2008 Volkswagen Touareg

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 (NHTSA: 17V583) - FUEL FILTER FLANGE LEAK CERTAIN 2004-2007 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SAFETY RECALL 20Z4 (NHTSA: 17V151000) - FUEL PUMP FLANGE MAY CRACK CAUSING FUEL LEAKAGE 2007 - 2010 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG SAFETY RECALL 24BK (NHTSA: 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

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.