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Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI Highline common faults.

2007–2010, SUV, diesel, 225 HP.

The list covers this version.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 4 recalls.

If you know the year, pick it. Faults for other years drop out of the list.

Before you buy

Known faults

3 important faults

critical2

3.0 TDI: timing chain and tensioner at the rear

critical

The timing chain of the V6 3.0 TDI is at the rear of the engine, at the gearbox end. Replacing the chain and the tensioner means removing the gearbox and effectively the engine too. One of the most expensive chain repairs in the industry.

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The precursor is a few second rattle on a cold start that then goes away. Many sellers say this is normal. It is not: the tensioner is not holding the chain, and if the chain jumps, the engine is finished. Long oil change intervals and neglected oil speed it up.

What to check

  • A cold start is mandatory: on a warm engine the rattle is not audible
  • Pay attention to the first 2 to 3 seconds: a metallic rattle from the gearbox side
  • Ask whether a chain was replaced, and ask for the invoice
2 more steps in the write-up

4.2 V8 TDI: timing gear and chain

critical

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. The repair is as deep as on the V6, only more expensive.

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This engine is rare, and that is exactly what makes it dangerous: there is little experience, few workshops, and the parts are expensive. Whoever buys a V8 TDI Touareg has to plan for this risk alongside the purchase price.

What to check

  • On a cold start listen through the whole first half minute
  • Ask for the full service history: on the V8 TDI that is not optional
  • Ask whether any valvetrain work was done, and ask for the invoice
1 more steps in the write-up

expensive1

Air suspension: cracking air springs and a tired compressor

expensive

The Touareg works with four air springs and one central compressor. The rubber bellows of the air spring cracks over time, the system loses pressure, and the compressor tries to make it up by running more and more, until it burns out. The symptom is typically that the car settles overnight, or stands lopsided.

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The fault goes in a circle: the leaking air spring is what kills the compressor, so if only the compressor is replaced, the next one goes too. A full overhaul is four springs plus a compressor plus a dryer, and that is the most expensive routine repair on a Touareg.

What to check

  • Look at the car cold, after standing a night: has it settled
  • Raise it to the highest, then the lowest setting, and time it
  • Listen to the compressor: a unit running long or loudly is already tiring
2 more steps in the write-up

Checklist

Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI Highline

First what you would check on any car. Then the faults of this model.

Before you buy

Checklist

The printed sheet starts with what you would check on any car. What you tick stays on this device only.

On every car

Ask the owner

Faults of this model

vinkodex.com · Before you buy it, see what can go wrong.

Official recall4 recallsShow

The manufacturer fixes these for free at a franchised dealer. Ask with the VIN whether it was done.

Most recent: 8 March 2017

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.

The authority's notice

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.

The authority's notice

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.

The authority's notice

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.

The authority's notice

Engine and transmission

No engine and transmission for this yet. When they are in, you see them here.

Variant data

What is in this version

Factory data

Trim
Highline
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2967 cc
Power
165 kW (224 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2007–2010

Factory service interval

The manufacturer specifies this for this version. Of the mileage and the time, the one that comes first is the one that counts.

  • Air filter

    • 60,000 km or 4 years

  • Cabin (pollen) filter

    • 30,000 km or 2 years

  • Engine oil and oil filter

    • LongLife30,000 km or 2 years(valid only with LongLife-approved oil)
    • 15,000 km or 1 year

  • Brake fluid change

    • first: 3 years, then 2 years(first change at 3 years, then every two years)

  • Coolant (antifreeze) change

    • first: 193,000 km or 10 years, then 97,000 km or 5 years(G13 / G12++: first change at 120,000 miles or 10 years, then every 60,000 miles or 5 years)
All 7L versions

Information, not an expert opinion

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.

  • A fault on the list does not mean the car you are looking at has it.
  • A fault missing from the list does not mean the model is fault-free. Write-ups are made model by model. Not all of them are done.
  • You decide whether to buy. This is no substitute for an inspection. That needs a workshop and a history check.
Details in the terms