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2008 Volkswagen Touareg

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2008 Touareg.

Body SUV

The 2008 Volkswagen Touareg is an SUV whose engine demands a substantial 14.3 quarts of 5W-30 or 5W-40 oil, reflecting the mechanical heft of its design. The model year carries four recalls and 56 total owner complaints, with the fuel and propulsion system standing out as the primary area of concern. Viewed against the Touareg’s 2004–2017 reliability history, the 2008 model sits well below the 231 complaints of the 2004 debut but represents a step back from the 9-complaint low of 2007, meaning researchers must account for a vehicle that, while far removed from its most problematic year, still carries notable fuel-system vulnerabilities.

Model year2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2008

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity14.3 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque118 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 49 · 760 CCA battery, OE oil filter 07Z115562. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 49 · 760 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnBACKUPOEM · verified

Tire size255-60R17OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	07Z115562 alt 07Z115441E
Engine air filter	7L0129620A alt 7L0129620
Fuel filter	7L6919679D alt 7L6127434A
Spark plug	101905622 alt 101905621B
Battery	000915089BE alt 000915089H
Front wiper blades	7L0998002A
Serpentine belt	070903327D alt 022145933P
Thermostat	03H121113D alt 079121119C
Cabin air filter	7E0819631

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	187 in
Overall width	76 in
Overall height	68.1 in
Wheelbase	111.8 in
Curb weight	5086 lb
Track (front / rear)	64.6 / 65 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	52/48

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Touareg of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

6.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 6.90 sec — 2008 V8

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2008	V8 4.2L V8	6.90 sec	15.20 sec	350 hp	AWD
2007	V6 3.6L V6	7.60 sec	15.80 sec	280 hp	AWD
2009	TDI 3.0L Turbo Diesel V6	7.80 sec	15.90 sec	225 hp	AWD
2009	TDI 3.0L Turbo Diesel V6	7.90 sec	16.10 sec	225 hp	AWD
2010	TDI 3.0L Turbo Diesel V6	7.90 sec	16.00 sec	225 hp	AWD
2005	V10 TDI 4.9L V10	6.30 sec	14.60 sec	310 hp	AWD
2005	V6 3.2L V6	9.80 sec	17.30 sec	240 hp	AWD
2004	V10 TDI 5.0L Turbo Diesel V10	6.20 sec	14.70 sec	310 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 14.3 qt of 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, CONTACT DEALER FOR CORRECT LUBRICANT in the differential, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 118 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-5-3-6-2-4. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Differential Gear Oil	CONTACT DEALER FOR CORRECT LUBRICANT
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	2.1 Pints
Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	14.3 qt
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40

Engine torques

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs	96 inch lbs. ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	M8 nuts: 18 ft-lbs, M10 nuts: 30 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	6.6 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	14.8 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs	96 inch lbs. ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	118 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-5-3-6-2-4
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	700 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	100 rpm

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	With dual zone climatic, 1.54-1.65; with four zone climatic, 2.31-2.42. lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	With dual zone climatic, 6.41-7.08; with four zone climatic, 10.12. oz
Standard BCI Group Number	49
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	760 cca
Standard BCI Group Number	93

Service checks

Pressure Test	14.5 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	20-23 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	188 °F
Pressure Test	---- psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief	---- psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature	----- °F
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	81.0 psi
Residual Pressure	58.0 psi

Brakes

Brake Application	WITH-FN 3
Torque Caliper to Bracket	18 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	199 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Brake Application	WITH-FN 3
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.161 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.161 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.004 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 45

4 ft. lbs

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

29 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

29 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

74 ft. lbs., step 2: 180

74 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

16 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

16 ft. lbs

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., step 2: 90

37 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	11 ft. lbs.	11 ft. lbs
2	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
3	turn 180 degrees using a ratchet; Apply liquid locking fluid-D 197 300 A2 sealant under head of bolts before installing the longer cylinder head bolts must be installed in the middle holes of the cylinder head.	180 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	90 degrees.	90 degrees
4	90 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.	90 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 4 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	44 ft. lbs.	44 ft. lbs
3	180 degrees.	180 degrees
4	180 degrees.; Do not re-use old bolts.	180 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

22 ft. lbs

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

37 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

37 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

15 ft. lbs., step 2: 22

15 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., step 2: 17

4 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

22 ft. lbs., Step 2: 180

22 ft. lbs

Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

26 ft. lbs., Step 2: 48 ft. lbs., Step 3: 108

26 ft. lbs

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

29 ft. lbs., Step 2: 65

29 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter at 5,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

At 5,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (drain)
Every 5,000 mi	Brake System (inspect)
Every 10,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (drain)
At 20,000 mi	Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Fuel Filter Water Separator (drain)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Stop (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Active Suspension System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Final Drive (inspect fluid level) · Power Steering System (inspect fluid level) · Sunroof Assembly (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace)
Every 80,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean)
At 120,000 mi	Diesel Particulate Filter (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2008 Touareg falls in a gap in the year-by-year record—between the first-generation 2007 (9 complaints, 3 recalls) and the second-generation 2011 (16 complaints, 4 recalls)—so direct trend comparison is limited. However, the 2008-specific data shows 17 fuel/propulsion system complaints and 4 fire complaints, a sharp increase from the 9 total complaints in 2007, suggesting a regression in reliability after several years of improvement. The first-generation arc from 2004 (231 complaints) to 2007 showed a clear downward trend, but 2008 appears to break that pattern with elevated issues, though the root cause is not specified in the data. With no recall count for 2008 and a high fire-complaint figure relative to surrounding years, this model year likely carries above-average risk. **Takeaway: The 2008 Touareg is not a good year to buy; the data indicates a spike in complaints and fire incidents compared to the improving trend of earlier first-generation models, making earlier or later years more reliable choices.**

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

417

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

1 involved a crash · 4 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 56 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System17

Electrical System,Exterior Lighting4

Engine3

Tires3

Suspension2

Exterior Lighting2

Unknown Or Other2

Engine,Fuel/Propulsion System2

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 417 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
V171901201285567	2023-10-30	Engine	VW Engine oil quality standards
V171905201285566	2023-09-28	Equipment	VW Engine oil quality standards
V271901201189425	2023-09-07	Equipment	Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update…
V0018092053065_4	2023-09-05	Equipment	Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
V171901201285565	2023-08-21	Engine And Engine Cooling	Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Touareg. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 49 battery Vehicles taking 14.3 qt Engine oil filter 07Z115562 Engine air filter 7L0129620A Fuel filter 7L6919679D Spark plug 101905622

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2008 Touareg take?

14.3 qt of 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION VW50501, per the factory manual.

Does the 2008 Touareg have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

2008 Volkswagen Touareg

Quick specs

Fitment & sizes

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Full specifications

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Performance & power Independent road tests

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Lubricants & capacities

Engine torques

Chassis torques

Ignition

Battery & A/C

Service checks

Brakes

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Common OBD-II trouble codes

VIN tools

Vehicles with shared specs

Reference guides

Related vehicles

Other years

Frequently asked