2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems, Recalls & Reliability
Verdict
CautionComplaint Index
53/100
#8 most-complained of 16 Tiguan years
The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan has 152 NHTSA complaints, a Complaint Index of 53, and ranks 8th worst out of 16 model years, earning a Caution verdict. Engine problems are the top complaint area, with 3 recalls on file.
- Complaints
- 152
- Recalls
- 3
- Crashes / fires
- 10 / 0
- Injuries / deaths
- 6 / 0
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 23
- 21 city / 26 hwy
Top 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Engine53 (35%)
- Airbags33 (22%)
- Electrical System24 (16%)
- Other20 (13%)
- Steering20 (13%)
- Fuel System15 (10%)
- Brakes14 (9%)
- Seat Belts7 (5%)
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (5%)
- Visibility & Wipers6 (4%)
What owners report
- Engine stalls at low speed, often under 30 mph while slowing for a stop sign or light, sometimes recurring multiple times.
- Airbags fail to deploy in frontal or chain-reaction collisions despite significant speed and impact force, resulting in driver injuries.
- Airbags deploy abruptly into the driver's face and arms during a rear-end collision.
- A gradual coolant leak develops with no overheating, requiring more frequent refilling over time until it becomes a daily occurrence.
- Rear wheels reportedly seize with an electronic emergency warning light illuminated, causing loss of vehicle control.
- Brakes lock up or resist during slow stops, requiring heavy pedal force before the vehicle stops.
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 18V329000May 16, 2018Other252 vehicles
Unknown or other
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
- NHTSA 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Airbags415,825 vehicles
Air bags:frontal
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk: A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
- NHTSA 14V441000Jul 21, 2014Fuel System151,389 vehicles
Fuel system, gasoline
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 21 MPG
- Highway
- 26 MPG
- Combined
- 23 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,450
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Premium
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2012 compared with other Tiguan years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2012 Tiguan a Complaint Index of 53 and a Caution verdict, ranking 8th worst among 16 model years. Engine and airbag complaints are the most common problem areas.
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Tiguan?
- Engine complaints make up 35% of reports (53 complaints, median failure mileage 50,000), followed by airbag issues at 22% (33 complaints) and electrical system issues at 16% (24 complaints).
- Does the 2012 Tiguan have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Tiguan: one covering a compliance issue, one for an airbag steering wheel clock spring cover, and one for a fuel system software update to increase fuel pump pressure.
- How does the 2012 Tiguan compare to other years?
- The 2012 Tiguan's Complaint Index of 53 is higher than 2010 (33), 2013 (27), and later years like 2014-2017, which range from 7 to 20 and carry Best or Good verdicts.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2012 Tiguan?
- The EPA rates the 2012 Tiguan at 23 mpg combined (21 city/26 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,450.