Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD

2006 Volkswagen TouaregRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 37 owner complaints for the 2006 Volkswagen Touareg. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (9) and electrical system (7). The EPA rates it 14–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
14–17mpg
EPA · 3 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2017
Owner complaints
37
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$5,000est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Fuel system

Free remedy

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Touareg vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel filter flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Sep 20, 2017NHTSA 17V583000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

37 complaints filed with NHTSA · Aug 2006 – Oct 2024
  1. Fuel/propulsion system9
  2. Electrical system7
  3. Power train5
  4. Air bags4
  5. Exterior lighting4
  6. Fuel system, gasoline4
  7. Service brakes, hydraulic4
  8. Engine2
  9. Vehicle speed control1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Touareg model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2004231
200575
200637
20079
200856
200919
201025
201116
201228
201330
201427
201524
201645
201724
Crashes reported
0
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
0
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

9 reports
“I get dizzy every time I drive my 2006 Volkswagen Touareg. There is a fuel smell inside the cabin and outside of the driver's rear wheel well. I noticed this during the short time I park in my garage. Since, the noticeable smell, I have been parking outside and have since minimized by use of the vehicle. I love the vehicle, but I am getting headaches and dizziness while driving it. Upon looking up more information on the fuel smell, I came across Volkswagen Manufacture Safety recall 20Ai and 20Z4. Since I last spoke of Community Volkswagen of Santa Maria, they said that the recall has been repaired. However, after further research, this is an Open Recall and is still eligible to be repaired. Please advise me on my next steps so as to not be in a dangerous situation while driving this vehicle. Thank you.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 31, 2024Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11622862

Electrical system

7 reports1 fire
“HEADLIGHT WIRING INSULATION HAS MELTED CREATING SEVERAL SHORTS AND CAUSING THE HEADLIGHTS TO STOP WORKING COMPLETELY. IT APPEARS TO BE ALL OF THE WIRING HEADING TO AND INCLUDING THE HEADLIGHT. IT HAS CAUSED FALSE CODES TO APPEAR AS WELL.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 7, 2017Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Electronic stability control (esc)ODI 11053313

Power train

5 reports
“2006 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE AT DEALERSHIP CONCERNING SEVERAL VEHICLE REPAIRS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED FROM THE BEGINNING, THE VEHICLE HAD PROBLEMS. THE NAVIGATION SYSTEM MALFUNCTIONED. THE UNIT WAS REMOVED AND INSTALLED AGAIN. THE FRONT AND REAR BRAKES WERE REPLACED, THE EVAP PURGE VALVE WAS REPLACED, THE IGNITION COILS WERE REPLACED, CORROSION BUILT UP IN THE SENSOR AND WIRING OF THE HEADLIGHT, AND THE WIRING AND HEADLIGHT WERE REPLACED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED, DUE TO A FAULTY PURGE VALVE, FOR THE THIRD TIME. WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, THE CONSUMER FELT VIBRATIONS AND HEARD LOUD NOISES UNDER THE CENTER ARM REST. IT WAS DISCOVERED THE PROPELLER SHAFT WAS BROKEN. ALSO, THE FRONT BRAKE PADS MATERIAL, WAS METAL ON METAL. THE BRAKES ONLY LASTED 24,600 MILES. THE CONSUMER WAS ALSO INFORMED THE WATER PUMP AND OIL PAN WERE LEAKING.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 14, 2013Service brakes, hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Electrical system, EquipmentODI 10533574
All 2006 Touareg problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

3 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
5.0L 10-cyl turbo diesel · 3.2L 6-cyl · 4.2L 8-cyl
Transmissions
Automatic (S6)
Drive
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Touareg
Auto (S6), 10 cyl, 5.0 L, Diesel, Turbo · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
152017$5,550599
Touareg
Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$5,000555
Touareg
Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
121714$5,700635
  • Touareg
    Auto (S6), 10 cyl, 5.0 L, Diesel, Turbo
    15 city · 20 hwy · $5,550/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Touareg
    Auto (S6), 6 cyl, 3.2 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $5,000/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Touareg
    Auto (S6), 8 cyl, 4.2 L
    12 city · 17 hwy · $5,700/yr
    14
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Oct 30, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Volkswagen Touareg as of Oct 30, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Oct 30, 2026Vehicle 1804
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Touareg questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Volkswagen Touareg have?

1 safety recall as of Oct 30, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Volkswagen Touareg problems?

Owners filed 37 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (9), electrical system (7), power train (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Volkswagen Touareg get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Volkswagen Touareg at 14–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Oct 30, 2026