2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
28 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
40,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2012 model year. Data snapshot: . 21 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Fuel/Propulsion System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 6 of 28 complaints (21.4%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 7 | 25.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 21.4% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 17.9% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 7.1% |
| Engine operation | 2 | 7.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 7.1% |
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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 6 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Steering | 5 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Seat Belts | 2 |
| Service Brakes | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
Fuel/Propulsion System: 6; Engine: 5; Steering: 5; Electrical System: 3; Power Train: 3; Seat Belts: 2; Service Brakes: 2; Air Bags: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 4 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 3 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 2 |
| 150,000 and above | 1 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 4; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 3; 100,000 to 149,999: 2; 150,000 and above: 1
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 7 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.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 4 |
| 2015 | 2 |
| 2016 | 8 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 1 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 4; 2015: 2; 2016: 8; 2018: 2; 2019: 1; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Fuel/Propulsion System leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 7 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 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.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10505743 · 2013-04-10 (April 10, 2013)
THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 99% OF THE TIME. THE SPEED AT WHICH THIS OCCURS IS IN THE RANGE OF 65-80 MPH. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10505743 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10584371 · 2014-04-23 (April 23, 2014)
VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A THREE LANE EXPRESSWAY. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN SPITE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND COASTED TO STOP ON NARROW BERM. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE I SMELLED FUEL AND UPON OPENING THE DOOR DISCOVERED A LARGE POOL OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONFLICTING REPORTS FROM VW. THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE CLAIMS THAT A PRIOR FUEL PUMP REPAIR CARRIED OUT TWO MONTHS AGO AT ANOTHER VW DEALER CAUSED STRESS ON A BRACKET SUPPORTING THE FUEL LINE THAT ULTIM…
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10584371 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10714211 · 2015-05-02 (May 2, 2015)
I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET, WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AT THE LIGHT, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP (METAL FOUND), AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, AND LINE. I FEEL THAT I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 50 - 70 MILES AN HOUR, IN WHICH A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR STALLED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 22,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10714211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10467905 · 2012-07-27 (July 27, 2012)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE KNOCKING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER 9 DAYS, THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A SPECIAL SPRAY TO THE DEALER TO SPRAY BEHIND THE BRAKE PADS. THE CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 15 miles reported. Look up ODI 10467905 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11118181 · 2018-08-06 (August 6, 2018)
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:…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11118181 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11726250 · 2026-03-23 (March 23, 2026)
After driving the car for approximately 30 minutes without any problems and turning it off, it would not turn the ignition back on, release the parking brake or shift out of „P“. Several towing companies were unable to tow the vehicle due to the manufacturer’s failure to provide instructions on how to release the shifter in case of a problem. Other vehicles have a release button somewhere, the 2012 VW Touareg doesn’t. On page 481 of the owners manual VW advises the owner that if „you want to have the vehicle towed, the gear shift selection lev…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11726250 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10592249 · 2014-05-18 (May 18, 2014)
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. YOU STOP THE VEHICLE , PLACE IT IN PARK AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED. I VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY AND SECURITY HAZARD, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE HAVE HAD TO STOP AND START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. A SEARCH ON LINE WILL SHOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM, SOME USE A PAPER CLIP TO REMOVE THE KEY. OTHERS WARN OF A BATTERY DRAIN AND STATE THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED IF THE BATTER US DRAINED WHICH MAKES ME THINK THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLE…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10592249 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10917678 · 2016-10-20 (October 20, 2016)
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 RESTA…
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10917678 at NHTSA ↗