This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
I purchased a 2017 Volkswagen Touareg V6 in October 2023. A problem with the vehicle revealed itself right away. It was consuming too much oil. Oil splatter is present on the hood, the car doors, the back bumper and built up oil residue is present in both tailpipes. Oil has to be added in about three week intervals. The vehicle is displaying the same issues as the vehicles recalled under recall number 21V321000 and I believe this vehicle should be added. I have taken the car to two shops that have confirmed the over consumption. Please evaluate.
The vehicle has an internal oil drain system that slowly leaks oil past the pistons into the combustion chamber of the engine causing the engine to burn oil. This is very dangerous when smoke exits the vehicle from the exhaust and into the air that could be inhaled by others. This same issue over time can cause an engine fire after the exhaust system is entirely clogged by the burned oil residue in the exhaust system. I have spoken with other 2017 VW Touareg owners who have the same exact issue and the problem is widely reported online by other drivers in forums.
Exhaust line for cylinders 4-6 developed crack immediately before catalytic converter. Problem has occurred in other Touaregs, there is even a recall for 2014 models. Crack allows exhaust to leak nearby air intake to cabin. Noticeable exhaust smell inside cabin, especially when stopped. No warning, just check engine light after the crack. Crack along thin weld, leading right into the catalytic converter. Also environmental concern that exhaust gasses are not being treated. Potential fire hazard.
While driving the power train was seriously impacted, it is no longer operational and available for inspection at the dealer now. This is absolutely a safety risk as there was power loss and inconsistency which could have been very dangerous depending on the level of control required by the traffic conditions. The dealer has diagnosed and insurance is scheduled to inspect. the manufacturer has been requested by us to do a root cause but no response from them - this is apparently a known issue (class action lawsuit) that has not been official recognized as a recall. a transmission warning came on prior to the failure.
In a non-driving environment rain water drains off the hood of the vehicle, down the right headlight and drains directly into the vehicle's intake pipe. In turn, this rain water collects in the intake air filter box, destroys the air filter and allows water to enter the combustion chamber causing erratic engine performance and untold engine damage due to the violent shuddering and erratic idle. This is a safety issue when driving in rain because the condition can be exaggerated causing the engine to lose power at highway speeds. This is a known safety issue and has been addressed via recall in China and Europe.
- Tarrytown, NY, USA
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Waterlogged airfilter - car was serviced exactly one week prior to issue, and service director accused me of driving through a puddle of water. While I have driven through progressively bad weather in fl for years, I explained that I didn't that week and asked if this could be due to accumulation which was overseen prior, but he denied. $1000 later, I am unclear how this occurred and how to prevent it. This seems to be an issue that is identified by multiple customers in various countries and remains unaddressed by VW North America.
The air intake is collecting water and getting into the air filter housing. This can cause the engine to suck in water, destroying the engine. This is a design flaw and there is a recall at VW china but VW North America refuses to address the problem.
For several months we noticed a small puddle under the front right portion of the vehicle. We assumed it was a cracked washer fluid tank. Took to dealer they found nothing during service appointment. Technician mentioned nothing of the water in the filter area. Over next several months the same puddle noticed which we assumed it was merely HVAC condensation due to us living in high humidity region. This very morning of July 13 2020 my wife started the vehicle after sitting for more than a week and I immediately heard the engine surging and suffocating. Had her immediate shut off. The location of the noise resinated from the engine air filter box. After I opened the box my feet were soaked from the seeming 2 quarts of water that splashed to the ground. I removed the complete water soaked air filter and scooped out the remaining 3 cups of water still lying in the bottle part of the box. The drain valve at the bottom of the box failed to drain off water which water shouldn't be in that region on any car. I spoke to the local dealer who responded in a surprised manner as if they never heard of that before... well after internet research I found this issue is a world wide issue with pending lawsuits... no remedy avail able rendering the car undriveable until resolution identified. No movement on this issue from 2014-2017 models as internet research.
My car engine transmission/fault lights came on and I brought it into dealer, who identified a wet, moldy air filter and water in the bottom of the chamber. This was the first time I brought the vehicle into the shop, but I checked air filter again today after a steady rain while vehicle was parked, and the box had water in the bottom of it. Additional symptoms I noticed were condensation on inside of windshield and dank smell.
I recently purchased a 2017 VW Touareg sport. Water is entering the air filter compartment. If water enters the engine it will shut down the car possibly in traffic causing a very hazardous situation, in addition the engine will be destroyed. The vehicle is like new and 100% factory equipped. This is a flaw in design. I became aware of the situation while changing the air filter. After researching the clubtouareg forum many people are having the same complaint. There is a class action suit over the issue. Https://www.clubtouareg.com/threads/2017-sport-w-tech-engine-ingested-water.263721/ I believe recall is justified given the high probability water entering the engine, causing a shut down on the highway and destroying the engine.
Engine air intake design is susceptible to flooding with water. A large amount of water will collect in the intake tube behind the front grill. The drain installed in the intake tube is not sufficient enough for high volumes of water in a short period of time, such as in a thunderstorm. The drain also clogs easily with dirt and debris. The water then migrates into the air filter box, where it can be sucked into the engine. This issue has been identified by several people worldwide. This occurs when the vehicle is parked and/or driving through heavy rain regardless of location. See this thread on the topic: Https://www.clubtouareg.com/forums/F95/2017-sport-w-tech-engine-ingested-water-263721-5.html
The engine air filter box gets flooded with water which could lead to entering water in the engine and seize the engine operation. I noticed that this happens to multiple Touareg owners and VW of America does not want to issue a recall for this problem. It looks like VW of europe and china re-called this problem. Please help!
Water getting in the engine air filter box, and saturating air filter. We have not driven in heavy rain, or through any puddles.problem was found at dealer oil change service
My vehicle has been experiencing water damage to the air filter. It is unknown if this is from a car wash, driving in the rain or the vehicle sitting in the rain. This is a common complaint among an online website forum.
Air intake system lets water into the engine which can cause destruction of the engine, loss of power, loss of power steering, and loss of power brakes while driving. I inspected the air filter on my car to evaluate it for this issue and the bottom of the filter was soaked after a car wash. It was completely dry before the wash. Volkswagen has recalled these vehicles due to this issue in germany and china but not in the usa.
After a rainy night, got into my car the next morning heard a weird noise while pulling out of driveway, drove down the street and car starting bucking, white smoke coming out back and lost control of the car...no power steering, no brakes car died. This is the second time this happened to me, it happen 9 months prior. Had roadside service pick up car and bring to service. Called service the next morning and was accused of driving my car through water and the car filters got wet and possible water now in the engine. VW would not be responsible! I never drove in standing water, this happened after a rainy night of my car sitting on my flat driveway. There is something wrong with this car and is completely unsafe to drive after rain or in the rain.
The Touareg has a design flaw that have the engine air intake under neath the front headlight, which, under heavy rain, will let water flow though to the intake pipe and get into the engine. I have personally validated this as my air filter gets soaking wet after a heavy rain. There have also been numerous break-down-in-the-road reports to Volkswagen but the manufacturer has yet to take any action.
Water was found in the air filter and engine. Service adviser stated that the vehicle was in water. I replied that the vehicle has be driven in heavy rain and sits outside in the weather. According to the service adviser the engine need to be replaced. I have researched online and found several more similar situations. This situation has caused the engine to seize and shut down.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Memphis, TN, USA