repaired · 2020 Q1
Unknown or other
Risk. If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
2012 Volkswagen TouaregProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 28 owner complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. It is covered by 2 safety recalls, and for recall 18V-329 the manufacturer reports only 78% of affected cars repaired.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through March 23, 2026. Updated daily.
Complaints by system
Where the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg has problems
28 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
6Fuel/propulsion system
5Steering
5Engine
4Electrical system
3Power train
2Air bags
2Seat belts
2Service brakes
1Wheels
77 other systems1 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 6 | 0 |
| Steering | 5 | 0 |
| Engine | 5 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 4 | 0 |
| Power train | 3 | 0 |
| Air bags | 2 | 1 |
| Seat belts | 2 | 0 |
| Service brakes | 2 | 0 |
| Wheels | 1 | 0 |
| 7 other systems | 7 | 1 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2012 Volkswagen Touareg recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
repaired · 2017 Q3
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
Risk. If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Volkswagen.
Best & worst years
2012 vs. every other Touareg year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Touareg median. How we score
'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2012 Volkswagen Touareg safety ratings
2012 Volkswagen Touareg SUV AWD in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
- Stability control: Standard
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, and the recalls they led to.
- High-Pressure Fuel Pump FailureNo recall
In owners' words
What Touareg owners report
Recent fuel/propulsion system complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
While driving my family around, the car lost engine power and came to a stop on a busy roadway leaving us stranded until a tow truck could arrive. There were no warnings or indications that anything was wrong. One minute, it was driving fine and out of nowhere, the engine shut off in the middle of…
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…
AD BLUE HEATING ELEMENT FAILED FOR SECOND TIME ON VEHICLE. FIRST ONE REPLACED AT 58,000 MILES AND SECOND ONE AT 98,500 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN NOT OFFERING ANY FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR SECOND FAILED PART CITING THE PART WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.
Own a 2012 Touareg?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.