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2013 Volkswagen Touareg problems, recalls and owner complaints
What the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg has been recalled for, how often it fails the UK MOT and what owners report, from official government data. Updated October 25, 2026.
- 3safety recalls
- 30owner complaints
- 1crash report
- 0fire reports
- 23%fail the UK MOT
30 complaints, against an average of 29 for the other 5 Volkswagen Touareg model years.
Every Volkswagen Touareg model year with its number of owner complaints. Pick a year to compare.
What goes wrong with the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg?
The components named most often in the 30 owner complaints. One complaint can name several, so the shares can add up to more than 100%.
What symptoms do 2013 Volkswagen Touareg owners describe?
Found by reading the text of all 30 owner complaints. Tap a symptom for the answer, a real owner quote and any related recall.
Has the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg been recalled?
3 U.S. safety recalls. Repairs are free at a franchised dealer; some are done over the air.
Unknown Or Other Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Service Brakes, Hydraulic: Pedals And Linkages 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.
Risk: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Hybrid Propulsion System Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it may cause an electrical short in the high voltage battery.
Risk: An electrical short in the high voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a fitted drain valve to allow water to drain properly, free of charge. The recall began late February 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this 53B8.
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg recalled in the UK or Europe?
Recalls issued by the UK's DVSA and through the EU's Safety Gate system that cover this model and build period. European models can differ from U.S. ones, and "years estimated" means the recall gave no build dates, so confirm your own car with your registration or VIN.
UK DVSABrake pedal may fail and make hard braking impossible
Risk: On affected vehicles the retaining clip for the pivot shaft of the brake pedal bearing may have inadvertently been lost during assembly. Movement of the shaft may affect braking efficiency and in extreme cases cause loss of braking.
Fix: Inspect pivot shaft mounting and where necessary fit a new clip.
UK DVSAFire may occur
Risk: Water ingress may gather in the spare wheel well may accumulate and cause the battery to short circuit.In extreme cases this could cause a fire.
Fix: On affected vehicles fit an additional drain valve to the spare wheel well.
EU Safety GateCars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general…Cars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general public. There is a possibility that certain safety systems of these cars are not correctly modified for street use.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateThe brake pedal pivot pin may become dislodged with the consequence that it is no longer possible to activate the brakes fully.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
EU Safety GateWater infiltration in the battery compartment (spare wheel recess) may cause a short circuit between the terminals of the high-voltage…Water infiltration in the battery compartment (spare wheel recess) may cause a short circuit between the terminals of the high-voltage battery cells resulting in thermal destruction of the battery.
Measures: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer; Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users; Date of entry into force: Unknown
How often does the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg fail its MOT?
Why they failed: the share of failed tests with at least one fault in each area (a test can fail on several). Cars first registered in 2013, tested in Great Britain in 2023; first registration is usually, but not always, the model year. Source: DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, Open Government Licence v3.0.
What do 2013 Volkswagen Touareg owners report?
12 of the 30 complaints, the most recent for the most-reported components, as the owners wrote them. NHTSA removes names and VINs; long reports are trimmed. CarHooq has not verified individual claims.
The weld broke at the rear pre cat connection
So there’s a campaign to add a bracket to one of the catalytic converters. That’s great except I never knew about it and the thing they added the bracket to prevent happened to me. The exhaust pipe from the catalytic separated from the flange connecting to the manifold. It’s a 2000 dollar part from the dealer. Luckily I found a mechanic who is welding the flange and fixing what I got. Just another example of a car company knowing there’s an issue but not really attempting to fix it, only in a policy no one reads.
ON JUNE 3, 2019 I WAS TRAVELING SOUTHBOUND ON THE I-5 NEAR TULARE, CALIFORNIA, AT APPROXIMATELY 75MPH WHEN AN INDICATOR LIGHT CAME ON THAT I HAD NEVER SEEN BEFORE. LESS THAN A MINUTE LATER, I BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND WAS UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. I QUICKLY MOVED TO THE RIGHT LANE AND PREPARED TO EXIT THE FREEWAY LESS THAN A MILE AHEAD. A FEW SECONDS LATER, THE ENGINE COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. I WAS FORCED TO COAST OFF THE FREEWAY, NO POWER, NO POWER STEERING AND QUICKLY LOSING MY BRAKES. I WAS LUCKY THAT THERE WAS AN OPEN PARKING LOT IMMEDIATELY OFF THE FREEWAY THAT I WAS ABLE TO COAST INTO. AFTER…
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HORN FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND THE STEERING WHEEL MALFUNCTIONED. BAXTER VOLKSWAGEN LA VISTA (7108 S 124TH CIR, LA VISTA, NE 68128, (402) 983-9801) STATED THAT THE AIR BAG CONTROL MODULE AND ASSEMBLY WERE CORRODED, WHICH AFFECTED THE STEERING WHEEL FUNCTIONS, AIR BAGS, AND HORN. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE WITH THE REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,600.
STEERING FLUID LEAKED OUT , INTERNAL FAULT WITH RACK SEAL, REPLACED RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY IN MAY 2019 THIS IS SECOND REPLACEMENT OF RACK AND PINION ON THIS VEHICLE PRIOR REPLACEMENT IN NOVEMBER 2015 I FEEL ITS VERY UNUSUAL TO CHANGE RACK AND PINION ASSEMBLY ON SAME VEHICLE TWICE IN 4 YEARS TIME I HAVE BEEN TOLD IT HAPPENS OFTEN IN VW TOUAREG BUT HAS NOT BEEN REPORTED TO NHTSA
AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED. HORN NOR STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS WORK. ADVISED IT WAS A STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING FAULT. THERE WAS A RECALL BUT THIS PARTICULAR VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED.
2013 TDI -HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP FAILURE. HAVE NEVER PUT GASOLINE IN THE TANK. VW HAS REJECTED COST OF REPAIRS.
DRIVERS SIDE SEAT WARMER BURNED THROUGH THE SEAT COVER & BURNED THROUGH MY COAT. I WAS DRIVING ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY & FELT THE SEAT BECOME HOT. I TURNED IT OFF & WAS UNAWARE MY SEAT & COAT HAD BURNED UNTIL I REACHED MY DESTINATION. CAR & COAT WERE TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP TO ORDER NEW PARTS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM.
THE STEERING WHEEL HAS A SHAKE, SHIMMY, OR VIBRATION BETWEEN 70-80MPH. 72MPH BEING THE MOST OBVIOUS. IT ALSO TENDS TO PULL MOSTLY TO THE RIGHT. IT CURRENTLY IS IN FOR ITS 2ND ATTEMPT AT REPAIR. THE FIRST WAS A REMOUNT AND REBALANCE OF ALL 4 WHEELS AS WELL AS "CLEANING" THE HUBS. THIS WAS TO COMPLY WITH THEIR OWN INTERNAL TSB. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS FIXED AND IT IS NOT. I'M WAITING TO PICK IT UP.
WHEN THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT SPEEDS BETWEEN 60 MPH - 75 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BACK AND FORTH. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKE IS NOTICEABLE TO THE POINT THAT IF YOU TAKE YOUR HANDS OFF THE STEERING WHEEL YOU LITERALLY CAN SEE THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATE BACK AND FORTH. THE AIR PRESSURE IN THE TIRES HAS BEEN CHECKED, THE TIRES HAVE BEEN ROTATED AND THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER HAS ROAD FORCE BALANCED THE TIRES 2X IN AN ATTEMPT TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE OVER THE DURATION OF A YEAR. THE ATTEMPTS BY VOLKSWAGEN HAS NOT RESOLVED THE ISSUE AND THEY HAVE NO ANSWER TO WHY THE VEHICLE IS NOT PERFORMING CORRECTLY…
I WAS TURNING ACROSS TRAFFIC (LEFT). I STARTED TO CROSS TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE STALLED, ALMOST SEEM TO DIE, THEN RECOUPED AND WENT ACROSS. THIS HAS HAPPENED 2 TIMES IN 1000 MILES. I ALMOST GOT HIT BY ON-COMING TRAFFIC THE FIRST TIME. IT IS A VERY SERIOUS SITUATION AND ONE THAT COULD CAUSE INJURY, OR WORSE, DEATH. I WAS TOLD BY A VW SERVICE MANAGER, AT A DEALERSHIP, THAT IT WAS A TRANSMISSION HESITATION AND THAT IT WAS NORMAL FOR A DIESEL. I HAVE DRIVEN DIESELS ALL MY LIFE AND THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR A DIESEL, OR ANY OTHER VEHICLE FOR THAT MATTER. I HAVE ASKED TO HAVE A VW REPRESENTATIVE…
THE CAR KEEPS HAVING A CLICKING NOISE ON THE BACK, SUSPENSION PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT IT DOES KEEP HAVING THE SAME NOISE, BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP IT IS. *TR
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2013 Volkswagen Touareg: questions owners ask
Is the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
NHTSA data alone cannot rate reliability, but it shows what owners reported. Owners filed 30 complaints with NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg; the most common categories were steering (8, 26.7%), fuel/propulsion system (6, 20%), engine (4, 13.3%). There are 3 safety recalls. 1 complaint mentions a crash.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg?
Across 30 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the categories mentioned most often are steering (26.7% of complaints), fuel/propulsion system (20% of complaints), engine (13.3% of complaints), air bags (10% of complaints), electrical system (10% of complaints). One complaint can name several components.
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg; the most recent (campaign 18V329000, 2018-05-16) concerns Unknown Or Other. Recall repairs are free at a franchised dealer; check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Why does my 2013 Volkswagen Touareg stall, lose power or shut off while driving?
3 of the 30 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg (10%) describe the engine stalling, losing power or shutting off while driving. One owner wrote: "The car just suddenly stopped while driving on the hwy 91 in los angeles in rush hour traffic. vehicle suddenly lost power and within 10 seconds complete stop and stall on the highway." (NHTSA complaint 10980989, April 2017). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Why does my 2013 Volkswagen Touareg vibrate or shake while driving?
3 of the 30 owner complaints NHTSA has on file for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg (10%) describe vibration or shaking while driving. One owner wrote: "When the vehicle is driven at speeds between 60 mph - 75 mph the steering wheel shakes back and forth. the steering wheel shake is noticeable to the point that if you take your hands off the steering wheel you literally can see the steering wheel vibrate back…" (NHTSA complaint 10644612, October 2014). If it happens to your car, check your VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls and report the problem to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations.
Check your own Touareg
Counts are a starting point, not a verdict: popular models collect more complaints because more of them are on the road, and NHTSA does not verify individual reports. To see whether a recall is still open on your car, enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls (U.S.) or your registration at check-vehicle-recalls.service.gov.uk (UK). Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA; complaints are what trigger investigations and recalls.
Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation recall and complaint databases (public domain), DVSA anonymised MOT results (Open Government Licence v3.0), DVSA vehicle recalls (Open Government Licence v3.0), EU Safety Gate alerts (© European Union), retrieved October 25, 2026. Model year 2013 only; combines NHTSA's entries for TOUAREG and TOUAREG HYBRID.