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2008 Volkswagen Touareg Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 56 complaints with NHTSA about the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg, most often about the fuel system (45% of complaints, typically around 95,000 miles). It is the 3rd most complained-about Touareg model year since 2000 and has 4 recalls.
Most common 2008 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Fuel system
25 complaints · 45%Half of these problems showed up before 95,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery.
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.
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…
Electrical
8 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 80,500 miles. Parts named most often: instrument cluster/panel.
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…
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.
Engine
7 complaints · 13%Half of these problems showed up before 115,500 miles.
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…
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…
Lights
6 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 75,000 miles.
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.
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…
Wheels and tires
4 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: pressure monitoring and regulating systems.
I have a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 2 which was purchased new with pirelli tires. At approximately 12,000 miles, I noticed a vibration in the steering and took my car in to the dealer. The dealer found nothing wrong at that time. The car started to pull to the right at about 20,000 miles and again I took the car to the…
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that at highway speeds, all four wheels would vibrate excessively, swaying back and forth. After numerous trips to the dealer to no avail, the vehicle was taken to a local repair facility. The mechanic advised that the tires were off road tires that should…
Seat belts
4 complaints · 7%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…
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…
Brakes
3 complaints · 5%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.
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…
Transmission
3 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: driveline.
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…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2008 Volkswagen Touareg recalls
Fuel system: fuel system, gasoline
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel filter flange if cracks are found. A protective cover will be applied to the fuel filter to prevent oxidization cracks from forming. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began august 3, 2017. Owners may contact volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 20z4.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen group of america inc. (volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2010 touareg vehicles. The fuel filter flange may crack and allow fuel to leak out.
Body and structure: body
Risk: If this happens, the spoiler could cause injury by striking persons outside the vehicle or could become an obstacle to other drivers, possibly resulting in a crash.
Fix: Dealers will install reinforcement wedges to the roof edge spoiler free of charge. The recall is expected to begin during august 2009. Owner may contact volkswagen at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
Volkswagen is recalling 14,416 my 2007-2009 touareg vehicles. The fastening struts on the roof edge spoiler can crack, causing the spoiler to become loose and possibly detach from the vehicle without warning, even though initially the spoiler may feel secure.
Fuel system: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
Risk: This condition could lead to a fuel leak. Fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will inspect and replace the fuel supply line, if necessary. The recall is expected to begin during february 2008. Owners may contact vwoa at 1-800-822-8987.
Full defect summary
On certain passenger vehicles, a fuel supply line was changed during production which could lead to insufficient sealing of the fuel supply line connector.
Equipment: owners/service/other manual
Risk: This standard specifies performance requirements for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) to warn drivers of significant under-inflation of tires and the resulting safety problems.
Fix: Owners will be sent an owner's manual insert containing the required TPMS information. The recall began on july 6, 2007. Owners may contact vw at 1-800-893-5298.
Full defect summary
Certain vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 138, "tire pressure monitoring systems." the owner's manual is missing the tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) written instructions.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg
- What are the most common problems with the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (25 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles); electrical (8 complaints, typically around 80,500 miles); engine (7 complaints, typically around 115,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg have?
- 4 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from March 8, 2017 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2008 a bad year for the Volkswagen Touareg?
- It is the 3rd most complained-about Touareg model year since 2000, with 56 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.