10.0
really awful- Crashes / Fires:
- 0 / 1
- Injuries / Deaths:
- 0 / 0
- Average Mileage:
- 70,064 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
The NHTSA is the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints can be spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem. See the Back button — blue bar at the very top of the page — to explore more.
On December 28, 2020 I detected the distinct odor of gasoline outside of the driver's side of our 2008 VW Touareg while it was stationary, not running. Later while driving the pungent odor was also discernable within the vehicle. A picture of the tank reflects wetness on the driver's side. This morning during a call to donaldson's VW service, they responded that there are no open recalls for this vehicle regarding a fuel leak, for which a history of recalls exist. Is it possible that a prior recall service requires incremental remediation" what recourse is available to have a VW dealer resolve this manufacturer defect at Volkswagen's expense" a brief internet search reveals precedent for VW Touareg fuel leaks affecting production years 2004 through 2013 (and possibly beyond the scope of my search). Safety recall 20ai (NHTSA: 17V583) - fuel filter flange leak certain 2004-2007 Volkswagen Touareg safety recall 20Z4 (NHTSA: 17V151000) - fuel pump flange may crack causing fuel leakage 2007 - 2010 Volkswagen Touareg safety recall 24bk (NHTSA: 15V019000) - fuel leakage affecting various Audi and VW models spanning 2011 - 2013 thank you for your indulgence and potential assistance!
- Ronkonkoma, NY, USA
April 21, 2008, my wife finished her job and called me that she will be home soon. Few minutes later I got the call from her telling me that something has happened to our 2008 VW Touareg that there was a big explosion and smoke was coming from under the hood. She was very disturbed not knowing what just had happened. I arrived at the scene and noticed that hood had some dents from the inside out. I lifted the hood and saw fuel intake manifold completely destroyed. My wife was shaking, people form work were asking what happened" I towed my car to VW service to find out what caused the explosion they could not pin point what really caused it. I searched the internet and find out that this is not the only time it has happened. When calling VW of Canada I was told, because the car has no warranty they can not do anything and I will have to pay for the repair out of my own pocket. My wife cried when I asked her to get her stuff from the vehicle, before it was towed away. I do not know how will I persuade her to drive this car again or even to buy another Volkswagen. We own a 2017 VW golf as well. Do I want to keep it? I do not think so. My fate in VW has diminished. I always told everybody that this is a car for people to enjoy. Was I wrong"
- Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, AZ, USA
I don't believe the recall was performed on this vehicle, but they say it was done now they want me to pay for it. I would like a investigation without me having to pay for it since my vehicle did not exhibit those symptoms or characteristics prior to having the service recall done.
- Wellington, FL, USA
My vehicle was "fixed" under the recall for the but still smells like gas all around. They told me not to drive it.
- Wellington, FL, USA
Smelling gas inside and outside of car no leaks, when parked and driving
- Louisville, KY, USA
Takata recall driver side fuel filter flange. Strong gas smell inside the car and outside around the car.
- Raleigh, NC, USA
Strong smell gasoline
- San AntÓN, TX, USA
Strong smell of fuel leak on drivers side of vehicle. Checked under the hood but no apparent leak and no leaking fuel smell
- Evans, GA, USA
There is current safety recall 20Z4 for fuel filter flange and my car is in the shop now to get it fixed however there are additional repirs needed and I wonder if these additonal repairs are related to the recent recall since they all pertain to fuel. The additional repairs are replace both fuel sensor/pipe and high pressure pump. The dealership has told me this will cost me about $1700. The recall letter I received has NHTSA#17V151.
- San Diego, CA, USA
Takata recall. It happened several months ago, when I felt my car is hard to accelerate during driving. So while I am driving on the highway, it cannot go beyond 35 mph, which is really dangerous. It felt like the fuel cannot be powered on. I took the car to a dealership. They first recommended changing the intake manifold, which was also recommended from dealer's body shop, where they had done some inspection a few days ago. After they changed the intake manifold, then they found the fuel pressure is low, and then they replaced the fuel pump. ( they didn't really detected the problem at that time from what they had said later, but they had to replace one item at a time to see if things could get better). After they replaced the fuel pump, then they found pressue did not get better, so they supposed the high pressure fuel pump was also broken. I had to follow their instruction to replace the high pressure fuel pump as well. I really feel this problem is very strange. But seems after replaceing high pressure fuel pump, the fuel pressure became normal.I did complain to the manufacture and they helped me a bit to verify that the dealer is not doing anything unprofessional doing the repair process. But in spite of the repair process, this fuel pump problem is worth to be considered a recall issue.
- West Lafayette, IN, USA
After 20Z4 fuel pump flange recall was done I noticed a rattle and strong gasoline smell. Tilted up rear seat and discovered seat bolts not tightened and missing. Rear seats have to be removed to access top of fuel tank to replace cracked flange and apply foil to flange if not cracked. Seat bolts and safety belt bolts are supposed to be replaced with new bolts with loctite; not reused. The 20Z4 recall should require new seat bolts to be installed when the seats are re-installed.
- Jackson, MS, USA
In regards to manufacturer recall #20Z4 (NHTSA recall #17V151), there is still no resolution at least 3 months after the recall has been issued, which I confirmed by calling VW. I am told if I smell gas to drive it to the dealer to get looked at. Although I don't currently smell gas, my concern is the potential for fire should it start to leak. Consider my 4 year old daughter is strapped into her car seat in the rear seat. Under her are the fuel filters in question which potentially leak. Under the fuel filters is the hot exhaust. My concern is what timeframe do I have from the time I smell gas, to the time it comes in contact with the hot exhaust and possibly ignites" what happens if I smell gas in gridlock traffic - is there enough risk that I should immediately get my daughter out of the car? or should I continue driving to the dealer as VW recommends and risk us catching on fire on the way there" while VW is recognizing the problem, they seem to be dragging their feet on resolution to what is potentially a life threatening issue.
- Pittsburgh, PA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. While the vehicle was parked in the garage, a strong fuel odor was noticed inside and around the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (royal Volkswagen, located at 3010 columbiana rd, birmingham, al 35216) where it was diagnosed that the fuel filter flange detached and needed to be replaced. The dealer stated that the contact would need to pay out of pocket for the repair. The vehicle was not repaired due to the repair fee. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 17V151000 (fuel system, gasoline); however, the part needed for the repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that he had to paid out of pocket and would possibly be reimbursed. The approximate failure mileage was 87,000. VIN tools confirms parts not available.
- Alabaster, AL, USA
Heavy gasoline smell inside cabin and noticable outside of car as well. Very unsafe. Assumed to be related to pending recall 20Z4 but tracy Volkswagen dealership is making this a very difficult process and made me agree to pay for the diagnostic if they think its not related to the recall. They would not agree to check the recall for free even though my car is a gasoline bomb right now. This is putting me in the middle between VW corporate and a privately owned dealership where one is speaking very nicely to me, and the other is speaking down to me. Please help.
- Tracy, CA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. While the vehicle was parked in the driveway, the rear driver side tire had an abnormal odor. The contact called the dealer, keefer Volkswagen in huntersville, nc, and was informed to bring in the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The contact called the manufacturer and was informed to take the vehicle back to the dealer. The vehicle was taken back to the keefer dealer where the contact was charged for a diagnostic test and was informed that the fuel pump failed, and not the filter. The contact stated that the diagnostic was incorrect and that the fuel filter was the cause of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V151000 (fuel system, gasoline). The approximate failure mileage was 162,000.
- Denver, NC, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. While driving 65 mph, the contact noticed that the vehicle was burning an excessive amount of fuel. The contact pulled over and observed fuel leaking from the vehicle and a strong odor of fuel was present. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel lines were leaking. The vehicle was repaired and the mechanic installed a new fuel pump; however, the failure recurred and the check engine indicator illuminated. The contact continued to smell a strong fuel odor. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who instructed the contact to take the vehicle to a dealer. The vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was included in NHTSA campaign number: 17V151000 (fuel system, gasoline), but the repairs were completed before the recall was announced. The approximate failure mileage was 122,000.
- East Point, GA, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that while the brakes being serviced, the contact was made aware that there was a severe fuel leak. The contact mentioned that there was an abnormal fuel odor in the vehicle prior to being made aware by the mechanic. The failure occurred without warning. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 17V151000 (fuel system, gasoline) however the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 102,864.
- Suffolk, VA, USA
Underneath the car around the rear end, there is an obvious leaking of fuel ( usually observed after stopping and turning off car). The leaked fuel can form a small puddle. It will stop after a while. But judging from the situation this leak can become bigger and bigger, which could be very dangerous and is a fire hazard. I am not a specialist on cars, but since I am not a frequent driver and never drive cars to uneven sand roads, therefore the manufacture of the fuel tank itself and maybe its design is most possible for the cause of the this problem.
- West Lafayette, IN, USA
The contact owns a 2008 Volkswagen Touareg. While driving 70 mph, the contact smelled a strong odor of fuel. Even when the vehicle was stopped or parked, the fumes were very strong. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 95,000.
- New Waverly, TX, USA
- Morristown, TN, USA