Is the 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG reliable?

The 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG has 42 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.1x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: STEERING problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Top problems: STEERING (8 complaints, avg repair $500); FUEL SYSTEM (8 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES. Contact any Volkswagen dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

The 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG has 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.1x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is steering problems (19% of all complaints), specifically: we took possession of the veh. on 3/14/12 with 495 miles on it. in the following week we noticed that the steering wheel and column was intermittently shuddering/ vibrating and making a noise. veh. was initially taken in @ dealership on 3/27/12. also had issue with ad blue indicator coming on. veh w. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.1x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

STEERING

8 complaints

19%

• WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEH. ON 3/14/12 WITH 495 MILES ON IT. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK WE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN WAS INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDERING/ VIBRATING AND MAKING A NOISE. VEH. WAS INITIALLY TAKEN IN @ DEALERSHIP ON 3/27/12. ALSO HAD ISSUE WITH AD BLUE INDICATOR COMING ON. VEH W
• VEHICLE EXHIBITS A STEERING WHEEL SHAKE THAT CONSISTENTLY OCCURS ABOVE 60MPH ON ALL ROAD SURFACES. AT ONSET, CAN FEEL OSCILLATION IN HANDS AND ARMS. WITH HANDS LIGHTLY ON WHEEL OR REMOVED, CAN VISUALLY CONFIRM STEERING WHEEL OSCILLATION (CYCLICAL ROTATION FROM L TO R AND BACK) WITH ABOUT 3/8" TOTAL
• UPON REACHING SPEEDS BETWEEN 65 AND APPROXIMATELY 75 MILES PER HOUR THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD NOTICEABLY SHAKE BACK AND FORTH VERY OBVIOUSLY, SO MUCH SO THAT IT WORRIED ME THERE WAS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH THE VEHICLE.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEH. ON 3/14/12 WITH 495 MILES ON IT. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK WE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN WAS INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDERING/ VIBRATING AND MAKING A NOISE. VEH. WAS INITIALLY TAKEN IN @ DEALERSHIP ON 3/27/12. ALSO HAD ISSUE WITH AD BLUE INDICATOR COMING ON. VEH W”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Based on 34 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 28K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

STEERING

In line with typicalmedian 4K mi · 8 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

In line with typicalmedian 35K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER16/05/2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local diesel price)

Per year

$2,934

Per month

$244

Per mile

24.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,851/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,124/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volkswagen TOUAREG Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

TSI turbo engines require VW-approved 502/504 spec synthetic oil. DSG transmission service (if equipped) every 40K miles.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volkswagen New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Volkswagen. If you're buying a used 2013 TOUAREG, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volkswagen dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 42 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: WE TOOK POSSESSION OF THE VEH. ON 3/14/12 WITH 495 MILES ON IT. IN THE FOLLOWING WEEK WE NOTICED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL AND COLUMN WAS INTERMITTENTLY SHUDDERING/ VIBRATING AND MAKING A NOISE. VEH. WAS INITIALLY TAKEN IN @ DEALERSHIP ON 3/27/12. ALSO HAD ISSUE WITH AD BLUE INDICATOR COMING ON. VEH W
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
FUEL SYSTEM: 2013 TOUAREG TDI GLOW PLUG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON THEN THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT. THE VEHICLE LOST THROTTLE RESPONSE -- DID NOT STOP RUNNING BUT ALSO FELT LIKE RUNNING ON ONLY A FEW CYLINDERS -- COULD NOT DRIVE OVER 40 MPH ON FREEWAY. ALSO LOST ABILITY TO DOWNSHIFT AUTO TRANSMISSION. DROVE THE VEHICL
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FACTORY TRAILER HITCH ISSUES. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ADVERTISING OF THE VEHICLE ABLE TO TOW 7,600 WAS MISLEADING, WHEN IN FACT THE OWNER'S MANUAL READ USE ONLY A WEIGHT-CARRYING TRAILER HITCH. NEVER INSTALL A WEIGHT DISTRIBUTING
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: WHILE TRAVELING AT NIGHT ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY AT 70 MPH IN HEAVY TRAFFIC THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE WITHOUT WARNING OR ANY SYMPTOMS OF A POWER PROBLEM. WE HAD TO MOVE ACROSS FOUR LANES OF CAR AND TRUCK TRAFFIC WHILE RAPIDLY DECELERATING. LUCK AND SKILL PREVAILED TO AVOID A SERIOUS AND POTENTI
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)