Is the 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG reliable?

The 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG has 34 complaints filed with NHTSA (0.9x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: above-average. Most common issue: ENGINE problems.

What are common problems with the 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Top problems: ENGINE (19 complaints, avg repair $500); OTHER (6 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (1 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Yes, there are 1 recall(s): UNKNOWN OR OTHER. Contact any Volkswagen dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

The 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG gets 19 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2526. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG is approximately $1,607/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.

2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Above Average

Quick Summary

The 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG has 34 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 0.9x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is engine problems (56% of all complaints), specifically: water was found in the air filter and engine. service adviser stated that the vehicle was in water. i replied that the vehicle has be driven in heavy rain and sits outside in the weather. according to the service adviser the engine need to be replaced. i have researched online and found several more. There is 1 recall issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

0.9x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

ENGINE

19 complaints

56%

• WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AIR FILTER AND ENGINE. SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WATER. I REPLIED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BE DRIVEN IN HEAVY RAIN AND SITS OUTSIDE IN THE WEATHER. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISER THE ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL MORE
• THE TOUAREG HAS A DESIGN FLAW THAT HAVE THE ENGINE AIR INTAKE UNDER NEATH THE FRONT HEADLIGHT, WHICH, UNDER HEAVY RAIN, WILL LET WATER FLOW THOUGH TO THE INTAKE PIPE AND GET INTO THE ENGINE. I HAVE PERSONALLY VALIDATED THIS AS MY AIR FILTER GETS SOAKING WET AFTER A HEAVY RAIN. THERE HAVE ALSO BEEN
• AFTER A RAINY NIGHT, GOT INTO MY CAR THE NEXT MORNING HEARD A WEIRD NOISE WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, DROVE DOWN THE STREET AND CAR STARTING BUCKING, WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT BACK AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR...NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES CAR DIED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME, IT H

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

“WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AIR FILTER AND ENGINE. SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WATER. I REPLIED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BE DRIVEN IN HEAVY RAIN AND SITS OUTSIDE IN THE WEATHER. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISER THE ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL MORE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Based on 20 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 11K 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+

ENGINE

In line with typicalmedian 12K mi · 13 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 (1)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER05/05/2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Touareg GP, Tiguan, Golf A6, E-Golf GP, CCF, 2016-2017 Passat GP, 2018-2019 Golf R GP, and 2018 Atlas vehicles. These internal-use vehicles were sold without confirmation that they were built to all applicable regulatory requirements and may have been modified prior to sale. As such, these vehicles may fail to comply with the requirements of various Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.

Risk: Vehicles that do not meet all regulatory requirements may have an increased risk of injury, crash, or fire.

Fix: Volkswagen will repurchase the vehicles. Owner notification letters were mailed May 20, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01F1.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2017 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,527

Per month

$211

Per mile

21.1¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$2,824/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,087/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 2017 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

$1,607

Full coverage / month

$134

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-4%

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 age1.00x

= Full coverage estimate$1607

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 2017 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

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

WHEELS(~50K mi)

$500

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

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 34 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
ENGINE: WATER WAS FOUND IN THE AIR FILTER AND ENGINE. SERVICE ADVISER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS IN WATER. I REPLIED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS BE DRIVEN IN HEAVY RAIN AND SITS OUTSIDE IN THE WEATHER. ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE ADVISER THE ENGINE NEED TO BE REPLACED. I HAVE RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND SEVERAL MORE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
OTHER: AFTER A RAINY NIGHT, GOT INTO MY CAR THE NEXT MORNING HEARD A WEIRD NOISE WHILE PULLING OUT OF DRIVEWAY, DROVE DOWN THE STREET AND CAR STARTING BUCKING, WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT BACK AND LOST CONTROL OF THE CAR...NO POWER STEERING, NO BRAKES CAR DIED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED TO ME, IT H
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND IT HAS A VISIBLE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WERE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT JUST KEEPS COMING BACK. EVENTUALLY VW CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SAYING THAT IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY AFFECTED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SUSPENSION: MY CAR SINCE I BOUGHT IT AND IT HAS A VISIBLE SHAKING IN THE STEERING WHEEL, THERE WERE MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS TO FIX THE PROBLEM AND IT JUST KEEPS COMING BACK. EVENTUALLY VW CUSTOMER SERVICE IS SAYING THAT IT IS A NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CAR. I RESEARCHED THIS ONLINE AND I AM NOT THE ONLY AFFECTED
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 1 recall have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)