VW Touareg Idle Vibration: Mount Failure Warning Signs

Having worked on several VW engine mount issues, I had a similar situation with my 2011 VW Tiguan. The symptoms you describe match what I experienced, strong vibrations and an illuminated check engine light. After inspection, the workshop found a defective engine mount with a failed electrical connection. The mounting bracket was intact, but the cable connection to the active mount was causing issues. The engine mount failure caused those exact symptoms, excessive vibration especially when idling. The repair involved replacing the faulty mount and reconnecting the electrical components. Total cost was 95€ for my repair, though prices can vary based on the specific mount that needs replacement. Before giving more specific advice, could you share: Have you had the check engine light code read? Are there any unusual sounds accompanying the vibration? Has the vibration gradually gotten worse or did it start suddenly? Have you noticed any fluid leaks around the mount areas? These details would help determine if your issue matches what I experienced or if there might be other factors involved. With the Touareg having a different engine configuration than my Tiguan, the mount layout varies, but the repair process should be similar.

Thanks for the detailed response. Just had the engine codes read at my last service. Getting P0303 misfire code and P0171 system too lean. The vibration started gradually over the last 1000km and gets worse at idle. No fluid leaks visible around any of the mounts. The mount wear seems most noticeable on the right side, with significant movement during startup. Previous repairs include timing belt replacement at 100000km and regular oil changes. No other major transmission mount or engine work done yet at 126517km. Would it make sense to replace all mounts while they have it apart, or just focus on the obviously failing one first?

Based on those codes and symptoms, your situation seems more complex than just mount wear. When I had similar issues with my Tiguan, the P0303 misfire code pointed to cylinder 3 problems. While a defective engine mount can contribute to vibration issues, the lean condition and misfire suggest we should look at: 1. Spark plugs and ignition coils first, these commonly cause misfires 2. Vacuum leaks causing the lean condition 3. Fuel injector performance 4. Mount failure as a secondary issue On my Tiguan, replacing the ignition coils and spark plugs resolved the misfire and most vibration issues. The rubber mount replacement was only needed later when the vibrations continued even after fixing the misfire. Regarding your mount question, I would first fix the misfire and lean condition. Only then evaluate if the mount failure is still causing problems. A single bad mount can strain the others, but replacing them all at once is costly if unnecessary. The repair for coils and plugs cost me around 280€ total. Much cheaper than doing all engine mounts at once, which would likely exceed 800€ with labor. Have you noticed any rough running or hesitation during acceleration? This could help confirm if the misfire is the primary issue rather than mount problems.

Since I started this thread about my 2009 Touareg, I appreciate all the feedback. After considering your response about the misfire codes, I decided to take a more systematic approach. Had the vehicle inspected today, you were right about checking the ignition system first. The technician found two failing coils and recommended replacing all spark plugs while accessing that area. The vibration issues seem less related to the engine mount than initially thought, though the transmission mount shows some wear. Planning to address the ignition components first at 280€ as suggested. If vibrations persist after fixing the misfire issues, then I will investigate the mounting bracket and engine mount concerns. Makes more sense financially to tackle one problem at a time rather than replacing all mounts unnecessarily. The rough running during acceleration you asked about, yes, noticed some hesitation especially when cold, which supports the misfire diagnosis. Will post an update once the coils and plugs are replaced to let others know if this resolved both the check engine light and vibration issues.