2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
30 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
36,664 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2013 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 8 of 30 complaints (26.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 11 | 36.7% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 10.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 3 | 10.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 1 | 3.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Steering | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Engine | 4 |
| Air Bags | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Wheels | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Steering: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Unknown Or Other: 5; Engine: 4; Air Bags: 3; Suspension: 3; Wheels: 3; Electrical System: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 1 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 1; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 6 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 | 1 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 5 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 3 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2012: 1; 2013: 4; 2014: 5; 2015: 1; 2016: 3; 2017: 3; 2018: 4; 2019: 5; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 11 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 3 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 3 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10459878 · 2012-05-29 (May 29, 2012)
WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEH. ON 3/14/12 WITH 495 MILES ON IT. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK WE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN WAS INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDERING/ VIBRATING AND MAKING A NOISE. VEH. WAS INITIALLY TAKEN IN @ DEALERSHIP ON 3/27/12. ALSO HAD ISSUE WITH AD BLUE INDICATOR COMING ON. VEH WAS TAKEN BACK AGAIN ON 4/6/12 FOR THE SAME ISSUES AND ALSO NOW PULLING TO THE RIGHT AND STEERING LOCKING UP AND BINDING WHILE TURNING. STEERING RACK WAS REPLACED ON SECOND ATTEMPT TO FIX. VEH. BROUGHT BACK ON 4/17/12 FOR SAME ISSUES EXCEPT AD BLUE AP…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,166 miles reported. Look up ODI 10459878 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10536956 · 2013-08-23 (August 23, 2013)
VEHICLE EXHIBITS A STEERING WHEEL SHAKE THAT CONSISTENTLY OCCURS ABOVE 60MPH ON ALL ROAD SURFACES. AT ONSET, CAN FEEL OSCILLATION IN HANDS AND ARMS. WITH HANDS LIGHTLY ON WHEEL OR REMOVED, CAN VISUALLY CONFIRM STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION (CYCLICAL ROTATION FROM L TO R AND BACK) WITH ABOUT 3/8" TOTAL TRAVEL AT STEERING WHEEL PERIMETER. CABIN ALSO EXHIBITS SLIGHT VIBRATION WHICH CAN BE FELT IN SEAT. CAR DOES NOT TRACK WELL IN LANE AND CONSISTENTLY PULLS TO THE RIGHT. VW IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND ADDRESSES IT IN TSB 44-13-01 FROM JUNE 2013. REP…
Owner-reported narrative. 210 miles reported. Look up ODI 10536956 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10578592 · 2014-04-09 (April 9, 2014)
I WAS TURNING ACROSS TRAFFIC (LEFT). I STARTED TO CROSS TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, ALMOST SEEM TO DIE, THEN RECOUPED AND WENT ACROSS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN 1000 MILES. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC THE FIRST TIME. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION AND ONE THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY, OR WORSE, DEATH. I WAS TOLD BY A VW SERVICE MANAGER, AT A DEALERSHIP, THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION HESITATION AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR A DIESEL. I HAVE DRIVEN DIESELS ALL MY LIFE AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A DIESEL, OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE FOR THAT MATTE…
Owner-reported narrative. 34,978 miles reported. Look up ODI 10578592 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10598064 · 2014-06-13 (June 13, 2014)
MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING AND I WAS WITH HER. SHE HAS HER PERMIT. MY TOUREG STALLED THREE TIMES. ONCE AT A STOP LIGHT AND SHORT AFTER WITH HER DRIVING. IT WAS VERY SCARY AND DANGEROUS. IN ADDITION, ON WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11TH. I EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. MY CAR IS AT THE DEALERSHIP CLOSE TO ME. THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED SOMETHING WITH THE THROTTLE. I ALSO HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL AT SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH. THEY ARE ALIGNING IT TO SEE IF THAT WILL SOLVE THE PROBLEM. I AM KIND OF SCARED TO DRIVE WITH THE STALLIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 21,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10598064 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10980989 · 2017-04-26 (April 26, 2017)
THE CAR JUST SUDDENLY STOPPED WHILE DRIVING ON THE HWY 91 IN LOS ANGELES IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST POWER AND WITHIN 10 SECONDS COMPLETE STOP AND STALL ON THE HIGHWAY. TOWED TO VW DEALERS AND I WAS INFORMED THAT IS FAILURE OF THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP . HTTPS://WWW.EDMUNDS.COM/CAR-NEWS/FEDS-CLOSE-PROBE-INTO-VW-AUDI-TDI-VEHICLES-FOR-HIGH-PRESSURE-FUEL-PUMP-FAILURE.HTML
Owner-reported narrative. 64,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10980989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11040499 · 2017-10-27 (October 27, 2017)
2013 TDI -HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. HAVE NEVER PUT GASOLINE IN THE TANK. VW HAS REJECTED COST OF REPAIRS.
Owner-reported narrative. 100,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11040499 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10557216 · 2013-12-25 (December 25, 2013)
2013 TOUAREG TDI GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE -- DID NOT STOP RUNNING BUT ALSO FELT LIKE RUNNING ON ONLY A FEW CYLINDERS -- COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 40 MPH ON FREEWAY. ALSO LOST ABILITY TO DOWNSHIFT AUTO TRANSMISSION. DROVE THE VEHICLE TO MY REGULAR VW DEALER, WHO SAYS THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL SYSTEM MUST BE REPLACED -- AS DIRECTED BY VW USA -- FROM BACK TO FRONT. THE DEALER CLAIMS THERE WERE "PIECES OF RUST IN THE FUEL SYSTEM?" DEALER ACKNOWLEDGES THAT SHOULD NOT HAPPEN. THE VEHICL…
Owner-reported narrative. 10,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10557216 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11246442 · 2019-08-26 (August 26, 2019)
ON JUNE 3, 2019 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE I-5 NEAR TULARE, CALIFORNIA, AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH WHEN AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, I BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I QUICKLY MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND PREPARED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY LESS THAN A MILE AHEAD. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I WAS FORCED TO COAST OFF THE FREEWAY, NO POWER, NO POWER STEERING AND QUICKLY LOSING MY BRAKES. I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN PARKING LOT IMMEDIATELY OFF…
Owner-reported narrative. 163,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11246442 at NHTSA ↗