AI Damage2013 Volkswagen Touareg: common problems
Owners of the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg filed 30 complaints with NHTSA, most often about steering and fuel/propulsion system. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 30
- involving a crash
- 1
What fails most often
- 1 Steering 27% of all complaints
- 2 Fuel/propulsion system 20% of all complaints
- 3 Engine 13% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 5 Electrical system 10% of all complaints
- 6 Suspension 10% of all complaints
- 7 Wheels 10% of all complaints
- 8 Fuel system 7% of all complaints
- Steering: 8 complaints (27% of all).
- Fuel/propulsion system: 6 complaints (20% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 4 complaints (13% of all).
- Air bags: 3 complaints (10% of all).
- Electrical system: 3 complaints (10% of all).
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 7 complaints
- 3 L · hybrid · turbo · 6 cylnamed in 2 complaints
- automatic, 8-speed
Drive: AWD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 30 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Air bags | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Wheels | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel system | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Powertrain | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 6 | 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.
2013 tdi -high pressure fuel pump failure. Have never put gasoline in the tank. Vw has rejected cost of repairs.
So thereâs a campaign to add a bracket to one of the catalytic converters. Thatâs great except I never knew about it and the thing they added the bracket to prevent happened to me. The exhaust pipe from the catalytic separated from the flange connecting to the manifold. Itâs a 2000 dollar part from the dealer.
The driver's seatbelt appears to be buckled, but releases under load. When inserting the end into the buckle it clicks and looks and feels buckled, but when loaded releases without warning. This occurred with different drivers and released unexpectedly multiple times while the car was being driven.
On june 3, 2019 I was traveling southbound on the I-5 near tulare, california, at approximately 75mph when an indicator light came on that I had never seen before. Less than a minute later, I began to lose power and was unable to accelerate.
Baxter volkswagen la vista (7108 s 124th cir, la vista, [ZIP], [phone]) stated that the air bag control module and assembly were corroded, which affected the steering wheel functions, air bags, and horn. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and offered no assistance with the repairs.
Airbag light appeared. Horn nor steering wheel buttons work. Advised it was a steering wheel clock spring fault. There was a recall but this particular vin was not included.
Vehicle suddenly lost power and within 10 seconds complete stop and stall on the highway. Towed to vw dealers and I was informed that is failure of the high pressure fuel pump . Https://www.edmunds.com/car-news/feds-close-probe-into-vw-audi-tdi-vehicles-for-high-pressure-fuel-pump-failure.html
Drivers side seat warmer burned through the seat cover & burned through my coat. I was driving on a major highway & felt the seat become hot. I turned it off & was unaware my seat & coat had burned until I reached my destination. Car & coat were taken to dealership to order new parts to correct the problem.
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 6,848 of 36,656 model years in the NHTSA data (top 19% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Touareg has 46 complaints (14 years in the data). This year has 30, below average.
What to check before buying
- Steering. Steering play, power assist, rack and tie rods after a wheel impact.
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- Engine. Cold start, unusual noises, oil leaks and engine codes.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: steering, fuel/propulsion system, engine. Total complaints: 30. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: vibration (23%), A/C or heater (13%), fuel system, fuel smell (13%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2013 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 2013 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 2013 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.