Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
Engines
The most common engines in 2003 Volkswagen Touareg cars on Dutch roads are the 3.2 petrol (162 kW, 217 hp) and 4.2 petrol (228 kW, 306 hp).
| Engine | Power | Cars |
|---|---|---|
| 3.2 petrol | 162 kW 217 hp | 138 |
| 4.2 petrol | 228 kW 306 hp | 41 |
RDW Open Data (CC0): registered passenger cars and their fuel data · engine size rounded to 0.1 litre, net maximum power · versions with at least 20 cars
In the Netherlands
202 first registered in 2003 are on Dutch roads; 61% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €85,390.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde96
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm63
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect57
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld57
- Band onvoldoende profiel51
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen46
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm37
- Remslang beschadigd, wapeningsmateriaal zichtbaar34
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
115 cars built in 2003 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 204 more were declared off the road (SORN).
Department for Transport and DVLA, vehicle licensing statistics (table VEH0124, year of manufacture) · Open Government Licence v3.0
MOT test results in Great Britain
In 2023, 215 of these cars first registered in 2003 took their annual MOT test. 65% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2003 the figure was 57%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2003 |
|---|---|---|
| Suspension | 15.8% | 16.4% |
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 14.9% | 21.6% |
| Brakes | 10.7% | 13.9% |
| Seat belts and supplementary restraint systems | 7.4% | 3.1% |
| Tyres | 5.1% | 6.3% |
| Body, chassis, structure | 4.7% | 9.4% |
DVSA anonymised MOT tests and results, 2023 (Department for Transport) · Open Government Licence v3.0 · first tests only; a fix made at the test station within the hour still counts as a fail
In New Zealand
109 2003 cars are on the New Zealand register; 59% arrived as used imports, 37% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Recalls
No recall campaigns cover the 2003 Volkswagen Touareg.
Whether a recall was fixed on a particular car is known only to the manufacturer: check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
NHTSA recalls · summaries in NHTSA's own words
Service bulletins
What Volkswagen told its dealers about the 2003 Volkswagen Touareg: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 10253215 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253214 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253213 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10252204 | Air Conditioning Does not Operate |
| 10243034 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10243011 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242996 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242399 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242375 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242372 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10242349 | VW Elsa Newsletter |
| 10241721 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
| 10241720 | Perfect Delivery Inspection (PDI) - Technician and Detailer Inspections |
| 10241340 | Engine Oils Which Meet Volkswagen Oil Quality Standard VW 502 00/505 00/505 01 and VW 504 00/507 00 |
| 10241339 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
| 10241335 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
| 10241333 | Oil Consumption Measurement |
| 10241311 | Gasoline Quality |
| 10241310 | Software Version Management |
| 10241266 | Squeaks, Rattles, Noise, Repair Materials |
| 10241265 | Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults |
| 10241177 | Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards |
| 10239831 | Battery, Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161, MCR340V, InCharge 940, or GRX3000 Charger |
| 10239794 | After installing the -J345- trailer recognition control module (vehicles with PR code 1D8 only), wiring harness and plug, the following steps need to be performed in order to enable the system. |
| 10239789 | To detect which line(s) is inoperative, utilize a volt meter to check for 0 V, which will be present after the open in the grid line. The check must be performed with the engine running and heated rear window switched on. Switch OFF the ignition and visually locate the damage. Proceed with checking any other lines as necessary. Once the damaged line is identified, repair utilizing the Repair kit by Permatex ITEM 09117. |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)