2014 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2014 Volkswagen TOUAREG has 35 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.4x the segment average of 80. The most common issue is steering problems (23% of all complaints), specifically: i purchased a 2014 touareg lux tdi 3 days ago, the steering wheel was shaking pretty seriously while i was drive around 70 mile per hour. *tr. ⚠️ 3 fire reports filed.

3 fire reports 1 crash report 4 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.4x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems

STEERING

8 complaints

23%

• I PURCHASED A 2014 TOUAREG LUX TDI 3 DAYS AGO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING PRETTY SERIOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVE AROUND 70 MILE PER HOUR. *TR
• VEHICLE EXHIBITS EXCESSIVE VIBRATION AND STEERING WHEEL SHAKE BETWEEN 60-75MPH. IT DOES NOT FEEL STABLE OR SAFE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. IT HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER MULTIPLE TIMES WITH NO FIX REMEDIED. *TR
• UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE ENCOUNTERED CONTINUED STEERING WHEEL SHAKING WITH MY TDI VW TOUAREG. CURRENTLY HAVE APPROXIMATELY 3K OF MILES ON THE CAR. THE VEHICLE HAS HAD TWO SERVICE ATTEMPTS TO DATE FOR THIS CONCERN BY A LOCAL DEALER. I HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS ISSUE BECOMING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE WITH TIME.

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

“I PURCHASED A 2014 TOUAREG LUX TDI 3 DAYS AGO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING PRETTY SERIOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVE AROUND 70 MILE PER HOUR. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ENGINE

7 complaints

20%

• SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. REQUIRED TOW TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MY VW TOUAREG TDI (DIESEL). HAVE OWNED SUV 4 MONTHS AND ONLY 4000 MILES. *TR
• VW 3.0 LITER DEISEL ENGINE WITH RECALL ISSUE DUE TO FRAUD BY VW. VW APPLIED THE FIX TO THE ENGINE AS APPROVED BY THE COURT. THIS FIX HAS CREATED A SITUATION WHERE THE CAR HAS SIGNIFICANT HESITATION ON TAKE OFF AND IN TRAFFIC MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SAFELY ENTER THE STREAM OF TRAFFIC OR CROSS TRAFF
• WHEN DRIVING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THE SERVICE CENTER AT THE DEALER, THE DEALER INDICATED THAT THE AIR FILTER HAD BECOME WET WITH WATER. WHILE READING A VW FORUM I BECAME AWARE OF A KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE AIR FILTER HOUSING DRAIN BECOMING CLOGGED AND THE AIR FILTER BECOMING WET AND WA

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

“SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. REQUIRED TOW TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MY VW TOUAREG TDI (DIESEL). HAVE OWNED SUV 4 MONTHS AND ONLY 4000 MILES. *TR”

— NHTSA complaint filing

ELECTRICAL

4 complaints

11%

• THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF SPONTANEOUSLY IN MOTION WITH NO WARNING AND UNPREDICTABLY. HAS BEEN ON A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR IDENTIFIED. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCASSIONS HOWEVER CAN NOT BE DIAGNO
• I attempted to start the vehicle and the starter button clicked followed by a strong ozone electrical smell and copious smoke from under the hood. We called the local fire department but canceled the call as the smoke seemed to be clearing. VW dealer says the starter, alternator, battery and two w
• The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle a burning odor was present inside the cabin of the vehicle and smoke was seen coming from the front console. After stopping the vehicle to inspect the cause it was discovered that the front passenger side

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500🔥 3 fire reports

“THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF SPONTANEOUSLY IN MOTION WITH NO WARNING AND UNPREDICTABLY. HAS BEEN ON A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR IDENTIFIED. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCASSIONS HOWEVER CAN NOT BE DIAGNO”

— NHTSA complaint filing

SUSPENSION

3 complaints

• AT ROAD SPEEDS, 65-75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VIBRATION, AND ALL PARTS (DASH, SEATS ETC) VIBRATE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF WHEEL, IT WILL VISIBLY SHAKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER TWO WEEKS COMBINED WITH THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS TO NO AVAIL. ON LIFT OVER TWO DAYS WITH 60 PSI IN TIRES-DID
• PURCHASED VEHICLE ON 2/1/15. I NOTICED WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS ABOVE 63 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH WHICH IS FELT THROUGH THE STEERING WHEEL, SEAT & FRONT END. I OPENED A CASE WITH VW ON ABOUT 2/11/15 AND MADE AN APPOINTMENT WITH MY LOCAL VW SERVICE DEPARTMENT FOR 2/16/15. ON 2/16/15
• THE CARS' STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60MPH+ EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING VOLKSWAGENS' SERVICE BULLETINS, NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, ROADFORCE BALANCE, ETC. THE VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.

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

“AT ROAD SPEEDS, 65-75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VIBRATION, AND ALL PARTS (DASH, SEATS ETC) VIBRATE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF WHEEL, IT WILL VISIBLY SHAKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER TWO WEEKS COMBINED WITH THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS TO NO AVAIL. ON LIFT OVER TWO DAYS WITH 60 PSI IN TIRES-DID”

— NHTSA complaint filing

OTHER

3 complaints

• THE CARS' STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60MPH+ EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING VOLKSWAGENS' SERVICE BULLETINS, NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, ROADFORCE BALANCE, ETC. THE VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.
• WHEN TURNING ON THE AIR CONDITIONING OF THE CAR IT COMES A VERY STRONG SMELL OF ENGINE FUMES IN THE CABIN. IT DOES GIVE US HEADACHE EVERY TIME WE BREATH IT IN. I DO HAVE A SMALL CHILD IN THE CAR SO THAT MAKES IT WORSE. EVERY TIME I GIVE IT FOR INSPECTION IN THE VW DEALERSHIP THEY REFUSE TO SMELL IT
• ON AUGUST 10, 2018 AT APPROXIMATELY 1:30 PM IN BOUNTIFUL UTAH, I WAS TURNING LEFT INTO A BUSINESS. I STOPPED ON A STEEP HILL AND ALLOWED THE ON COMING TRAFFIC TO PASS. IT THEN BECAME SAFE FOR ME TO COMPLETE MY TURN. THAT IS UNTIL THE CAR HESITATED YET AGAIN. THIS HESITATION PROBLEM IS SEVERE POST RE

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

“THE CARS' STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT 60MPH+ EVEN AFTER FOLLOWING VOLKSWAGENS' SERVICE BULLETINS, NEW TIRES, ALIGNMENT, ROADFORCE BALANCE, ETC. THE VIBRATION IS FELT THROUGHOUT THE FRONT END OF THE CAR.”

— NHTSA complaint filing

Estimated Repair Costs

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 35 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
STEERING: I PURCHASED A 2014 TOUAREG LUX TDI 3 DAYS AGO, THE STEERING WHEEL WAS SHAKING PRETTY SERIOUSLY WHILE I WAS DRIVE AROUND 70 MILE PER HOUR. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY. WAS ABLE TO COAST TO SIDE OF ROAD. REQUIRED TOW TO NEAREST DEALERSHIP. DIAGNOSED AS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE IN MY VW TOUAREG TDI (DIESEL). HAVE OWNED SUV 4 MONTHS AND ONLY 4000 MILES. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: THE VEHICLE TURNS OFF SPONTANEOUSLY IN MOTION WITH NO WARNING AND UNPREDICTABLY. HAS BEEN ON A CERTIFIED SERVICE CENTER ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS AND FOR PROLONGED PERIODS OF TIME AND THE PROBLEM CAN NOT BE DIAGNOSED OR IDENTIFIED. THE PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCASSIONS HOWEVER CAN NOT BE DIAGNO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: AT ROAD SPEEDS, 65-75 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A VIBRATION, AND ALL PARTS (DASH, SEATS ETC) VIBRATE. IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF WHEEL, IT WILL VISIBLY SHAKE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR OVER TWO WEEKS COMBINED WITH THE FOLLOWING REPAIRS TO NO AVAIL. ON LIFT OVER TWO DAYS WITH 60 PSI IN TIRES-DID
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)