2008 Volkswagen Touareg Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
AvoidComplaint Index
100/100
#1 most-complained of 13 Touareg years
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg has a complaint index of 100, the worst among 13 model years of data, earning an Avoid verdict. Fuel system problems account for 45% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 89,000 miles, plus four recalls including a fuel filter flange that can crack and leak.
- Complaints
- 56
- Recalls
- 4
- Crashes / fires
- 1 / 4
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16
- 14 city / 20 hwy
Top 2008 Volkswagen Touareg problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Fuel System25 (45%)
- Electrical System10 (18%)
- Engine7 (13%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires6 (11%)
- Seat Belts4 (7%)
- Structure & Body4 (7%)
- Brakes3 (5%)
- Other3 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (5%)
- Airbags2 (4%)
What owners report
- Headlight wiring insulation crumbles and disintegrates over time, causing bulbs to burn out, smoke, and in some cases small flames near the headlight assembly.
- Owners describe fuel leaks under the hood that ignited and set the engine compartment on fire.
- Brake pedal feel can fail unexpectedly, with one owner reporting the vehicle slid and crashed after braking at low speed.
- Brakes squeal when coming to a stop or releasing, and dealers were unable to resolve the noise after multiple visits.
- Steering vibration and pulling to the right appeared with the factory-fitted Pirelli tires, and dealers found nothing wrong during alignment checks.
- The digital speedometer on some units reads only in km despite the owner's manual stating mph should be selectable.
2008 Volkswagen Touareg recalls
4 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 17V151000Mar 8, 2017Fuel System20,908 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
Volkswagen Group of America Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Touareg vehicles. The fuel filter flange may crack and allow fuel to leak out.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel filter flange if cracks are found. A protective cover will be applied to the fuel filter to prevent oxidization cracks from forming. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 20Z4.
- NHTSA 09V248000Jul 2, 2009Structure & Body14,416 vehicles
Structure:body
Volkswagen is recalling 14,416 my 2007-2009 touareg vehicles. The fastening struts on the roof edge spoiler can crack, causing the spoiler to become loose and possibly detach from the vehicle without warning, even though initially the spoiler may feel secure.
Risk: If this happens, the spoiler could cause injury by striking persons outside the vehicle or could become an obstacle to other drivers, possibly resulting in a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will install reinforcement wedges to the roof edge spoiler free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during august 2009. Owner may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
- NHTSA 08V035000Jan 28, 2008Fuel System96 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline:delivery:hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
On certain passenger vehicles, a fuel supply line was changed during production which could lead to insufficient sealing of the fuel supply line connector.
Risk: This condition could lead to a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel supply line, if necessary. The recall is expected to begin during february 2008. Owners may contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
2008 Volkswagen Touareg fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14 MPG
- Highway
- 20 MPG
- Combined
- 16 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $5,550
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2008 compared with other Touareg years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
- Among 13 Touareg model years with data, 2008 has the highest complaint index (100) and ranks worst overall, so NHTSA complaint and recall data point to it being one of the least reliable years for this model.
- What problems does the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg have?
- Fuel system issues make up 45% of complaints, including a fuel filter flange that can crack and leak, with failures reported at a median of 89,000 miles. Electrical system problems, including headlight wiring that can smoke or spark, are the second largest category.
- Does the 2008 Touareg have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists four recalls for the 2008 Touareg, covering a cracking fuel filter flange, a fuel supply line sealing issue, a roof spoiler that can detach, and a missing tire pressure monitoring system manual insert.
- How does the 2008 Touareg compare to other years?
- The 2008 Touareg has a complaint index of 100, worse than every other year listed, including 2007 (83) and 2016 (92), which also carry Avoid verdicts. Years like 2015 and 2017 have much lower complaint indexes of 0 and 17.
- Are there fires reported in the 2008 Touareg?
- NHTSA data lists 4 fire reports for the 2008 Touareg, with owners describing engine bay fires linked to fuel leaks and smoking headlight wiring.