Recall 16V035 affects 825 2011-2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid vehicles for poor battery-tray drainage and fire risk. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 825 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles because the hybrid battery tray can hold water instead of draining it. Water in the tray can trigger an electrical short in the high-voltage battery and increase the risk of a fire; Volkswagen dealers will complete the repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The hybrid battery tray in the 2011-2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid sits in the rear hatch area and holds the high voltage battery hardware. That tray needs a clear path for water to leave the area. When it drains correctly, water that enters around the rear hatch, sunroof drains, or seals does not sit around the battery system.
On affected Touareg Hybrid SUVs, the tray area was built without drain valves. Water can collect there instead of draining away. Volkswagen traced some water intrusion to misassembled sunroof drains and rear lid seals, and water around the high voltage battery can create an electrical short. That short can overheat the battery and raise the risk of fire.
Owners can see a warning before the problem reaches that point. The vehicle can detect an isolation fault, shut down the electrical drive system, and show a high voltage system shutdown warning or hybrid drive system malfunction light.
Who's affected?
Spans the 2011-2015 model years, all tied to the hybrid propulsion system.
| 2014 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid | Hybrid propulsion system |
|---|---|
| 2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2012 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2011 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid | Hybrid propulsion system |
| 2013 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid | Hybrid propulsion system |
| Units affected | 825 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged no field incidents to date. |
The year and model narrow the scope, but the VIN decides. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
An electrical short in the high voltage battery increases the risk of a fire. If the vehicle warns that the high voltage system has shut down or the hybrid drive system malfunction light comes on, park safely and contact a Volkswagen dealer. Schedule the recall repair soon. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2011-2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid is included in this recall.
- Contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free fitted drain valve repair for the hybrid battery tray.
- Bring the recall notice if you have it, and reference recall number 16V035 and Volkswagen recall 53B8 when you call.
- Drive cautiously until the repair is complete, and call Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 if the dealer cannot schedule the free repair.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician installs a fitted drain valve so water drains out of the hybrid battery tray instead of collecting around the high voltage battery. The recall repair is free, and parts and labor are covered. If you've already paid out of pocket for this drain or battery tray repair before the recall notice, Volkswagen's general reimbursement plan covers documented expenses. Bring your repair paperwork and receipts to the service desk when you arrive.
| Reimbursement | Reimbursement available |
|---|
Timeline
| January 25, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| June 6, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V035?
Recall 16V035 covers 825 2011-2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid SUVs with a hybrid battery tray that does not drain water sufficiently. Water in the tray can create an electrical short in the high voltage battery, increasing fire risk. Volkswagen dealers install a fitted drain valve for free.
What should I do if my 2011-2015 Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Touareg Hybrid is included in recall 16V035. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for the fitted drain valve repair. Reference recall 16V035 and Volkswagen recall number 53B8 when you call.
Is the Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires manufacturers to repair safety defects at no cost, and Volkswagen dealers install the fitted drain valve free of charge. Parts and labor are covered for included vehicles, regardless of where the SUV was bought.
What is the safety risk in recall 16V035?
The safety risk is fire. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it can create an electrical short in the high voltage battery. Volkswagen fixes the drain problem by installing a fitted drain valve so water drains properly.
What if I bought my Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid used?
The free recall repair still applies. Recall coverage follows the vehicle, not the first owner. Check your VIN to confirm whether your Touareg Hybrid is included, then call a franchised Volkswagen dealer with recall 16V035 and Volkswagen recall number 53B8.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V035000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V035 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V035000 |
Source documents
-
Download Misc. Document (PDF) - Download Recall Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF)
- Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (PDF)
- Download Recall Acknowledgement (PDF)
This article is generated from NHTSA's primary recall filings and reviewed against the source on May 31, 2026. RecallNotify does not paraphrase NHTSA's consequence language; that text is reproduced as written above. Editorial standards →