VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG · model year

2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG

36 NHTSA complaints, 1 crash report, and 2 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2012VOLKSWAGENTOUAREG carries 36 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 1 crash, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and Not Rated/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2012 TOUAREG is fuel/propulsion system with 6 filings, followed by engine (5) and steering (4). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 2 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 37 investigation files overlapping the 2012 TOUAREG, and 2 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

36
Complaints
1
Crashes
0
Fires
3
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

36 filings

Crashes Reported

1 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 — Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: Not Rated/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM6
ENGINE5
STEERING4
POWER TRAIN3
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM3
SERVICE BRAKES2
SEAT BELTS2
SEATS1
FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL1
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION1
EXTERIOR LIGHTING1
AIR BAGS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
WHEELS1
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL1

Recalls (2)

16V17000024/03/2016

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.

18V32900016/05/2018

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 ma

Recent Complaints

20250220ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

I was driving to church on the morning of 2/16/25 when I heard a very loud “Boom.” I thought something had hit the car. It sounded like a gun going off. When I pulled over to see what had happened I realized the right side mirror had exploded. The glass was completely gone with only the glue left on the back plate housing. Both mirrors were in the “off” position. Nothing hit the outside housing. The right side mirror simply exploded. Thank God the window was not down with a passenger in the right front seat. In cool weather I often drive with the window down. Someone could have been hurt. I have owned many cars but NEVER one with a side mirror that exploded. This design is DANGEROUS.

20241227FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

While driving my family around, the car lost engine power and came to a stop on a busy roadway leaving us stranded until a tow truck could arrive. There were no warnings or indications that anything was wrong. One minute, it was driving fine and out of nowhere, the engine shut off in the middle of the road leaving us blocking a lane and creating a dangerous situation. The dealership is claiming that the high pressure fuel pump suffered a catastrophic failure and that the entire fuel system needs to be replaced, which is going to cost more than $13,000.

20231003ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an oil odor and smoke odor in the interior of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact observed oil leaking from underneath the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined the diesel particulate filter needed to be replaced but was unable to locate the part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 124,000.

Mileage: 124,000

20230823AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt unintendedly unlatched while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the clockspring was defective, causing several failures with the vehicle. The contact stated while tilting the steering wheel, the vehicle drifted away from the intended direction and the windshield wipers would activate to the fastest speed with windshield washer fluid spraying onto the windshield and the horn was blaring uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

Mileage: 178,000

20230823SEAT BELTS

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt unintendedly unlatched while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the clockspring was defective, causing several failures with the vehicle. The contact stated while tilting the steering wheel, the vehicle drifted away from the intended direction and the windshield wipers would activate to the fastest speed with windshield washer fluid spraying onto the windshield and the horn was blaring uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

Mileage: 178,000

20230823ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt unintendedly unlatched while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the clockspring was defective, causing several failures with the vehicle. The contact stated while tilting the steering wheel, the vehicle drifted away from the intended direction and the windshield wipers would activate to the fastest speed with windshield washer fluid spraying onto the windshield and the horn was blaring uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.

Mileage: 178,000

20220809FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor on the driver’s side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact looked underneath the vehicle at the gas tank and noticed that gasoline was leaking from the fuel tank onto the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 17V151000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.

Mileage: 119,000

20210510SEAT BELTS

THE DRIVER SEAT BELT DOES NOT LATCH PROPERLY AND COMES OFF WHILE DRIVING. MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS ARE REQUIRED FOR THE SEAT BELT TO LATCH AND BE SECURE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND JULY 2020.

Mileage: 90,000

20191102ENGINE

THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER COMPLETELY SEPARATED FROM ITS OWN FLANGE WHERE IT CONNECTS TO THE EXHAUST HEADER. ULTIMATELY CAUSING AN EXHAUST LEAK AND A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. THIS OCCURRED WHILE DRIVING AND UNDER NORMAL OPERATING CONDITIONS. DRIVING ON A LOCAL HIGHWAY WITH A SPEED LIMIT OF 55 MPH, WHICH DOES NOT HAVE EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF POT HOLES) .

Mileage: 90,000

20180806ENGINE

THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE/DECREASE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MY 2012 TOUAREG TDI RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY: PREVIOUS AVG FUEL ECONOMY WAS APPROX 27MPG AND IS NOW BARELY AVERAGING 16 MPG. NOTICED CONTINUAL DECREASE IN CAR PERFORMANCE AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN FOR GENERAL MAINTENANCE TO GARCIA VW DEALERSHIP IN SANTA FE, NM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 3/6/18: GENERAL MAINTENANCE (AIR/CABIN/FUEL/ADBLUE MAINTENANCE/ AND TIRE CHANGE) 4/17/18: REPLACE A FAULTY RADIO WHICH SUDDENLY FAILED (DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR 8 DAYS) 6/7/18: CLEAN UP AD BLUE FUEL SPILL IN THE REAR SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT THE ENGINE NOW RUNS SIGNIFICANTLY LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP AND SURGING AT INTERVALS. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN FUEL ECONOMY, THE AVERAGE SPEED/MPH HAS BEEN LOCKED AT 13MPH AND DROPPED TO 12MPH ON JUNE 1, 2018. CHANGE IN ENGINE BEHAVIOUR: -ENGINE RUNS LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP WHEN IDLING,ACCELERATING, BREAKING,DOWNSHIFTING -SOUNDS LIKE THE FUEL INJECTION IS SLUGGIS

20180806FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE/DECREASE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MY 2012 TOUAREG TDI RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY: PREVIOUS AVG FUEL ECONOMY WAS APPROX 27MPG AND IS NOW BARELY AVERAGING 16 MPG. NOTICED CONTINUAL DECREASE IN CAR PERFORMANCE AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN FOR GENERAL MAINTENANCE TO GARCIA VW DEALERSHIP IN SANTA FE, NM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 3/6/18: GENERAL MAINTENANCE (AIR/CABIN/FUEL/ADBLUE MAINTENANCE/ AND TIRE CHANGE) 4/17/18: REPLACE A FAULTY RADIO WHICH SUDDENLY FAILED (DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR 8 DAYS) 6/7/18: CLEAN UP AD BLUE FUEL SPILL IN THE REAR SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT THE ENGINE NOW RUNS SIGNIFICANTLY LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP AND SURGING AT INTERVALS. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN FUEL ECONOMY, THE AVERAGE SPEED/MPH HAS BEEN LOCKED AT 13MPH AND DROPPED TO 12MPH ON JUNE 1, 2018. CHANGE IN ENGINE BEHAVIOUR: -ENGINE RUNS LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP WHEN IDLING,ACCELERATING, BREAKING,DOWNSHIFTING -SOUNDS LIKE THE FUEL INJECTION IS SLUGGIS

20180806VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

THERE HAS BEEN A SUBSTANTIAL CHANGE/DECREASE IN THE PERFORMANCE OF MY 2012 TOUAREG TDI RESULTING IN SIGNIFICANTLY REDUCED FUEL ECONOMY: PREVIOUS AVG FUEL ECONOMY WAS APPROX 27MPG AND IS NOW BARELY AVERAGING 16 MPG. NOTICED CONTINUAL DECREASE IN CAR PERFORMANCE AFTER TAKING MY CAR IN FOR GENERAL MAINTENANCE TO GARCIA VW DEALERSHIP IN SANTA FE, NM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 3/6/18: GENERAL MAINTENANCE (AIR/CABIN/FUEL/ADBLUE MAINTENANCE/ AND TIRE CHANGE) 4/17/18: REPLACE A FAULTY RADIO WHICH SUDDENLY FAILED (DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR 8 DAYS) 6/7/18: CLEAN UP AD BLUE FUEL SPILL IN THE REAR SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT THE ENGINE NOW RUNS SIGNIFICANTLY LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP AND SURGING AT INTERVALS. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN FUEL ECONOMY, THE AVERAGE SPEED/MPH HAS BEEN LOCKED AT 13MPH AND DROPPED TO 12MPH ON JUNE 1, 2018. CHANGE IN ENGINE BEHAVIOUR: -ENGINE RUNS LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP WHEN IDLING,ACCELERATING, BREAKING,DOWNSHIFTING -SOUNDS LIKE THE FUEL INJECTION IS SLUGGIS

20180206ENGINE

THIS HAPPENED TO THIS MY 2012 TOUAREG. THE ENGINE RANDOMLY DIED, EVEN ON FREEWAY, WHICH IS TOO DANGEROUS. THE PREVIOUS TIME IN IN JAN,2018 AND THIS TIME WAS ON FEB, 5TH, 2018. I WENT TO VW DEALERSHIP, THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT ANYTHING. SAYING EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND THEY COULDN'T SUGGEST ANYTHING. BUT IT IS EXTREME UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THE ISSUE RANDOMLY HAPPENS. PER HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4965979-CAR-RANDOMLY-DIES-WHILE-DRIVING-ON-FREEWAY, SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG VW VEHICLES, AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT IS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM OR OTHER RELEVANT PARTS. VW SHOULD TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND FIND OUT THE ROOT CAUSE AND FIX IT. THANKS, LIANG

Mileage: 40,000

20180206POWER TRAIN

THIS HAPPENED TO THIS MY 2012 TOUAREG. THE ENGINE RANDOMLY DIED, EVEN ON FREEWAY, WHICH IS TOO DANGEROUS. THE PREVIOUS TIME IN IN JAN,2018 AND THIS TIME WAS ON FEB, 5TH, 2018. I WENT TO VW DEALERSHIP, THEY COULDN'T FIND OUT ANYTHING. SAYING EVERYTHING IS NORMAL AND THEY COULDN'T SUGGEST ANYTHING. BUT IT IS EXTREME UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE THIS CAR. THE ISSUE RANDOMLY HAPPENS. PER HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?4965979-CAR-RANDOMLY-DIES-WHILE-DRIVING-ON-FREEWAY, SEEMS THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE AMONG VW VEHICLES, AND PEOPLE THOUGHT IT IS HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMP PROBLEM OR OTHER RELEVANT PARTS. VW SHOULD TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND FIND OUT THE ROOT CAUSE AND FIX IT. THANKS, LIANG

Mileage: 40,000

20161114WHEELS

TPMS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY STARTED BLINKING. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY "DIAGNOSED" IT AS THE BACK LEFT SENSOR. I WAS INITIALLY TOLD THAT THE RECOMMENDATION WAS TO NOT CHANGE IT UNTIL I REPLACED TIRES AND THEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER MY WARRANTY. I CALLED THE WARRANTY COMPANY AND THEY SAID THAT IT WAS 100% COVERED.

Mileage: 73,900

20161110ENGINE

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 70,000 MILES AND WAS DUE TO THE AD BLUE TANK HEATER.

Mileage: 70,000

20161110FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 70,000 MILES AND WAS DUE TO THE AD BLUE TANK HEATER.

Mileage: 70,000

20161110FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS A ERROR CODE FOR THE FUEL PUMP. TOOK 4 HOURS OF WORK AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

Mileage: 73,000

20161020ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

FOR MY SITUATION MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE CAR LOOKS FINE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME, IT REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. BEFORE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF, ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS TURNED OFF ALSO. THE WEIRD THING ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF BY ITSELF, I AM ABLE TO RESTART MY VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO LET THEM CHECK OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED RIGHT. THEY WILL RELEASE MY VEHICLE TO ME THIS SATURDAY. MY CONCERN IS I CAN TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IS THIS PROBLEM GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I GOT LUCKY THIS TIME BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANY CARS BEHIND ME ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF, IT C

Mileage: 45,000

20161020ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FOR MY SITUATION MY VEHICLE SHUT OFF BY ITSELF WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 TIMES ALREADY. THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES THE DEALER HAS REPLACED THE BATTERY. AFTER THEY REPLACED THE BATTERY THE DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THE CAR LOOKS FINE. WHEN THIS HAPPENED AGAIN FOR THE 3RD TIME, IT REALLY SCARED ME BECAUSE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY. BEFORE THE VEHICLE SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF, ALL OF THE ELECTRONICS TURNED OFF ALSO. THE WEIRD THING ABOUT THIS ISSUE IS THAT AFTER THE VEHICLE IS SHUT OFF BY ITSELF, I AM ABLE TO RESTART MY VEHICLE. AT THIS TIME I BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE DEALER TO LET THEM CHECK OUT WHAT IS GOING ON. THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG THAT EVERYTHING LOOKED RIGHT. THEY WILL RELEASE MY VEHICLE TO ME THIS SATURDAY. MY CONCERN IS I CAN TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK BUT I DON'T KNOW WHEN IS THIS PROBLEM GOING TO HAPPEN AGAIN. I GOT LUCKY THIS TIME BECAUSE THERE WASN'T ANY CARS BEHIND ME ON THE HIGHWAY. WHEN THE CAR SHUTS OFF BY ITSELF, IT C

Mileage: 45,000

Compare 2012VOLKSWAGENTOUAREG to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 2 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG have?
The 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has 36 NHTSA complaints, 1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
The 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of Not Rated/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
Yes, the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has 2 recall(s). The most common affected component is SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG?
The most-complained component for the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG is FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM with 6 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include ENGINE and STEERING.
Is the 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.