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U.S. public vehicle records

2012 Volkswagen TIGUAN: complaints, problems and recalls

Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.

Key facts

152 owner complaints analyzed

3 distinct recall campaigns

50,000 mi median reported failure mileage

Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 116 complaints include usable failure mileage.

Owner-reported patterns

Most common problems

Engine is the most frequently named component, appearing in 50 of 152 complaints (32.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.

Recurring terms in complaint narratives
TopicMatching reportsShare of complaints
Steering behavior2516.4%
Engine operation1711.2%
Electrical and battery issues159.9%
Braking behavior149.2%
Fuel system concerns127.9%
Transmission and shifting42.6%

Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.

Component breakdown

Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.

Engine
50
Air Bags
30
Electrical System
23
Steering
20
Unknown Or Other
20
Fuel/Propulsion System
12
Service Brakes
10
Power Train
7
Component breakdown data
CategoryCount
Engine50
Air Bags30
Electrical System23
Steering20
Unknown Or Other20
Fuel/Propulsion System12
Service Brakes10
Power Train7

Engine: 50; Air Bags: 30; Electrical System: 23; Steering: 20; Unknown Or Other: 20; Fuel/Propulsion System: 12; Service Brakes: 10; Power Train: 7

Reported problems by failure mileage

Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.

Under 25,000
27
25,000 to 49,999
29
50,000 to 74,999
24
75,000 to 99,999
24
100,000 to 149,999
10
150,000 and above
2
Reported problems by failure mileage data
CategoryCount
Under 25,00027
25,000 to 49,99929
50,000 to 74,99924
75,000 to 99,99924
100,000 to 149,99910
150,000 and above2

Under 25,000: 27; 25,000 to 49,999: 29; 50,000 to 74,999: 24; 75,000 to 99,999: 24; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 2

25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (29). 36 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.

Complaints over time

Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.

2012
6
2013
12
2014
14
2015
13
2016
6
2017
19
2018
25
2019
21
2020
12
2021
4
2022
5
2023
6
2024
4
2025
5
Complaints over time data
CategoryCount
20126
201312
201414
201513
20166
201719
201825
201921
202012
20214
20225
20236
20244
20255

2012: 6; 2013: 12; 2014: 14; 2015: 13; 2016: 6; 2017: 19; 2018: 25; 2019: 21; 2020: 12; 2021: 4; 2022: 5; 2023: 6; 2024: 4; 2025: 5

Pattern summary

Engine leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 25 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 17 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 15 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.

Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.

Examples from the source records

Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.

Owner report 10445014 · 2012-01-24 (January 24, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR WHEELS SEIZED ABNORMALLY WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE ELECTRONIC EMERGENCY WARNING LIGHT AND CAUSING THE CONTACT TO LOOSE CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE ON MORE THAN ONE OCCASION. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PERFORMING NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 4,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,300.

Owner-reported narrative. 4,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445014 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10445250 · 2012-01-25 (January 25, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH AND ATTEMPTING A RIGHT TURN, THE BRAKES EXHIBITED AN ABNORMAL NOISE WHEN DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,891.

Owner-reported narrative. 100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10445250 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10458932 · 2012-05-18 (May 18, 2012)

WHILE SLOWLY ROLLING TO A STOP THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND DID NOT ENGAGE. I HAD TO APPLY SEVERE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I APPLIED THE FORCE THE BRAKE PEDAL RESISTED AND POPPED BACK TWICE BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I HAVE REPORTED TO VW AND TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE SHAKING. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME 10 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TWO MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED. *TR

Owner-reported narrative. 680 miles reported. Look up ODI 10458932 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10460986 · 2012-06-08 (June 8, 2012)

ON 5/3/12 @ 12,000 MILES, I WAS SLOWING @ A YIELD (10MPH) AND MY TRANSFER CASE FELL ON MY DRIVE SHAFT BREAKING IT AND THE HEAT SHIELD. VW FIXED IT AND SAID IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT FACTORY BECAUSE A PIECE WAS MISSING THAT CAUSED THE TRANSFER BOLTS TO BACK OUT OF THE CASE. I COMPLAINED I WANTED A NEW CAR AND JILL, THE REGIONAL CASE MGR FOR VW CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULDN'T APPROVE OF IT. ONCE THAT WAS FIXED, 5/30/12 MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND THE PIECE TO TAKE THE HUBCAP OFF WASN'T IN TH…

Owner-reported narrative. 12,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10460986 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10482412 · 2012-10-27 (October 27, 2012)

FOR NO APPARENT REASON MANY INDICATOR LIGHTS SIGNAL AT THE SAME TIME INDICATING TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM NOT AVAILABLE, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT NOT WORKING, LEFT TURN SIGNAL NOT WORKING, BRAKES LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP, ESC NOT FUNCTIONING. TRUNK ALSO WILL NOT UNLOCK. IT CAN BE RESET (I THINK, IT WORKED ON ONE EPISODE) BY MULTIPLE (10-15 TIMES STARTING AND RESTARTING CAR) AS THIS DEFAULT HAS ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND I HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM HOME I AM UNSURE EXACTLY WHAT RESETS IT. STARTING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THIS MANY TIMES CAN NOT BE GOOD …

Owner-reported narrative. 28,700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10482412 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10490341 · 2012-12-28 (December 28, 2012)

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE EPC AND ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE SENOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE M…

Owner-reported narrative. 5,870 miles reported. Look up ODI 10490341 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10493431 · 2013-01-18 (January 18, 2013)

AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE, DRIVER ACCELERATED INTO AN INTERSECTION, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED INTO PARK, AND WAS THEN ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE CENTER PERFORMED A FUEL PUMP PRESSURE TEST, RESULTING IN A FAILURE. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE FUEL PUMP HAD FAILED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. OWNER HAS TWO OF THESE VEHICLES (EXACT MODEL AND MODEL YEAR), AND THE SAME INCIDENT/EQUIPMENT FAILURE TOOK PLACE WITH BOTH VEHICLES DURING THE SPAN OF A MONTH. THE SAME PART…

Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10493431 at NHTSA ↗

Owner report 10494975 · 2013-01-28 (January 28, 2013)

I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN ON A RED LIGHT AND THE VEHICLE TURNED OFF ALMOST MID TURN, FORCING AN INCOMING CAR TO SWERVE QUICKLY TO THE NEXT LANE. THIS STALLING HAS OCCURRED ABOUT 4-5 TIMES IN A 6 MONTH TIME LAPSE. MAINLY IT HAS HAPPENED WHEN I'VE BEEN MOVING SLOW IN TRAFFIC, GOING THROUGH SPEED BUMPS AND LOCAL PARKING LOTS, BUT THE MOST SERIOUS WAS THE ONE I MENTIONED EARLIER. THIS IS MY SECOND TIGUAN, THE DEALERSHIP HAD CHANGED MY FIRST ONE BECAUSE OF THE SAME ISSUE, BUT NOW IT'S HAPPENING AGAIN WITH THIS ONE; BOTH HAVE BEEN NEW AND HAVE HAD LO…

Owner-reported narrative. 8,748 miles reported. Look up ODI 10494975 at NHTSA ↗

Recall history

3 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.

14V441000 · Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported: 2014-07-21 (July 21, 2014)

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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign record ↗
15V483000 · Air Bags:Frontal

Reported: 2015-08-04 (August 4, 2015)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗
18V329000 · Unknown Or Other

Reported: 2018-05-16 (May 16, 2018)

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.

Consequence: 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 campaign record ↗