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Electrical systemPart report

2012 Volkswagen Touareg Electrical system Problems

Complaints
4about this part
Share
14%of 28 total for the year
Median mileage
45,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 4 complaints about the electrical system of the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, 14% of the 28 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 45,000 miles.

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.

“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 miles

“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 problem. …”

NHTSA complaint #10592249, filed 2014-05, 3,000 miles

“I was driving to church on the morning of 2/16/25 when I heard a very loud “Boom.” I thought something had hit the car. It sounded like a gun going off. When I pulled over to see what had happened I realized the right side mirror had exploded. The glass was completely gone with only the glue left on the back plate housing. Both mirrors were in the “off” position. Nothing hit the outside housing. The right side mirror simply exploded. Thank God the window was not down with a passenger in the right front seat. In cool weather I often drive with the window down. Someone could have been hurt. …”

NHTSA complaint #11643863, filed 2025-02

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
201714%
2016511%
2014311%
2013310%
2012414%
201116%
201028%
200915%
2008814%
2006719%
20051419%
20044921%

Other parts of the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg

Fuel system
8 complaintsEngine
5 complaintsSteering
5 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
3 complaintsAir bags
2 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsSeat belts
2 complaintsElectronic stability control
1 complaintsEngine cooling
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg

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