDI (DIESEL). HAVE OWNED SUV 4 MONTHS AND ONLY 4000 MILES. *TR
4/12/2015
STRUCTURE:BODY
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
WHILE DRIVING STRAIGHT ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 70MPH THE FRONT HALF OF OUR 'PANORAMIC' SUNROOF 'EXPLODED' FROM THE INSIDE OUT AS IF FROM CABIN PRESSURE. THE REMAINING GLASS WAS BLOWN UPWARDS. THERE WERE NO OTHER VEHICLES NEARBY NOR WAS THERE ANYTHING ABOVE OUR VEHICLE WHEN THIS OCCURRED. THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF A PROJECTILE IN OR AROUND THE VEHICLE.
1/9/2016
POWER TRAIN
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
VIBRATION IN DRIVE TRAIN. LOCAL DEALER PUT IN A NEW DRIVE TRAIN, THIS DID NOT WORK, THEN THEY PUT IN A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, THIS DID NOT WORK. ALL UNDER WARRANTY (23,000 MILES ON A 20124 VW TOUAREG) NOW I AM GOING DIRECTLY TO VWOF AMERICA TO FILE A CASE. VW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL IN ALL NEW TOUAREGS. THIS IS NOT TRUE. IT DID NOT VIBRATE WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT AND IF YOU TEST DRIVE A NEW ONE ON THE LOT, IT DOES NOT VIBRATE. THE VIBRATIONS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS COASTING FROM 40 MPH TO 15 MPH, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING.
3/29/2016
WHEELS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
VIBRATION IN DRIVE TRAIN. LOCAL DEALER PUT IN A NEW DRIVE TRAIN, THIS DID NOT WORK, THEN THEY PUT IN A NEW TORQUE CONVERTER, THIS DID NOT WORK. ALL UNDER WARRANTY (23,000 MILES ON A 20124 VW TOUAREG) NOW I AM GOING DIRECTLY TO VWOF AMERICA TO FILE A CASE. VW SAYS THIS IS NORMAL IN ALL NEW TOUAREGS. THIS IS NOT TRUE. IT DID NOT VIBRATE WHEN WE FIRST BOUGHT IT AND IF YOU TEST DRIVE A NEW ONE ON THE LOT, IT DOES NOT VIBRATE. THE VIBRATIONS HAPPEN WHEN THE CAR IS COASTING FROM 40 MPH TO 15 MPH, WHEN THE TRANSMISSION IS DOWNSHIFTING.
3/29/2016
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2014 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TIRE PRESSURE DECREASED AND THE TIRE PRESSURE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. DUE TO THE READ OUT, ADDITIONAL AIR WAS CONSTANTLY ADDED TO THE TIRES. ALL THE TIRES WERE AFFECTED BY THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 48,000.
5/17/2016
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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
1/29/2019
SEATS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
8/14/2021
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SEAT HEATER:MAT
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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.
10/20/2021
SEAT BELTS
1 Report3% of totalPreviewing the first 1 complaint summaries.
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)
1/24/2024
Data and Methodology
Scores are derived from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints, normalized by vehicle segment averages.
What are the most common owner complaints for the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg?
Are complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg a serious warning sign?
How should buyers use complaint data for the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg?
Are complaints about the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg severe?
Complaint list entries are sourced from owner-submitted NHTSA ODI records.
Volkswagen Touareg: How should complaint data influence buying decisions?
Carfocal links complaint data directly to recall and maintenance routes for the same model year.
- Complaint entries
- 35
- Top-topic view
- 5 grouped topics shown
- Primary source
- NHTSA ODI owner complaint records
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