2016 Volkswagen Touareg
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 22 of 44 complaints (50%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Body, Seats & Latches include more reported injuries (3) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 24 in 2015 to 44 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | vs. 2016 Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,700–4,100 | 3,700–4,100 | 3,300–3,750 | 3,300 | |
| Combined MPG | 19–23 | 19–23 | 19–24 | 19 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 16–20 / 23–29 | 17–20 / 23–29 | 17–21 / 23–28 | 17 / 23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 414–476 | 414–462 | 434–462 | 462 | |
| Complaints filed | 27 | 24 | 44 | 24 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?
Engine: 22 of 44 NHTSA complaints (50%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg get?
EPA rates it 19–24 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?
EPA estimates $3,300–$3,750 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Diesel | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg (high) | 28 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $3,750 (high) | 434 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 6 | 3.6L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Standard Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 17 mpg (low) | 23 mpg (low) | 19 mpg (low) | $3,300 (low) | 462 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
TIRES:PRESSURE MONITORING AND REGULATING SYSTEMS · Campaign 16V243000 · Apr 26, 2016
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2016 Toureg vehicles manufactured July 7, 2015 to March 3, 2016. In the affected vehicles, the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) may be improperly calibrated and, as a result, the TPMS may fail to warn the driver that the tire pressure is low. Additionally, the tire pressures printed on the Safety Certification labels are incorrect. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 138, "Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems."
Consequence: If the vehicle is driven on underinflated tires, the tires may fail suddenly, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will correct the TPMS settings and replace the safety certification label, free of charge. The recall began on May 13, 2016. Volkwagen's number for this recall is 44M9.
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES · Campaign 16V170000 · Mar 24, 2016
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Consequence: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly to verify the presence of the securing clip and install any missing securing clips, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46G4.