Mandatory fastener.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2013 Volkswagen Touareg steering problems
moderate 8 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
8
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 8 steering complaints filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Volkswagen Touareg in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 11 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Horn and ancillary steering wheel controls diagnosis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Updated to include model year 2017 applicability
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Technical Bulletin (Squeaking Noises From Front Of Vehicle): Squeaking/creaking noise from front of vehicle while fully turning steering wheel. The document also gives information on servicing the issue
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Tech Tips: This Tech Tip was established to explain the influence the adjustable steering column tilt position has on the steering wheel being off center and to provide information on checking for steering wheel off center
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 7 most recent
When the vehicle is driven at speeds between 60 MPH - 75 MPH the steering wheel shakes back and forth. The steering wheel shake is noticeable to the point that if you take your hands off the steering wheel you literally can see the steering wheel vibrate back and forth. The air pressure in the tires has been checked, the tires have been rotated and the Volkswagen dealer has road force balanced…
Continuous (orig. Report date 10/3/13) with two unsuccessful service attempts to date (10/12/13) of a reported steering wheel shimmy/shake [at highway speed between 60-65 MPH]. This issue remains unchanged from the original report; as issue continues unaffected by road surfaces to incl. Other variables such as: pre-dawn, daytime and evening road conditions; weather and temperatures. Vehicle still…
Upon reaching speeds between 65 and approximately 75 miles per hour the steering wheel would noticeably shake back and forth very obviously, so much so that it worried me there was a major issue with the vehicle.
Vehicle exhibits a steering wheel shake that consistently occurs above 60mph on all road surfaces. At onset, can feel oscillation in hands and arms. With hands lightly on wheel or removed, can visually confirm steering wheel oscillation (cyclical rotation from l to r and back) with about 3/8" total travel at steering wheel perimeter. Cabin also exhibits slight vibration which can be felt in seat.…
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…
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 NHTSA
We took possession of the veh. On 3/14/12 with 495 miles on it. In the following week we noticed that the steering wheel and column was intermittently shuddering/ vibrating and making a noise. Veh. Was initially taken in @ dealership on 3/27/12. Also had issue with ad blue indicator coming on. Veh was taken back again on 4/6/12 for the same issues and also now pulling to the right and steering…
Had steering trouble with your 2013 Volkswagen Touareg?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2013 Volkswagen Touareg?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 8 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 8 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 21,007 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2013/Volkswagen/Touareg.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.