IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE CONTACT SMELLED A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL. EVEN WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS STOPPED OR PARKED, THE FUMES WERE VERY STRONG. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
2008 Volkswagen Touareg
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Touareg years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
025–50K
350–75K
1375–100K
8100–150K
6150K+
40 reports with mileage · 16 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 23 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
1 crash reports4 fire reports2 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
23 reportsHUGE FIRE/ HEALTH HAZARD: THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING IS CRACKED IN OUR CAR CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL TO SPILL OUT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE (3-4 DROPS/ SEC). THE FUEL POOLS IN THE FRAME AND UNDER-BODY FIRST UNTIL THE FRAME BECOMES SO FULL THAT IT SPILLS OUT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2004-2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG/ PO…
Read full complaint
HUGE FIRE/ HEALTH HAZARD: THE FUEL PUMP HOUSING IS CRACKED IN OUR CAR CAUSING A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT OF FUEL TO SPILL OUT UNDERNEATH THE VEHICLE (3-4 DROPS/ SEC). THE FUEL POOLS IN THE FRAME AND UNDER-BODY FIRST UNTIL THE FRAME BECOMES SO FULL THAT IT SPILLS OUT. THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THE 2004-2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG/ PORSCHE CAYENNE, AND VERY VISIBLE ONLINE. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THE FUEL PUMPS ARE LOCATED UNDER THE PASSENGER REAR SEATS, AND FUELS POOLS INSIDE THE COVERS IN AT THOSE LOCATIONS AND AROUND THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. THESE LEAKS CAUSED THE OCCUPANTS (MY WIFE/KIDS) TO BE EXPOSED TO SEVERE GASOLINE FUMES INSIDE THE CAR CAUSING THEM DIZZINESS, NAUSEA, AND HEADACHES. THIS PROBLEM WILL CAUSE A FIRE AND KILL PEOPLE. VOLKSWAGEN IS UNABLE TO PROVIDE ASSISTANCE. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH THEM AND ESCALATED IT WITH NO RESULTS. *TR
THE CAR STARTED TO SMELL LIKE GAS EVEN AFTER HOURS IN THE GARAGE. WE TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC WHICH THEY SAID THAT IT CAN BE A GAS LEAK. *JS
Official recalls
417V151000 · Fuel System, Gasoline
Mar 8, 2017
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
09V248000 · Structure:body
Jul 2, 2009
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
08V035000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:hoses, Lines/piping, And Fittings
Jan 28, 2008
ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS CHANGED DURING PRODUCTION WHICH COULD LEAD TO INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CONNECTOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
07V285000 · Equipment:other:owners/service/other Manual
Jun 25, 2007
CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS MISSING THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) TO WARN DRIVERS OF SIGNIFICANT UNDER-INFLATION OF TIRES AND THE RESULTING SAFETY PROBLEMS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE REQUIRED TPMS INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.