NHTSA (USA)Critical
2011–2015 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREGNHTSA Campaign #16V035000
The official notice
Defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it may cause an electrical short in the high voltage battery.
Safety Risk
An electrical short in the high voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a fitted drain valve to allow water to drain properly, free of charge. The recall began late February 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this 53B8.
825 vehicles affectedMfr ref: 53B8Updated June 10, 2026