How common are fuel system complaints on the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg?

NHTSA lists 18 fuel system complaints out of 25 total complaints for the 2010 Touareg, a 72% share, the highest of any model year for this issue.

Is there a recall for the 2010 Touareg fuel system?

Yes. Recall 17V151000, reported in 2017, covers 2007-2010 Touareg vehicles where the fuel filter flange may crack and leak fuel; dealers inspect and replace the flange if cracked.

At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?

NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 55,000 at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2010 Touareg.

Did the fuel system issues cause any crashes or injuries?

NHTSA records show 0 crashes and 0 injuries tied to these complaints, but 1 fire was reported.

Do later Touareg model years have fewer fuel system complaints?

Yes. The share of complaints tied to fuel system issues drops to 31% in 2011, 29% in 2012, and 0% by 2017, compared to 72% in 2010.

2010 Volkswagen Touareg Fuel System Problems

Fuel system complaints make up 72% of all 2010 Touareg complaints filed with NHTSA, 18 of 25 total, the highest share of any model year. A related recall (17V151000) covers a fuel filter flange that can crack and leak fuel.

Fuel System complaints: 18; 72% of 25
Crashes reported: 0
Fires reported: 1
Injuries reported: 0
Median mileage: 55,000 mi
Related recalls: 1

Typical fuel system symptoms owners report

Vehicles stall or suddenly lose power at highway speeds, sometimes with no warning lights, and fail to restart, requiring a tow.
Owners report high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures leading to loss of power, in some cases linked to a stall in traffic.
Strong fuel odor is noticed inside and outside the vehicle, sometimes tied to a cracked fuel line or leaking fuel flange/gasket.
Fuel leaks recur even after dealers replace the fuel flange or gasket, with fuel visible leaking from underneath the vehicle.
One complaint describes an electrical short during refueling that melted parts of the fuel tank, filler area, and fuel cap strap, causing a fire.

When 2010 Volkswagen Touareg fuel system complaints were filed

First complaint Apr 23, 2011, latest Oct 10, 2024.

18 complaints filed with NHTSA from Apr 2011 to Oct 2024; peak Aug 2014 (2).

Fuel System recalls for the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg

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.

Fuel System complaints by Touareg model year

Raw complaint counts per model year; newer years have had less time to accumulate complaints.

200523 (31%)
200613 (35%)
20072 (22%)
200825 (45%)
200911 (58%)
201018 (72%)
20115 (31%)
20128 (29%)
20138 (27%)
20141 (4%)
20152 (8%)
20162 (5%)
20170 (0%)

Frequently asked questions

How common are fuel system complaints on the 2010 Volkswagen Touareg?: NHTSA lists 18 fuel system complaints out of 25 total complaints for the 2010 Touareg, a 72% share, the highest of any model year for this issue.
Is there a recall for the 2010 Touareg fuel system?: Yes. Recall 17V151000, reported in 2017, covers 2007-2010 Touareg vehicles where the fuel filter flange may crack and leak fuel; dealers inspect and replace the flange if cracked.
At what mileage do fuel system problems typically show up?: NHTSA data shows a median mileage of 55,000 at failure for fuel system complaints on the 2010 Touareg.
Did the fuel system issues cause any crashes or injuries?: NHTSA records show 0 crashes and 0 injuries tied to these complaints, but 1 fire was reported.
Do later Touareg model years have fewer fuel system complaints?: Yes. The share of complaints tied to fuel system issues drops to 31% in 2011, 29% in 2012, and 0% by 2017, compared to 72% in 2010.