I was driving the vehicle and noticed smoke coming out from under the hood I pulled over immediately and the whole engine compartment was on fire I tried to put fire but Fire department showed up and extinguish the fire, fire was due to a fuel leak
The worst 2008 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system25
- Electrical8
- Engine7
- Lights6
- Seat belts4
- Body3
- Brakes3
- Tires3
- Transmission3
- Airbags2
- Suspension2
- Seats1
- Steering1
- Visibility1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg
Recalls 4
Fuel system, gasoline
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 17V151000 · Recall details
Structure: body
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 09V248000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: hoses, lines/piping, and fittings
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 08V035000 · Recall details
Equipment: other: owners/service/other manual
- What is wrong
- 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.
Recall number 07V285000 · Recall details
Technical service bulletins for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg 418
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- VW Engine oil quality standards
- Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger
- Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
- Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards
- Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw
- Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.
- Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger
- Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.
- Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.
2008 Volkswagen Touareg fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0L 10‑cyl Diesel | 4WD | 15 | 20 | 17 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14 | 20 | 16 |
| 4.2L 8‑cyl | 4WD | 12 | 17 | 14 |
What 2008 Volkswagen Touareg owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
Protective coating on wires in the headlight and turn signal assemblies crumbled and disintegrated, causing all the lighting components and ballast for HID lights, light level adjusters and the fuses and relays to short out, sparks and potential fire hazard.
2008 Touareg 3.6L/V6 Intake Manifold/Valve Cover explosion.... March 2021, several incidents while driving vehicle would completely shut off/ loose power, with no prior warning or apparent cause, leaving driver at a total loss of steering control, as well as leaving vehicle completely disabled supposedly resulting from battery dying. Engine code scanner findings: several cylinders misfiring, possible timing chain, & (P0456) EVAP leak (among others). Repairs performed: 06/25/21 valve cover & battery replacement. Shortly after repairs noticed (never before seen) oil leak caused from recently repaired (faulty part) valve cover, which was then replaced again. (Jump ahead to present) July 14, 2022, upon attempted ignition, quickly noticed vehicle TRYING to turn over for several seconds without success, so turned key to off immediately heard an extremely loud "BOOM" followed by smoke bellowing out from under my hood/ engine. Popped hood to inspect the cause & discovered the valve cover had blown its top right off, exploded into several pieces, exposing valves to naked eye. Vehicle was then stranded, not starting, engine would not turn over. Had to have it towed to shop, awaiting update & information.
During the time that I drive this vehicle, I noticed from early times that the steering wheel is likely to shake after certain speed, likely around 70+. I have consulted many VW dealership but they couldn't figure out the problem. I did some research online and found a lot of people have experienced similar issue. And it is concluded that this is very likely a suspension problem. From many others' feedback, VW dealership cannot solve this problem, and even many after the VW changed a new Touareg for the customers for free, the new vehicle still have the same problem. Because this is really annoying, with this steering wheel shaking at high speed for the whole front body of the car, I think I should report this problem to let it be known, and hopefully VW can have some solution figured out, that all cars affected can be repaired, to prevent any accidents that this could lead to, and to let people be able to drive smoothly in their car in all speeds, just like every other models/brands of cars.
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 (the federal safety agency: 17v583) - fuel filter flange leak certain 2004-2007 volkswagen touareg safety recall 20z4 (the federal safety agency: 17v151000) - fuel pump flange may crack causing fuel leakage 2007 - 2010 volkswagen touareg safety recall 24bk (the federal safety agency: 15v019000) - fuel leakage affecting various audi and vw models spanning 2011 - 2013 thank you for your indulgence and potential assistance!
Upon starting the engine in my 2008 vw touareg as normal to leave, the engine turned over to start, but sounded like it was turning over longer than usual. I grabbed my key in the ignition to turn it off. A few seconds later, I hear a loud pop, from under the hood. A few puffs of white smoke emerge. I open the hood and see the intake manifold had exploded and was in pieces.
While driving, first side marker and right side turn signal began to fail, then while driving at night headlight failed. Upon inspection attempting to replace failed components, insulation was crumbling & non- existent. Immediately checked the left side headlight assembly. Same condition of wire insulation falling off wires, causing shorting out of components. Replacement of headlight housing assembly, bulbs, ballasts and controllers was required to operate vehicle condition. We contacted the local vw dealership (preston vw, boardman, ohio), their response was that they were not aware of any proplems with the touareg related to wiring or the headlight assemblies. Total cost to replace w oem through rock auto auto parts (most cost effective) was total$1,314.82
Insulation on wires in headlight assembly falls off wires causing shorts and disables both headlights causing loss of vision at night. This also stops daytime running lights. Also plastic headlight assembly hazes and scratches resulting in poor light before the shorting wires disable all headlights.
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?
Tl* the contact owned a 2008 volkswagen touareg. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25-30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed and the vehicle slid and crashed into a fire truck. The air bags failed to deploy. The contact was not injured. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to futos wrecker service located at 2050 liddell dr ne, atlanta, ga 30324, (404) 874-5926. The vehicle was not repaired. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted or notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 170,000. The vehicle was destroyed.
Compare the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg
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Questions about the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg
Is the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
Owners have filed 56 complaints about the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg, 2.0 times a typical Touareg model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg year score?
The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg scores 46 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Touareg: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 25 complaints, typically around 95,000 miles. Next is electrical (8).
How many recalls does the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg have?
4 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline, structure and equipment.
Was there a recall on the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg fuel system?
Yes, 2 recalls: 17V151000, 08V035000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Volkswagen Touareg have the most fuel system problems?
The Volkswagen Touareg model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2004 (33 complaints), 2008 (25 complaints) and 2005 (23 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg get?
Official estimates for the 2008 Volkswagen Touareg range from 14 to 17 mpg combined. The most efficient version (5.0L 10-cyl diesel, 4WD) gets 15 city and 20 highway.
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