As I was driving, the vehicle suddenly flashed a system malfunction on the dash and stated service needed to be performed immediately. As I was pulling over to side, the vehicle instantly stalled out and turned off. My steering was compromised and I had no ability to turn the vehicle back on or move the shifter into neutral to get out of traffic. I towed the vehicle to the dealer who after inspection did not immediately know the reason. They reached out to VW of America who confirmed with them an entire fuel system replacement was in order as a result of a failed fuel pump. This would have been a much more dangerous situation if I was on a major highway or going at a faster speed. The fact that it was daylight out and on a straight flat road greatly assisted me in staying safe. If this had occurred on a busy intersection or high speed roads or curves the outcome could have been much different.

- Waynesboro, VA, USA

The contact owns a 2009 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated while traveling 65 mph, the eps light illuminated, and speed decreased to 20 mph. The vehicle regained acceleration after the eps light shut off. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The VIN was not provided. The failure mileage was 31,500.

- San Ramon, CA, USA

Subject vehicle is a 2009 Volkswagen Touareg 2 equipped with 3.6L gasoline engine, automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Usa version. Hydraulic power steering system emits abnormal growling and groaning noises when ambient outside air temperatures climb above 85F. Steering input resistance increases substantially beyond normal when power steering system is emitting the subject noises. Abnormal vibration is transmitted to the steering wheel in interior of vehicle when the power steering system is emitting the abnormal noises. First occurrence of this problem was noticed on Oct 10, 2010. Volkswagen dealer in gilbert, AZ inspected the subject vehicle on Oct 14, 2010 and deemed the noise to be "normal" but replaced the idler pulley on Oct 14, 2010. Volkswagen dealer in North scottsdale, AZ inspected and replaced the power steering pump under warranty on Jun 28, 2011. Problem persisted. Volkswagen regional service technician/representative inspected vehicle on Jul 20, 2011 and confirmed "abnormal noise originating from power steering system". no follow up or contact from Volkswagen to date. Numerous other Volkswagen Touareg owners are reporting the same problem as evidenced by this specific thread on the club Touareg.com online forum - www.clubtouareg.com/forums/F62/power-steering-noise-intermittent-41443.html. as reported by other Touareg owners experiencing the same problem in the usa and the uk, Volkswagen dealer service departments are mostly inclined to report the problem to complaining owners as "not reproducible" or "normal". Volkswagen has yet to introduce a "fix" for the problem. Substantially increased steering input required during "failure periods" could create a safety hazard.

- Cave Creek, AZ, USA