2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Engine is the leading concern among 153 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 6th highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 153

Of the 2012 reports, 10 involved a crash. 6 people were injured.

Primary concernEngine50 reports · 33% of complaints
Owner complaints153Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship3 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Engine50
  2. Air bags33
  3. Electrical system23
  4. Steering21
  5. Other or unspecified20
  6. Fuel/propulsion system12
  7. Service brakes11
  8. Power train7

Recalls and investigations

  1. Other or unspecifiedMay 16, 2018

    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 were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

    If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

    Campaign 18V329000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Air bags, frontalAug 4, 2015

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.

    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.

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.

    Campaign 15V483000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Fuel system, gasolineJul 21, 2014

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.

    A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

    Campaign 14V441000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine

52 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine, Dec 28, 2012

    TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED WITH THE ILLUMINATION OF THE EPC AND ALTERNATOR WARNING INDICATORS. THE ENGINE RESTARTED AFTER TEN MINUTES. ONCE THE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL PRESSURE SENOR WAS FAULTY. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED TEN DAYS LATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,870. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

  2. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Service brakes, May 18, 2012

    WHILE SLOWLY ROLLING TO A STOP THE BRAKES LOCKED UP AND DID NOT ENGAGE. I HAD TO APPLY SEVERE FORCE TO THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN I APPLIED THE FORCE THE BRAKE PEDAL RESISTED AND POPPED BACK TWICE BEFORE THE VEHICLE FINALLY STOPPED. PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT I HAVE REPORTED TO VW AND TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN FOR ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE ENGINE SHAKING. THE CAR WAS RETURNED TO ME 10 DAYS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. THE TWO MAY OR MAY NOT BE RELATED. *TR