The Touareg is a midsize luxury crossover made by Volkswagen and in production since 2002. It is the German brand’s signature SUV and is known the world over for its trendy look and its excellent reliability.
This last aspect is a favorite for Touareg owners because maintenance costs won’t be prohibitive, especially for a luxury vehicle.
As a general rule, the annual Touareg maintenance cost is around $937. This will vary depending on the Touareg model, its age, the amount of wear it presents, and whether there is damage to the vehicle.
If you are a Touareg owner looking to see what the true cost of this remarkable Volkswagen SUV is, read on to find out more about what this entails.
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The Cost of Maintaining a Touareg
The cost of maintaining a Touareg will vary every year, especially on different models of different ages. The maintenance schedule will also include different options based on the timeline of ownership.
There are currently six Touareg models on the market, that include various choices: the Touareg R, the SEL, the SE, the R-Line/R-Line Tech, and Black Edition.
These models are not currently available to be purchased new from American dealerships, but there are plenty of Touaregs still on the road because they continue to be favorites around the world.
The most common types of Touareg engines you’ll encounter are the 3.0L, the 3.6L, and the 2.0L. The engine will have a considerable influence on what you will pay for the maintenance of your vehicle.
When you buy a Touareg, you will usually have two options for service plans:
- Four years, or up to 75,000 miles, whichever arrives first.
- Five years, or up to 90,000 miles, whichever arrives first.
Both these plans include an unlimited mileage warranty that covers the first two years of ownership. After that, the four-year plan covers up to 75,000 miles in the third and fourth years, while the five-year plan covers up to 90,000 in the third, fourth, and fifth years.
These plans can help you keep the maintenance costs low. Usually, in the first two years of Touareg ownership, you will get to benefit from free maintenance packages, includes with your choice of service plan.
After that, the cost may jump up to around $937 a year, usually increasing with time.
Cost to Maintain Touareg Components
While you will get to benefit from the Touareg service plan for the first two years, you should be aware of the usual cost of maintaining different components on it.
These will vary depending on the element being serviced, so we are going to look at the most often encountered prices for the most frequently serviced parts on a Touareg vehicle.
Tires Maintenance Cost
In general, you will pay between $40 and $51 per tire on a Touareg to get them rotated. This is the most common tire maintenance type that will be performed on your vehicle to make sure that your tires are in great shape until they will need to be replaced.
When that time comes, you will usually spend between $150 and $350 per tire replacement, unless you are looking for specific high-performance options that can take you above $500 per tire.
This is up to whatever suits your lifestyle and budget. You should also consider what terrain you usually drive on and the amount of wear your tires should withstand.
Brakes Maintenance Cost
The typical maintenance for brakes on your Touareg will be a brake fluid replacement, usually done every two years. This service can cost between $80 and $120.
Your brake system will be inspected during every yearly maintenance visit, but they won’t need to receive any extra attention unless they require repairs.
Getting your brakes checked out regularly will ensure that they are in the best condition for as long as possible.
Specialists will be able to see if they are not performing correctly during revisions, but you should bring your vehicle to them immediately if you notice any issues. Brake problems can quickly deteriorate into damage that has high costs.
Battery Maintenance Cost
The battery on your Touareg will usually be checked every 60,000 miles to make sure that it is still performing correctly, but some specialists may look at it before that.
If you notice any problems, you will have to bring the car to the attention of experts.
If your battery starts underperforming, it may need to be replaced. Costs for a battery replacement on a Touareg will usually be between $405 and $435, including parts and the hours of labor involved in the process.
Engine Maintenance Cost
The usual maintenance service on the Touareg for the engine will involve changing the engine oil every 10,000 miles. This will usually cost between $35 and $75, but it may go up to $125 depending on the engine oil you have on your Touareg.
Once you hit 60,000 miles, your yearly check-up will usually involve a full engine inspection on top of everything else. This is to make sure that the engine is still performing correctly, especially after so much mileage.
If you notice any changes in how it responds to you, you should take the Touareg in for an inspection no matter the time of year.
Filters Maintenance Cost
When you have a Touareg, filter maintenance will be part of the yearly check-ups. Your engine air filter will be replaced every 10,000 miles. This will generally cost between $20 and $85.
Every 40,000 miles, the transmission filter on the Touareg will have to be replaced. This will cost around $100. At the same time, the cabin air filter will be replaced too, usually for a cost of $15 to $25.
The filters will all be checked during yearly maintenance visits, and some may get cleaned at regular intervals.
Cost to Repair Touareg Components
You may sometimes face malfunctions on your Touareg components. These may require repairs that will vary in cost from affordable to pricey.
These sections will guide you regarding a cost estimate. You will get exact figures from specialists when these issues happen.
Electrical Repair Cost
If you start experiencing electrical issues on your Touareg, you will have to get an inspection. This usually costs between $101 and $128.
Once that is done, you will receive a diagnosis and a price estimate for the repair job. Depending on the issues, you may face costs between $110 and $680.
You will see significant variations in price here. They will be based on how much of the system will need to be repaired.
Engine Repair Cost
If the Touareg starts experiencing engine issues, you should get a diagnosis from a specialist. The prices you will pay for repairs will vary depending on the severity of the problem. You’ll usually face costs between $438 and $551.
More extensive replacements on the engine will have higher price points. You should always make sure to get the issues solved as soon as they happen to avoid too much damage.
Transmission Repair Cost
The transmission system is one of the most expensive on your Touareg. Expect steep prices for any repairs or replacements that you may need to do.
Smaller repairs will be less costly, but for full replacements, you will face prices between $2500 and $3500. Once you start experiencing issues with your transmission, factor them into the budget.
Recommended Maintenance Schedule for Touareg
It is advisable to follow the maintenance schedule set by Volkswagen for the Touareg. This will ensure that your vehicle will remain in the best condition for as long as possible.
These are the usual stages for your recommended Touareg maintenance scheduling:
- 10,000 miles: This milestone will usually occur around the one-year mark and will involve the basic maintenance that will be part of every succeeding one. It will include replacing the engine oil and filter, rotating the tires, and checking fluid levels. Plenty of inspections will happen: the tires, the shift lock, the airbag system are all included.
- 20,000 miles: When you hit this stage (or the 2-year mark), your car will get a road test and its brake fluid replaced. The front water drains will be checked and cleaned they have sustained considerable use. Inspections will now also include headlights, the front axle, and the onboard diagnostics.
- 40,000 miles: At this time, you’ll get all the maintenance jobs included in the previous two categories, with the addition of spark plug replacements, cabin air filter replacements, and transmission fluid and filter replacements. Inspections will include underbody contact points, final drive oil, and power steering fluid.
- 60,000 miles: Everything included in the previous check-ups will continue, with the inclusion of a thorough cleaning of the air cleaner.
- 120,000 miles: There will be considerable wear on the Touareg when you hit this milestone. Plenty of additional inspections and checks will happen. These will include the exhaust system, the cooling system, the driveshaft boots, the engine, the battery, and the lights.
Are Touaregs Expensive to maintain
Generally, speaking Touaregs are not considered expensive to maintain. The Touareg maintenance cost will usually be a total of $937 per year on average. This cost will vary depending on how much wear the vehicle has and whether any repairs will be necessary. The price will also be affected by the warranty and by the model of Touareg you have.
