2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 15about this part
- Share
- 10%of 153 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 42,482miles
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 15 complaints about the fuel system of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, 10% of the 153 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 42,482 miles. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“After I turn the car off, the fuel hose connected to the high pressure fuel pumps doesn't pops off and gasoline leaks all over my engine. This started happens repeatedly now. When I get into my car, it is filled with the smell of the gasoline that is leaking because the hose doesn't stay on the fuel pump. I have to pop open my hood and slide the hose onto the fuel pump before I start driving. I've tried using different brackets to keep the hose tight on the fuel pump, however, the hose keeps on falling off. …”
NHTSA complaint #11396125, filed 2021-02, 88,000 miles“The gas tank door often gets stuck and won't open. It happened at least two dozen times to me. This is a safety concern because it happens when gas level is very low. One time it was near midnight and I was at a gas station in the very remote area. I was concerned about my safety. If you search online, you will see this is a widespread problem for vw and audi cars. It is evident that it is a design flaw that vw has refused to acknowledge it. It should be recalled and fixed permanently. Thank you for your attention.”
NHTSA complaint #11165472, filed 2019-01, 35,000 miles“Several times, after starting my Tiguan and backing out of a parking space or driving out of my driveway within minutes of starting the engine, while in reverse or in drive, the car just turns off with it in gear, so then I have had to restart the engine to continue on with my travels. This appears to happen after the car has been running for awhile, then is turned off for about a half hour and then I go to drive it somewhere else, so it is warmed up. I have brought it to my local vw dealership two times now for this issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #10565260, filed 2014-02, 45,000 miles“We recently (12-23-2014) brought the car in for the august 11th 2014 recall of the Tiguan ECM/air bubble issue related to the fuel pump in the cars. Our car was not experiencing any issues relating to the recall and described, but due to potential issues decided to bring it in to have it applied anyways. Upon leaving the dealership, the car was accelerating funny, and we noticed gas mileage had gone down. Due to ECM being reflashed as a part of the recall, we chalked it up as the computer needing to re- learn driving habits, shift points, etc.. …”
NHTSA complaint #10668833, filed 2014-12, 49,000 miles“The brakes first appeared to be sluggish as I was stopping for a light. Once the car finally stopped, the catalytic converter warning light began to flash and the engine died. I put the car in park, turned off the ignition, then turned it back on, and put the car into drive. The engine started, but the car shuddered. It drove less than a mile before the engine died again. I went through the same sequence in order to restart the car, but the engine kept dying. In all, it died five times in five miles, dying faster and shuddering harder upon restart. Now, this car is like new. …”
NHTSA complaint #10606563, filed 2014-06, 3,500 milesRelated recalls
- 14V441000Jul 21, 2014Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using…Covers: Volkswagen Tiguan 2009–2014
Related service bulletins
- 10238298Jun 15, 2023Gasoline fuel additive
- 10214745Jun 23, 2022Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.
- 10214485Jun 15, 2022Gasoline quality.
- 10198230Jun 22, 2021Fuel Additive to Help Prevent Sporadic Misfire Faults
- 10198166Jun 21, 2021VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10240619Apr 23, 20212009-2015 Model Year Volkswagen TDI® Clean Diesel Vehicles Registered in Minnesota
- 10188553Mar 1, 2021VW approved gasoline fuel additive, update to include additional models and model year applicability.
- 10176770Jun 15, 2020Update brochure part number and recording URL. Update model and model year applicability.
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 8% |
| 2025 | 6 | 11% |
| 2024 | 3 | 4% |
| 2023 | 7 | 10% |
| 2022 | 31 | 11% |
| 2021 | 12 | 8% |
| 2020 | 4 | 3% |
| 2019 | 10 | 5% |
| 2018 | 41 | 14% |
| 2017 | 8 | 11% |
| 2016 | 6 | 6% |
| 2015 | 1 | 2% |
| 2014 | 4 | 5% |
| 2013 | 18 | 13% |
| 2012 | 15 | 10% |
| 2011 | 11 | 7% |
| 2010 | 8 | 7% |
| 2009 | 14 | 8% |
Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
50 complaintsAir bags
33 complaintsElectrical system
23 complaintsSteering
21 complaintsOther or unknown
20 complaintsBrakes
11 complaintsSeat belts
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
6 complaintsElectronic stability control
4 complaintsBody and structure
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
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