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2012 Volkswagen Touareg

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 27.5.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

21 reports with mileage · 7 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 6 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 5 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

1 crash reports0 fire reports2 injury reports

Fuel/propulsion System complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Dec 27, 2024
Fuel/propulsion System

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 the road leaving us blocking a …

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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 the road leaving us blocking a lane and creating a dangerous situation. The dealership is claiming that the high pressure fuel pump suffered a catastrophic failure and that the entire fuel system needs to be replaced, which is going to cost more than $13,000.

NHTSA ODI #11632714

Mileage unknown · Aug 6, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

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 MAINTENANCE TO GARCIA VW DEALERSH…

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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 MAINTENANCE TO GARCIA VW DEALERSHIP IN SANTA FE, NM ON THE FOLLOWING DATES: 3/6/18: GENERAL MAINTENANCE (AIR/CABIN/FUEL/ADBLUE MAINTENANCE/ AND TIRE CHANGE) 4/17/18: REPLACE A FAULTY RADIO WHICH SUDDENLY FAILED (DEALERSHIP HAD CAR FOR 8 DAYS) 6/7/18: CLEAN UP AD BLUE FUEL SPILL IN THE REAR SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT THE ENGINE NOW RUNS SIGNIFICANTLY LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP AND SURGING AT INTERVALS. IN ADDITION TO THE SUBSTANTIAL DROP IN FUEL ECONOMY, THE AVERAGE SPEED/MPH HAS BEEN LOCKED AT 13MPH AND DROPPED TO 12MPH ON JUNE 1, 2018. CHANGE IN ENGINE BEHAVIOUR: -ENGINE RUNS LOUDER AND IS REVVING UP WHEN IDLING,ACCELERATING, BREAKING,DOWNSHIFTING -SOUNDS LIKE THE FUEL INJECTION IS SLUGGISH WHEN ACCELERATING -STEERING WHEEL FEELS SLUGGISH WHEN TURNING RIGHT AND ACCELERATING THROUGH TURNS. VIBRATING SOUND WHEN TURNING. -STARTING IGNITION: LONGER PAUSE FOR IGNITION TO START AFTER TURNING THE KEY AND FOOT IS ON BRAKE. -SUSPENSION: SUSPENSION OF THE CAR ROCKS BACK AND FORTH WHEN BRAKING AND SOUNDS LIKE THERE'S A TANK SLIDING/ SHIFTING IN THE REAR WHEN COMING TO A STOP. WHEN I INITIALLY HEARD THIS SOUND I OPENED THE TRUNK/CARGO AREA FOR THE SPARE TIRE AND FOUND DRIED AD BLUE SPILLED ALL OVER THE CARGO AREA INCLUDING DIRTY RAGS WHICH HAD BEEN USED TO WIPE UP ADBLUE AND STUFFED IN THE BOTTOM OF THE TRUNK. -AIR CONDITIONER IS EMITTING A VERY STRONG NAUSEATING YEAST ODOR THAT WILL NOT GO AWAY AND ISN'T COOLING EFFICIENTLY. I HAVENT AUTHORIZED OR APPROVED ANY UPDATES MODIFICATIONS TO THE VEHICLE RE: THE 3.0 LITER GEN EPA/CARB MODIFICATIONS: I SUSPECT VEHICLE TAMPERING.

NHTSA ODI #11118181

73,000 miles · Nov 10, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND WAS A ERROR CODE FOR THE FUEL PUMP. TOOK 4 HOURS OF WORK AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #10925411

70,000 miles · Nov 10, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion System

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AT 70,000 MILES AND WAS DUE TO THE AD BLUE TANK HEATER.

NHTSA ODI #10925396

98,500 miles · Sep 15, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

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.

NHTSA ODI #10906918

22,000 miles · May 2, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET, WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AT THE LIGHT, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP (METAL FOUND), AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, AND LINE. I FEEL THAT I WAS LUCKY NOT…

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I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET, WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AT THE LIGHT, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP (METAL FOUND), AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, AND LINE. I FEEL THAT I WAS LUCKY NOT TO HAVE BEEN DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY GOING 50 - 70 MILES AN HOUR, IN WHICH A CRASH COULD HAVE OCCURRED WHEN THE CAR STALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10714211

Official recalls

2

18V329000 · Unknown Or Other

May 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.

Consequence & remedy

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

Remedy: 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.

16V170000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages

Mar 24, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the brake pedal assembly to verify the presence of the securing clip and install any missing securing clips, free of charge. The recall began on April 27, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 46G4.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

1

EA11003 · High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure

Opened Feb 7, 2011 · Closed Mar 27, 2015

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Fuel System, Diesel; Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Fuel System, Diesel

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.

Fuel System, Other:delivery:fuel Pump

The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.