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2013 Volkswagen Touareg problems

The most common problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg is fuel and propulsion system, typically around 34,978 miles. Its complaint count is close to a typical Touareg model year.

Typical yearClose to a typical year
Year score
73/100
Owner complaints
30
Recalls
2
Service bulletins
987
Worst area
Fuel system
Fuel economy
19-23mpg

The worst 2013 Volkswagen Touareg problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

  • Fuel system
    8
  • Steering
    8
  • Engine
    4
  • Airbags
    3
  • Electrical
    3

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

  • Fuel system
    8
  • Steering
    8
  • Engine
    4
  • Airbags
    3
  • Electrical
    3
  • Suspension
    3
  • Wheels
    3
  • Seat belts
    2
  • Acceleration
    1
  • Transmission
    1

Recalls 2

Unknown or otherReported May 16, 2018 · 252 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 18V329000 · Recall details

Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkagesReported March 24, 2016 · 46,574 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.

Recall number 16V170000 · Recall details

See all 2 recalls for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg

Technical service bulletins for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg 987

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 987 bulletins for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg

2013 Volkswagen Touareg fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
3.0L 6‑cyl DieselAWD202923
3.0L 6‑cyl HybridAWD202421
3.6L 6‑cylAWD162319

What 2013 Volkswagen Touareg owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Aug 18, 2024 · Engine · NJ

The weld broke at the rear pre cat connection

Filed Dec 29, 2023 · Engine · OH

So there’s a campaign to add a bracket to one of the catalytic converters. That’s great except I never knew about it and the thing they added the bracket to prevent happened to me. The exhaust pipe from the catalytic separated from the flange connecting to the manifold. It’s a 2000 dollar part from the dealer. Luckily I found a mechanic who is welding the flange and fixing what I got. Just another example of a car company knowing there’s an issue but not really attempting to fix it, only in a policy no one reads.

Filed Apr 21, 2022 · MN

The sunroof glass of the car spontaneously exploded while driving on the interstate. No rock or object ever hit the glass, and it exploded, sending glass and debris all over myself and my passenger while driving 70mph. The noise was deafening and caused me to swerve as I was so shocked. I easily could have gone in the ditch or hit another car. To make matters worse I was 50 miles from home on a Friday evening so there was no way to get help. I have seen this issue on other Touareg’s but Volkswagen has denied accountability and refuses to cover it. The issue was repaired at a VW dealer and was $2143 to repair. The issue was inspected by my Progressive Insurance rep. This issue came out of nowhere and there were no warning signs.

Filed Mar 24, 2021 · IL

My sunroof is not draining properly, water is accumulating in my spare tire well in my trunk whenever it rains.

Filed Oct 26, 2019 · Seat belts · 60,000 miles · IL

The driver's seatbelt appears to be buckled, but releases under load. When inserting the end into the buckle it clicks and looks and feels buckled, but when loaded releases without warning. This occurred with different drivers and released unexpectedly multiple times while the car was being driven. Replacing the buckle end resolved the defect.

Filed Aug 26, 2019 · Fuel system · 163,000 miles · CA

On june 3, 2019 I was traveling southbound on the I-5 near tulare, california, at approximately 75mph when an indicator light came on that I had never seen before. Less than a minute later, I began to lose power and was unable to accelerate. I quickly moved to the right lane and prepared to exit the freeway less than a mile ahead. A few seconds later, the engine completely shut off. I was forced to coast off the freeway, no power, no power steering and quickly losing my brakes. I was lucky that there was an open parking lot immediately off the freeway that I was able to coast into. After safely coming to a stop, I attempted to look up the indicator light icon in the vehicle manual. Unable to find the code / reason for the engine failure, I called for a tow truck. The nearest vw dealership was 45 miles away so I opted to have the vehicle towed to a local european car service shop in tulare, frank's automotive. As luck would have it, they had a vw master trained technician on staff. He ran the codes, checked the engine and determined that my high pressure fuel pump had failed. He said the pump literally disintegrated and sent bits of aluminum 'shrapnel' throughout my entire fuel system. The entire fuel system would need to be replaced. He indicated that this was a known issue and that there was partial recall as a result. Unfortunately, my particular model was not included in the recall and vw declined to assist. The repair ended up costing me more than $8,000. If vw had given me a warning about this issue, I would most certainly have had the pump replaced before it catastrophically failed. Vw needs to be held accountable for these failures. When the pump fails, it's catastrophic!

Filed Jun 13, 2019 · Airbags, Electrical · 73,600 miles · NE

Tl* the contact owns a 2013 volkswagen touareg. The contact stated that the horn failed to work. The contact restarted the vehicle and the steering wheel malfunctioned. Baxter volkswagen la vista (7108 s 124th cir, la vista, ne 68128, (402) 983-9801) stated that the air bag control module and assembly were corroded, which affected the steering wheel functions, air bags, and horn. The manufacturer stated that there were no recalls and offered no assistance with the repairs. The failure mileage was 73,600.

Filed Jun 5, 2019 · Steering · 2 miles · MI

Steering fluid leaked out , internal fault with rack seal, replaced rack and pinion assembly in may 2019 this is second replacement of rack and pinion on this vehicle prior replacement in november 2015 I feel its very unusual to change rack and pinion assembly on same vehicle twice in 4 years time I have been told it happens often in vw touareg but has not been reported to the federal safety agency

Filed Apr 11, 2019 · 41,000 miles · IN

2013 touareg 3.0l tdi-intermittent jerking motion of vehicle when in motion, initially at lower speed and now at 80mph on highway, intense jerking of vehicle causing vehicle to lose power and near collision with vehicle behind me. It has become more frequent, almost daily occurrence now. I took the vehicle in immediately to vw dealership. Paperwork states "road test verified concern" (of jerky motion and not running right). "scanned for faults. No faults stored. No tsbs, or tech tips regarding concern. Seems to be a software issue with no remedy at this time". The dealership advised me that this is a software bug in the emissions software fix and that vw has not submitted a technical service bulletin (tsb) to open an investigation for fix. They said that there is nothing they can do to fix the problem. There is another customer with exact issue as mine. I am told that vw is not communicating any information on this issue but it is acknowledged that this is a software issue brought on by the emissions fix. The vehicle is not driveable with this issue! The jerking motion is extremely unsafe to be driven at any speed, extremely unsafe on the highway from my last experience with near collision when unpredictable, sudden, intense jerking motion occurred. Symptom: vehicle loses power briefly, like it's choking, then regains causing a forward thrust followed by another power loss...causing the jerking motion. Dealership claims there may not be enough complaints filed according to vw corporate to initiate a tsb. This vehicle is not driveable, not safe. Even one complaint should initiate cause for concern to resolve the issue or buy back the vehicle if this is caused by the emissions software fix. Vehicle has always been serviced by a vw dealership on recommended scheduled service intervals.

Filed Aug 8, 2018 · 75,000 miles · MA

Sunroof exploded outward and entire front glass sunroof was shattered. Driving on highway at approximately 70mph. All car door windows were open. Tempurature outside was approximately 85 degrees.

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Questions about the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg

Is the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?

Owners have filed 30 complaints about the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg, close to a typical Touareg model year.

What is the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg year score?

The 2013 Volkswagen Touareg scores 73 out of 100 (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 2013 Volkswagen Touareg?

Fuel and propulsion system, with 8 complaints, typically around 34,978 miles. Next is steering (8).

How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg have?

2 recalls, covering unknown or other and service brakes, hydraulic.

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 2013 Volkswagen Touareg get?

Official estimates for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg range from 19 to 23 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl diesel, AWD) gets 20 city and 29 highway.

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