Diesel Fuel System Problems of Volkswagen Touareg

On Wednesday January 22, 2014 I was driving west on us route 9 in barrington nh at approximately 11am in my Volkswagen Touareg 2010 tdi. There was nothing unusual about the performance of the car before I felt a strange lag and then a warning light started flashing to stop the car. Before I could pull off the road the car lost power and died. Since the warning to stop the car came up I did not try to restart the car. I sat on the side of the road bewildered for a moment as i¿d only purchased this car 3 weeks before and it was only a few miles short of 30,000 miles on the odometer. Being stranded partially in the middle of the road was terrifying as I was in a 50mph zone and people were flying past me upwards of 60mph while my car was barely straddling the white line. Also, it was 8 degrees outside and there was no place for me to wait safely outside of the car due to considerable frozen snow banks flanking the roadway. My options were to pray not to get hit or risk freezing while waiting for a tow truck. Overall this was a terrifying experience to have in a new car who¿s supposed toughness and reliability was one of its selling points. The dealer (quirk vw in manchester, nh) has told us that the fuel was contaminated leading to a hpfp failure which my husband says this same vehicle has had replaced less than 8,000 miles ago under the previous owner. He also said that I should mention that this is the same hpfp made by bosch as the golf, jetta and a3 which has been investigated under ea11003 for failure.

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2013 Touareg tdi glow plug warning light came on then the engine warning light. The vehicle lost throttle response -- did not stop running but also felt like running on only a few cylinders -- could not drive over 40 mph on freeway. Also lost ability to downshift auto transmission. Drove the vehicle to my regular vw dealer, who says that the entire fuel system must be replaced -- as directed by vw USA -- from back to front. The dealer claims there were "pieces of rust in the fuel system?" dealer acknowledges that should not happen. The vehicle is less than seven months old. Now into second week waiting for repair. Reading online, there is evidently a fuel system issue for the 2011-13 tdi Touareg relating to the injectors (ceramic particles) and fuel pumps ability to handle USA diesel.

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While traveling approximately 75 mph on an interstate the vehicle suddenly lost power/turned off. There were no warning lights, no noises, no vibrations, no signs of anything. Vehicle had to be towed to vw dealer where I was informed that the high pressure fuel pump had failed allegedly due to substandard/contaminated diesel fuel. There was no sign of mis-fueling (no gas in tank when tested), contaminants are unknown. It seems that the hpfp is not designed to perform within the tolerances necessary to operate safely and reliably on 'pump fuel' available to consumers.

Glow plug warning light came on and vehicle lost throttle response -- did not stop running but felt like running on 1/2 cylinders. Pulled off the highway at the next opportunity; vehicle died at the end of the off-ramp and could not be re-started. Vehicle towed to nearest vw dealer, who says that the entire fuel system must be replaced from back to front. Dealer claims that rear lift pump caused the incident but also says the hpfp (injector pump) failed. Three weeks into the incident the vehicle is still being repaired.

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Wednesday 8/15 - following an approximately 50 mile early morning highway drive from home to a remote office location, the engine stalled while standing at a stop light. I immediately restarted and proceed a short distance through the light, wherein the engine failed again. Attempts to restart were unsuccessful, with multiple engine lights, glow plug coil signals displayed. Car towed to dealership for evaluation. Following day, 8/16 advised that the 'algae' discovered in fuel - requiring drain of fuel tank, flush and cleaning of fuel system - estimated cost ~ $400. Following day, 8/17 advised that drain, flush complete but that fuel return valve required replacement - estimated cost increased to ~$800. Parts ordered, car to remain at dealership through weekend. Tuesday 8/21 received call, advised that 'metal shavings in fuel system' required complete replacement of fuel system - approx. $10,000 repair. Regional vw service rep. Reviewed matter and assumed responsibility for repair. Questioned sudden shift from algae to metal shavings contamination without material response. Later that day received follow up call that parts required 'red tag' ordering, meaning parts had to come from germany. Car to be laid up for additional 10 days (approx). 8/27 - asked for update and use of loaner car. Parts still on order. Dealership had not experienced non - gasoline generated fuel system contamination/failure - no reasoned explanation for failure. Loaner car denied as car was beyond 36k warranty period, yet vw elected to assume responsibility for repair. Web based research indicateswell documented and growing tdi fuel system failure problem. ## VIN passed ## vw toureag tdi 2011 ##.