YearToAvoid

2017 Volkswagen Touareg Engine Problems

NHTSA lists 19 engine complaints for the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg, 79% of its 24 total complaints, with median failure mileage of 12,346. Owners overwhelmingly report water entering the engine air intake, but no related recall exists for this model year.

Engine complaints
19
79% of 24
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
Median mileage
12,346 mi
Related recalls
0

Typical engine symptoms owners report

  • Owners report water pooling in the air intake tube behind the front grille and soaking the air filter after rain or car washes.
  • Several describe the engine seizing or shutting down completely after water reached the intake, sometimes while driving.
  • Some owners noticed a wet or moldy air filter and standing water in the filter housing during routine service or self-inspection.
  • A few complaints mention the vehicle losing power, power steering, or power brakes at once after the engine ingested water.
  • Owners state the intake drain clogs with dirt and debris, letting water build up faster than it can drain during heavy rain.

When 2017 Volkswagen Touareg engine complaints were filed

First complaint May 23, 2018, latest Jan 1, 2024.

2017 Volkswagen Touareg engine complaints: complaints filed per month2May 2018Sep 2018Apr 2019Feb 2020Sep 2020May 2023
19 complaints filed with NHTSA from May 2018 to Jan 2024; peak Aug 2019 (2).

Engine recalls for the 2017 Volkswagen Touareg

No safety recalls on record for this model year.

Engine complaints by Touareg model year

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

  1. 20054 (5%)
  2. 20064 (11%)
  3. 20073 (33%)
  4. 20087 (13%)
  5. 20092 (11%)
  6. 20108 (32%)
  7. 20115 (31%)
  8. 20126 (21%)
  9. 20134 (13%)
  10. 20148 (30%)
  11. 201515 (63%)
  12. 201623 (52%)
  13. 201719 (79%)

Frequently asked questions

Are 2017 Touareg engine problems common?
Yes. NHTSA data shows 19 engine complaints out of 24 total complaints for the 2017 Touareg, a 79% share, the highest share of any model year listed.
Is there a recall for the 2017 Touareg engine water intake issue?
No related recall is listed in NHTSA data for the 2017 Touareg, even though owners describe a repeated water-intake pattern.
At what mileage do 2017 Touareg engine problems usually appear?
The median mileage at failure reported to NHTSA is 12,346 miles.
What exactly goes wrong with the 2017 Touareg engine?
Owners report water entering the air intake system and soaking the air filter, in some cases reaching the engine and causing it to seize or shut down.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.