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Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI BMT Terrain Tech Highline common faults.

2014–2018, SUV, diesel, 262 HP.

The list covers this version.

What you save stays on this device only. My saves

3 fault write-ups. All are important. 2 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 BMT Terrain Tech 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 recall2 recallsShow

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

Most recent: 16 May 2018

18V329000UNKNOWN OR OTHERUNKNOWN OR OTHER16 May 2018 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

The authority's notice

16V170000SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGESSERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES24 March 2016 · NHTSA (USA)

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.

Risk: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly to verify the presence of the securing clip and install any missing securing clips, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46G4.

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
BMT Terrain Tech Highline
Body
SUV
Fuel
diesel
Transmission
automatic
Engine size
2967 cc
Power
193 kW (262 HP)
Drive
AWD
Production
2014–2018

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 7P 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