2016 Volkswagen Touareg Owner Complaints

CONSTANT ISSUES WITH WATER ENTERING THE AIRBOX FROM FAULTY DESIGN. THIS CAN ENABLE PARTS OF THE FILTER TO ENTER THE ENGINE AND CAUSE CATASTROPHIC DAMAGE (HYDRO LOCK). THIS VEHICLE HAS ONLY SAT OUTSIDE IN THE RAIN OR HAS BEEN DRIVEN IN THE RAIN; ALL NORMAL CONDITIONS FOR THE OPERATION OF THIS VEHICLE (CURRENT MILEAGE IS 9000).

9/5/2018

WHEN CHANGING AIR FILTER, THE FILTER WAS SOAKED WITH WATER AT THE BOTTOM. THE AIR INTAKE TUBE WAS FILLED WITH WATER AND WASN'T DRAINING. I'M LUCKY THE WATER WASN'T SUCKED INTO THE ENGINE. THE LITTLE DRAIN AT THE BOTTOM OF THE INTAKE TUBE WAS CLOGGED NOT ALLOWING THE WATER TO DRAIN BUT WHY WAS WATER ALLOWED TO GET IN THERE IN THE FIRST PLACE. THIS IS A VERY POOR DESIGN AND CAN LEAD TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE.

11/26/2018

SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2016 TOUAREG TDI IN SEPTEMBER 2015. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION HAS BECOME QUITE AN ISSUE AS IT IS GETTING WORSE THE LONGER I DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD IT ROAD TESTED, WHEELS BALANCE TIRES ROTATED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND IT CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AT THE STEERING. I HAVE ONLY 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE VIBRATION BEGINS AROUND 45-50 MPH. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TYPE OF SURFACE. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA THEY SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. NOT ONLY IS THIS VIBRATION WRONG IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, AND POSSIBLY A BLOW OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

5/25/2016

SUNROOF EXPLODED WHILE PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. THE EXPLOSION WAS UPWARDS. THE CAR HAS A PANORAMIC ROOF AND THE FRONT SLIDING SECTION IS THE ONE THAT EXPLODED. NO ROCK CHIP OR OTHER IMPACT TO ROOF. THIS IS A 2016 BUT PURCHASED "NEW" ON 1/8/18 FOLLOWING VW DIESEL 3.0 FIX AND COURT AUTHORIZATION TO SELL.

1/22/2018

There was a big rain last week locally. I drove through a couple big puddles but nothing that's super uncommon for the area. Almost immediately, my car's electric components started going crazy. ACC stopped working completely. Lane assists aren't working. There was an error that I think was shift lock, but it was red, and the car was driving really weird.

2/9/2022

The windshield camera that is responsible for the imaging used for many of the system on the 2016 Touareg is a high failure item and has been constituently backordered from VW. When this camera fails, the advanced systems that were part of this option fail to operate. This includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. The system does provide warning notifications, but they may occur at any time and there is no confidence the system is working. These notifications overtake other system displays making it difficult or even hazardous to navigate vehicle system menus at times. In addition, this vehicle does not offer standard cruise control, which can accelerate driver fatigue due to the loss of this basic and common feature. The original part on this vehicle is not available used in the USA, or from VW USA. There is a company in Aus that repairs them, but in this particular instance, it appears the repaired unit has failed as well now. This system is very expensive to recalibrate, adding to the expense of the repair, especially without new parts available there is little route to be able to remedy this situation permanently for a safety device that is expected and was an added cost option on this model. Much of the diagnostic work has been performed by myself as I am a Master Automotive Technician.

1/10/2024

BRAKE PEDAL GOES ALL THE WAY TO FLOOR, VEHICLE WILL NOT STOP. HAS FLUID, NO WARNING LIGHTS, NO DAMAGED CABLE

11/3/2017

2016 VOLKSWAGEN TOUREG (VIN # XXXXXX) PURCHASED 5/25/2019. VROOM ASSURED ALL VEHICLES UNDERGO RIGOROUS INSPECTION AND WRITTEN GUARANTEE OF A CLEAN TITLE / NO FLOOD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED ON 6/17/2019. ON 6/18/2019 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A STANDARD PREPURCHASE INSPECTION. I PAID $150.64 FOR THIS SERVICE. THE INSPECTION REPORT RETURNED SEVERAL AREAS OF INTERNAL RUST IN THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ONLY BE CAUSED BY SITTING IN WATER FOR EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME, AS WELL AS OTHER CONDITIONS CLEARLY INDICATIVE OF FLOOD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD VISIBLE RUST ON THE INTERIOR OF ALL FOUR WHEELS, WHICH IS OBVIOUS INDICATOR OF A FLOODED VEHICLE. WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY ON 6/19/2019 TO LET THEM OUR INTENTION TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED A COPY OF THE INSPECTION REPORT. WE HAD NO ISSUE RETURNING THE VEHICLE AS WE WERE WELL WITHIN THE 7 DAY RETURN POLICY (CAN RETURN THE VEHICLE WITHIN 7 DAYS FOR ANY REASON). WE SPOKE TO MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS DURING THE RETURN PROCESS, AS EACH STEP REQUIRED A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT. ULTIMATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY VROOM AND WE SPOKE TO AN INDIVIDUAL OVER THE PHONE TO GO OVER THE RETURN PROCESS AND ISSUE OUR REFUND. THE CONTACT WE SPOKE TO INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND THE VEHICLE DAMAGED, AND STATED THEY WOULD LIST THE REASON FOR THE RETURN AS 'PREFERENCE' (ALLOWING THEM TO SELL THIS DAMAGED VEHICLE TO SOMEONE ELSE). THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS TO HAVE A RECORD OF THAT THIS VEHICLE, VIN # (XXXXXX) HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY WATER AND IS NOW BEING ATTEMPTED TO BE SOLD AS A CLEAN TITLED CAR TO AN UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER. AS OF 7/15/2019, THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LISTED FOR SALE BY VROOM IN STAFFORD, TX. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

7/15/2019

2016 VOLKSWAGEN TOUREG (VIN # XXXXXX) PURCHASED 5/25/2019. VROOM ASSURED ALL VEHICLES UNDERGO RIGOROUS INSPECTION AND WRITTEN GUARANTEE OF A CLEAN TITLE / NO FLOOD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS DELIVERED ON 6/17/2019. ON 6/18/2019 THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A MECHANIC FOR A STANDARD PREPURCHASE INSPECTION. I PAID $150.64 FOR THIS SERVICE. THE INSPECTION REPORT RETURNED SEVERAL AREAS OF INTERNAL RUST IN THE VEHICLE THAT WOULD ONLY BE CAUSED BY SITTING IN WATER FOR EXTENDED AMOUNT OF TIME, AS WELL AS OTHER CONDITIONS CLEARLY INDICATIVE OF FLOOD DAMAGE. THE VEHICLE ALSO HAD VISIBLE RUST ON THE INTERIOR OF ALL FOUR WHEELS, WHICH IS OBVIOUS INDICATOR OF A FLOODED VEHICLE. WE CONTACTED THE COMPANY ON 6/19/2019 TO LET THEM OUR INTENTION TO RETURN THE VEHICLE AND PROVIDED A COPY OF THE INSPECTION REPORT. WE HAD NO ISSUE RETURNING THE VEHICLE AS WE WERE WELL WITHIN THE 7 DAY RETURN POLICY (CAN RETURN THE VEHICLE WITHIN 7 DAYS FOR ANY REASON). WE SPOKE TO MULTIPLE INDIVIDUALS DURING THE RETURN PROCESS, AS EACH STEP REQUIRED A DIFFERENT DEPARTMENT. ULTIMATELY, THE VEHICLE WAS PICKED UP BY VROOM AND WE SPOKE TO AN INDIVIDUAL OVER THE PHONE TO GO OVER THE RETURN PROCESS AND ISSUE OUR REFUND. THE CONTACT WE SPOKE TO INDICATED THAT THEY DID NOT FIND THE VEHICLE DAMAGED, AND STATED THEY WOULD LIST THE REASON FOR THE RETURN AS 'PREFERENCE' (ALLOWING THEM TO SELL THIS DAMAGED VEHICLE TO SOMEONE ELSE). THE REASON FOR THIS COMPLAINT IS TO HAVE A RECORD OF THAT THIS VEHICLE, VIN # (XXXXXX) HAS BEEN DAMAGED BY WATER AND IS NOW BEING ATTEMPTED TO BE SOLD AS A CLEAN TITLED CAR TO AN UNSUSPECTING CONSUMER. AS OF 7/15/2019, THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LISTED FOR SALE BY VROOM IN STAFFORD, TX. REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

7/15/2019

Electronic Parking Brake lever light was flashing and dashboard showed parking brake error message. Drove car to VW Dealership, which diagnosed problem as likely bad Parking Brake Control Module (Part J540). Dealership ordered part, and stated I could drive car home. Within 1 mile of dealership, parking brake engaged automatically abruptly slowing car and error flashed on dash stating "Disengage Parking Brake." Pulled over, turned car off and back on, which disengaged parking brake. Returned to dealership and left car until it could be repaired. Had I been on the interstate traveling at a higher rate of speed, this may have caused an accident.

11/24/2021

car has a design flaw. If car sits in the sun the emergency stop braking system will fail due to heat. The camera/computer board is mounted in the ceiling behind the rearview mirror. when the sun is out the system will fail do to heat. This problem is in Volkswagons, Audi's and Porche's with various models. The issue is described in detail in multiple blogs and car clubs. I bought the car used. I think this system is as important for safety as airbags. As a 2 stage safety feature to avoid an accident. This failure also affects the Adaptable Cruise Control. Car color and climate affect this system. Volkswagon has an AEB recall but refuses to acknowledge the design flaw. Problem keeps occurring.

8/22/2024

My ACC/AEB went out over 2 years ago. At the time this vehicle was out of warranty. The dealer ordered the part (camera) and charged me for it. I waited over a year for the part. During this time VW lost a class action lawsuit regarding this and notified me that this was now going to be covered under warranty. I returned to the dealer to file the warranty claim. Warranty claim is now 6 months old and VW still has no news on getting parts and repairing this safety feature.

1/21/2025

SUNROOF LEAKING MOISTURE INTO CAR AND VW REFUSES TO REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY. MOLD GROWING IN A ENCLOSED ENVIRONMENT COULD BE TOXIC. AFTER DEALER RETURN MY VEHICLE FROM ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT STILL ISN'T FIXED, AFTER HAVING IT PARKED ON THEIR LOT 17 DAYS, I IMMEDIATELY NOTICED MOISTURE IN THE VEHICLE. THIS TIME THE DEALER HAS HAD IT 8 DAYS AND COUNTING AND REFUSES TO FIX THE SUNROOF DRAINS. *TR

6/23/2020

SUNROOF LEAKS AND WATER ACCUMULATES IN THE SPARE TIRE WELL PLUS GROWS MOLD MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE

7/23/2020

car has a design flaw. If car sits in the sun the emergency stop braking system will fail due to heat. The camera/computer board is mounted in the ceiling behind the rearview mirror. when the sun is out the system will fail do to heat. This problem is in Volkswagons, Audi's and Porche's with various models. The issue is described in detail in multiple blogs and car clubs. I bought the car used. I think this system is as important for safety as airbags. As a 2 stage safety feature to avoid an accident. This failure also affects the Adaptable Cruise Control. Car color and climate affect this system. Volkswagon has an AEB recall but refuses to acknowledge the design flaw. Problem keeps occurring.

8/22/2024

Vehicle manufacture (Volkswagon) has quit supplying/manufacturing a safety guidence parts for my auto. 7P6-907-217-BX-Z1Y Collision Avoidance Camera NOT AVAILABLE i would like my anti Self collision guidance repaired, but no parts for my 8-9 year old car. part was on order (from 2024) and notified today NOT available and local car dealership order was cancelled. i might understand if I had hit a 10year threshold, but sure hurts now.

2/5/2025

AFTER DRIVING ON A SHORT TRIP. I SMELLED AND NOTICED DIESEL LEAKING FROM DRIVER SIDE FRONT WHEEL WELL. LOOKING MORE CLOSELY NOTICED DIESEL HAD BEEN LEAKING WHILE DRIVING SPLATTERING ON UNDERSIDE AND SIDE OF VEHICLE.

11/17/2015

I was driving to lunch one day when my 2016 Volkswagen Touareg TDI stalled in the middle of the road and was not able to be restarted due to a failed CP4 HPFP (High Pressure Fuel Pump) this repair was major and everything that the diesel fuel touches was replaced such as fuel pump, lift pump, all fuel lines, fuel filter canister, injectors, fuel rails, etc…

9/10/2023

AFTER LESS THAN FOUR YEARS OF OWNERSHIP, AND OUTSIDE OF THE 3 YEAR/36,000 MILE WARRANTY, THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL MODULE(S) FAILED FOR NO APPARENT REASON, RENDERING THE ENTIRE CRUISE CONTROL SYSTEM INACTIVE. THE NATURE OF THE SAFETY SYSTEMS IN VOLKSWAGENS IS SUCH THAT IF ONE SYSTEM IS NOT WORKING, NONE WILL - THUS, THE 'FRONT ASSIST' COLLISION AVOIDANCE SYSTEM IS NO LONGER ACTIVE, WHICH IS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE ACTIVE SAFETY TECHNOLOGY IN THE TOUAREG. IN ADDITION, BASIC SPEED MODULATION OF CONVENTIONAL CRUISE CONTROL IS ALSO UNAVAILABLE. THE RELIABILITY OF BASIC SYSTEMS SUCH AS CRUISE CONTROL SHOULD NOT BE CONTINGENT UPON IMMENSELY EXPENSIVE, AND OVERLY COMPLICATED TECHNOLOGICAL COMPONENTS.

4/25/2019

Random engine hesitancy reducing acceleration while driving. Vehicle maintained by the dealer for all scheduled maintenance and service visits. Within 30 days of a manufacture's repair that dealt with the HVAC and air filter AND a service visit to change oil and rotate tires, the hesitancy during driving was more pronounced. The dealer's service center stated the air filter was flooded from an HVAC leak and a clog. I have found similar owners have had problems like this and VW will not address it systemically. I otherwise enjoy my vehicle, but am concerned that it will not accelerate when needed and is potentially dangerous without warning. It should not take loss of life or property to have this corrected.

3/29/2022

SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2016 TOUAREG TDI IN SEPTEMBER 2015. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION HAS BECOME QUITE AN ISSUE AS IT IS GETTING WORSE THE LONGER I DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD IT ROAD TESTED, WHEELS BALANCE TIRES ROTATED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND IT CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AT THE STEERING. I HAVE ONLY 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE VIBRATION BEGINS AROUND 45-50 MPH. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TYPE OF SURFACE. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA THEY SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. NOT ONLY IS THIS VIBRATION WRONG IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, AND POSSIBLY A BLOW OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

5/25/2016

SINCE I PURCHASED MY 2016 TOUAREG TDI IN SEPTEMBER 2015. THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATION HAS BECOME QUITE AN ISSUE AS IT IS GETTING WORSE THE LONGER I DRIVE IT. I HAVE HAD IT ROAD TESTED, WHEELS BALANCE TIRES ROTATED ON THREE DIFFERENT OCCASIONS AND IT CONTINUES TO VIBRATE AT THE STEERING. I HAVE ONLY 4000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE VIBRATION BEGINS AROUND 45-50 MPH. IT DOES NOT MATTER WHAT TYPE OF SURFACE. I CALLED VW OF AMERICA THEY SET UP ANOTHER APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL DEALERSHIP. NOT ONLY IS THIS VIBRATION WRONG IT IS ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WHICH CAN RESULT IN EXCESSIVE TIRE WEAR, AND POSSIBLY A BLOW OUT CAUSING AN ACCIDENT.

5/25/2016

NTHSA folks, Two months ago, I began getting an "Error Airbag" amber warning in the Touareg's driver-information display. I visited the dealer and was told "the airbag module" (volkswagen-2016-volkswagen-touareg-control-module-7p0959655g08p) was the issue. I was told they'd order the part, only to hear back later: "There are none in the U.S. and it'll take 5-8 weeks to get one from. Europe." This has since been updated with "We have no idea if or when this part will be available." As a consequence, it appears I must simply wonder whether the airbags will deploy if needed, which strikes me (no pun intended) as irresponsible on VW's end, particularly since it concerns a safety-related failure. Indeed, if this part is so unavailable, it would seem that either many owners are experiencing the same problem, or the problem is extremely rare. (I believe it's the former.) Anyway, I bring this to NHTS' in the hope of getting clarification and/or assistance. And ideally helping find a way to restore full airbag functionality. Thank you for your time. [XXX] INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

8/6/2021

The windshield camera that is responsible for the imaging used for many of the system on the 2016 Touareg is a high failure item and has been constituently backordered from VW. When this camera fails, the advanced systems that were part of this option fail to operate. This includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and automatic emergency braking and lane departure warning. The system does provide warning notifications, but they may occur at any time and there is no confidence the system is working. These notifications overtake other system displays making it difficult or even hazardous to navigate vehicle system menus at times. In addition, this vehicle does not offer standard cruise control, which can accelerate driver fatigue due to the loss of this basic and common feature. The original part on this vehicle is not available used in the USA, or from VW USA. There is a company in Aus that repairs them, but in this particular instance, it appears the repaired unit has failed as well now. This system is very expensive to recalibrate, adding to the expense of the repair, especially without new parts available there is little route to be able to remedy this situation permanently for a safety device that is expected and was an added cost option on this model. Much of the diagnostic work has been performed by myself as I am a Master Automotive Technician.

1/10/2024

Rear viewing camera does not display when vehicle is placed in reverse.

5/6/2025