2012 Volkswagen Golf Air bags Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 21%of 48 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 11,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the air bags of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf, 21% of the 48 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 11,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 4 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My local Volkswagen dealership stated there is a recall on certain vw models for the clock-spring located inside the steering column. My vehicle has been making a terrible noise when I turn the wheel in either direction, which vw attributes to the clock-spring. They told me the 2012 GOLF tdi model is not covered under the recall but apparently this clock-spring problem impacts other models. They warned the problem will get worse and eventually impact the steering, airbag, turn signals, horn, and other electrical components inside the steering wheel. …”
NHTSA complaint #11011753, filed 2017-07, 44,000 miles“I was traveling on a highway in dallas. There was a 2003 toyota tacoma two lanes to the left of me. He apparently wanted to take an exit that was rapidly coming up. He had a dresser in the bed so he asked his wife if it was clear to cut across all 5 lanes to take the exit. I was two lanes over and rear ended him. He brake when he saw me and I had little time to react, so I hit him front distributed to rear distributed. My air bags did not deploy. I've been a police officer for 17 years and a firefighter even longer and know how air bags work. …”
NHTSA complaint #10510419, filed 2013-05, 11,000 miles“This car was involved in a vehicle crash. Impact was to the driver's side primarily to the door and front end. Despite the severity of the impact, no air bags deployed from the driver's side or the steering wheel. I sustained an injury to the shoulder and am concerned about the safety of the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #10537374, filed 2013-08, 11,000 miles“My vehicle struck a car from behind moving about 35 mph. Air bags did not deploy and I had a proceeding next injury. Why did the airbags not deploy? I have read that 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 for 2011-2014 Golf. I would like confirmation that this was supposed to happen, no airbag deployment. My car was totaled.”
NHTSA complaint #11422285, filed 2021-06“Heated seats get extremely hot. Smell of burning. Possible to catch fire or burn people Vw patrick volkswagen auburn ma confirmed that electrical inspection to rule out seat recall No. No recall has been submitted yet When i first bought the car in 2025”
NHTSA complaint #11736484, filed 2026-05Related recalls
- 19V862000Dec 4, 2019Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2011–2014, Passat 2012–2015, Audi A3 2011–2013
- 18V148000Mar 6, 2018Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2010–2014, Passat 2007–2010, 2012–2014, CC 2009–2014 +2 more
- 16V078000Feb 10, 2016Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2010–2014, Passat 2007–2010, 2012–2014, CC 2009–2014 +5 more
- 15V483000Aug 4, 2015Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta…Covers: Volkswagen Golf 2011–2014, CC 2010–2014, Passat 2010, 2012–2014 +4 more
Related service bulletins
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Inquiries
- 11030826Mar 2, 2026The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued an urgent warning regarding counterfeit replacement airbag inflators that are being installed in used…
- 10233240Mar 13, 2023In conjunction with the New Mexico DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 363 Volkswagen owners in the State of New Mexico on…
- 10233239Mar 13, 2023In conjunction with the Massachusetts DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,498 Volkswagen owners in the State of Massachusetts…
- 10231847Feb 13, 2023In conjunction with the Colorado DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,414 Volkswagen owners in the State of Colorado on…
- 10231584Feb 2, 2023VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.
- 10224368Oct 17, 2022In conjunction with the New York DMV, Volkswagen will be sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 2,743 Volkswagen owners in the State of New York on…
- 10222092Sep 19, 2022In conjunction with the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, Volkswagen is sending Takata airbag recall reminder notices to approximately 1,824 Volkswagen owners in the…
- 10216857Jul 25, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
- 10216552Jul 25, 2022In conjunction with the Georgia Department of Revenue - Motor Vehicle Division and Department of Driver Services, Volkswagen sent Takata airbag recall reminder notices to…
Air bags: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 14% |
| 2019 | 2 | 3% |
| 2017 | 7 | 6% |
| 2016 | 10 | 12% |
| 2015 | 21 | 16% |
| 2014 | 4 | 33% |
| 2013 | 9 | 21% |
| 2012 | 10 | 21% |
| 2011 | 12 | 11% |
| 2010 | 11 | 16% |
| 2006 | 2 | 17% |
| 2005 | 6 | 32% |
| 2004 | 3 | 11% |
| 2003 | 11 | 42% |
| 2002 | 22 | 30% |
| 2001 | 32 | 28% |
| 2000 | 16 | 18% |
| 1999 | 1 | 2% |
| 1998 | 1 | 6% |
| 1995 | 6 | 14% |
| 1994 | 1 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Golf
14 complaintsEngine
11 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
9 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsBody and structure
4 complaintsExterior lighting
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsSteering
2 complaintsBrakes
1 complaintsOther or unknown
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology