2011 Volkswagen TOUAREG: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
16 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
39,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2011 model year. Data snapshot: . 13 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 16 complaints (25.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 3 | 18.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 18.8% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 12.5% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 6.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Engine | 4 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 4 |
| Steering | 3 |
| Unknown Or Other | 3 |
| Fuel System, Diesel | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System | 1 |
| Power Train | 1 |
Engine: 4; Fuel/Propulsion System: 4; Steering: 3; Unknown Or Other: 3; Fuel System, Diesel: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System: 1; Power Train: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 2 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 2; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 3 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 4 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 1 |
| 2016 | 1 |
| 2017 | 1 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 2 |
| 2021 | 2 |
2012: 4; 2013: 4; 2014: 1; 2016: 1; 2017: 1; 2018: 1; 2020: 2; 2021: 2
Pattern summary
Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10448818 · 2012-02-21 (February 21, 2012)
IN A FRONT-ON COLLISION THAT CAUSED $22,000 OF DAMAGE TO THE FRONT OF MY VEHICLE, NEITHER OF THE FRONT AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10448818 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467655 · 2012-07-25 (July 25, 2012)
KEY CAME OUT OF THE CAR WHILE RUNNING. COULD NOT GET THE KEY BACK INTO IGNITION AND COULD NOT SHUT THE CAR OFF. AFTER TALKING TO VW CUSTOMER CARE, THE ONLY SOLUTIONS PROVIDED WERE TO LET THE CAR RUN UNTIL IT RUNS OUT OF FUEL THEN WE CAN TOW IT. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A DIESEL AND THE TANK WAS FUEL (26 GALLONS) - THIS WOULD REQUIRE FOR THE CAR TO RUN FOR DAYS...AND NO WAY TO LOCK THE DOORS. ALSO, THEY SUGGESTED THAT IF THAT WAS GOING TO TAKE TOO MUCH TIME I COULD CONSIDER SIFFENING THE FUEL - WHERE AM I SUPPOSE TO STORE 26 GALLONS OF DIESEL FUEL. …
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467655 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10470539 · 2012-08-14 (August 14, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE FAILURE WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE TIRES AND ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 18,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 20,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 18,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10470539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10472821 · 2012-08-28 (August 28, 2012)
WEDNESDAY 8/15 - FOLLOWING AN APPROXIMATELY 50 MILE EARLY MORNING HIGHWAY DRIVE FROM HOME TO A REMOTE OFFICE LOCATION, THE ENGINE STALLED WHILE STANDING AT A STOP LIGHT. I IMMEDIATELY RESTARTED AND PROCEED A SHORT DISTANCE THROUGH THE LIGHT, WHEREIN THE ENGINE FAILED AGAIN. ATTEMPTS TO RESTART WERE UNSUCCESSFUL, WITH MULTIPLE ENGINE LIGHTS, GLOW PLUG COIL SIGNALS DISPLAYED. CAR TOWED TO DEALERSHIP FOR EVALUATION. FOLLOWING DAY, 8/16 ADVISED THAT THE 'ALGAE' DISCOVERED IN FUEL - REQUIRING DRAIN OF FUEL TANK, FLUSH AND CLEANING OF FUEL SYST…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10472821 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10491775 · 2013-01-08 (January 8, 2013)
GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON AND VEHICLE LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE -- DID NOT STOP RUNNING BUT FELT LIKE RUNNING ON 1/2 CYLINDERS. PULLED OFF THE HIGHWAY AT THE NEXT OPPORTUNITY; VEHICLE DIED AT THE END OF THE OFF-RAMP AND COULD NOT BE RE-STARTED. VEHICLE TOWED TO NEAREST VW DEALER, WHO SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED FROM BACK TO FRONT. DEALER CLAIMS THAT REAR LIFT PUMP CAUSED THE INCIDENT BUT ALSO SAYS THE HPFP (INJECTOR PUMP) FAILED. THREE WEEKS INTO THE INCIDENT THE VEHICLE IS STILL BEING REPAIRED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10491775 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10508674 · 2013-04-18 (April 18, 2013)
HESITATION OF VEHICLE WHEN ENTERING ON RAMP TO HIGHWAY. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES AND WILL LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10508674 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10537668 · 2013-08-28 (August 28, 2013)
AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, 60-75MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES DRAMATICALLY. DEALER RE-BALANCED, STILL SHOOK. DEALER REPLACED EAGLE LS2'S AT 32K MILES WITH SAME TIRES AND ROAD-FORCE BALANCED...STILL SHOOK. BASED ON OTHERS WITH SAME PROBLEM, I RECOMMENED THEY TRY GY LATITUDES...ALONG WITH ROAD-FORCE BALANCE AND NITRO FILL, SHAKING HAS BEEN GONE FOR PAST 15K MILES. BUT THIS IS A REPEATABLE EVENT ON FLAT/SMOOTH ROAD SURFACES, AT SPEED. MANY DEALERS APPARENTLY UNABLE TO CORRECT, BASED ON FEEDBACK AT VARIOUS TOUAREG FAN SITES (VW VORTEX, CLUB TOUAREG, …
Owner-reported narrative. 600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10537668 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10543009 · 2013-09-11 (September 11, 2013)
THE STEERING WHEEL ON THIS BRAND NEW CAR SHAKES PERSISTENTLY AT ANY SPEED ABOVE 60MPH MAKING IT UNPLEASANT, IF NOT DANGEROUS, TO DRIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 9,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10543009 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V170000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals And Linkages
Reported: 2016-03-24 (March 24, 2016)
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.
Consequence: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗18V329000 · Unknown Or Other
Reported: 2018-05-16 (May 16, 2018)
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.
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗