Carsieve All versions
| Variant | Running cost per month | Median price | Listings | Fuel | Engine codes | Gearbox | Production years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| V6 TDI BMT, 245 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €629 | €13,400 | 310 | Diesel | CRC | Automatic (8) | 2011–2014 |
| V6 TDI BMT, 204 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €596 | €11,800 | 76 | Diesel | CVW | Automatic (8) | 2010–2014 |
| V6 TDI BMT, 240 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive Research | €636 | €9,990 | 67 | Diesel | CAS | Automatic (8) | 2010–2011 |
| V8 TDI, 340 PS, 8-speed automatic, all-wheel drive | €758 | €13,500 | 55 | Diesel | CKD | Automatic (8) | 2010–2014 |
At a glance
- Years: built 2010 to 2018. Facelift in summer 2014, with a new nose and wheels.
- Most common: timing chain stretch and EGR and DPF soot on the 3.0 V6 TDI, air suspension faults, and shift faults in the 8-speed automatic.
- Reliability: 2/5, because the V6 TDI chain, EGR and injector repairs are costly, and the air suspension adds to the bill.
- DIY: 1/5, because chain, injector and gearbox work needs a workshop with diagnostic software. The checks below need no tools unless marked as needing a scanner.
- Prefer: a 3.0 V6 TDI with proof of chain, EGR and software work, and a car with no air suspension warnings.
- Avoid: a V6 TDI with a cold-start rattle or no chain or EGR records, and any car with shift jerks or a sagging body.
Engines and gearboxes
- 3.0 V6 TDI (CAS, CRC, CVW, CVV): timing chain stretch, EGR and DPF soot, and injector wear are the main faults. Oil leaks are most reported on V6 diesels. See Known issues.
- 4.2 V8 TDI (CKD): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 3.6 V6 FSI (CGR): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 3.0 V6 TSI hybrid (CGE): no fault confirmed in the sources read.
- 8-speed automatic (all cars): shift faults, see Known issues.
Known issues
| Issue | Affects | Typical km | Repair cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| V6 TDI timing chain stretch | 3.0 V6 TDI (CAS, CRC, CVW, CVV), mainly builds up to 2015 | Not stated | EUR 1,500-3,000 (Motorzentrale and gebrauchtwagenberater, Germany, year not stated) |
| EGR valve and DPF soot on the V6 TDI | 3.0 V6 TDI (CAS, CRC, CVW, CVV), worse on short trips | 150,000 km and up | EUR 300-800 for EGR; DPF cleaning from EUR 300-500, new DPF EUR 1,000-2,000 (Motorzentrale, year not stated) |
| Air suspension compressor and level sensors | Cars with air suspension (an option) | Not stated | Level sensors low to mid three-digit EUR; front strut mid four-figure EUR (Kfz-Dietrich, year not stated) |
| Automatic gearbox shift faults | 8-speed automatic, all cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Oil leaks on the V6 diesels | Most reported on V6 diesels | Not stated | No confirmed price |
| Fuel injector wear | Diesel, named for the 3.0 V6 TDI | Not stated | EUR 300-600 per injector plus fitting (Motorzentrale, year not stated) |
| Keyless entry and switch faults | All cars | Not stated | No confirmed price |
Before you buy
- Start the engine cold and listen for a metal rattle in the first seconds. A rattle means a stretched chain or a worn tensioner. A scanner can show the fault "camshaft position not plausible". Needs a scanner.
- If the car has air suspension, check that the body does not sag after the car has stood overnight. A sagging car or a warning on the dash means a compressor or level sensor fault. A scanner can read the level sensor values. Needs a scanner.
- Ask for DPF and EGR cleaning records. On a test drive, watch for rough idle or speed swings at idle. A car used mostly on short trips is at risk.
- Listen for knocking on a cold start and look for smoke from the exhaust. Diesel in the engine oil is a warning. Ask for injector work.
- Look under the engine for wet oil, mainly at the joint between engine and gearbox. Wet oil is a warning; Za Rulem says that seal needs the gearbox out.
- On a test drive, check for smooth shifts from 4th to 5th and back down. Jerks or kicks are a warning. Ask whether a gearbox software update was done.
- Test the keyless entry, all switches and the high-beam stalk. A switch that fails, or a keyless entry that does not work, is a warning.
- Ask for proof that the emissions software update was done on the 3.0 TDI. Check every open campaign by VIN.
Running costs
| Operational | €234 |
|---|---|
| Workshop | €183 |
| Fixed costs (tax, insurance) | €218 |
| Total per month | €635 |
| New-car depreciation (not included) | €138 |
ADAC figures for 15,000 km a year over 60 months
Market
Listings on mobile.de priced up to 50,000 EUR, 29 October 2026.
- Listings
- 546
- 25th percentile
- €9,990
- Median price
- €12,500
- 75th percentile
- €15,500
- Median mileage
- 224,000 km
- Median first registration
- 2012
- Dealer share
- 39.6%
- Price at 100,000 km
- €18,021
To check a listing's price, open its variant in the table above. Each variant page has a price check.
In detail
V6 TDI timing chain stretch
The timing chain drives the camshafts. On the 3.0 V6 TDI the chain stretches and the tensioner wears. Symptoms are a metal rattle from the engine on a cold start, and a fault for the camshaft position. Gebrauchtwagenberater says the chain tensioner is often affected, and that a stretched chain can cause major engine damage. Motorzentrale says a major engine failure costs three to four times the chain job. Motorzentrale says the chain stretches mainly on builds up to about 2015.
The fix is a new chain set with tensioners. A German garage on the same engine in an Audi A6 renews both chain drives when one is stretched.
Cost, Germany, year not stated: EUR 1,500-2,500 (Motorzentrale). The same engine in an A6 is about EUR 3,000 (gebrauchtwagenberater, year not shown). An owner paid EUR 2,400 in 2024 at a specialist, and EUR 1,500-2,000 at a small workshop (owner).
Sources: motorzentrale, gebrauchtwagenberater, kfz-dietrich, A6 case, touareg-freunde
EGR valve and DPF soot on the V6 TDI
Soot and oil stick the EGR valve. Symptoms are rough idle and speed swings at idle. The DPF clogs, mainly when the car runs short trips. Carbon builds up in the intake ports, and Motorzentrale says cleaning is worth it especially past 150,000 km. Cleaning is by mechanical means or dry-ice blasting.
On an EA897 CRCA in a Touareg NF, the EGR module leaked coolant, with white smoke from the exhaust. That car had more than 250,000 km. A garage fitted a used module from a donor car.
Fix: clean or replace the EGR valve. Clean or replace the DPF.
Cost, Germany, year not stated (Motorzentrale): EGR EUR 300-800 including labour. DPF cleaning from EUR 300-500. A new DPF is EUR 1,000-2,000.
Sources: motorzentrale, NXMotors on DRIVE2
Air suspension compressor and level sensors
Only cars with air suspension have this fault. Leaks make the compressor run all the time until it fails. Magnetic valves and level sensors fail more often than the struts. A car that sits too low, or shows a warning, may have a level sensor or compressor fault.
Fix: read the level sensor values with ODIS, the VW diagnostic software. Replace the faulty sensor, valve or compressor.
Cost, Kfz-Dietrich, year not stated: level sensors at a low to mid three-digit EUR figure. A front strut at a mid four-figure EUR figure. No confirmed price for the compressor.
Sources: kfz-dietrich, Za Rulem
Automatic gearbox shift faults
The 8-speed automatic can kick or jerk on shifts. Za Rulem says a software update usually helped. RAC warns the gearbox is sometimes prone to failure, and advises a test drive. Check for smooth shifts from 4th to 5th and back down.
No confirmed price.
Oil leaks on the V6 diesels
Oil leaks from the seals. CarWiki says oil loss from leaks is most common on the V6 diesels. Za Rulem says the sealing ring between engine and gearbox leaks on almost every car. Replacing it means taking the automatic out, which is costly.
Fix: sealing work at a specialist workshop.
No confirmed price.
Fuel injector wear
The injectors knock, the engine smokes, and diesel gets into the oil. Motorzentrale lists these signs. Za Rulem says experts advise new injectors, not repair.
Cost, Germany, year not stated (Motorzentrale): EUR 300-600 per injector, plus fitting.
Sources: motorzentrale, Za Rulem
Keyless entry and switch faults
CarWiki and Za Rulem both say keyless entry often fails. CarWiki adds that the high-beam switch can stop working. Za Rulem's fix is to clean and reseal the switch blocks.
No confirmed price.
Recalls
| Country | Code | Years | What is done |
|---|---|---|---|
| Germany (KBA) | not given | 2014-2017 (press; KBA page gives no years) | Two defeat devices in the software: a warm-up strategy in the test cycle, and an AdBlue limit on SCR cars. The KBA checked and released the software update. VW writes to owners. |
Check open campaigns by VIN.
Maintenance
- Automatic gearbox fluid: change every 60,000 to 80,000 km.
- DPF and EGR: short trips clog a DPF. Ask for cleaning records.
Sources: Za Rulem, kfz-dietrich
Sources
English
German
- carwiki: Touareg problems
- KBA: recall for the Touareg 3.0 l diesel Euro 6
- automobil-produktion: KBA orders recall for VW Touareg
- kfz-dietrich: VW Touareg typical problems and ODIS
- motorzentrale: VW Touareg 3.0 V6 TDI problems
- touareg-freunde: chain change on the 3.0 TDI 262 PS (owner forum)
- gebrauchtwagenberater: 3.0 TDI many problems, costly upkeep (Audi A6, same engine)
- kfz-dietrich: A6 3.0 TDI chain case study (Audi A6, same engine)