2014 Volkswagen Touareg Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2014 Volkswagen Touareg has a complaint index of 75, ranking 4th worst among 13 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. Owners report engine and steering problems most often, plus two recalls covering compliance and brake pedal issues.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 75/100
- #4 of 13 Touareg years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 27
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 2
- Injuries
- 4
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 20 city / 24 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 4 / 0
Top 2014 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine8 (30%)
- Steering8 (30%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires5 (19%)
- Electrical System3 (11%)
- Other3 (11%)
- Airbags2 (7%)
- Structure & Body2 (7%)
- Fuel System1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
- Transmission & Powertrain1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Steering wheel shakes or vibrates strongly at highway speeds between 60 and 75 mph, sometimes felt through the dash and seats.
- Front passenger seat heater overheated and burned a hole in the seat, producing smoke and a burning odor inside the cabin.
- Starter button click was followed by an electrical smell and smoke from under the hood, with the dealer later finding failed starter, alternator, battery, and wiring harness components.
- Sudden loss of engine power on the highway traced to a high-pressure fuel pump failure on a diesel model with low mileage.
- Panoramic sunroof glass shattered outward while driving at highway speed with no outside impact.
- Airbags failed to deploy in a rear-end collision at about 60 mph, resulting in injury.
2014 Volkswagen Touareg recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
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.
Risk: 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 16V170000Mar 24, 2016Brakes46,574 vehicles
Service brakes, hydraulic:pedals and linkages
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.
Risk: 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.
2014 Volkswagen Touareg fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 20 MPG
- Highway
- 24 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $4,100
- 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.
2014 compared with other Touareg years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2014 Touareg a complaint index of 75, the 4th worst of 13 model years, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Touareg years. Engine and steering complaints make up 60% of reported issues.
- What problems does the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg have?
- Owners most often report engine issues (30% of complaints, median mileage 56,000) and steering wheel shake or vibration at highway speed (30% of complaints, reported very early at 140 miles median). Suspension, electrical, and airbag issues were also reported.
- Does the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg have recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls for the 2014 Touareg: one covering emissions compliance shared with several VW models, and one for a brake pedal pivot pin that could lack a securing clip. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- How does the 2014 Touareg compare to other years?
- With a complaint index of 75, the 2014 Touareg ranks worse than the 2015 (0, Best) and 2017 (17, Best) model years but better than the 2008 (100) and 2016 (92) Avoid years.
- Did the 2014 Volkswagen Touareg have airbag or fire incidents?
- NHTSA logged one crash where airbags failed to deploy, resulting in injuries, and two fire-related electrical complaints involving smoke from wiring and a seat heater burn.