2008 Volkswagen Touareg Complaint Log

I was driving the vehicle and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood I pulled over immediately and the whole engine compartment was on fire I tried to put fire but Fire department showed up and extinguish the fire, fire was due to a fuel leak

2008 Touareg 3.6L/V6 Intake Manifold/Valve Cover explosion.... March 2021, several incidents while driving vehicle would completely shut off/ loose power, with no prior warning or apparent cause, leaving driver at a total loss of steering control, as well as leaving vehicle completely disabled supposedly resulting from battery dying. Engine code scanner findings: several cylinders misfiring, possible timing chain, & (P0456) EVAP leak (among others). Repairs performed: 06/25/21 valve cover & battery replacement. Shortly after repairs noticed (never before seen) oil leak caused from recently repaired (faulty part) valve cover, which was then replaced again. (Jump ahead to present) July 14, 2022, upon attempted ignition, quickly noticed vehicle TRYING to turn over for several seconds without success, so turned key to off immediately heard an extremely loud "BOOM" followed by smoke bellowing out from under my hood/ engine. Popped hood to inspect the cause & discovered the valve cover had blown its top right off, exploded into several pieces, exposing valves to naked eye. Vehicle was then stranded, not starting, engine would not turn over. Had to have it towed to shop, awaiting update & information.

Protective coating on wires in the headlight and turn signal assemblies crumbled and disintegrated, causing all the lighting components and ballast for HID lights, light level adjusters and the fuses and relays to short out, sparks and potential fire hazard.

During the time that I drive this vehicle, I noticed from early times that the steering wheel is likely to shake after certain speed, likely around 70+. I have consulted many VW dealership but they couldn't figure out the problem. I did some research online and found a lot of people have experienced similar issue. And it is concluded that this is very likely a suspension problem. From many others' feedback, VW dealership cannot solve this problem, and even many after the VW changed a new Touareg for the customers for free, the new vehicle still have the same problem. Because this is really annoying, with this steering wheel shaking at high speed for the whole front body of the car, I think I should report this problem to let it be known, and hopefully VW can have some solution figured out, that all cars affected can be repaired, to prevent any accidents that this could lead to, and to let people be able to drive smoothly in their car in all speeds, just like every other models/brands of cars.

ON DECEMBER 28, 2020 I DETECTED THE DISTINCT ODOR OF GASOLINE OUTSIDE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF OUR 2008 VW TOUAREG WHILE IT WAS STATIONARY, NOT RUNNING. LATER WHILE DRIVING THE PUNGENT ODOR WAS ALSO DISCERNABLE WITHIN THE VEHICLE. A PICTURE OF THE TANK REFLECTS WETNESS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THIS MORNING DURING A CALL TO DONALDSON'S VW SERVICE, THEY RESPONDED THAT THERE ARE NO OPEN RECALLS FOR THIS VEHICLE REGARDING A FUEL LEAK, FOR WHICH A HISTORY OF RECALLS EXIST. IS IT POSSIBLE THAT A PRIOR RECALL SERVICE REQUIRES INCREMENTAL REMEDIATION? WHAT RECOURSE IS AVAILABLE TO HAVE A VW DEALER RESOLVE THIS MANUFACTURER DEFECT AT VOLKSWAGEN'S EXPENSE? A BRIEF INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS PRECEDENT FOR VW TOUAREG FUEL LEAKS AFFECTING PRODUCTION YEARS 2004 THROUGH 2013 (AND POSSIBLY BEYOND THE SCOPE OF MY SEARCH). SAFETY RECALL 20AI (NHTSA: 17V583) - FUEL FILTER FLANGE LEAK CERTAIN 2004-2007 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 (NHTSA: 17V151000) - FUEL PUMP FLANGE MAY CRACK CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE 2007 - 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SAFETY RECALL 24BK (NHTSA: 15V019000) - FUEL LEAKAGE AFFECTING VARIOUS AUDI AND VW MODELS SPANNING 2011 - 2013 THANK YOU FOR YOUR INDULGENCE AND POTENTIAL ASSISTANCE!

UPON STARTING THE ENGINE IN MY 2008 VW TOUAREG AS NORMAL TO LEAVE, THE ENGINE TURNED OVER TO START, BUT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS TURNING OVER LONGER THAN USUAL. I GRABBED MY KEY IN THE IGNITION TO TURN IT OFF. A FEW SECONDS LATER, I HEAR A LOUD POP, FROM UNDER THE HOOD. A FEW PUFFS OF WHITE SMOKE EMERGE. I OPEN THE HOOD AND SEE THE INTAKE MANIFOLD HAD EXPLODED AND WAS IN PIECES.

WHILE DRIVING, FIRST SIDE MARKER AND RIGHT SIDE TURN SIGNAL BEGAN TO FAIL, THEN WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT HEADLIGHT FAILED. UPON INSPECTION ATTEMPTING TO REPLACE FAILED COMPONENTS, INSULATION WAS CRUMBLING & NON- EXISTENT. IMMEDIATELY CHECKED THE LEFT SIDE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY. SAME CONDITION OF WIRE INSULATION FALLING OFF WIRES, CAUSING SHORTING OUT OF COMPONENTS. REPLACEMENT OF HEADLIGHT HOUSING ASSEMBLY, BULBS, BALLASTS AND CONTROLLERS WAS REQUIRED TO OPERATE VEHICLE CONDITION. WE CONTACTED THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP (PRESTON VW, BOARDMAN, OHIO), THEIR RESPONSE WAS THAT THEY WERE NOT AWARE OF ANY PROPLEMS WITH THE TOUAREG RELATED TO WIRING OR THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. TOTAL COST TO REPLACE W OEM THROUGH ROCK AUTO AUTO PARTS (MOST COST EFFECTIVE) WAS TOTAL$1,314.82

INSULATION ON WIRES IN HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY FALLS OFF WIRES CAUSING SHORTS AND DISABLES BOTH HEADLIGHTS CAUSING LOSS OF VISION AT NIGHT. THIS ALSO STOPS DAYTIME RUNNING LIGHTS. ALSO PLASTIC HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY HAZES AND SCRATCHES RESULTING IN POOR LIGHT BEFORE THE SHORTING WIRES DISABLE ALL HEADLIGHTS.

APRIL 21, 2008, MY WIFE FINISHED HER JOB AND CALLED ME THAT SHE WILL BE HOME SOON. FEW MINUTES LATER I GOT THE CALL FROM HER TELLING ME THAT SOMETHING HAS HAPPENED TO OUR 2008 VW TOUAREG THAT THERE WAS A BIG EXPLOSION AND SMOKE WAS COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. SHE WAS VERY DISTURBED NOT KNOWING WHAT JUST HAD HAPPENED. I ARRIVED AT THE SCENE AND NOTICED THAT HOOD HAD SOME DENTS FROM THE INSIDE OUT. I LIFTED THE HOOD AND SAW FUEL INTAKE MANIFOLD COMPLETELY DESTROYED. MY WIFE WAS SHAKING, PEOPLE FORM WORK WERE ASKING WHAT HAPPENED? I TOWED MY CAR TO VW SERVICE TO FIND OUT WHAT CAUSED THE EXPLOSION THEY COULD NOT PIN POINT WHAT REALLY CAUSED IT. I SEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FIND OUT THAT THIS IS NOT THE ONLY TIME IT HAS HAPPENED. WHEN CALLING VW OF CANADA I WAS TOLD, BECAUSE THE CAR HAS NO WARRANTY THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING AND I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR OUT OF MY OWN POCKET. MY WIFE CRIED WHEN I ASKED HER TO GET HER STUFF FROM THE VEHICLE, BEFORE IT WAS TOWED AWAY. I DO NOT KNOW HOW WILL I PERSUADE HER TO DRIVE THIS CAR AGAIN OR EVEN TO BUY ANOTHER VOLKSWAGEN. WE OWN A 2017 VW GOLF AS WELL. DO I WANT TO KEEP IT? I DO NOT THINK SO. MY FATE IN VW HAS DIMINISHED. I ALWAYS TOLD EVERYBODY THAT THIS IS A CAR FOR PEOPLE TO ENJOY. WAS I WRONG?

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE VEHICLE SLID AND CRASHED INTO A FIRE TRUCK. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT WAS NOT INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO FUTOS WRECKER SERVICE LOCATED AT 2050 LIDDELL DR NE, ATLANTA, GA 30324, (404) 874-5926. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED OR NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED.

I DON'T BELIEVE THE RECALL WAS PERFORMED ON THIS VEHICLE, BUT THEY SAY IT WAS DONE NOW THEY WANT ME TO PAY FOR IT. I WOULD LIKE A INVESTIGATION WITHOUT ME HAVING TO PAY FOR IT SINCE MY VEHICLE DID NOT EXHIBIT THOSE SYMPTOMS OR CHARACTERISTICS PRIOR TO HAVING THE SERVICE RECALL DONE.

MY VEHICLE WAS "FIXED" UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE BUT STILL SMELLS LIKE GAS ALL AROUND. THEY TOLD ME NOT TO DRIVE IT.

THE HEADLIGHTS OF MY 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG HAVE BEEN BURNING THE BULBS AND GIVING ME MANY PROBLEMS TO CONDITION IN THE NIGHT YESTERDAY APRIL 26, 2019 THE HEADLIGHT BURNED LEFT I SAW SMOKE COMING OUT AND OPENED THE HOOD AND I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A SMALL FLAME OF FIRE AND I TURN IT OFF AND WENT TO MY HOUSE WITHOUT LIGHTS WHEN I REMOVE THE HEADLIGHT I FIND THAT ALL THE CABLES ARE WITHOUT THE COVER THIS IS NOT SAFE FOR NOT BOBY I WANT TO KNOW WHERE I CAN GO TO FIX THIS PROBLEM

TAKATA RECALL. MY REAR DRIVESHAFT BROKE WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY.

WHY CAN'T MY MACHINES FIND EXHAUST SYSTEM PIPES FROM THE CATALYTIC TO THE BACK END?

WHEN I'M DRIVING AND ITS RAINING, WATER COMES POURING DOWN INTO THE VEHICLE, AND IT IS NOT COMING FROM THE SUNROOF. IT SEEMS TO BE LEAKING FROM THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENT AREA ABOVE. ALSO THE PARKING BREAK LEVER BROKE OFF WHEN I TRIED TO RELEASE IT. WHEN I DID RELEASE THE BREAK WITH THE LEVER, IT DID NOT RELEASE IT. I HAD TO LITERALLY PULL ON THE PARKING BREAK PEDAL THAT RELEASES THE PARKING BREAK. THEREFORE, I CANNOT USE THE PARKING BREAK BY ANY MEANS.

SMELLING GAS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF CAR NO LEAKS , WHEN PARKED AND DRIVING

TAKATA RECALL DRIVER SIDE FUEL FILTER FLANGE. STRONG GAS SMELL INSIDE THE CAR AND OUTSIDE AROUND THE CAR.

THE DASHBOARD CONTROL CENTER SHOW THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG FAILURE . THIS ISSUE HAPPENED IN 2014, AND 2015 , BUT WEREN'T REPORTED BY 2 VW DEALERS FROM MASSACHUSETTS . THIS WARNING SIGN IS ALWAYS ON . THE ACTUAL DEALER , WHO WAS DIAGNOSED TE ISSUE , CONFIRMED THAT THE DRIVER SIDE AIRBAG DOESN'T PROPERLY WORK

MY ISSUE STARTED OUT WITH THE PASSENGER AIRBAG OFF WARNING INDICATOR LIGHT BEING ON EVEN WHEN AN AVERAGE SIDE ADULT WAS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT. IT ESCALATED TO AN AIRBAG FAULT WARNING LIGHT ON IN THE CONTROL PANEL. THIS LIGHT DOES NOT GO OFF. ANOTHER ISSUE STARTED WHEN I WOULD ENTER THE CAR AND THE DOOR SIGNAL WAS SUDDENLY LOUD AND ODD SOUNDING. THIS WENT ON FOR A WEEK OR SO THEN ALL OF THE SOUNDS IN THE CAR CEASED COMPLETELY. NO BLINKER SOUND, NO LIGHTS ON INDICATOR, NO INTERIOR LIGHTS, NO DOOR OPEN INDICATOR, AND NO PARKING BRAKE INDICATOR. LASTLY, WHILE PICKING MY DAUGHTER UP FROM COLLEGE, I FOLDED THE BACKSEAT DOWN IN ORDER TO FIT HER BAGGAGE. THE CENTER SEAT BELT BECAME STUCK IN THE DEFAULT POSITION. I AM UNABLE TO GET THE SEAT ALL THE WAY DOWN BECAUSE THE SEAT BELT IS LOCKED AND IT IS NOW SNUG AGAINST THE BACKSEAT.

STRONG SMELL GASOLINE

STRONG SMELL OF FUEL LEAK ON DRIVERS SIDE OF VEHICLE. CHECKED UNDER THE HOOD BUT NO APPARENT LEAK AND NO LEAKING FUEL SMELL

THERE IS CURRENT SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 FOR FUEL FILTER FLANGE AND MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW TO GET IT FIXED HOWEVER THERE ARE ADDITIONAL REPIRS NEEDED AND I WONDER IF THESE ADDITONAL REPAIRS ARE RELATED TO THE RECENT RECALL SINCE THEY ALL PERTAIN TO FUEL. THE ADDITIONAL REPAIRS ARE REPLACE BOTH FUEL SENSOR/PIPE AND HIGH PRESSURE PUMP. THE DEALERSHIP HAS TOLD ME THIS WILL COST ME ABOUT $1700. THE RECALL LETTER I RECEIVED HAS NHTSA#17V151.

AFTER 20Z4 FUEL PUMP FLANGE RECALL WAS DONE I NOTICED A RATTLE AND STRONG GASOLINE SMELL. TILTED UP REAR SEAT AND DISCOVERED SEAT BOLTS NOT TIGHTENED AND MISSING. REAR SEATS HAVE TO BE REMOVED TO ACCESS TOP OF FUEL TANK TO REPLACE CRACKED FLANGE AND APPLY FOIL TO FLANGE IF NOT CRACKED. SEAT BOLTS AND SAFETY BELT BOLTS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE REPLACED WITH NEW BOLTS WITH LOCTITE; NOT REUSED. THE 20Z4 RECALL SHOULD REQUIRE NEW SEAT BOLTS TO BE INSTALLED WHEN THE SEATS ARE RE-INSTALLED.

IN REGARDS TO MANUFACTURER RECALL #20Z4 (NHTSA RECALL #17V151), THERE IS STILL NO RESOLUTION AT LEAST 3 MONTHS AFTER THE RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, WHICH I CONFIRMED BY CALLING VW. I AM TOLD IF I SMELL GAS TO DRIVE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET LOOKED AT. ALTHOUGH I DON'T CURRENTLY SMELL GAS, MY CONCERN IS THE POTENTIAL FOR FIRE SHOULD IT START TO LEAK. CONSIDER MY 4 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER IS STRAPPED INTO HER CAR SEAT IN THE REAR SEAT. UNDER HER ARE THE FUEL FILTERS IN QUESTION WHICH POTENTIALLY LEAK. UNDER THE FUEL FILTERS IS THE HOT EXHAUST. MY CONCERN IS WHAT TIMEFRAME DO I HAVE FROM THE TIME I SMELL GAS, TO THE TIME IT COMES IN CONTACT WITH THE HOT EXHAUST AND POSSIBLY IGNITES? WHAT HAPPENS IF I SMELL GAS IN GRIDLOCK TRAFFIC - IS THERE ENOUGH RISK THAT I SHOULD IMMEDIATELY GET MY DAUGHTER OUT OF THE CAR? OR SHOULD I CONTINUE DRIVING TO THE DEALER AS VW RECOMMENDS AND RISK US CATCHING ON FIRE ON THE WAY THERE? WHILE VW IS RECOGNIZING THE PROBLEM, THEY SEEM TO BE DRAGGING THEIR FEET ON RESOLUTION TO WHAT IS POTENTIALLY A LIFE THREATENING ISSUE.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, A STRONG FUEL ODOR WAS NOTICED INSIDE AND AROUND THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (ROYAL VOLKSWAGEN, LOCATED AT 3010 COLUMBIANA RD, BIRMINGHAM, AL 35216) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL FILTER FLANGE DETACHED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD NEED TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED DUE TO THE REPAIR FEE. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE); HOWEVER, THE PART NEEDED FOR THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE HAD TO PAID OUT OF POCKET AND WOULD POSSIBLY BE REIMBURSED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,000. VIN TOOLS CONFIRMS PARTS NOT AVAILABLE.

HEAVY GASOLINE SMELL INSIDE CABIN AND NOTICABLE OUTSIDE OF CAR AS WELL. VERY UNSAFE. ASSUMED TO BE RELATED TO PENDING RECALL 20Z4 BUT TRACY VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP IS MAKING THIS A VERY DIFFICULT PROCESS AND MADE ME AGREE TO PAY FOR THE DIAGNOSTIC IF THEY THINK ITS NOT RELATED TO THE RECALL. THEY WOULD NOT AGREE TO CHECK THE RECALL FOR FREE EVEN THOUGH MY CAR IS A GASOLINE BOMB RIGHT NOW. THIS IS PUTTING ME IN THE MIDDLE BETWEEN VW CORPORATE AND A PRIVATELY OWNED DEALERSHIP WHERE ONE IS SPEAKING VERY NICELY TO ME, AND THE OTHER IS SPEAKING DOWN TO ME. PLEASE HELP.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY, THE REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE HAD AN ABNORMAL ODOR. THE CONTACT CALLED THE DEALER, KEEFER VOLKSWAGEN IN HUNTERSVILLE, NC, AND WAS INFORMED TO BRING IN THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS INFORMED TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE KEEFER DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS CHARGED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL PUMP FAILED, AND NOT THE FILTER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DIAGNOSTIC WAS INCORRECT AND THAT THE FUEL FILTER WAS THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 162,000.

WHEN CHANGING ANY OF THE THREE BULBS IN EACH HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, WIRING TO THE BULB HOLDER(S) WILL BE MISSING INSULATION AND HAVING EXPOSED, OR BARE, COPPER WIRES. EVEN WHERE THE INSULATION IS STILL INTACT, THE INSULATION IS VERY LIKELY TO BE BRITTLE AND JUST THE MINIMAL MOVEMENT OF THE WIRES, NECESSARY TO REPLACE ANY OF THE BULBS, WILL CAUSE ADDITIONAL INSULATION TO BREAK AWAY FROM THE WIRING INSIDE THESE HOUSINGS. THERE IS NO WIRE WRAP, ELECTRICAL TAPE, NOR HEAT SHIELDING ON ANY OF THE WIRES WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES, LIKE WHAT YOU FIND ELSEWHERE WITHIN THE VEHICLES' WIRING LOOM AND ESPECIALLY THROUGHOUT THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT. THESE WIRES WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES ARE FULLY EXPOSED TO THE HEAT BUILD-UP WITHIN THE HOUSING WHILE ALSO BEING SUSCEPTIBLE TO ABRASION AGAINST ANY OF SEVERAL STAMPED METAL PIECES INTERNAL TO THE HOUSING. THE WIRE GAUGE USED SEEMS SUFFICIENT FOR THE CURRENT REQUIRED TO RUN THE 55-WATT HALOGEN BULBS USED FOR HIGH AND LOW BEAMS IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL OF TOUAREG, ALTHOUGH THE LIGHTS ARE NOT FUSED INDIVIDUALLY, MEANING PER-SIDE, SO THE LARGER VALUE FUSE IN COMMON FOR BOTH HEADLIGHTS IS HIGHER THAN THE CURRENT-CARRYING CAPACITY WIRING WITHIN THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES. ANY SHORTING OF THESE WIRES, EITHER DIRECTLY AGAINST EACH OTHER OR THROUGH ANY METAL MAKING UP THE STRUCTURE OF THE REFLECTORS, WOULD HAVE TO PASS ENOUGH CURRENT TO BLOW THE COMMON FUSE. THIS WOULD CERTAINLY RESULT IN SMOKING THE REMAINING INSULATION WITHIN THE HOUSING AND POTENTIALLY FURTHER UP INTO THE ENGINE BAY HARNESS WHICH PLUGS INTO THE HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLY, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A FIRE BUT MINIMALLY CAUSING A LOSS OF HEADLIGHTS, IF NOT ALL LIGHTING AND OTHER ELECTRICAL LOADS. A QUICK GOOGLE OR YOUTUBE SEARCH REVEALS THIS PERSISTENT ISSUE OVER MANY MODELS AND YEARS OF VW, AUDI, AND OTHER MANUFACTURERS USING SIMILAR HELLA OR VALEO LIGHTING COMPONENTS.

AFTER PURCHASING AN 08 TOUAREG WITH 120000 MILES, I HAVE FOUND IT TO HAVE A VERY LOUD STEERING NOISE, LIKE A BLENDER ON LOW SPEED SETTING. ALONG WITH THE NOISE, IT SEEMS TO LOSE SOME IF NOT ALL STEERING. ALL OF THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE CAR IS BELLOW 1000 RPM, WHETHER IT BE STATIONARY, MOVING, IN REVERSE OR NOT. IF THE RPM IS ABOVE THAT, STEERING IS NORMAL, NO SOUND IS HEARD, AND ALL IS NORMAL. THIS CAN BE DANGEROUS WHEN PARKING, AS IT IS A LOW SPEED LOW RPM SITUATION. I HAVE READ ABOUT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THIS SAME ISSUE, AND GOING THROUGH A RUNAROUND CYCLE WITH VW ON REPLACING THE POWER STEERING PUMP, THE STEERING RACK, AND MORE MULTIPLE TIMES. ALL VW REPS ARE "COMING TO THE CONCLUSION" IN THEIR MINDS THAT THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO TO HELP US TOUAREG, AND PASSAT OWNERS, AND THEY KEEP TELLING US IT'S NORMAL. THEY HAVE BEEN TRYING TO KEEP THIS FROM BECOMING A RECALL FOR TOO LONG. I AM INCLUDING A LINK TO A FORUM THAT HAS MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS. THANKYOU. HTTP://WWW.CLUBTOUAREG.COM/FORUMS#/TOPICS/41443?PAGE=1

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE BRAKES BEING SERVICED, THE CONTACT WAS MADE AWARE THAT THERE WAS A SEVERE FUEL LEAK. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL FUEL ODOR IN THE VEHICLE PRIOR TO BEING MADE AWARE BY THE MECHANIC. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 102,864.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHEN THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE, IT FAILED TO START. THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND PROCEEDED TO LOOK UNDER THE HOOD TO SEE IF THE BATTERY NEEDED A JUMP; HOWEVER, NOTHING APPEARED ABNORMAL. WHEN ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO START THE VEHICLE WAS MADE, THE MANIFOLD EXPLODED ON TOP OF THE ENGINE, WHICH PRODUCED SMOKE AND CAUSED PLASTIC PIECES TO FLY EVERYWHERE. A PIECE OF PLASTIC STRUCK THE EYE OF THE CONTACT'S HUSBAND. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NOT NEEDED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE ISSUE WAS COMMON AND THE MANIFOLD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, INCLUDING SEVERAL OTHER PARTS THAT WERE AFFECTED BY THE EXPLOSION. THE CONTACT WAS NOT ABLE TO RECALL THE PARTS THAT NEEDED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

TAKATA RECALL. IT HAPPENED SEVERAL MONTHS AGO, WHEN I FELT MY CAR IS HARD TO ACCELERATE DURING DRIVING. SO WHILE I AM DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, IT CANNOT GO BEYOND 35 MPH, WHICH IS REALLY DANGEROUS. IT FELT LIKE THE FUEL CANNOT BE POWERED ON. I TOOK THE CAR TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY FIRST RECOMMENDED CHANGING THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, WHICH WAS ALSO RECOMMENDED FROM DEALER'S BODY SHOP, WHERE THEY HAD DONE SOME INSPECTION A FEW DAYS AGO. AFTER THEY CHANGED THE INTAKE MANIFOLD, THEN THEY FOUND THE FUEL PRESSURE IS LOW, AND THEN THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP. ( THEY DIDN'T REALLY DETECTED THE PROBLEM AT THAT TIME FROM WHAT THEY HAD SAID LATER, BUT THEY HAD TO REPLACE ONE ITEM AT A TIME TO SEE IF THINGS COULD GET BETTER). AFTER THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP, THEN THEY FOUND PRESSUE DID NOT GET BETTER, SO THEY SUPPOSED THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP WAS ALSO BROKEN. I HAD TO FOLLOW THEIR INSTRUCTION TO REPLACE THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP AS WELL. I REALLY FEEL THIS PROBLEM IS VERY STRANGE. BUT SEEMS AFTER REPLACEING HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP, THE FUEL PRESSURE BECAME NORMAL.I DID COMPLAIN TO THE MANUFACTURE AND THEY HELPED ME A BIT TO VERIFY THAT THE DEALER IS NOT DOING ANYTHING UNPROFESSIONAL DOING THE REPAIR PROCESS. BUT IN SPITE OF THE REPAIR PROCESS, THIS FUEL PUMP PROBLEM IS WORTH TO BE CONSIDERED A RECALL ISSUE.

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE ENGINE STUTTERED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PULLED INTO A FIRESTONE DEALER AND RAN A DIAGNOSIS. TEST REVEALED A PROBLEM WITH THE TIMING CHAIN. I CALLED HARPER VW IN KNOXVILLE AND WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT IN. DEALER HAD TO REPLACE THE TIMING CHAIN AT A COST OF $6,500. VEHICLE HAD 78,000 MILES TIMING CHAIN SHOULD LAST THE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE CHAIN HAD COMPLETELY SEPARATED THE ENGINE WOULD HAVE QUIT SUDDENLY CREATING A SEROUS TRAFFIC PROBLEM. RESEARCH HAS SHOWN THAT VW HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM ON HUNDREDS OF CARS WITH THIS ENGINE AND HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL OR SAFETY WARNING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BURNING AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF FUEL. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND OBSERVED FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE AND A STRONG ODOR OF FUEL WAS PRESENT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LINES WERE LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AND THE MECHANIC INSTALLED A NEW FUEL PUMP; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT CONTINUED TO SMELL A STRONG FUEL ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO INSTRUCTED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 17V151000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE REPAIRS WERE COMPLETED BEFORE THE RECALL WAS ANNOUNCED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 122,000.

UNDERNEATH THE CAR AROUND THE REAR END, THERE IS AN OBVIOUS LEAKING OF FUEL ( USUALLY OBSERVED AFTER STOPPING AND TURNING OFF CAR). THE LEAKED FUEL CAN FORM A SMALL PUDDLE. IT WILL STOP AFTER A WHILE. BUT JUDGING FROM THE SITUATION THIS LEAK CAN BECOME BIGGER AND BIGGER, WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS AND IS A FIRE HAZARD. I AM NOT A SPECIALIST ON CARS, BUT SINCE I AM NOT A FREQUENT DRIVER AND NEVER DRIVE CARS TO UNEVEN SAND ROADS, THEREFORE THE MANUFACTURE OF THE FUEL TANK ITSELF AND MAYBE ITS DESIGN IS MOST POSSIBLE FOR THE CAUSE OF THE THIS PROBLEM.

THERE ARE INTERMITTENT SUDDEN FORCEFUL JERKS WHEN CAR IS IN MOTION. ALSO CAR HESITATES WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE GAS PETAL AT TIMES, LIKE WHEN YOU ARE TRYING TO MERGE INTO INTERSTATE TRAFFIC. ALSO AT TIMES, WHEN SLOWING DOWN TO BRING THE CAR TO A STOP, SOMETHING HAPPENS THAT SOUNDS AND FEELS LIKE YOU HAVE BEEN HIT FROM BEHIND, OR THAT SOME UNDERNEATH YOUR CAR IS BREAKING OFF.

TL* 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.

SEAT BELT RETRACTORS, FIRST REAR PASSENGER BELT STOP RETRACTING, THEN REAR CENTER BELT BECAME UNUSABLE BECAUSE IT ONLY RETRACTS SYNCHING TIGHTER AS FOLD DOWN SEAT OPERATED. NOW, DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT IS LOOSING ITS ABILITY TO RETRACT INTO COLUMN. NO ACCIDENTS OR INJURIES HAVE OCCURRED BUT THE SEATING POSITIONS ARE UNUSABLE. VW WANTS CLOSE TO $1,000 TO REPLACE THE PASSENGER AND CENTER SEAT BELTS AND RETRACTORS.

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. IN COLD WEATHER, THE STARTER WOULD FAIL WHILE ATTEMPTING TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE RELAY IN THE FUSE BOX, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. IN ADDITION, EACH TIME IT RAINED, WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE FLOOR UNDER THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT, WHICH CAUSED THE ACCELERATOR AND BRAKE PEDALS TO FREEZE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000.

FOR THE LAST 2 WEEKS, I STARTED TO HAVE A SMELL OF GAS ON THE DRIVER SIDE OF MY CAR FROM OUTSIDE. PROGRESSIVELY, THE SMELL HAS GET STRONGER AND STRONGER, GETTING ALSO INSIDE THE CAR. I PUT THE CAR ON A LIFT AND REALIZE THAT THE ENTIRE FUEL TANK ON THE DRIVER SIDE LOCATED BELOW THE REAR SEAT WAS COVERED BY GAS LEAK. IT IS ALSO SPILLING ON THE EXHAUST SYSTEM THAT IS JUST ON THE SIDE OF THAT TANK AT EXTREMELY HOT TEMPERATURE. THIS IS SURELY A SCENARIO FOR DISASTER. THE LEAK IS COMING FROM THE TOP OF THE LEFT SIDE TANK AT THE FUEL PUMP LOCATION. THIS IS CLEARLY A SAFETY HAZARD. I WILL TAKE MY CAR TO VOLKSWAGEN TO ASK THEM TO REPAIR IT. BY LOOKING ON INTERNET FORUMS, I REALIZED THAT THIS IS NOT A ISOLATED INCIDENT, I FOUND REPEATING ENTRIES OF THAT FUEL PUMP LEAK FAILURE... THIS IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AND WILL CERTAINLY END UP IN A FIRE... *TR

WENT TO START VEHICLE AND THE INTAKE MANIFOLD EXPLODED. VERY SCARY. *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

SEATBELT LOCKED UP WHILE DRIVING AND DOES NOT UNLOCK! MANY OF THE OWNERS OF THE SAME MODEL HAVE REPORTED THIS SEAT BELT (MIDDLE PASSENGER SEAT) LOCKING UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO UNLOCK. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR HAZARD IN CASE OF AN ACCIDENT AND FIRE THE PASSENGER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO RELEASE THEMSELVES EXCEPT BY CUTTING THE SEATBELT! EVEN WHEN DRIVING NORMAL AND NOT BEING ABLE TO UNLOCK YOURSELF COULD BE DANGEROUS. THE ONLY WAY TO GET OUT IS TO CUT THE SEAT BELT AND THE SEAT BELT IS NOT EASY TO CUT IF YOU DO NOT HAVE THE PROPER CUTTING TOOL. WE THE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLE WOULD LIKE NHTSA TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE WITH THE MANUFACTURERS. I APPROACHED THE VW CUSTOMER CARE I WAS TOLD BY THE VW CUSTOMER CARE THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO HELP ME AT ALL. MY VEHICLE IS BARELY OUT OF THE CERTIFIED PRE-OWNED WARRANTY BY MILES BUT IT IS STILL UNDER WARRANTY IF YOU GO BY THE NUMBER OF YEARS (LESS THAN 2 YEARS) BUT VW IS NOT CONCERNED OF THIS MAJOR MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR

WALKED OUTSIDE ON SUNDAY MORNING TO SEE MY REAR VIEW MIRROR WAS DANGLING BY WIRES. THEY SAY IT COST 700+ DOLLARS TO REPAIR BECAUSE OF THE RAIN SENSOR THAT IS BEHIND THE MIRROR. ORIGINAL FRONT GLASS AND MIRROR. THERE IS NO REASON WHY IT SHOULD HAVE FELL. IF IT WOULD HAVE HAPPENED TO ME WHILE DRIVING, IT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND ENDANGERED MY LIFE. THIS NEEDS TO BE CONSIDERED TO A RECALL DUE TO MULTIPLE ISSUES WITH OTHER TOUAREGS. PLEASE REVIEW THIS CLAIM AS ANY OTHER BUT NOTE THAT IT COULD BE A SERIOUS ISSUE WITH SAFETY. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND HARD WORK! *TR

2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO DEFECTIVE DRIVE SHAFT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE DRIVE SHAFT BEARING, CAUSED THE DRIVE SHAFT NOT TO FUNCTION. THE DEALERSHIP INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST $2,000 TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE DRIVE SHAFT. THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS EXHIBITING A VIBRATION UNDER THE GEAR SHIFT, WHILE DRIVING. UPDATED 05/23/13

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE HE COULD SMELL A STRONG ODOR OF GASOLINE FUMES. WHEN HE OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE THE SMELL WAS STRONGER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 08V035000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE DELIVERY, HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 11,000.

2008 VW TOUAREG LOUD SQUEALING NOISE EMITTED WHEN VEHICLE COMING FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND MOVING UNDER 10 MILES. MADE 2 ATTEMPTS TO DEALERSHIP BUT TO NO AVAIL. DEALER HEARD THE NOISE BUT UNABLE TO RESOLVED MATTER. *TR

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2008 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE VEHICLE HAD PIRELLI SCORPION STRS TIRES, TIRE SIZE 265/45ZR20. THE CONTACT OBSERVED WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES NEEDED TO BE OVER INFLATED BY TWO POUNDS BEFORE THE VEHICLE COULD BE IN OPERATION. A FAILURE HAD NOT OCCURRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT DISAGREED WITH THE PRACTICE OF OVER INFLATING THE TIRES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 5,280.