Volkswagen Touareg Volkswagen Touareg

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

Volkswagen Touareg repairs by problem area

Engine (38%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (10%)

Brakes and Traction Control (5%)

Suspension and Steering (6%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (31%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (6%)

Other (3%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Volkswagen Touareg problem?

Chart based on 862 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Volkswagen Touareg.

Volkswagen Touareg transmission repair cost distribution

$2500+ (3%)

$1000 - $2499 (27%)

$500 - $999 (22%)

$100 - $499 (29%)

< $100 (19%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 86 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2014 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

48000 mi

US $250
The car computer thinks it's in drive when you shift the transmission into park. As a result, unable to lock the car because the computer thinks it is in drive. Dealer replaced the following parts: N 10255501 :CLIP 7P1713025D :MECHANISM 6R0713274 :WASHER Total for parts: $706.24 Labor: $618.80 Tax: $57.21 Grand total :$1382.25 I have Geico mechanical breakdown insurance with $250 deductible which is definitely worth the money. Paid for its self with just one repair. 

Return to top

2013 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

43000 mi

US $150
Key Fob would not release from the dash, car would not lock. In dash kept telling me to put the shifter in "Park" so that key could be removed from dash. Transmission selector already was in "Park", and would not release the Key Fob. Ran a VCDS scan and it told me "intermittent or no ground connection at Park selector" Cleared code. Took it to dealership, where I told them the scan and that it needed a new shifter mechanism, the park switch inside the shifter mechanism was defective, at 42 k miles, in a car that spent 99% of it's days garaged, inside. They charged me $150 to tell me what I already knew. Wrote a ridiculous estimate for 7 hours of labor and a $770 part to be replaced, about $1800 before taxes on parts. (9.5% here). I called VW Touareg Customer Care, and after much deliberation, they allowed it to be covered under "Customer Goodwill", which is a fancy way of saying it's covered, begrudgingly, under warranty work, by VW of America. This part is failing, regularly. It took a MONTH, with a vehicle that would not lock up, and was vulnerable to theft at any moment, by any passerby, before the car was finally fixed. It's an actual 2 to 2.5 hour job, maximum, service writer made up some BS story about how long it takes. VW, under warranty, pays book time. A dealership in Texas in 2016, whose invoice I saw, charged $940 for the part, and $248 for 2 hours of labor, to the customer, on a 2014, with the exact same part and problem. VW's vendor that builds these shifter boxes, are putting out a defective crap, prone to failure part that the magnets or switch breaks, and since VW has gone to modularaized parts with many switches on the shift box, the whole box needs to be changed out, where as previously, in earlier models, like a 2012 or 2011, the switch could just be changed out. Report this to NHSTA as a defective recall item. Part took 3 WEEKS to get from Germany to the warehouse, to the dealership, because VW of America doesn't keep the part in stock in any of it's 5 warehouses. This part seems to be very prone to fail in summer time, due to hot, or dry weather causing the plastic to dry out, crack, and failure to maintain the switch in a functioning manner. Defective materials or defective engineering in play here, part is not structurally sound. 

Return to top

2012 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 225hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

51460 mi Noise when releasing brake while in park. New parts required so I need to go back. 
18900 mi

US $150
Wobbly right front tires. No amount of balancing could fix the problem. Had to instead purchase $1400 worth of Michelins. 

Return to top

2011 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

supercharged 380hp 3.0L V6 Hybrid 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

62000 mi The very night we bought it, driving home, transmission fault tripped and car went into limp mode on the highway. They replaced a sensor connection that had came loose and was dragging against exhaust causing the damage. CPO covered 

Return to top

2011 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

280-horsepower 3.6L V6 8-speed shiftable automatic AWD

36000 mi water pump failed 

Return to top

2010 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

166160 mi

C $1000
Drive shaft center bearing. Known issue with this vehicle 

Return to top

2010 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 225hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

82000 mi

US $100
the joint in the driveshaft failed 
74000 mi

US $175
Replaced carrier bearing. 
86000 mi

US $50
Drive shaft was replaced, was knocking under any load 
83000 mi

US $100
drive shaft bearing gone 

Return to top

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 240hp 3.0L V6 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

128960 mi

A $750
Failed grease boot on transfer case end of front prop shaft (cardan). Front shaft rebuilt and balanced by Specialist Drive Shaft workshop. 
156860 mi

A $500
Replace fail Boots on front Cardan Shaft. Signs of grease spray onto body work. 
116126 mi

A $1400
Replaced centre bearing and rubber mount on prop shaft 
102300 mi

A $1500
Auxiliary drive-shaft broke 
130820 mi

A $8000
Slipping and gears not selecting when cold. 

Return to top

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

350-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

41000 mi Drive shaft had to be replaced 

Return to top

2008 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

280-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

75000 mi

US $145
CV joint started banging around abouit 200 miles from the end of a 1900 trip. Managed to limp into my home town driving at 40mph for 5 hours! Dealer varified my extended Premier warranty and replaced the entire drivetrain. 
84000 mi

US $1100
Transmission fluid had leaked into the electrical lines to the computer and was causing problems. Needed to have the computer replaced and reprogrammed.$2500 was covered under extended warranty. Had delays in getting parts. Free loaner used. 
66200 mi Severe vibration and noise in drivetrain. Dealer diagnosed as a bad carrier bearing and a driveshaft replacement was the needed repair. The repair was estimated at 1700.00. Luckily I had purchased the VW Real Driver extended warranty. 
115000 mi When clutch would disengage, there was a loud squeal. 
61000 mi

US $500
Center Bearing Support of Rear Drive Axel needed replacement. 
19840 mi at highway speed when you step on the gas to overtake , nothing happens , no shift up or down even with the gas all the way to the floor . 3 times I almost got rear ended cos i had just switched lanes. vw canada said this is normal.pls help. 

Return to top

2007 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

276-horsepower 3.6L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

38440 mi

C $1600
failed driveshaft center bearing. Replaced driveshaft under extended warranty (invoice was $1600) 
45000 mi Replaced center drive shaft carrier bearing 
154000 mi

US $950
Carrier bearing broke. Replaced entire drive shaft. 

Return to top

2006 Volkswagen Touareg

Engine not specified

125000 mi Front Differential failing even though rear and center differentials are fine. 

Return to top

2006 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 310hp 4.9L V10 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

76000 mi

US $250
Driveshaft, also called propeller shaft, failed. Vehicle was flatbedded back to the dealer. Driveshaft and centre support bearing were replaced. 
122000 mi

US $100
The transmission coupling for what VW calls the "propeller shaft" began to fail while on a trip. With _very_ careful driving roughly 100 miles, the vehicle reached the dealer. The repair required the complete replacement of the "propeller shaft" and coupling, as VW no longer supports replacement of the coupling alone. If the coupling catastrophically fails, the vehicle is dead-on-the-road, so this was an important repair. 
48000 mi

US $1800
Large uncontrollable vibration under floorboard. Managed to drive it in, as not far. Replaced prop shaft. Extended warranty paid $1,800. Replace prop shaft 
85000 mi

US $500
Carrier bearing on rear drive shaft was failing. Only evident by inspection of bearing (no noise). This is a common Touareg/Porsche Cayenne/Audi Q7 problem. Acquired a remanufactured drive shaft from Colorado (internet purchase). 

Return to top

2006 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

310-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

81700 mi

US $400
Carrier bearing driveshaft failed at apx 80k miles 
114000 mi

US $130
Transfer case failure at 115,000 mi. 

Return to top

2006 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

107880 mi

A $1000
Tailshaft centre bearing collapsed. Had to buy a complete tailshaft as mechanic said no bearings were available. 

Return to top

2005 Volkswagen Touareg

Engine not specified

37000 mi

US $130
Leaky transmission cooler line. Replaced clamp. 

Return to top

2005 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 310hp 4.9L V10 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

48360 mi

$5000
Driveshaft broken. 

Return to top

2005 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

310-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

86800 mi

C $950
Driveshaft center support bearing 
94240 mi

C $120
Performed software update to counter differential to address vibration during full turns in parking lots 
71000 mi

US $1600
Auto repair shop initially said vehicle needed new transmission but extended warranty specialist said it needed valve body replaced. Vehicle is running smooth so far. 
198000 mi

US $980
Driveshaft bearing failed. Apparently a common failure for touaregs, cayennes and q7's 
75000 mi

US $1000
Transmission valve body failure. Replaced valve body with aftermarket part, replaced fluids and filter in transmission. 
107260 mi

$2300
Part change (axle) 

Return to top

2005 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

240-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

63000 mi

US $800
Drive shaft was rebuilt and replaced after bearing went out. 
76260 mi

¤1000
The car was vibrating when turning at low speeds (especially noticeable when driving in a parking lot). Was told that "gear switch" needs replacing. Replaced it at an independent shop - so far so good. 
82000 mi

US $1200
The center driveshaft bearing support failed 
52000 mi

US $300
When approaching a full stop the engine RPM drops as if the torque converter is unlocking too late. Driveshaft vibration during cold temps A known issue with the AWD stepper motor causes periodic binding in the drivetrain. 
67200 mi

US $200
Part delivery issues. Now new stepper motor installed and overall a good outcome. 
64480 mi

$200
Replaced the drive shaft centre bearing and boot kit 
49000 mi

US $900
Center carrier bearing on driveshaft went bad, replaced with rebuilt part. 
67000 mi

US $1700
Valve body was rebuilt and replaced. Repair took longer than expected as the first valve body supplied by the shop did not work right. 

Return to top

2005 Volkswagen Touareg 4-door

turbocharged 6-cylinder diesel automatic 4WD

86680 mi

€330
Central drive shaft needed to replaced. My mechanic replaced it with a reconditioned unit. 
114700 mi

€900
Drive shaft had seized & was replaced 
114080 mi

€480
Gearbox oil changed as gear change has become clunky 

Return to top

2005 Volkswagen Touareg 4-door

8-cylinder automatic 4WD

130000 mi

US $100
09D valve body issues... hard downshifts... will eventually have to be replaced. 
136000 mi

US $100
09D valve body (POS, Thank you VAG) inspection, identify unit for replacement. replace fluid and filter. sourcing replacement parts. 

Return to top

2004 Volkswagen Touareg

Engine not specified

91000 mi Failed drive shaft. Center bearing support failed. At less than 150 miles the center bearing support on the drive shaft failed again. Drove to the shop with an extensive vibration. 
91000 mi After driveshaft was replaced a second time we had a noise up front in the transfer case. Got rid of the car. 

Return to top

2004 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

turbocharged 310hp 4.9L V10 Diesel 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

101700 mi

US $100
Dreaded 'driveshaft thumping' happened. Confirmed center Ujoint bearing carrier rubber mount had failed. New driveshaft ass'y ordered under extended warranty. This is a common and expected issue on all Touaregs of this vintage. 
R 9000 DRIVE SHAFT 

Return to top

2004 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

310-horsepower 4.2L V8 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

90200 mi

US $800
Driveline severe "clunk" when downshifting from 5th to 4th. Common problem for these cars, according to the internet. Locked in 3rd gear 
103000 mi Intermittent check engine light. Repair estimate $1,000. Have allready spent $5k on repairs this year. Traded car in on 2012 touareg. For $7k. Kept the car 1 year too long. 
75500 mi

US $1230
Broken center bearing, driveshaft u-joint also not moving properly. Replaced full driveshaft assembly. 
139000 mi

US $600
Transmission has significant jerks when shifting, particularly between 4 and 5. As start, shop checked and replaced, fluid and checked systems. 
55000 mi

US $1303
Driveshaft center support bearing failed - driveshaft replaced. Auto transmission valve body replaced - rough downshift problem. 
79000 mi

US $150
prop shaft replaced 
152000 mi

US $1500
Front differential rebuilt 
67500 mi

US $75
squeaking drivetrain. Lubrication only. 

Return to top

2004 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

220-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

81840 mi

C $1650
Hard downshifting of trans, had fluid and filters changed, will likely need computer reflash. Failure of driveshaft steady bearing requiring driveshaft replacement. 
110980 mi

C $830
replace malfunctioning valve body, supplied dealer with after-market component. 
81000 mi

US $2045
The rear drive shaft support bearing failed in Canada new shaft 1500 +15 % tax labor 4h x $80.0 total 2045.0 In the US, new shaft $650.00 rebuilt shaft 350.00+labor, replace bearing only $95.00 Bearing or rebuilt shaft non in Canada 
138000 mi

US $1000
replaced transfer case, from popping noise 
47120 mi

C $700
center carrier bearing on drive shaft 
100300 mi

US $872
Warning light for 4 wheel drive Part # OAD-341-601C motor replaced Part 489.60 
131000 mi

US $1500
Center support bearing failed, This makes replacing the drive shaft necessary 
115000 mi

US $980
Main drive line CV joints failed and center support bearing too. 
94240 mi

C $1250
ABS light on. Dealer diagnosed as failed electrical motor in the rear differential. Brutally expensive part. 
98000 mi

US $1100
Replaced main driveshaft. Driveshaft universal joint bearings wore out. 
111600 mi

C $700
The steady bearing that supports the drive shaft. Located about half way between front axel and rear axel 

Return to top

2004 Volkswagen Touareg 4-door

8-cylinder automatic 4WD

39680 mi Driveshaft support bearing noisy, driveshaft ordered. Installed new driveshaft. 

Return to top

2003.5 Volkswagen Touareg 4dr SUV

220-horsepower 3.2L V6 6-speed shiftable automatic AWD w/low range

60760 mi

A $200
Failed Driveshaft Bearing (known problem and expected around this mileage). Part not available from VW (they wanted $2,200 for a complete tailshaft assembly), I've ordered the bearing online (overseas) and awaiting it to arrive. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Volkswagen models.

Volkswagen Touareg Transmission Problems

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently Volkswagen Touareg problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.