Volkswagen Touareg Recall R/2016/014: Fire May Occur, Who Is Affected And What To Do
- Urgent
- How serious
- 5 Feb 2016
- Launched
- 121
- vehicles in the UK
- 53B8
- Manufacturer’s campaign code
Volkswagen recalled Touareg vehicles built between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2016. Water ingress may gather in the spare wheel well may accumulate and cause the battery to short circuit.In extreme cases this could cause a fire. The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles fit an additional drain valve to the spare wheel well. You won't usually pay for it.1
What’s Wrong
Water ingress may gather in the spare wheel well may accumulate and cause the battery to short circuit.In extreme cases this could cause a fire.
DVSA's Original Wording
Concern: FIRE MAY OCCUR Defect: Water ingress may gather in the spare wheel well may accumulate and cause the battery to short circuit.In extreme cases this could cause a fire. Remedy: On affected vehicles fit an additional drain valve to the spare wheel well.
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.
The Risk
The recall notice describes the concern as: fire may occur.
The Fix
The recall notice describes the fix as: on affected vehicles fit an additional drain valve to the spare wheel well.
Are You Affected?
Touareg built between 1 June 2010 and 31 May 2016 may be included. Volkswagen estimates 121 vehicles in the UK. Enter your registration to check, then confirm by VIN with Volkswagen, because not every car in the date range may be included.
Which Car Is It?
Choose the make and model so we can match recalls to your car.
What To Do Now
- Check your car by registration above, then by VIN with Volkswagen.
- Book with any franchised Volkswagen dealer, quoting the campaign code 53B8 or the DVSA reference R/2016/014. See how to get a Volkswagen recall fixed.
- Follow the letter's instructions until the repair is done. See can you drive a car with a recall?.
Related Recalls
| Launched | Vehicle and fault | Severity | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| TouaregHybrid battery management reprogramming | Urgent | R/2026/001 | |
| TouaregOn certain vehicles the side airbag fitted in the seat (front left) may not have been correctly secured onto the seat frame | Urgent | R/2023/356 | |
| TouaregIf the rear lid is opened and manually pushed up too far the electric spindle drive can suddenly separate and expand | Book soon | R/2021/391 | |
| TouaregNuts fitted in the bolted connection of the right and left transverse link may not be to specifcation | Book soon | R/2021/237 | |
| TouaregA welded connection of the gearbox oil pipe can cause a leak of gear oil | Low | R/2020/132 |
This is one of 220 Volkswagen recalls in DVSA’s data. The Volkswagen recall launched before it was R/2015/252 on 27 Jan 2016, for engine may start up without warning. The one launched after it was R/2016/025 on 18 Feb 2016, for braking performance may be affected. You can also see every Volkswagen recall, all recalls launched in 2016 and fire risk recalls across every make.
Source: DVSA recall R/2016/014, launched 5 February 2016. Data updated 15 October 2026. How we grade urgency.
Sources
- The Code does not itself say repairs are free. GOV.UK guidance says "You will not usually have to pay for any repairs or parts under a safety recall." gov.uk Checked 15 Oct 2026.