Problems owners report
Complaints filed with NHTSA about the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg, by the system named in each complaint. One complaint can name several.
- Fuel/propulsion system8
- Steering3
- Air bags2
- Engine2
- Power train2
- Fuel system, diesel2
- Visibility/wiper1
- Electrical system1
- Unknown or other1
- Fuel system, gasoline1
NHTSA ODI complaints (public domain) · updated 23 Oct 2026 · 0 injuries and 0 deaths reported
Compared with other years
NHTSA ODI complaints by model year
New York safety inspections
At its first New York inspection the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg failed the safety check 1.56% of the time — 38% less often than the average 2009 passenger car (2.52%). Median odometer at inspection: 132,416 miles.
NY DMV Vehicle Inspections (vezn-fmmk), initial inspections since Aug 2021 · how we count
In the Netherlands
47 first registered in 2009 are on Dutch roads; 66% arrived later as imports. Median list price when new: €84,729.
Most common APK defects
- Bandenspanning niet op juiste waarde27
- Dimlicht onjuist afgesteld12
- Overmatige vloeistoflekkage overige vloeistoffen11
- Waarschuwingsinrichting airbag- / gordelsysteem geeft defect10
- Band(en) aanwezig met een profieldiepte van 1,6 t/m 2,5 mm9
- Kentekenplaatverlichting werkt niet (goed) / ontbreekt8
- Stuur- of fuseekogel met slijtage kleiner of gelijk 1,0 mm8
- Band onvoldoende profiel8
Colours
RDW Open Data: registered vehicles and APK defects (CC0) · defect descriptions in the RDW's Dutch wording
In the United Kingdom
830 cars built in 2009 were licensed for the road at the end of 2025, and 243 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, 1,195 of these cars first registered in 2009 took their annual MOT test. 64% passed first time; among all cars first registered in 2009 the figure was 59%.
| Failed on | These cars | All cars from 2009 |
|---|---|---|
| Lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment | 17.3% | 18.7% |
| Suspension | 13.1% | 16.4% |
| Brakes | 7.5% | 10.1% |
| Tyres | 6.6% | 7.5% |
| Noise, emissions and leaks | 6.5% | 5.4% |
| Visibility | 4.0% | 6.5% |
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
143 2009 cars are on the New Zealand register; 76% arrived as used imports, 22% were sold new in New Zealand.
NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi, Motor Vehicle Register (March 2026) · CC BY 4.0
Fuel consumption
Official Canadian test results for 2 variants: combined 14.5–15.9 L/100 km (about 15–16 mpg US), CO₂ 334–366 g/km.
| Variant | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| Touareg · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 16.5 | 12.1 | 14.5 |
| Touareg · Sport utility vehicle · Premium gasoline | 18.4 | 12.9 | 15.9 |
Litres per 100 km. Natural Resources Canada, Fuel consumption ratings (open.canada.ca) · Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls in Canada
2 Transport Canada recalls for the 2009 Volkswagen Touareg.
| 2017123 8 Mar 2017 | Fuel System On certain vehicles, the fuel pump flange may develop fine cracks or fissures, which could result in a fuel leak. Leaking fuel, in the presence of an ignition s… |
| 2009202 7 Jul 2009 | Other On certain vehicles, the fastening struts on the roof edge spoiler may develop cracks over time, which could allow the spoiler to become loose and detach from t… |
Transport Canada Vehicle Recalls Database · Contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada
Recalls
Volkswagen Group of America Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2007-2010 Touareg vehicles. The fuel filter flange may crack and allow fuel to leak out.
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING 14,416 MY 2007-2009 TOUAREG VEHICLES. THE FASTENING STRUTS ON THE ROOF EDGE SPOILER CAN CRACK, CAUSING THE SPOILER TO BECOME LOOSE AND POSSIBLY DETACH FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING, EVEN THOUGH INITIALLY THE SPOILER MAY FEEL SECURE.
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 2009 Volkswagen Touareg: known faults, fixes and updates.
| Bulletin | Summary |
|---|---|
| 11010024 | Lack of paint under roof |
| 11010022 | Engine Oil Standards |
| 11010021 | Additional reporting |
| 11010011 | Vehicle Concerns Before Recall Repair Available |
| 11008861 | Fluid requirements |
| 11008858 | A list of engine oil that meet Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards |
| 11008857 | How to perform the engine oil consumption measurement |
| 11008856 | Checking Engine Oil and correctly reading dip stick |
| 11008853 | How to manage software versions using VW diagnostic Tool |
| 11008852 | Recommended Gasoline Quality |
| 11008851 | Engine Misfire Diagnostic Aid |
| 11008850 | Fuel additive to help with misfire faults |
| 11008846 | Wind & Water Leak Checking |
| 11007398 | Battery testing |
| 11007393 | Engine Oil Standards |
| 11005825 | Engine oil quality standards |
| 11005820 | Engine Assembly Tip |
| 11005819 | Engine Replacement Tip |
| 11002875 | Engine oil quality standards |
| 11001508 | Engine oil quality standards |
| 10253483 | Engine Exhaust Flap Limited Warranty Extension |
| 10253439 | Volkswagen Carefree Maintenance Program ? Gasoline Engines (Except Routan) - REVISED |
| 10253262 | VW Engine oil quality standards |
| 10253215 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
| 10253214 | Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation |
NHTSA manufacturer communications (public domain)
NHTSA investigations
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation