NHTSA Complaint #11360845 — 2016 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG

THE VEHICLE WAS LEFT PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY FOR 4 DAYS, DURING SO HEAVY RAINSTORMS PASSED OVER MY AREA. WHEN I WENT TO GO START THE CAR AFTER 4 DAYS, A SUNNY DRY DAY FINALLY, ITS SPUTTERED AND SUFFOCATED WHEN STARTING UP. HAVING HEARD THESE VEHICLES HAVE WATER PROBLEMS WITH THE AIR INTAKE FOR THE ENGINE I IMMEDIATELY SHUT OFF THE CAR. WHEN I OPENED THE AIR FILTER HOUSING THERE WERE ABOUT 2 INCHES OF WATER IN THE HOUSING THAT UNDOUBTEDLY GOT SUCKED INTO MY ENGINE WHEN IT WAS STARTED. WITH THE VEHICLE, NOT BEING DRIVEN AT ALL DURING THE RAIN, HEAVY SPRAY FROM THE ROAD OR OTHER CARS CAN BE RULED OUT AS A CAUSE AND I FIGURE THERE MUST BE A DEFECT IN THE SEAL OR DESIGN OF THE AIR INTAKE. ESPECIALLY, SINCE VW CHINA RECALLED THESE VEHICLES FOR THE EXACT SAME ISSUE EARLIER THIS YEAR. ADDITIONALLY, THE CAR WAS PARKED ON A TYPICAL INCLINED DRIVEWAY ABOUT 8 FEET IN FRONT OF THE GARAGE DOOR, IN NO PRECARIOUS POSITION. NOW THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO SPUTTER AND LOSE REVS WHEN STARTING UP.