2016 Volkswagen Touareg Safety Report

2016 VW Touareg faces critical engine water ingress and ADAS failures despite low overall complaint volume.

44Complaints
2Recalls
45/100Reliability Score
3Injuries
Most reported components: Engine (20)Forward Collision Avoidance (3)Structure (3)Fuel/Propulsion System (2)Unknown Or Other (2)Electrical System,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Unknown Or Other,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes,Forward Collision Avoidance (1)Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Back Over Prevention (1)Forward Collision Avoidance,Lane Departure (1)

AI Safety Analysis for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg

The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg has a relatively low number of NHTSA complaints, with 44 total, 0 crashes, 0 fires, and 3 injuries reported. However, a significant pattern emerges from these complaints, primarily concerning the ENGINE (20 complaints) and FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE systems (3 complaints, but several detailed narratives). A major recurring issue is water ingress into the engine air intake system, leading to saturated air filters, engine damage, and even hydrolocking, with multiple reports of engine replacement being necessary. This design flaw is described as a 'known problem' by several complainants and is a severe safety concern as it can cause sudden engine failure while driving. Beyond the engine issues, the forward collision avoidance system, including adaptive cruise control (ACC) and automatic emergency braking (AEB), is a notable area of concern. Several complaints describe 'phantom braking' where the vehicle stops for no apparent reason, and others detail the system's failure due to a faulty or unavailable camera part. This camera issue also impacts lane assist and other advanced driver-assistance systems, with Volkswagen reportedly discontinuing the part, leaving owners unable to repair critical safety features. The lack of NHTSA crash test ratings (all N/A) for the 2016 Touareg makes it difficult to assess its passive safety performance. The vehicle has two recalls. One addresses a missing securing clip for the brake pedal pivot pin (affecting 2011-2016 Touaregs), which could lead to the pedal dislodging and loss of braking ability, increasing crash risk. The second recall concerns the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) on certain 2016 models, where underinflated tires could fail suddenly. While these recalls address critical safety components, the persistent and severe nature of the engine water ingress and ADAS failures, as highlighted by numerous complaints, suggests significant unaddressed safety risks.

Reliability Score

The 2016 Volkswagen Touareg receives a reliability score of 45 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates average reliability — some notable concerns exist that prospective buyers should be aware of.

Known Issues for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg

The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg:

IssueSeverityFrequencyTypical Mileage
Engine Water Ingress And Hydrolocking
Water enters the engine air intake system, saturating the air filter, leading to engine damage, poor performance, and potential hydrolocking, often requiring engine replacement. Described as a design flaw.		 High Common 1600-60000 miles
Forward Collision Avoidance/Aeb System Failure
Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) systems fail due to faulty or unavailable camera parts, leading to 'phantom braking' or complete system inoperability. VW reportedly discontinued the part.		 High Occasional unknown miles
Brake Pedal Pivot Pin Missing Securing Clip
Recall for a missing securing clip on the brake pedal pivot pin, which could cause the pedal to dislodge and prevent braking, increasing crash risk.		 High Rare all miles
Tire Pressure Monitoring System (Tpms) Malfunction
Recall for TPMS issues that could lead to underinflated tires and sudden tire failure, increasing crash risk.		 Medium Rare all miles
Sunroof Explosion/Leakage
Reports of sunroof exploding spontaneously or leaking, leading to water accumulation and mold growth inside the vehicle.		 Medium Rare unknown miles

Common Problems Reported by Owners

Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg:

Engine 45% of complaints

Predominantly related to water ingress into the air intake, causing filter saturation, engine damage, and hydrolocking. Also includes random hesitancy and stalling.

Forward Collision Avoidance 7% of complaints

Issues with 'phantom braking' and system failures due to faulty or unavailable camera components, impacting ACC and AEB.

Structure 7% of complaints

Includes issues like sunroof explosion and water leaks into the cabin/spare tire well.

Electrical System 5% of complaints

Various electrical malfunctions including airbag errors, parking brake errors, and general electronic component failures after rain.

Service Brakes 5% of complaints

Issues related to the parking brake control module and the brake pedal pivot pin recall.

Frequently Asked Questions About the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg

Is the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg safe?

Based on NHTSA data, the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg has a low number of overall complaints (44 total) and no reported crashes or deaths. However, it has critical safety concerns, particularly a design flaw leading to water ingress into the engine, which can cause sudden engine failure, and issues with the forward collision avoidance system, including 'phantom braking' and unavailable repair parts. Two recalls address brake pedal and tire pressure monitoring system issues. The lack of NHTSA crash test ratings makes a full safety assessment challenging.

What are common problems with the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?

The most reported issues for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg are related to the ENGINE (20 complaints), primarily concerning water entering the air intake system, leading to saturated air filters, engine damage, and hydrolocking. Other significant problems include failures of the FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE system, such as 'phantom braking' and non-functional adaptive cruise control due to faulty cameras, and structural issues like sunroof leaks or explosions.

Are there any recalls for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?

Yes, the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg has two recalls. One recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 16V644000) addresses a missing securing clip for the brake pedal pivot pin, which could cause the pedal to dislodge. The second recall (NHTSA Campaign Number 16V208000) is for certain 2016 models regarding the Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) which could lead to sudden tire failure if not properly monitored.

Does the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg have issues with its advanced safety features?

Yes, there are multiple complaints regarding the advanced safety features, specifically the Forward Collision Avoidance system. Owners report 'phantom braking' incidents where the vehicle stops unexpectedly, and failures of the Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) and Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) due to a faulty camera part that Volkswagen has reportedly discontinued, making repairs impossible for some owners.

What should I look out for when buying a used 2016 Volkswagen Touareg?

When considering a used 2016 Touareg, thoroughly inspect for any signs of water damage in the engine bay or cabin, as water ingress into the engine air intake is a significant and costly issue. Verify the functionality of all advanced driver-assistance systems like ACC and AEB, and check if any recall repairs, particularly for the brake pedal, have been completed. Be aware that some ADAS parts may be obsolete.

Buyer Advice

Our recommendation: Given the critical engine water ingress issue and unrepairable ADAS component failures, exercise extreme caution; a pre-purchase inspection by a VW specialist is essential, focusing on engine integrity and ADAS functionality.

NHTSA Data Summary for 2016 Volkswagen Touareg

This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg. The data includes 44 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 2 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 3 reported injuries, and safety rating assessments associated with this vehicle.

All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.

Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.