2016 Volkswagen Touareg Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg ranks 2nd worst of 13 model years, with a complaint index of 92 and 44 complaints, mostly about the engine. It carries 2 recalls (TPMS and brakes) and is rated Avoid compared to other Touareg years.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 92/100
- #2 of 13 Touareg years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 44
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 0
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Engine
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21.5
- 19 city / 25.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine23 (52%)
- Other10 (23%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras9 (20%)
- Brakes5 (11%)
- Electrical System5 (11%)
- Structure & Body3 (7%)
- Fuel System2 (5%)
- Airbags1 (2%)
- Lane Departure1 (2%)
- Steering1 (2%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report water entering the air intake box through a faulty drain design, sometimes soaking the air filter and risking engine hydrolock.
- Some vehicles reportedly had engine damage or required a new engine after water was ingested through the intake tube.
- Diesel fuel was reported leaking from the driver-side front wheel well at low mileage.
- Steering wheel vibration starting around 45-50 mph was reported at low mileage, persisting despite tire balancing and rotation.
- Brake pedal reportedly went to the floor with no stopping power despite adequate fluid and no warning lights.
- Sunroofs were reported leaking moisture and growing mold, and in one case a sunroof reportedly shattered while driving.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V243000Apr 26, 2016Suspension, Wheels & Tires366 vehicles
Tires:pressure monitoring and regulating systems
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toureg vehicles manufactured July 7, 2015 to March 3, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be improperly calibrated and, as a result, the TPMS may fail to warn the driver that the tire pressure is low. Additionally, the tire pressures printed on the Safety Certification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Risk: If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will correct the TPMS settings and replace the safety certification label, free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2016. Volkwagen's number for this recall is 44M9.
- 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.
2016 Volkswagen Touareg fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 19 MPG
- Highway
- 25.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,675
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Diesel
- 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.
2016 compared with other Touareg years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
- Compared to other Touareg model years, 2016 ranks 2nd worst out of 13 years tracked, with a complaint index of 92 and 44 NHTSA complaints, most tied to the engine.
- What are the main problems with the 2016 Touareg?
- The engine is the top problem area, accounting for 23 of 44 complaints (52%), with owners describing water intrusion into the air intake system. Collision avoidance/camera issues (9 complaints) and brakes (5 complaints) were also reported.
- Does the 2016 Touareg have any recalls?
- Yes, NHTSA lists 2 recalls: one for a TPMS setting issue (campaign 16V243000) and one for a brake pedal pivot pin that could be missing a securing clip (campaign 16V170000).
- What is the median mileage when problems occur on the 2016 Touareg?
- Across all reported issues the median mileage at failure is 19,646.5 miles, though engine complaints alone show a median of 22,282.5 miles.
- Which Touareg years are better than 2016?
- Based on NHTSA complaint data, 2015 and 2017 both earn a Best verdict with complaint indexes of 0 and 17, far below the 2016 model's index of 92.