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2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: problems, recalls and fuel economy
NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan[1]. The engine group is the biggest, with 52 complaints[2].
Most reported problems
Here are the complaint groups in the stories we read, biggest first.
- Engine. 52 complaints[2]. Owners describe the engine cutting out at low speeds, such as when slowing for a stop or crawling through traffic. Some say it restarted only after the car was put in park, and that dealers had trouble finding a cause.
- Air Bags. 33 complaints[5]. Owners describe air bags that did not open in a crash, and one describes a bag that opened with harsh force. Others write about waiting on parts for a recall repair.
- Electrical System. 23 complaints[6]. Owners describe warning lights lighting up all at once, lights and locks that quit working, and the car losing power while driving.
- Steering. 21 complaints[7]. Owners describe power steering dropping out with a warning light, and a steering wheel part that failed and took the horn and air bag light with it.
- Unknown or other. 20 complaints[8]. These reports do not point to one clear part.
- Fuel and propulsion. 12 complaints[9].
- Brakes. 11 complaints[10].
- Power train. 7 complaints[11].
Recalls
Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2012 Tiguan is necessarily included.
- Unknown Or Other (18V329), May 2018. About 252 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire, a crash, injury. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[12]
- Air Bags › Frontal (15V483), August 2015. About 415,825 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[13]
- Fuel System, Gasoline (14V441), July 2014. About 151,389 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, stalling. Dealers do the repair free of charge.[14]
Fuel economy
EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.
| Version | City / highway / combined MPG | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|
| Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[4] | 22 / 26 / 24 | $3,400 |
| Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive[15] | 18 / 26 / 21 | $3,900 |
| Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive[16] | 21 / 26 / 23 | $3,550 |
Safety ratings
Engine and size
Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.
| Engine | Horsepower |
|---|---|
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder[19] | 200 hp |
These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.
How 2012 compares with other years
Show the numbers
| Model year | Complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 168 | 3 |
| 2010 | 110 | 2 |
| 2011 | 162 | 3 |
| 2012 | 153 | 3 |
| 2013 | 140 | 3 |
| 2014 | 84 | 3 |
| 2015 | 62 | 4 |
| 2016 | 97 | 2 |
| 2017 | 76 | 4 |
| 2018 | 292 | 14 |
| 2019 | 193 | 5 |
| 2020 | 141 | 3 |
| 2021 | 143 | 5 |
| 2022 | 272 | 5 |
| 2023 | 70 | 1 |
| 2024 | 76 | 2 |
| 2025 | 53 | 3 |
| 2026 | 37 | 0 |
NHTSA's counts for the Tiguan show 153 complaints and 3 recalls for 2012[3]. Among the 19 model years listed, 13 have fewer complaints than 2012 and 5 have more[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2018 (292)[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.
Should you buy a used 2012 Tiguan?
The 2012 Tiguan has 153 complaints on file[1]. Engine problems lead the list at 52 complaints[2], and air bags follow with 33[5]. The air bag group carries the most crash reports, with 7[5]. These are unverified owner reports and are not adjusted for how many were sold. Recalls exist for this year too, and the page sections cover them[3].
Frequently asked questions
- What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan?
- Engine complaints top the list with 52[2], then air bags with 33[5] and the electrical system with 23[6].
- Does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan have recalls?
- Yes. The by-year facts show 3 recalls for 2012[3]. The Recalls section lists them.
- How many complaints does the 2012 Tiguan have?
- NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file[1].
- What is the gas mileage of the 2012 Tiguan?
- See the fuel economy section on this page for the figures.
Keep exploring
Other model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Compare all model years of the Volkswagen Tiguan
Other Volkswagen models from 2012
Similar cars from 2012: suvs
Facts and sources
- NHTSA has 153 owner complaints on file for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan (10 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 6 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
- 52 complaints name the engine component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 50,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Owner complaints and recalls for every Volkswagen Tiguan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 22 city / 26 highway / 24 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,400. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- 33 complaints name the air bags component group (7 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 56,814). NHTSA vehicle records
- 23 complaints name the electrical system component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 21 complaints name the steering component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 76,800). NHTSA vehicle records
- 20 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 51,442). NHTSA vehicle records
- 12 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 45,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- 11 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 8,500). NHTSA vehicle records
- 7 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 12,000). NHTSA vehicle records
- Recall 18V329, filed May 16, 2018: Unknown Or Other. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 15V483, filed August 4, 2015: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
- Recall 14V441, filed July 21, 2014: Fuel System, Gasoline. NHTSA recall database
- EPA rating for Tiguan, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Manual 6-spd, Premium, Front-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 26 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,900. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- EPA rating for Tiguan 4motion, 2.0L 4-cyl turbo, Automatic (S6), Premium, All-Wheel Drive: 21 city / 26 highway / 23 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV AWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 17.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
- NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, SUV FWD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 18.5%. NHTSA vehicle records
- EPA Test Car List, 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan with 2.0L 4-cylinder: rated 200 hp. www.epa.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 4MOTION 4DR AWD SUV: length 174 in, width 71 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,591 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
- Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TIGUAN 2.0 FWD 4DR FWD SUV: length 174 in, width 71 in, height 66 in, wheelbase 102 in, curb weight 3,393 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov