Problems · NHTSA complaints
2006 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Owners filed 37 complaints about the 2006 Volkswagen Touareg with NHTSA between Aug 2006 and Oct 2024. The most-cited component is fuel/propulsion system (9).
Complaints
37
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
1
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Fuel/propulsion system9
- Electrical system7
- Power train5
- Air bags4
- Exterior lighting4
- Fuel system, gasoline4
- Service brakes, hydraulic4
- Engine2
- Vehicle speed control1
- Visibility/wiper1
- Electronic stability control (esc)1
- Engine and engine cooling1
- Equipment1
- Seats1
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Oct 30, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
1
5
1
1
2
0
6
2
2
1
2
5
4
1
1
1
0
0
2
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 1 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 1 |
| 2010 | 2 |
| 2011 | 0 |
| 2012 | 6 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 4 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2024 | 2 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
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.”
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.”
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.”
Air bags
4 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the passenger’s side front side air bag and the passenger’s side rear side air bag independently deployed. The contact stated that there was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle had stalled after the air bags had deployed. The contact was unable to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that after several attempts, the vehicle was towed to the residence. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 173,000.”
Exterior lighting
4 reports
“I HAD MY TOUAREG IN PUERTO RICO FOR OVER 10 YEARS IN STORAGE. SINCE CAR HAD NOT USED FOR NORMALLY BUSINESS DAYS. THE HEADLIGHT CABLES AND LIGHTS ARE GOT BAD. ALL CABLES GOT DRY AND BROKE IN THE OUTSIDE CAUSE THE HEAT OF THE ISLAND. THE CONTROL UNIT GOT BAD. ALL FRONT LIGHT SISTEM DOESNOT WORK CORRECTLY. THE VEHICLE ONLY HAVE 86000 MILES.”
Fuel system, gasoline
4 reports1 related recall
“2006 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. CONSUMER WRITES SEEKING REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLE REPAIRS RELATED TO A SAFETY RECALL. *LD THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO PROVIDE A FULL REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE RECALL , DUE TO THE VEHICLE BEING REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. *JS THE CONSUMER STATED THE MANUFACTURER REIMBURSED ONLY A PORTION OF THE REPAIR EXPENSES. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THEY NORMALLY WOULD NOT PROVIDE A REIMBURSEMENT FOR VEHICLES REPAIRED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. *JS”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Oct 30, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.