The timing chain of the longitudinal V6 diesel runs at the back of the engine, on the gearbox side, so replacing it means taking out the engine or the gearbox.
Applies to the engine CASA.
2002–2010. The fault list covers this generation and the engines in it. If the listing gives the exact version, pick it below.

Rudolf Stricker / CC BY-SA 3.0
What to watch for
The list covers the generation, the engines and the transmissions. Once you pick the version, only the faults that apply to it stay.
The timing chain of the longitudinal V6 diesel runs at the back of the engine, on the gearbox side, so replacing it means taking out the engine or the gearbox.
Applies to the engine CASA.
The timing chain of the V6 3.0 TDI is at the rear of the engine, at the gearbox end.
It can affect every car in this generation.
The valvetrain of the 4.2 V8 TDI works with gears and a chain, and this is the best known weak point of the engine: the gear drive wears out and the chain stretches.
It can affect every car in this generation.
The Touareg works with four air springs and one central compressor.
It can affect every car in this generation.
The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done. The list covers the whole generation. We did not filter it by model year. Some apply only to a narrower production window.
Most recent: 20 September 2017
17V583000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMPFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP20 September 2017 · NHTSA (USA)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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source increases the risk of a fire.
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.
17V151000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE8 March 2017 · NHTSA (USA)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.
Risk: A fuel leak in the presence of an ignition source can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and replace the fuel filter flange if cracks are found. A protective cover will be applied to the fuel filter to prevent oxidization cracks from forming. These repairs will be made free of charge. The recall began August 3, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for the recall is 20Z4.
09V248000STRUCTURE:BODYSTRUCTURE:BODY2 July 2009 · NHTSA (USA)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.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE SPOILER COULD CAUSE INJURY BY STRIKING PERSONS OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE OR COULD BECOME AN OBSTACLE TO OTHER DRIVERS, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL REINFORCEMENT WEDGES TO THE ROOF EDGE SPOILER FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING AUGUST 2009. OWNER MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
08V035000FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGSFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:HOSES, LINES/PIPING, AND FITTINGS28 January 2008 · NHTSA (USA)ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES, A FUEL SUPPLY LINE WAS CHANGED DURING PRODUCTION WHICH COULD LEAD TO INSUFFICIENT SEALING OF THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE CONNECTOR.
Risk: THIS CONDITION COULD LEAD TO A FUEL LEAK. FUEL LEAKAGE IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE THE FUEL SUPPLY LINE, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2008. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-822-8987.
07V285000EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUALEQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL25 June 2007 · NHTSA (USA)CERTAIN VEHICLES FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 138, "TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS." THE OWNER'S MANUAL IS MISSING THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS.
Risk: THIS STANDARD SPECIFIES PERFORMANCE REQUIREMENTS FOR TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEMS (TPMS) TO WARN DRIVERS OF SIGNIFICANT UNDER-INFLATION OF TIRES AND THE RESULTING SAFETY PROBLEMS.
Remedy: OWNERS WILL BE SENT AN OWNER'S MANUAL INSERT CONTAINING THE REQUIRED TPMS INFORMATION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 6, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VW AT 1-800-893-5298.
04V592000SEAT BELTSSEAT BELTS15 December 2004 · NHTSA (USA)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.
Risk: WHEN INVOLVED IN A CRASH, THE CHILD RESTRAINTS MAY NOT BE PROPERLY SECURED, INCREASING THE RISK OF INJURIES OR DEATH.
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.
04V233000SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHERSEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER19 May 2004 · NHTSA (USA)ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE REAR SEAT BELT LATCH ATTACHMENT BOLT MAY HAVE BEEN INSUFFICIENTLY RIVETED.
Risk: IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, THE SEAT OCCUPANT MAY NOT BE PROPERLY RESTRAINED INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND, IF NECESSARY, REPLACE THE BELT BUCKLE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 21, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
03V266000ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRINGELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING25 July 2003 · NHTSA (USA)ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM (TPMS) WIRING HARNESS MAY HAVE BEEN IMPROPERLY ROUTED DURING ASSEMBLY. AN IMPROPERLY ROUTED TPMS WIRING HARNESS MAY CONTACT THE PARKING BRAKE CABLE SPRING.
Risk: IF THIS HAPPENS, THE TPMS WIRING CIRCUIT COULD BE INTERRUPTED, RESULTING IN AN INOPERATIVE TPMS, AND CAUSING A SHORT-TO-GROUND CONDITION THAT COULD POTENTIALLY RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE TPMS WIRING HARNESS ROUTING AND, IF NECESSARY, CORRECT THE WIRING HARNESS ROUTING. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN AUGUST 18, 2003. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT VWOA AT 1-800-893-5298.
A12/00222/20Safety recallInjuriesno date · EU Safety GateCars initially used for internal purposes of Volkswagen AG might not have been correctly modified before they were sold to the general public. There is a possibility that certain safety systems of these cars are not correctly modified for street use.
Remedy: Type of economic operator taking notified measure(s): Manufacturer Category of measure(s): Recall of the product from end users Date of entry into force: Unknown
Engines and transmissions in this generation
A fault is often tied to the engine, not to the whole generation. You find the engine code in the registration document.
7L · 2002–2010
The fault list opens on the version page.
35 versions
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI R5
2007–2010 · R5
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI R5
2007–2010 · R5
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI R5 Highline
2007–2010 · R5 Highline
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI R5 Highline
2007–2010 · R5 Highline
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI R5 Highline Plus
2007–2010 · R5 Highline Plus
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI R5 Highline Plus
2007–2010 · R5 Highline Plus
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI
2002–2007
2.5 l · 2461 cm³
no engine code
2.5 TDI
2002–2007
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
no engine code
3.0 V6 TDI
2007–2010
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
no engine code
3.0 V6 TDI
2002–2007
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
no engine code
3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion
2007–2010
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
no engine code
3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion Highline
2007–2010 · Highline
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
no engine code
3.0 V6 TDI BlueMotion Highline Plus
2007–2010 · Highline Plus
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
no engine code
3.0 V6 TDI Highline
2007–2010 · Highline
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
no engine code
3.0 V6 TDI Highline
2007–2010 · Highline
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
CASA
3.0 V6 TDI
2007–2010
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
CASA
3.0 V6 TDI Highline
2007–2010 · Highline
3.0 l · 2967 cm³
CASA
3.0 V6 TDI Highline Plus
2007–2010 · Highline Plus
3.2 l · 3189 cm³
no engine code
3.2 V6
2002–2007
3.2 l · 3189 cm³
no engine code
3.2 V6
2002–2007
3.2 l · 3189 cm³
no engine code
3.2 V6
2002–2007
3.2 l · 3189 cm³
no engine code
3.2 V6
2002–2007
3.6 l · 3580 cm³
no engine code
3.6 V6
2002–2007
3.6 l · 3580 cm³
no engine code
3.6 V6
2002–2007
3.6 l · 3597 cm³
no engine code
3.6 V6 FSI
2007–2010
3.6 l · 3597 cm³
no engine code
3.6 V6 FSI Highline
2007–2010 · Highline
3.6 l · 3597 cm³
no engine code
3.6 V6 FSI Highline Plus
2007–2010 · Highline Plus
4.2 l · 4163 cm³
no engine code
4.2 V8 FSI
2007–2010 · V8 FSI
4.2 l · 4172 cm³
no engine code
4.2 V8
2002–2007 · V8
4.9 l · 4921 cm³
no engine code
5.0 V10 TDI
2002–2007 · V10 TDI
4.9 l · 4921 cm³
no engine code
5.0 V10 TDI R50
2007–2010 · V10 TDI R50
6.0 l · 5998 cm³
no engine code
6.0 W12
2007–2010 · W12
6.0 l · 5998 cm³
no engine code
6.0 W12 Executive
2002–2007 · W12 Executive
6.0 l · 5998 cm³
no engine code
6.0 W12 R-Line
2007–2010 · W12 R-Line
6.0 l · 5998 cm³
no engine code
6.0 W12 Sport Edition
2002–2007 · W12 Sport Edition
Neighbouring generations
7L (2002-2010). If the listing is from the changeover year, look at the neighbour too.
Common questions
2002–2010. The changeover year can fall in two generations. If the listing is from that year, look at the neighbour too.
No. It depends on the engine and the transmission too.
The fault list is.
We write the descriptions, and we put the source next to them. A person reviews them before they go out. They are still information, not a technical expert opinion.