Recall 16V243 affects 366 2016 Volkswagen Touareg vehicles for incorrect TPMS calibration and safety labels. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
Volkswagen is recalling 366 2016 Touareg SUVs because the tire pressure monitoring system is improperly calibrated and the safety label lists incorrect tire pressures. An underinflated tire can fail suddenly and increase crash risk, and Volkswagen dealers will complete the recall repair free of charge.
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What's wrong?
The TPMS in the 2016 Volkswagen Touareg is the tire pressure monitoring system, the electronic system that watches tire pressure and turns on a warning when a tire is low. It is supposed to use the correct pressure values for the wheel and tire package installed on the vehicle. The certification label is supposed to show the same correct pressure information for the owner and service shop.
On affected Touaregs with 21-inch wheels and tires, Volkswagen updated the tire control tables incorrectly. That programming error set the TPMS to the wrong pressure values, and the safety certification label also printed the wrong tire-pressure information. With the system calibrated to bad values, a low tire can fall below the correct pressure without the driver getting the warning they expect.
There is no warning sign before failure. The problem is the missing or late low-pressure warning itself, so do not rely on the TPMS alone to confirm that the tires are properly inflated.
Who's affected?
| 2016 Volkswagen Touareg | tire |
|---|---|
| Units affected | 366 |
| Field incidents | NHTSA has logged 1 field incident to date. |
A matching year and model does not guarantee inclusion. Check your VIN to confirm whether your specific SUV is included.
What's the safety risk?
Driving on underinflated tires raises the risk of sudden tire failure and a crash. Check tire pressure before driving, follow the placard pressure for the 2016 Touareg, and schedule the TPMS correction soon so the warning system matches the vehicle. Repair is free at any franchised Volkswagen dealer.
What should I do?
- Check your VIN to confirm your 2016 Volkswagen Touareg is included in this recall.
- Contact your nearest franchised Volkswagen dealer to schedule the free TPMS recalibration and safety certification label replacement that restores the low tire pressure warning and corrects the tire pressure label.
- Bring the recall notice if Volkswagen mailed one. If not, reference recall number 16V243 when you call.
- Check tire pressure manually before driving, and avoid driving on underinflated tires until the repair is complete.
What happens at the repair
At the dealer, a Volkswagen technician corrects the Tire Pressure Monitoring System settings so the system uses the right tire pressure values for the 2016 Touareg. The technician also replaces the safety certification label so the printed tire pressures match the corrected settings. The recall repair is free, including parts and labor. Schedule the work with a Volkswagen dealer and ask the service desk to confirm campaign 16V243 is open for your VIN.
Timeline
| April 26, 2016 | NHTSA published the recall |
|---|---|
| May 13, 2016 | Owner notification mailed |
Frequently asked questions
What is recall 16V243?
Recall 16V243 covers 366 2016 Volkswagen Touareg SUVs with tire pressure monitoring settings that do not properly warn the driver when tire pressure is low. Volkswagen dealers will correct the TPMS settings and replace the safety certification label for free.
What should I do if my 2016 Volkswagen Touareg is on this recall?
Check your VIN to confirm your specific Touareg is included in recall 16V243. If it is, contact a franchised Volkswagen dealer and ask for the TPMS setting correction and replacement safety certification label. Reference Volkswagen recall number 44M9 when you call.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Federal recall law requires the manufacturer to repair the defect at no cost, and Volkswagen's remedy says dealers will correct the TPMS settings and replace the safety certification label free of charge.
What is the safety risk?
The risk is sudden tire failure from driving on underinflated tires. In this recall, the TPMS settings were not calibrated correctly, so the warning system can fail to alert the driver when tire pressure is low, increasing the risk of a crash.
When did the Volkswagen Touareg recall repair begin?
Volkswagen began the recall repair on May 13, 2016. The remedy is available through franchised Volkswagen dealers, who correct the TPMS settings and replace the safety certification label at no charge.
More information
| NHTSA campaign page | nhtsa.gov/vehicle-recalls/16V243000 |
|---|---|
| Volkswagen customer service | 1-800-893-5298 |
| NHTSA recall # | 16V243 |
| NHTSA recall # (full) | 16V243000 |
Source documents
-
Download Recall Investigation Document (PDF) (PDF) - Download Owner Notification Letter (PDF)
- Download Owner Notice (PDF)
- Download Recall Report (PDF)
- Download Quarterly Report (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 →