Model year
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 153 complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are ENGINE (50), AIR BAGS (30), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (23). NHTSA lists 3 investigations, including 1 investigation with no close date in the file. NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 21–24 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,400–$3,900, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2009 168 complaints
- 2010 110 complaints
- 2011 162 complaints
- 2012 153 complaints
- 2013 140 complaints
- 2014 84 complaints
- 2015 62 complaints
- 2016 97 complaints
- 2017 76 complaints
- 2018 287 complaints
- 2019 194 complaints
- 2020 141 complaints
- 2021 144 complaints
- 2022 272 complaints
- 2023 70 complaints
- 2024 76 complaints
- 2025 53 complaints
- 2026 37 complaints
- 2027 0 complaints
Recalls
18V329000 · May 16, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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…
15V483000 · Aug 4, 2015
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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…
14V441000 · Jul 21, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Complaints
153 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 10, fire flag on 0, injury field 6, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| PE15010 | Air Bag Clockspring Failure · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | Mar 24, 2015 | Sep 28, 2015 |
| RQ17009 | Air Bag Clockspring Failure · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | Nov 13, 2017 | May 4, 2018 |
| EA18003 | Air Bag Clockspring Failure · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE; AIR BAGS:FRONTAL; AIR BAGS | Apr 18, 2018 | No close date in the file |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.174 | — |
| SUV FWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | 4 · possibility 0.185 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan · 2L · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 22 | 26 | 24 | — | — | $3,400 |
| Tiguan · 2L · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 18 | 26 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| Tiguan 4motion · 2L · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 21 | 26 | 23 | — | — | $3,550 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.