2015 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG Recalls, Complaints & Safety

Collision Avoidance Camera (Part Number: 7P6907217BZ1Y) has failed. The camera is still on the vehicle and available for inspection upon request. All front assist/safety systems are unavailable, including cruise control. Systems are designed specifically to prevent collisions. The dealer (Volkswagen of Corpus Christi) has confirmed the issue as of September 4, 2023. The control module is failing all over the world, on various vehicle brands (Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen) and models. A replacement is not available, new or used. This was confirmed by the dealership.

The Driver Assistance System (Adaptive Cruise Control, Front Collision Avoidance, AEB, and Lane Departure/Lane Keeping system) all do not work. The VW dealers have said the Front Collision Avoidance Camera is not working. The system was intermittently working, then stopped working on the interstate highway in the left lane. The car failed to warn/slow/break automatically while the ACC function was activated, forcing me to engage the brakes manually to avoid a collision. The ACC/Front Collision warning light goes on now but did not when it first malfunctioned, and still only goes on intermittently but the system does not work at all. I had two local VW dealers check out the Driver Assist system. One said the entire system is not working. Another said the fault codes are emanating from the Front Collision Avoidance Camera. This is VW part 7P6907217BZ1Y. I ordered the part in November 2023 from a OKC VW dealer online (since it was the best price.) They then told me the part was unavailable/on back order. However, it has been 7 months and there is no ETA on the part availability. The dealer sent me a text message exchange with VW and that is what VW told the dealer. I am concerned VW is no longer making the part as required by 49 U.S.C. 30118-30119 and/or 49 U.S.C. 30120. I am part of VW Touareg owner forums. There are other Touareg (and other VW model) owners who report this same problem, lack of part availability, and no info from VW on whether they are even trying to obtain/supply this part any longer. I believe this is a serious, widespread safety issue based on reading other complaints online by Touareg/VW owners who have ACC/Driver Assist, who face the same dilatory action by VW to perhaps avoid fixing this issue until their legal obligation to manufacture the part expires. The parts and overall ACC/Collision Avoidance systems are very pricey, and this is a direct safety issue. thank you

Collision avoidance system / cruise control malfunction

Question 1: What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Answer 1: Collision Avoidance Camera. The camera can be removed from the vehicle and shipped for inspection. Question 2: How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? Answer 2: All front safety feature stop working. Collision avoidance warning, emergency braking, adaptive cruise control. Question 3: Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? Answer 3: Yes. This is a well documented failure. Onboard data shows a communication failure with the camera. The car has been diagnosed with a failure in the front AAC camera. This camera is failing all over the world, in numerous years and models. Audi Q7, Porsche Cayenne, and VW Touareg. A replacement is not available, new or used. Question 4: Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Answer 4: Car starts and runs without warning for a time. All of a sudden a warning appears that the Accident Avoidance system is not functioning. I no longer have any front facing safety features. This camera has a high failure rate. If being used and it fails an accident is very possible.

The contact owns a 2015 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated while her husband was stopped at a traffic light, he started to hear an abnormal sound. The driver stated no warning light was illuminated. The driver was able to continue driving to his destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the catalytic converter to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the parts not being available. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 78,500.

The car at half tank will read as being empty. Fuel pump flange? The car will have gas and then randomly show fuel error and drop to empty. The car is drivable and then while drive will switch to empty back to half full mode. Less of the worry the adaptive cruise control and fwd collision warning freeze/not working

Today, engine completely cut off in the middle of traffic (20-30 MPH), loss of power steering and breaking power. Engine dashboard yellow message appeared. I experience this several times before and previously brought to the attention of VW service department and some ECU repairs and engine sensor repairs were done - but the problem continues to happen. Sometimes engine cuts off simply at idle (e.g. waiting at traffic light) but loss of engine power together with power steering and breaks is very concerning when driving.

WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC THERE CAN BE A HUGE LAG IN TIME FROM WHEN YOU DEPRESS THE ACCELERATOR TO WHEN THE CAR REACTS AND ACCELERATES.IT IS NOT CONSISTENT WHICH IS WHERE THE DANGER ARISES. THIS STARTED WHEN VW "FIXED" THE EMISSIONS SYSTEM. IT IS VERY DANGEROUS WHEN YOU HAVE A SMALLER GAP TO GET INTO IN TRAFFIC. I WAS ALMOST HIT MULTIPLE TIMES SINCE VW RETUNED THE CAR. I WORRY ABOUT MY WIFE AND KIDS GETTING HIT BY SOMEONE BECAUSE OF THE LAG/HESITATION THAT IS OCCURRING. VW SHOULD FIX THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THIS.

OUR 2015 TOUAREG TDI WITH 35,000MI LOST POWER ON INTERSTATE 10. THE VEHICLE WAS IN 'LIMP' MODE AND ONLY ABLE TO REACH A SPEED OF 20MPH IN A 75MPH ZONE ON INTERSTATE 10. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. WE MADE IT TO A DEALER IN LAS CRUCES, NM. AFTER THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM WE WERE TOLD THERE WAS WATER IN THE AIR FILTER, THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, AND THE AIR FLOW SENSOR. AFTER A BRIEF SEARCH WE DISCOVERED THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW WITH THE EXTERIOR DRAIN SYSTEM. THIS CAUSES WATER TO FLOW INTO THE AIR INTAKE, THRU THE AIR FILTER, THRU THE TURBO, AND ULTIMATELY INTO THE ENGINE. THE UNDIRECTED EXTERIOR DRAIN WATER DAMAGES THE AIR FILTER, THE TURBO, AND, IN SOME CASES, THE ENTIRE ENGINE WILL FAIL. I WAS TOLD OUR 2015 TOUAREG TDI WOULD NEED, AMONG OTHER THINGS, TO REPLACE THE TURBO AT A COST OF $4,000-$5,000.

WATER INTRUSION IN AIR FILTER CAUSING MULTIPLE MALFUNCTIONS AND SEVERE LOSS OF POWER. MULTIPLE WARNING LIGHTS INCLUDING, DIESEL PARTICULATE FILTER, GLOW PLUG FLASHING, AND CHECK ENGINE. VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO DEALER. DEALER REPLACED AIR FILTER AND MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR AND CHARGED $500+ FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS A VW CPO AND STILL UNDER WARRANTY. THEY STATED I MUST HAVE DRIVEN THROUGH DEEP WATER FOR THIS TO HAPPEN, WHICH I DID NOT. IT WOULD HAVE REQUIRED MY DRIVING THROUGH 3-4 FEET OF WATER. THIS NEVER HAPPENED. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME I HAVE HAD THE MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR REPLACED IN A 6 MONTH PERIOD. I HAVE NOTICED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS EXACT ISSUE AND ALSO THAT VW HAS RECALLED THIS VEHICLE IN CHINA FOR THE SAME ISSUE BUT NOT THE USA. I HAVE CONTACTED VW AND THEY WILL NOT DO ANYTHING.

AFTER A RAINSTORM WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED AT AN ANGLE I STARTED THE CAR AND NOTICED IT WAS MAKING AN ODD SOUND. DISCOVERED THAT THE FIXTURE THAT HOLDS THE AIR FILTER WAS CONTAINED WATER AND THE AIR FILTER WAS SOPPING WET. INGESTION OF WATER INTO THE ENGINE CAN CAUSE ISSUES SUCH AS HYDROLOCKING. *TR

THROTTLE LAG. WHEN I PULL OUT INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC IT IS DANGEROUS. THERE IS A SIGNIFICANT LAG BETWEEN WHEN I HIT THE PEDAL AND WHEN THE CAR MOVES. IF I THROW THE PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR, IT IS NOT BETTER. IT IS DANGEROUS. I'VE NEVER DRIVEN A CAR WITH SUCH AWFUL RESPONSE TO THE THROTTLE.

PARTIALLY WET/MOIST AIR FILTER. VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEN THROUGH ANY STANDING WATER. 1/3RD OF THE AIR FILTER IS WET AND LOOKS LIKE THERE WAS STANDING WATER IN THE AIRBOX AS THE AIR FILTER DISPLAYED SIGNS ON WATER DAMAGE UPON REPLACEMENT FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE. IT SEEMS THAT WATER COLLECTS IN THE BOTTOM OF AIRBOX AND DOES NOT DRAIN OUT EVEN WHEN DRAIN VALVE IS UNOBSTRUCTED AND OPERATIONAL. COULD CAUSE AN ISSUE WITH ENGINE HYDRO-LOCKING AND FAILING. POOR DESIGN. THIS COULD CAUSE ENGIN

WATER IS SOMEHOW FINDING ITS WAY INTO ENGINE AIR FILTER HOUSING(INTAKE) AND SOAKING AIR FILTER ELEMENT DESPITE HAVING ONLY BEEN DRIVEN UNDER NORMAL WEATHER/ROAD CONDITIONS. VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN DRIVEN THROUGH ANY WATER DEEPER THAN A MUD PUDDLE. AM CONCERNED ABOUT POTENTIAL ENGINE DAMAGE THAT COULD POSSIBLY OCCUR IF FURTHER WATER INTRUSION OCCURS, PARTICULARLY IF IT WERE TO HAPPEN WHILE DRIVING.

VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN AT SLOW CITY SPEEDS AND SUDDENLY LOUD EXHAUST NOISE STARTED TO COME FROM ENGINE COMPARTMENT. WHEN HOOD WAS OPENED TO SEE WHAT THE ISSUE WAS, FLAMES WERE BEING SPIT OUT OF THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BECAUSE THE PRE-CAT PIPE WAS COMPLETELY SEPARATED. CYLINDER 4-6 PRE-CAT (REAR/UPPER) SEPARATED FROM EXHAUST MANIFOLD FLANGE BECAUSE OF A FAILED WELD. ISSUE ADDRESSED ON VW RECALL 26L3. VW RECALL 26L3 DOES NOT ADDRESS 2015 MODELS BUT DOES 2013 MODELS, DEALER REFUSED TO SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO CARRY OUT THE RECALL BECAUSE THEY STATE THAT VW HAS NOT INCLUDED MODEL YEAR 2015 IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. ESCALATED TO VWOA, WAITING FOR A RESPONSE.

WATER AND DEBRIS WAS INGESTED IN TO AIR FILTER BOX RESULTING IN WATER-SOAKED AIR FILTER AND THE POTENTIAL FOR CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. IT IS UNKNOWN HOW LONG THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN OCCURRING BECAUSE I HAD NEVER CHECKED MY AIR FILTER BEFORE. THE VEHICLE HAS PERIODICALLY BEEN DRIVEN IN RAIN OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS BUT NEVER DRIVEN IN DEEP OR STANDING WATER. IT APPEARS THAT DRAINS ARE NOT ABLE TO DRAIN PROPERLY AND WATER IS ENTERING THE BOX SOMEHOW WHEN IT SHOULDN'T BE BE ABLE TO.

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR THE DAY AFTER A RAINY DAY IN FLORIDA AND WATER WAS INGESTED INTO MY CAR'S AIR FILTER AND THEN INTO THE ENGINE. THIS CAUSED MAJOR AND EXPENSIVE ENGINE DAMAGES. I HAD NOT DRIVEN THROUGH ANY DEEP PUDDLES. VW FIXED THE VEHICLE (FOR $4321.99). I LATER RESEARCHED THIS ISSUE AND FOUND MANY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS ONLINE AND LEARNED THAT THERE IS A VW RECALL FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM IN CHINA, BUT NOT THE U.S. IT HAS TO DO WITH A FAULTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM DESIGN, WHICH VW HAS OFFICIALLY ACKNOWLEDGED. THE ISSUE IS A GLOBAL ONE, HOWEVER, NOT JUST A PROBLEM IN CHINA. I PURCHASED MY CAR ONLY 3 MONTHS AGO, CERTIFIED AND WITH A 2 YEAR BUMPER TO BUMPER WARRANTY, WHICH DIDN'T COVER ANY OF THE DAMAGES, BECAUSE THEY WERE FROM AN "EXTERNAL" SOURCE. VW SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING THIS PROBLEM EVERYWHERE. THEY ARE BENEFITING FINANCIALLY FROM PEOPLE LIKE ME WHO ARE STILL BUYING THEIR CARS AND THEN HAVING TO PAY HUGE REPAIR BILLS FOR A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT FOR A LONG TIME. WHEN THE PROBLEM OCCURRED, THE ENGINE CHECK LIGHTS CAME ON, THE CAR SLOWED TO A CRAWL (I WAS ON A HIGHWAY) AND THE CAR JERKED VIOLENTLY. LUCKILY, I WAS ABLE TO LIMP THE VEHICLE INTO THE NEAREST VW REPAIR SHOP.

SUNROOF IS LEAKING AND CREATES CONDENSATION AND MOLD INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THEY PERFORMED A CLEANING. COUPLE A WEEKS AFTER I HAVE DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF IS LEAKING AGAIN AND CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY CLAIMED THEY ONLY CLEANED THE PIPES BUT NOW THEY NEED TO SEAL THE PIPE. AT THE SAME TIME I WAS THERE THE DEALER MENTIONED HE IS SWAMPED WITH VW CARS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH SUNROOF LEAKING AND HE IS BACKED UP. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH ALL VW CARS AND NOT JUST MY MODEL. THE DESIGN OF THE DRAINING SYSTEM FOR THE SUNROOF IS FAULTY AND CREATE WATER PENETRATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS EXTENSIVELY AND SPOKE WITH A FEW DEALERSHIPS AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH VW SUNROOF.

AFTER VW EMISSION REPAIR THE CAR STALLS IN SHIFTING GEARS AT LOW SPEED. I TOOK AT THE DEALERSHIP REPAIR SHOP 3 TIMES EVERYTIME THE KEPT THE CAR FOR ABOUT 2-3 WEEKS AND COULDN'T RESOLVE THE ISSUE. IT APPEARS LIKE THERE IS NO FUEL COMING TO THE ENGINE OR THE CAR COMPUTER DO NOT ALLOW THE CAR TO SHIFT TO THE NEXT GEAR UNTIL IT HITS 3000 RPM IN SPEEDS LOWER THE 35MPH. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND WITH SPEAKING WITH VW DEALER ADVISORS THAT THIS AS A RESULT OF THE EMISSION REPAIR AND THEY CAN'T FIX IT. THIS MADE THE CAR UNDRIVABLE SINCE IT'S KEEP STALING AND YOU CAN'T DRIVE IN THE CITY WITHOUT THE JERKING FEELING FROM THE ENGINE. VW CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE KEPT CHANGING THEIR VERSION. AT FIRST, THEY SAID THE CARS COMPUTER WILL LEARN MY DRIVING PATTERN AND WILL ADJUST. THEN WHEN I SPOKE WITH A SUPERVISOR THEY CLAIMED THIS IS HOW THE CAR SHOULD DRIVE AFTER THE EMISSION REPAIR. WHEN SPEAKING WITH THE SERVICE ADVISOR AT STHOLMAN VW HE TOLD ME HE HA A CUSTOMER WITH THE SAME CAR IN FOR 3 MONTHS AND THEY COULDN'T FIX THAT ISSUE.

SUNROOF IS LEAKING AND CREATES CONDENSATION AND MOLD INSIDE THE CAR. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR AND THEY PERFORMED A CLEANING. COUPLE A WEEKS AFTER I HAVE DISCOVERED THE SUNROOF IS LEAKING AGAIN AND CONTACT THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN. THEY CLAIMED THEY ONLY CLEANED THE PIPES BUT NOW THEY NEED TO SEAL THE PIPE. AT THE SAME TIME I WAS THERE THE DEALER MENTIONED HE IS SWAMPED WITH VW CARS WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH SUNROOF LEAKING AND HE IS BACKED UP. THIS APPEARS TO BE A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH ALL VW CARS AND NOT JUST MY MODEL. THE DESIGN OF THE DRAINING SYSTEM FOR THE SUNROOF IS FAULTY AND CREATE WATER PENETRATION. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS EXTENSIVELY AND SPOKE WITH A FEW DEALERSHIPS AND IT APPEARS TO HAVE BEEN A WIDE SPREAD PROBLEM WITH VW SUNROOF.

UNDER ACCELERATION THE ENGINE BEGAN TO STUTTER AND A LARGE CLOUD OF WHITE SMOKE OR STEAM CAME OUT OF THE EXHAUST, SUGGESTING POSSIBLE WATER INGESTION. UPON REMOVING THE AIR FILTER IT WAS FOUND THAT THE FILTER HAD WATER DAMAGE AND MOLD, AND THE FILTER AND AIRBOX HAD LOTS OF SMALL DEBRIS CLOGGING THE DRAIN TUBE.

WATER INGESTION INTO AIR INTAKE FROM DESIGN FLAW. CHANGED AIR FILTER BASED ON WARNING THREAD LOCATED AT CLUB TOUAREG ONLINE. IF YOU DRIVE A 2011-2017 TOUAREG PLEASE CHECK YOUR AIR FILTER. MANY OWNERS HAVE REPORTED COMPLETE ENGINE FAILURES AND VW REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. VW ISSUED RECALL IN CHINA BUT ARE DENYING PROBLEMS HERE IN NA. MY AIR INTAKE TUBE LEADING UP TO THE AIRBOX WAS FULL OF WATER AND THE BOTTOM 2-3 INCHES OF THE AIR FILTER ITSELF WAS FALLING APART, SOAKING WET AND MOLDY. IT WAS BASICALLY SITTING IN WATER. OUR VEHICLE IN ONLY USED ON ROAD FOR COMMUTING - NEVER OFF ROAD OR ON DEEP WATER SITUATIONS. I'M ATTACHING PHOTOS OF MY AIRBOX FULL OF WATER AND THE AIR FILTER I CHANGED.

LARGE AMOUNT OF WATER ENTERING THE INTAKE, AFFECTING THE PEFORMANCE OF THE VEHICLE. THE WATER IS INSUFFICIENTLY DRAINING FROM THE INTAKE BOX. THE AIR FILTER DEGRADES AS A RESULT. MAY LEAD TO POSSIBLE HYDROLOCKING OF THE ENGINE. THERE ARE ACTIVE RECALLS FOR THIS ISSUE FOR THIS VEHICLE MODEL IN CHINA AND GERMANY. THE ISSUE APPEARS AFTER DRIVING OR PARKING THE VEHICLE IN THE RAIN. POSSIBLE CULPRIT IS THE REDESIGNED HEADLAMPS DRAINING THE WATER RIGHT INTO THE INTAKE OPENING IN THE FRONT

I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN TO THE TIRE SHOP THIS MORNING TO HAVE THE TIRE PATCHED FOR A SMALL SCREW THAT WAS PICKED UP DURING NORMAL OPERATION. I RECEIVED A CALL A SHORT TIME LATER FROM TIRE SHOP TELLING ME THAT THE SIDEWALL OF MY TIRE HAD FAILED. THIS IS THE SECOND SIDEWALL FAILURE MY GOODYEAR EAGLE LS-2'S HAVE EXPERIENCED IN LESS THAN 2 MONTHS. VEHICLE IS 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG, AND THE TIRES WERE ORIGINAL WITH THE VEHICLE. 50% FAILURE RATE IS UNACCEPTABLE. I HAD TO REPLACE THE FIRST ONE AND WILL BE FORCED TO REPLACE THE SECOND ONE AS WELL. THESE ARE AROUND $325 PER TIRE, SO OUT AROUND $650 IN LESS THAN A YEAR, BUT I FEEL INCREDIBLY LUCKY THAT NEITHER INCIDENT WAS AT SPEED, OR THE LOSS COULD HAVE BEEN MUCH HEAVIER. I AM A FATHER TO TWO WONDERFUL CHILDREN, AND I DO NOT FEEL LIKE THESE TIRES ARE SAFE, AND AM BEYOND CONCERNED FOR THEIR WELL BEING.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG EQUIPPED WITH PIRELLI SCORPION VERDE TIRES, SIZE 265/50/R19. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE CONTACT OBSERVED AN ABNORMAL NOISE COMING FROM THE FRONT TIRES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRES WERE NOT PROPERLY INFLATED WITH NITROGEN. THE TIRES WERE NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE VEHICLE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,850 AND THE TIRE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 16,800.THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.