Total Complaints
34 filings
VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG · model year
34 NHTSA complaints, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.
NHTSA overall rating
Not crash-tested
New Car Assessment Program
The 2017VOLKSWAGENTOUAREG carries 34 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.
Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2017 TOUAREG is engine with 19 filings, followed by unknown or other (6) and steering (1). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.
NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2017 TOUAREG, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.
Total Complaints
34 filings
Crashes Reported
0 reports
Source
NHTSA ODI
Federal complaints database
At or below the fleet median complaint volume.
| Component | Count |
|---|---|
| ENGINE | 19 |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 6 |
| STEERING | 1 |
| SUSPENSION | 1 |
| WHEELS | 1 |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 1 |
| POWER TRAIN | 1 |
| SEATS | 1 |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL | 1 |
| FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: WARNINGS | 1 |
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requi
I purchased a 2017 Volkswagen Touareg V6 in October 2023. A problem with the vehicle revealed itself right away. It was consuming too much oil. Oil splatter is present on the hood, the car doors, the back bumper and built up oil residue is present in both tailpipes. Oil has to be added in about three week intervals. The vehicle is displaying the same issues as the vehicles recalled under recall number 21V321000 and I believe this vehicle should be added. I have taken the car to two shops that have confirmed the over consumption. Please evaluate.
I purchased a 2017 Volkswagen Touareg V6 in October 2023. A problem with the vehicle revealed itself right away. It was consuming too much oil. Oil splatter is present on the hood, the car doors, the back bumper and built up oil residue is present in both tailpipes. Oil has to be added in about three week intervals. The vehicle is displaying the same issues as the vehicles recalled under recall number 21V321000 and I believe this vehicle should be added. I have taken the car to two shops that have confirmed the over consumption. Please evaluate.
The vehicle has an internal oil drain system that slowly leaks oil past the pistons into the combustion chamber of the engine causing the engine to burn oil. This is very dangerous when smoke exits the vehicle from the exhaust and into the air that could be inhaled by others. This same issue over time can cause an engine fire after the exhaust system is entirely clogged by the burned oil residue in the exhaust system. I have spoken with other 2017 VW Touareg owners who have the same exact issue and the problem is widely reported online by other drivers in forums.
Exhaust line for cylinders 4-6 developed crack immediately before catalytic converter. Problem has occurred in other Touaregs, there is even a recall for 2014 models. Crack allows exhaust to leak nearby air intake to cabin. Noticeable exhaust smell inside cabin, especially when stopped. No warning, just check engine light after the crack. Crack along thin weld, leading right into the catalytic converter. Also environmental concern that exhaust gasses are not being treated. Potential fire hazard.
Exhaust line for cylinders 4-6 developed crack immediately before catalytic converter. Problem has occurred in other Touaregs, there is even a recall for 2014 models. Crack allows exhaust to leak nearby air intake to cabin. Noticeable exhaust smell inside cabin, especially when stopped. No warning, just check engine light after the crack. Crack along thin weld, leading right into the catalytic converter. Also environmental concern that exhaust gasses are not being treated. Potential fire hazard.
While using Adaptive Cruise Control, vehicle intermittently displays "ACC not available" cruise control completely disengages and does not allow for traditional cruise control functions. Typically ACC begins to function again after about 5 mins or by powering off and powering on vehicle. Vehicle has never been in an accident. All incidents occur in Southern California. Situation when it disengages can pose safety risk to due sudden loss of propulsion while keeping up with traffic, especially frightening when driving at an incline, i.e. Grapevine. Message is intermittent and can turn on 10 minutes into a drive or two hours into a drive. Unable to show dealer message. No advanced notice of ACC failing or issue with vehicle. Vehicle has had all maintenance done with dealer. No modifications to any component.
While using Adaptive Cruise Control, vehicle intermittently displays "ACC not available" cruise control completely disengages and does not allow for traditional cruise control functions. Typically ACC begins to function again after about 5 mins or by powering off and powering on vehicle. Vehicle has never been in an accident. All incidents occur in Southern California. Situation when it disengages can pose safety risk to due sudden loss of propulsion while keeping up with traffic, especially frightening when driving at an incline, i.e. Grapevine. Message is intermittent and can turn on 10 minutes into a drive or two hours into a drive. Unable to show dealer message. No advanced notice of ACC failing or issue with vehicle. Vehicle has had all maintenance done with dealer. No modifications to any component.
While using Adaptive Cruise Control, vehicle intermittently displays "ACC not available" cruise control completely disengages and does not allow for traditional cruise control functions. Typically ACC begins to function again after about 5 mins or by powering off and powering on vehicle. Vehicle has never been in an accident. All incidents occur in Southern California. Situation when it disengages can pose safety risk to due sudden loss of propulsion while keeping up with traffic, especially frightening when driving at an incline, i.e. Grapevine. Message is intermittent and can turn on 10 minutes into a drive or two hours into a drive. Unable to show dealer message. No advanced notice of ACC failing or issue with vehicle. Vehicle has had all maintenance done with dealer. No modifications to any component.
Power seat reclining function on passenger and driver side. Due to the top of the adjustment lever being positioned too close to the top of the set cushion, if you sit on the edge of the seat, the seat back will continue to recline until you get up if you notice it or it hits the back seat bottom cushion. if there is a child in the back seat it could cause injury. My daughter almost had her legs crushed when my mom delayed exiting the vehicle with the passenger door open and sitting partially on the seat. She did not even notice the seat reclining until it hit my daughters knees.
When coming to a stop with the AutoHold activated, sometimes it comes to an abrupt stop instead of a smooth stop. Also when you have Autohold engaged, when you come to a stop and put the car in park, disconnect the seatbelt the parking brake engages(expected), however when you turn the car off (after you've already removed your foot from the break pedal) it slightly releases and reengages the brake causing a slight movement of the vehicle.
While driving the power train was seriously impacted, it is no longer operational and available for inspection at the dealer now. This is absolutely a safety risk as there was power loss and inconsistency which could have been very dangerous depending on the level of control required by the traffic conditions. The dealer has diagnosed and insurance is scheduled to inspect. the manufacturer has been requested by us to do a root cause but no response from them - this is apparently a known issue (class action lawsuit) that has not been official recognized as a recall. a transmission warning came on prior to the failure.
While driving the power train was seriously impacted, it is no longer operational and available for inspection at the dealer now. This is absolutely a safety risk as there was power loss and inconsistency which could have been very dangerous depending on the level of control required by the traffic conditions. The dealer has diagnosed and insurance is scheduled to inspect. the manufacturer has been requested by us to do a root cause but no response from them - this is apparently a known issue (class action lawsuit) that has not been official recognized as a recall. a transmission warning came on prior to the failure.
In a non-driving environment rain water drains off the hood of the vehicle, down the right headlight and drains directly into the vehicle's intake pipe. In turn, this rain water collects in the intake air filter box, destroys the air filter and allows water to enter the combustion chamber causing erratic engine performance and untold engine damage due to the violent shuddering and erratic idle. This is a safety issue when driving in rain because the condition can be exaggerated causing the engine to lose power at highway speeds. This is a known safety issue and has been addressed via recall in China and Europe.
WATERLOGGED AIRFILTER - CAR WAS SERVICED EXACTLY ONE WEEK PRIOR TO ISSUE, AND SERVICE DIRECTOR ACCUSED ME OF DRIVING THROUGH A PUDDLE OF WATER. WHILE I HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH PROGRESSIVELY BAD WEATHER IN FL FOR YEARS, I EXPLAINED THAT I DIDN'T THAT WEEK AND ASKED IF THIS COULD BE DUE TO ACCUMULATION WHICH WAS OVERSEEN PRIOR, BUT HE DENIED. $1000.00 LATER, I AM UNCLEAR HOW THIS OCCURRED AND HOW TO PREVENT IT. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE THAT IS IDENTIFIED BY MULTIPLE CUSTOMERS IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES AND REMAINS UNADDRESSED BY VW NORTH AMERICA.
Mileage: 33,000
THE AIR INTAKE IS COLLECTING WATER AND GETTING INTO THE AIR FILTER HOUSING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE ENGINE TO SUCK IN WATER, DESTROYING THE ENGINE. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND THERE IS A RECALL AT VW CHINA BUT VW NORTH AMERICA REFUSES TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM.
Mileage: 30,000
FOR SEVERAL MONTHS WE NOTICED A SMALL PUDDLE UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT PORTION OF THE VEHICLE. WE ASSUMED IT WAS A CRACKED WASHER FLUID TANK. TOOK TO DEALER THEY FOUND NOTHING DURING SERVICE APPOINTMENT. TECHNICIAN MENTIONED NOTHING OF THE WATER IN THE FILTER AREA. OVER NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS THE SAME PUDDLE NOTICED WHICH WE ASSUMED IT WAS MERELY HVAC CONDENSATION DUE TO US LIVING IN HIGH HUMIDITY REGION. THIS VERY MORNING OF JULY 13 2020 MY WIFE STARTED THE VEHICLE AFTER SITTING FOR MORE THAN A WEEK AND I IMMEDIATELY HEARD THE ENGINE SURGING AND SUFFOCATING. HAD HER IMMEDIATE SHUT OFF. THE LOCATION OF THE NOISE RESINATED FROM THE ENGINE AIR FILTER BOX. AFTER I OPENED THE BOX MY FEET WERE SOAKED FROM THE SEEMING 2 QUARTS OF WATER THAT SPLASHED TO THE GROUND. I REMOVED THE COMPLETE WATER SOAKED AIR FILTER AND SCOOPED OUT THE REMAINING 3 CUPS OF WATER STILL LYING IN THE BOTTLE PART OF THE BOX. THE DRAIN VALVE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE BOX FAILED TO DRAIN OFF WATER WHICH WATER SHOULDN'T BE IN THAT RE
MY CAR ENGINE TRANSMISSION/FAULT LIGHTS CAME ON AND I BROUGHT IT INTO DEALER, WHO IDENTIFIED A WET, MOLDY AIR FILTER AND WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF THE CHAMBER. THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE INTO THE SHOP, BUT I CHECKED AIR FILTER AGAIN TODAY AFTER A STEADY RAIN WHILE VEHICLE WAS PARKED, AND THE BOX HAD WATER IN THE BOTTOM OF IT. ADDITIONAL SYMPTOMS I NOTICED WERE CONDENSATION ON INSIDE OF WINDSHIELD AND DANK SMELL.
Mileage: 38,000
WATER IS GETTING INTO AIRBOX, SOAKING THE ENGINE AIR FILTER.
Mileage: 21,477
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 VW TOUAREG SPORT. WATER IS ENTERING THE AIR FILTER COMPARTMENT. IF WATER ENTERS THE ENGINE IT WILL SHUT DOWN THE CAR POSSIBLY IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION, IN ADDITION THE ENGINE WILL BE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE IS LIKE NEW AND 100% FACTORY EQUIPPED. THIS IS A FLAW IN DESIGN. I BECAME AWARE OF THE SITUATION WHILE CHANGING THE AIR FILTER. AFTER RESEARCHING THE CLUBTOUAREG FORUM MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT OVER THE ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.CLUBTOUAREG.COM/THREADS/2017-SPORT-W-TECH-ENGINE-INGESTED-WATER.263721/ I BELIEVE RECALL IS JUSTIFIED GIVEN THE HIGH PROBABILITY WATER ENTERING THE ENGINE, CAUSING A SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE.
Mileage: 21,000
I RECENTLY PURCHASED A 2017 VW TOUAREG SPORT. WATER IS ENTERING THE AIR FILTER COMPARTMENT. IF WATER ENTERS THE ENGINE IT WILL SHUT DOWN THE CAR POSSIBLY IN TRAFFIC CAUSING A VERY HAZARDOUS SITUATION, IN ADDITION THE ENGINE WILL BE DESTROYED. THE VEHICLE IS LIKE NEW AND 100% FACTORY EQUIPPED. THIS IS A FLAW IN DESIGN. I BECAME AWARE OF THE SITUATION WHILE CHANGING THE AIR FILTER. AFTER RESEARCHING THE CLUBTOUAREG FORUM MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME COMPLAINT. THERE IS A CLASS ACTION SUIT OVER THE ISSUE. HTTPS://WWW.CLUBTOUAREG.COM/THREADS/2017-SPORT-W-TECH-ENGINE-INGESTED-WATER.263721/ I BELIEVE RECALL IS JUSTIFIED GIVEN THE HIGH PROBABILITY WATER ENTERING THE ENGINE, CAUSING A SHUT DOWN ON THE HIGHWAY AND DESTROYING THE ENGINE.
Mileage: 21,000
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
Inadvertent Door Opening
Fuel Leak due to Suction Jet Pump Failure within Fuel Tank (Remedy Effectiveness of Recall 16V647)
Inadvertent Automatic Emergency Braking
LGES High Voltage Battery Failures
Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.