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.
Of the 2012 reports, 10 involved a crash. 6 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
153 reports, newest first.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2020
WATER IS LEAKING FROM THE SUNROOM ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WHEN IT RAINS. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS SOAKING THE AREA AROUND THE ELECTRONICS, AND HAS FLOODED THE FOOTWELLS OF THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, NOW THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HVAC SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND I CANNOT DE-FOG THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT MOLD BUILD UP FROM THE DAMP AREAS, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO BREATHE THAT IN. WATER DRIPS AND SOAKS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION IN THE RAIN. LEAK HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
Steering, Nov 30, 2020
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE RACK AND PINION, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, CLOCKSPRING, AND THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE WERE ALL REPLACED. THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO UPDATE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED SHORTLY AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
Visibility/wiper, Sep 9, 2020
FAULTY AND FAILING DRAINS IN ALL 4 CORNERS OF PANORAMIC SUN ROOF HAVE CAUSED EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE ON PILLARS, HEADLINER, CARPET, PAD AND SEATS IN FRONT AND BACK SEAT, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. MOISTURE INSIDE OF CABIN CREATES FOGGED WINDSHIELD AND UNKNOWN POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL DAMAGE.
Electrical system, Jul 22, 2020
WE ALREADY HAD A PRIOR COMPLAINT IN ABOUT THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE ODI# 412775589 REF# 238025. WE SAID IT WAS AFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE CAR. TODAY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION STARTER BUTTON DUE TO THE CONDENSATION. WE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED VOLKSWAGON PRIOR TO THIS, BUT THEY JUST IGNORE THE ISSUE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Jul 21, 2020
I'VE ONLY OWNED THE VW TIGUAN 2012 FOR 6 MONTHS, JANUARY 2020 AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, ALL POWER LOST AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 8 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, 2 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, IT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YESTERDAY JULY 20,2020 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION.
Engine, Jun 25, 2020, crash
GRADUAL COOLANT LEAK WITH DEALERSHIP KNOWLEDGE UPON SALE OF THE CAR (44,000 MILES). REFILL OVERFLOW EVERY 8 TO 10 MONTHS. LEAK UNKNOWN. HAD TO INCREASE REFILLING GRADUALLY OVER TIME, THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO USE FROM WORK IN 2016. INCREASED TO ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS 2017. FILL EVERY WEEK OR TWO FROM 2018 TO 2019....DAILY SINCE LATE 2019 TO NOW. ENGINE DOES NOT OVER HEAT. REFILLING OVER FLOW COOLANT TANK EVERY TIME I NEED TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE TO TURN ON THE CAR, POP THE HOOD, AND SEE HOW MUCH IT GOES BELOW THE MINIMUM LINE. THEN FILL TO MAXIMUM. DAILY REFILL STARTED AROUND OCTOBER 2019. RECEIVED TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FUEL INDUCTION SERVICE. MECHANIC SAID I NEED A WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR. HE THOUGHT THE RECALL WOULD COVER MY CAR BUT SAID MY VIN WASN'T SHOWING A DEFECT. I'M NOT SURE WHY IT'S NOT. DEALERSHIP KNEW ABOUT THE LEAK UPON THE SALE OF THE CAR. HELP!! I HAD NO IDEA THE LEAK WAS GOING TO GET WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP MADE IT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING MINOR I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH. *TR
Engine, May 18, 2020
THE VEHICLE CHECKS ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT OFTEN APPEAR IN THE PANEL, EVEN AFTER CHANGE THE OIL AND THE CAR SHOW NO LEAKING. THE OIL WAS CHANGED ALWAYS BY VW, WHO NEVER DETECTED ANY PROBLEM, EVEN WHEN THE PAPER THEY GAVE TO US SAYS, 'OUR TECHNICIAN HAS INSPECTED YOUR VEHICLE'. WE LEFT THE CAR IN VW SERVICE WE RECEIVED THE DIAGNOSTIC: "REPLACE TIMING CHAIN AND TURBO." BY THE WAY, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACE THE TURBO: ORIGINAL ONE, AND 2 REPLACEMENT. AFTER THEY CHANGE THE TURBO, THEY DISCOVERED A NEW PROBLEM WITH CAMSHAFT. OUR CAR HAS THE MPP COVERAGE, THE LAST OWNER HAS TOO. ALL THE REPAIR AND OIL CHANGE NEVER BE MADE BY OUTSIDE OF VW. THIS COST TO OUR COVERAGE AND FOR US A LOT OF MONEY AND WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITHOUT THE CAR. WE WOULD DO LIKE AN ANSWER FROM VW ABOUT THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THE CAR STILL HAS A PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION. *TR
Air bags, Electronic stability control (ESC), May 8, 2020
THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS FAULT: ABS/STABILIZATION CONTROL. TIRE PRESSURE ERROR AND AIRBAG ERROR WHEN DRIVING AND CAR BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. *TR
Air bags, May 6, 2020
MY AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON. BOTH ON THE DASHBOARD AND ON THE SCREEN. IT SAYS AIRBAGS: ERROR. *TR
Other or unspecified, May 1, 2020
I WOKE UP AND THERE WAS WATER ON THE ON THE RIGHT PASSENGERS' SIDE FLOOR. YET IT HASN'T RAINED IN ALMOST A MONTH. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WAS THERE BUT MADE THE DISCOVERY AFTER CARRYING A PASSENGER AT THE FRONT AND BACK SEAT.
Electrical system, Engine, Apr 16, 2020
MY CAR ONLY HAS 50K MILES ON IT. THE COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON EVERY MONTH OR SO. WHEN I CHECK THE COOLANT THE LEVER IS SEVERELY LOW. THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE VW TIGUAN WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE ISSUE HERE? THANKS. *TR
Power train, Jan 15, 2020
I HAVE VW TIGUAN, 2012 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER, THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR IS INCONSISTENT. TOOK TO DEALER TO TAKE A LOOK BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO AFFECT MULTIPLE OWNERS AND MULTIPLE TIGUAN MODELS, AS SEEN HERE IN THIS FORUM DISCUSSION: HTTPS://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?9237567-VERY-DELAYED-ACCELERATION-NO-FIX
Engine, Dec 31, 2019
THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN CRACKED, LEAKING THE COOLANT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED BUT DIDN'T LEAD TO ACCIDENTS IN MY CASE. VW GROUP IS PRODUCING THE WATER PUMP OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH EVENTUALLY CRACKS FOR MANY OF VW AND AUDI CAR OWNERS, AND COULD LEAD TO THE ROAD ACCIDENT INDIRECTLY.
Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 20, 2019
AFTER RAIN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT & REAR CARPET IS SOAKED
Electrical system, Visibility, Nov 1, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PANORAMIC SUN ROOF WAS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED WATER TO LEAK INTO THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, CERTAIN ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS WERE AFFECTED, SUCH AS THE GEAR LIGHTS AND VANITY LIGHTS. ALSO, THE PUSH START ENGINE BUTTON WAS DEFECTIVE. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUSH THE BUTTON SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD START. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURES AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: [XXX]. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS LESS THAN 50,000. *DT *TR CONSUMER STATED CAR IS DEVELOPING MOLD INSIDE WHERE IT IS LEAKING.*DT CONSUMER ALSO STATED AIRBAG GOES ON AND OFF, BUT FOR NOW DUE TO CONDENSATION IT IS STAYING ON.*DT ('PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).')*JB*JB THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING AND WOULDNT STOP, WHICH RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.
Engine, Oct 22, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PUDDLE OF OIL IN THE DRIVEWAY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO BOISE VOLKSWAGEN (8400 W FRANKLIN RD, BOISE, ID 83709) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE TURBO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER REPLACED THE TURBO IN SEPTEMBER OF 2018 AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AGAIN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE RECURRENCE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 190720353. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 113,000.
Steering, Oct 14, 2019
CAR WAS PARKED IN AN OUTSIDE PARKING LOT AFTER RETURNING FROM A 160 MILE TRIP. AFTER MY LUGGAGE WAS UNLOADED INTO MY APARTMENT, I WENT BACK TO THE CAR TO GO PARK IT IN THE DETACHED GARAGE. UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE SHAKING STOPPED AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN POSITION AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. AT THAT POINT THE STEERING POWER FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD WARNING SOUND (I HAVE A VIDEO OF THIS EVENT THAT I CAN PROVIDE VIA EMAIL. I AM NOT ABLE TO UPLOAD IT HERE, THOUGH). I HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO LEAVE THE CAR AS IT WAS. I CHECKED THE CAR THE NEXT MORNING AN IT TURNED ON WITHOUT ISSUE. LATER THAT DAY I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER. I SHOWED THEM THE VIDEO OF WHAT HAPPENED AND THEY WERE IMMEDIATELY CONCERNED, BUT WHERE NOT ABLE TO OFFER ME AN APPOINTMENT UNTIL THE FOLLOWING WEEK. THE NEXT WEEK (TODAY), I DROPPED THE CAR OFF AT THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. I RECEIVED A CALL LATER INFORMING ME THAT THE FOUND THAT THERE WAS A FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK AND THAT IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY STATED THAT IT IS A MAJOR HAZARD AND THAT THE DO NOT RECOMMEND DRIVING THE CAR. IF I DID WANT TO DRIVE THE CAR I WOULD HAVE TO SIGN A WAIVER OF LIABILITY.
Steering, Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 26, 2019
WHILE RIDING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY WIFE DRIVING, EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL AS THE RADIO STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF THEN WE LOST POWER STEERING. JUST ABOUT EVERY CODE LITE UP FROM THE ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND GOT A MESSAGE SAYING EPC & ABS FAILURE.
Visibility, Sep 24, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT NOTICED PUDDLES OF WATER ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SUN ROOF WAS LEAKING WATER ONTO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND FRONT AIR BAGS. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED THAT THE AIR BAGS WOULD NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A COLLISION DUE TO WIRE RUST. THE CONTACT RESEARCHED THE FAILURE ONLINE AND FOUND THAT THE SUN ROOF'S HOSE DRAINAGE WAS DEFECTIVE. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
Steering, Service brakes, Sep 10, 2019
INTERMITTENTLY POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED. TURNED THE CAR OFF AFTER GETTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK.. LATER NOTICED THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WOULD THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OSCILLATE RAPIDLY. PROBLEM BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER TWO WEEKS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED AS STEERING MODULE NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. PROBLEM RETURNED THE NEXT DAY AFTER BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR ~$500. REPAIR NOW DIAGNOSED AS REPLACE STEERING RACK AND WIRING MODULE. CAR HAS 112K MILES MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. VW SAYS BEYOND WARRANTY NOT THEIR PROBLEM. $2200 TO REPAIR. SORRY BUT STEERING IS A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF DRIVING A CAR. WILL MY CAR STILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE?
Visibility, Aug 21, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO MOMENTUM VOLKSWAGEN (2405 RICHMOND AVE, HOUSTON, TX 77098, (844) 894-5462) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE SUN ROOF DRAIN WAS CLOSED, WHICH CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO FILL WITH WATER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 40,000. THE VIN WAS INVALID.
Steering, Jul 22, 2019
POWER STEERING RED LIGHT CAME ON COULDN'T MOVE CAR (WHILE PARKED) HAPPENED TWICE IN ONE DAY. TODAY STEERING WHEEL IS MOVING BY ITSELF.
Steering, Jun 21, 2019
THE STEERING FELT UNUSUALLY LOOSE WHILE DRIVING ON A RAINY DAY, THEN AFTER PARKING THE CARE FOR SOME 30 MINUTES AND TURNING TI BACK ON THE RED STEERING WHEEL INDICATION WAS ON AND IT WAS VERY HARD TO STEER, THE DEALER SCANNED IT AND FOUND NO PROBLEMS. AFTER THAT IT WAS TURNING ON/OFF, IT FEELS NORMAL WHILE DRIVING THE BECOMES VERY LOOSE, AND THEN BACK AGAIN. THREE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC HAVE DIAGNOSED THAT THE CONTROL UNIT OF THE ELECTRIC POWER STEERING WAS DAMAGED. THE UNIT IS SOLD AS A WHOLE PART FORCING THE CHANGE OF THE RACK AND PINION PART.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2019
WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND ON I5 HEADING TOWARDS CHEHALIS FROM WHERE I LIVE GOING 65 MPH DRIVING IN THE FAST LAST LISTENING TO MUSIC AND MY FRONT HALF OF THE SUNROOF SHATTERED DROPPING GLASS ON TO ME AND THE FRONT SEATS RIGHT BEFORE THE TROSPER ROAD EXIT IN TUMWATER WASHINGTON .
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jun 7, 2019
VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY WHILE STOPPED AT CITY STREET INTERSECTION. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STILL FELT ROUGH AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY STOP RUNNING. AFTER GETTING IT TO A VW SERVICE MECHANIC IT RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING DIAGNOSTIC - "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT: FOUND CAMSHAFT SPOOL VALVE HAS COME APART. FOUND CAM SHAFT BEARING BRACKET OIL SCREEN DAMAGED." AT 81,000 MILES THIS CAR SHOULD NOT EXHIBIT SUCH PROBLEMS. THERE APPEARS TO BE A RECALL ON 2015 VW TIGUAN ENGINES RELATED TO THE SAME PART, CAM SHAFT. I REACHED OUT TO VW FOR ANY INFO ABOUT THIS, AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANY RESPONSE.