Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2004-2007 Touareg vehicles. These gasoline-powered vehicles have a fuel filter flange that may crack, allowing fuel to leak.
Safety risk
A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
Manufacturer remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the fuel filter flange for cracks, replacing the flange if cracks are found. If no cracks are found, a protective cover will be installed onto the filter flange. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began March 9, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 20Ai.
CERTAIN PASSENGER CARS FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 208, "OCCUPANT CRASH PROTECTION." ALL THREE REAR SEAT POSITIONS AND THE FRONT PASSENGER POSITION ARE EQUIPPED WITH SEAT BELT RETRACTORS THAT HAVE A LOCKING FEATURE WHICH CONVERTS THE RETRACTOR FROM AN EMERGENCY LOCKING RETRACTOR (ELR) MODE TO AN AUTOMATIC LOCKING RETRACTOR (ALR) MODE FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHILD RESTRAINT INSTALLATION. THE BELT MAY DEACTIVATE THE ALR MODE WITH CERTAIN CHILD RESTRAINTS.
Safety risk
WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES OR DEATH.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL PERMANENTLY INSTALL A 'CLIP' IN EACH OF THE TWO REAR OUTBOARD SEAT BELTS. THE CLIPS WILL PREVENT UNWANTED DEACTIVATION OF THE ALR MODE WITH CHILD SEAT INSTALLATIONS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 11, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VW AT 1-800-822-8987.
Owner complaints
A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.
Component
Complaints
Median mileage
Fuel/propulsion system
16
102,000 mi
Electrical system
15
74,218 mi
Air bags
7
30,000 mi
Seat belts
6
93,700 mi
Tires
6
6,700 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
5
11,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
4
50,000 mi
Power train
4
70,000 mi
Engine
3
108,000 mi
Exterior lighting
3
30,000 mi
Steering
3
95,000 mi
Unknown or other
3
75,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: pads
2
10,000 mi
Tires: tread/belt
2
6,500 mi
Visibility/wiper
2
115,000 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module
1
3,619 mi
Engine and engine cooling
1
1,242 mi
Exterior lighting: headlights
1
10,000 mi
Fuel system, diesel: storage: tank assembly
1
—
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery
1
—
Fuel system, other
1
—
Latches/locks/linkages
1
30,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages: doors: latch
1
6,700 mi
Power train: driveline
1
74,217 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft
1
70,000 mi
Seat belts: rear/other
1
—
Seats
1
93,900 mi
Seats: front assembly: power adjust
1
1,242 mi
Seats: front assembly: seat heater/cooler
1
178 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
32,185 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor
1
1,242 mi
Steering: column
1
—
Structure
1
78,000 mi
Structure: body: door
1
104,000 mi
Structure: body: hatchback/liftgate: hinge and attachments
1
17,500 mi
Suspension
1
12,000 mi
Suspension: front
1
10,000 mi
Tires: pressure monitoring and regulating systems
1
11,000 mi
Vehicle speed control
1
1,500 mi
Visibility
1
30,000 mi
Visibility: sun/moon roof assembly
1
93,522 mi
The 2004 model has about a quarter as many complaints as this one. The 2006 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.
Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.