2012 Volkswagen Touareg Problems
Compared with other Volkswagen Touareg years
Typical for this model
50/100 1.0× a typical year · 50 = typical
- Complaint rate is 1.0× that of a typical Volkswagen Touareg year, weighted for crashes, fires, injuries, recalls and mileage, and allowing for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints.
- 8 of its 28 complaints were filed by the end of 2014.
- Most reported part: Fuel system (8 complaints, median 71,500 mi).
- 4 recall campaigns on record. A VIN search at nhtsa.gov/recalls shows open recalls for a specific vehicle.
Nearby years with fewer complaints than typical and no open NHTSA investigation: 2010
Based only on NHTSA complaints, recalls and investigations. Not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, and not a reliability rating. How this is calculated
- Complaints
- 28filed with NHTSA
- Median mileage
- 40,000miles, 21 complaints with mileage
- Recalls
- 4campaigns on record
- Trend
- RisingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
- NHTSA crash rating
- —no overall rating published
- EPA fuel economy
- 19 mpgcombined, 3.6L 6-cyl AWD · 16 city / 23 hwy
Sources: NHTSA records for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg (complaints, recalls, investigations), EPA fuel economy. Report an error
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The part named most often is fuel system, with 8 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine (5) and steering (5). 21 of the complaints include a mileage, and 57% of those were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the median is 40,000 miles. Of all complaints, 1 involved a crash, 3 an injury, according to the filers. NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns and 978 technical service bulletins for this model year. Fuel system complaints overlap with 1 recall campaign covering the fuel rail and 79 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Engine complaints overlap with 95 technical service bulletins filed under the same part. Compared with the other 5 Volkswagen Touareg model years that have at least 25 complaints and are old enough to compare, this one scores 50 out of 100, where 50 is a typical year for the model (typical for this model). The comparison allows for the era and for how long each year has had to collect complaints, but not for how many vehicles were sold.
Which parts are reported most
Complaints can name more than one part, so the counts add up to more than the total. Select a part to see its complaints, recalls and bulletins.
- Fuel system8 29%
- Engine5 18%
- Steering5 18%
- Electrical system4 14%
- Air bags2 7.1%
- Brakes2 7.1%
- Seat belts2 7.1%
- Engine cooling1 3.6%
Also reported: Exterior lighting (1), Seats (1), Vehicle speed control (1), Wheels (1).
Example complaints
Fuel system: “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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10584371, filed 2014-04, 22,000 milesEngine: “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) .”
NHTSA complaint #11277646, filed 2019-11, 90,000 milesSteering: “I have a 2012 Touareg tdi that has a steering shaking problem which it has exhibited since I purchased it. Vw has tried to rectify the problem by road force balancing and installing new tires but this has not resolved the problem. The steering wheel shakes, or oscillates, when driving at speeds reaching anywhere between 65 and 70 MPH and higher. The oscillation continues up through higher speeds without subsiding. The steering wheel continuously cycles back and forth from left to right with about 1/4 inch to 3/8 inch. The vibration can be felt and seen when my hands are on the steering wheel.”
NHTSA complaint #10610742, filed 2014-07, 13,000 milesElectrical 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. …”
NHTSA complaint #10917678, filed 2016-10, 45,000 milesMileage when problems were reported
57% of the 21 complaints with a mileage were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles; the middle half falls between 13,000 and 90,000 miles.
Complaints by year filed
Trend: rising. Complaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% higher than in the 3 years before.
Fuel economy and running cost
EPA ratings for each 2012 Volkswagen Touareg version. Annual fuel cost is the EPA's estimate at its current fuel prices for 15,000 miles a year (55% city driving).
| Version | Engine | Transmission | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touareg AWD | 3.6L 6-cyl | 8-speed automatic | 16 | 23 | 19 | $4,350 |
| Touareg AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · diesel | 8-speed automatic | 19 | 26 | 22 | $4,350 |
| Touareg Hybrid AWD | 3.0L 6-cyl · hybrid | 8-speed automatic | 20 | 24 | 21 | $3,900 |
Source: U.S. EPA and Department of Energy, fueleconomy.gov. Ratings are for comparing vehicles; real-world mileage varies with driving and conditions.
Recalls and investigations
- 18V329000May 16, 2018Unknown or otherCovers: Volkswagen Touareg 2011–2015, Golf 2011–2016, CC 2012–2016 +5 more
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…
- 16V170000Mar 24, 2016Service brakes, hydraulic › Pedals and linkagesCovers: Volkswagen Touareg 2011–2016
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.
- 16V035000Jan 25, 2016Hybrid propulsion systemCovers: Volkswagen Touareg 2011–2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery…
- 15V019000Jan 20, 2015Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Fuel railCovers: Volkswagen Touareg 2012, Audi S4 2011–2012, Q7 2011–2012 +3 more
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Recall details for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg → · Check a VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls
Technical service bulletins
TSBs are manufacturer notes to dealers about known repair procedures. They are not recalls and do not by themselves mean a vehicle has a fault. 978 on record; the latest 10 are shown.
- 11038146Sep 17, 2026Engine. Suggested fuel additive
- 11038143Sep 9, 2026Other or unknown. This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- 11036868Aug 6, 2026Other or unknown. Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- 11036870Aug 4, 2026Other or unknown. Differences between a leak and seepage
- 11035772Jul 15, 2026Electrical system. This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: DA 0019…
- 11035762Jul 9, 2026Engine. Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
- 11034614Jun 18, 2026Engine. Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
- 11034613Jun 18, 2026Engine. Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
- 11034621Jun 11, 2026Air bags. Inquiries
- 11034617Jun 4, 2026Engine. Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
Other model years of the Volkswagen Touareg
| Year | Complaints | Median mi | Recalls | Crash ★ | MPG | Score (50 = typical) | Trend |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 24 | 12,346 | 1 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 2016 | 45 | 19,646 | 2 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Falling |
| 2015 | 24 | 39,115 | 3 | — | 19 | — | Stable |
| 2014 | 27 | 32,000 | 3 | — | 19 | 57 · Typical | Falling |
| 2013 | 30 | 36,664 | 3 | — | 19 | 43 · Typical | Stable |
| 2012 | 28 | 40,000 | 4 | — | 19 | 50 · Typical | Rising |
| 2011 | 16 | 34,750 | 4 | — | 19 | — | Falling |
| 2010 | 25 | 70,000 | 1 | — | 16 | 0 · Fewer | Falling |
| 2009 | 19 | 75,625 | 2 | — | 16 | — | Falling |
| 2008 | 56 | 89,000 | 4 | — | 16 | 55 · Typical | Falling |
| 2007 | 9 | 59,460 | 3 | — | 16 | — | Not enough data |
| 2006 | 37 | 68,500 | 1 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
| 2005 | 75 | 70,000 | 2 | — | 16 | Not compared (before 2008) | Rising |
| 2004 | 231 | 35,000 | 4 | — | 15 | Not compared (before 2008) | Stable |
All Volkswagen Touareg model years · Best and worst years by complaints
Frequently asked questions
How many NHTSA complaints does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg have?
NHTSA recorded 28 consumer complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg as of Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
What part of the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg is reported most often?
Fuel system is named most often, in 8 complaints (29% of the total), followed by engine with 5.
Has the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg been recalled?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for this model year. To check a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg get?
The EPA rates the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg (Touareg, 3.6L 6-cyl) at 19 mpg combined, 16 city and 23 highway, with an estimated annual fuel cost of $4,350 at 15,000 miles a year. Other engine and drive versions are rated differently.
At what mileage are problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg reported?
Among the 21 complaints that include a mileage, the median is 40,000 miles and the middle half falls between 13,000 and 90,000 miles; 57% were filed for vehicles with under 50,000 miles.
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate. Fuel economy is from the EPA and DOE (fueleconomy.gov).
Complaint counts come from NHTSA’s public complaint database; we count each complaint once. The source records for this vehicle are on nhtsa.gov. Scores and trends are our own summaries of that data, described in the methodology. This page is not legal, safety or repair advice: for a specific vehicle, check its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls and ask a qualified mechanic. See an error? Tell us.