Model year
2012 Volkswagen Touareg
NHTSA lists 2 recalls and 28 complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). NHTSA also lists 2 recalls and 0 complaints under TOUAREG HYBRID. Those counts are separate from the numbers above. The components listed on the most complaints are FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (6), ENGINE (5), STEERING (5). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA lists crash-test variants for this model year and marks the overall rating Not Rated. EPA rates it 19–22 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,900–$4,350, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2004 231 complaints
- 2005 75 complaints
- 2006 37 complaints
- 2007 9 complaints
- 2008 56 complaints
- 2009 19 complaints
- 2010 25 complaints
- 2011 16 complaints
- 2012 28 complaints
- 2013 30 complaints
- 2014 27 complaints
- 2015 24 complaints
- 2016 45 complaints
- 2017 24 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…
16V170000 · Mar 24, 2016
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2016 Touareg vehicles. The brake pedal pivot pin may be missing a securing clip, allowing the pivot pin to move and the brake pedal to dislodge.
Complaints
28 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 1, fire flag on 0, injury field 3, 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.
Other NHTSA names
These names matched the same EPA model but are not included in the headline counts above.
| Name | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| TOUAREG HYBRID | 2 | 0 |
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| EA11003 | High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure · FUEL SYSTEM, DIESEL; FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | Feb 7, 2011 | Mar 27, 2015 |
Safety ratings
| Variant | Overall | Front | Side | Pole | Rollover | Photo |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SUV AWD | Not rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated | Not Rated · possibility 0 | — |
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Touareg · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Diesel · Diesel | 19 | 26 | 22 | — | — | $4,350 |
| Touareg Hybrid · 3L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline · Hybrid | 20 | 24 | 21 | — | — | $3,900 |
| Touareg · 3.6L · Automatic (S8) · All-Wheel Drive | Premium Gasoline | 16 | 23 | 19 | — | — | $4,350 |
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 Touareg at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.