AI Damage2011 Volkswagen Touareg: common problems
Owners of the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg filed 16 complaints with NHTSA, most often about engine and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 16
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Engine 25% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 25% of all complaints
- 3 Steering 19% of all complaints
- 4 Fuel system 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 6% of all complaints
- 6 Electrical system 6% of all complaints
- 7 Powertrain 6% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 6% of all complaints
- Engine: 4 complaints (25% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 4 complaints (25% of all).
- Steering: 3 complaints (19% of all).
- Fuel system: 2 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 1 complaints (6% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 3.6 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- 3 L · diesel · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 4 complaints
- 3 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cyl
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 16 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 3 | 0 | 0 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
In a front-on collision that caused $22,000 of damage to the front of my vehicle, neither of the front airbags deployed.
The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to volkswagen of norwood ([address], norwood, [ZIP]) where it was diagnosed with the catalytic converter needing to be replaced.
We have replaced the catalytic converter, both fuel pumps and pre-fuel pump mechanisms and still the odd error message lack of car running. I am thinking about using it as a planter in my yard, currently is it living with the mechanic waiting to behave badly again, so he can try and the problem, but not driveable by…
This is a serious issue as liquid water that enters the engine during operation can cause the engine to stall while in traffic resulting in a serious safety issue. Water or filter material ingestion into the engine can also result in catastrophic engine damage requiring engine replacement.
The vehicle recently completed a 70,000 mile service at the local vw dealer. Two days after the service, the vehicle began to exhibit the faint smell of fuel on the driver's rear side of the vehicle when parked.
One depresses the accelerator and the car does not accelerate. It decelerates -then it recovers often abruptly. This puts the driver and passengers in peril of a crash from oncoming traffic.
The steering wheel on this brand new car shakes persistently at any speed above 60mph making it unpleasant, if not dangerous, to drive.
At highway speeds, 60-75mph, the steering wheel shakes dramatically. Dealer re-balanced, still shook. Dealer replaced eagle ls2's at 32k miles with same tires and road-force balanced...still shook.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 9,040 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 25% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Touareg has 46 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 16, below average.
What to check before buying
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Fuel system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: engine, fuel/propulsion system, steering. Total complaints: 16. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (19%), engine failure or replacement (13%), stalls while driving (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2011 Volkswagen Touareg?
NHTSA lists 0 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2011 Volkswagen Touareg from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2011 models
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-05.