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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

28 reports
34,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Service Brakes

I OWN A 2012 VW TOUAREG AND RECENTLY, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT OR FOR A LONG TIME, AFTER 5 OR MORE SECONDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTS TO GO DOWN AND THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD. I CAN STOP THE ROLLING IF I PUSH THE BREAKS ALL THE WAY DOWN FURTHER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY…

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I OWN A 2012 VW TOUAREG AND RECENTLY, I HAVE HAD AN ISSUE WITH THE BRAKES. WHEN I COME TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A LIGHT OR FOR A LONG TIME, AFTER 5 OR MORE SECONDS, THE BRAKE PEDAL STARTS TO GO DOWN AND THE CAR STARTS TO ROLL FORWARD. I CAN STOP THE ROLLING IF I PUSH THE BREAKS ALL THE WAY DOWN FURTHER, BUT THE DEALERSHIP SAYS THEY CANNOT REPRODUCE THE ISSUE AND THEREFORE CANNOT CHANGE ANY PARTS OR DO ANYTHING FOR ME. SINCE I AM UNWILLING TO GAMBLE WITH MY BRAKES, ESPECIALLY WITH MY SON IN THE VEHICLE, I HAVE LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALERSHIP UNTIL THEY CAN REPRODUCE THE ISSUE. I'M NOT SURE IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS BREAK ISSUE, BUT I WANTED SOMEONE TO BE AWARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614989

13,000 miles · Jul 15, 2014
Steering

I HAVE A 2012 TOUAREG TDI THAT HAS A STEERING SHAKING PROBLEM WHICH IT HAS EXHIBITED SINCE I PURCHASED IT. VW HAS TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BY ROAD FORCE BALANCING AND INSTALLING NEW TIRES BUT THIS HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, OR OSCILLATES, WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS REACHING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 65 AND 7…

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I HAVE A 2012 TOUAREG TDI THAT HAS A STEERING SHAKING PROBLEM WHICH IT HAS EXHIBITED SINCE I PURCHASED IT. VW HAS TRIED TO RECTIFY THE PROBLEM BY ROAD FORCE BALANCING AND INSTALLING NEW TIRES BUT THIS HAS NOT RESOLVED THE PROBLEM. THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES, OR OSCILLATES, WHEN DRIVING AT SPEEDS REACHING ANYWHERE BETWEEN 65 AND 70 MPH AND HIGHER. THE OSCILLATION CONTINUES UP THROUGH HIGHER SPEEDS WITHOUT SUBSIDING. THE STEERING WHEEL CONTINUOUSLY CYCLES BACK AND FORTH FROM LEFT TO RIGHT WITH ABOUT 1/4 INCH TO 3/8 INCH. THE VIBRATION CAN BE FELT AND SEEN WHEN MY HANDS ARE ON THE STEERING WHEEL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10610742

3,000 miles · May 18, 2014
Electrical System

ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. YOU STOP THE VEHICLE , PLACE IT IN PARK AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED. I VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY AND SECURITY HAZARD, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE HAVE HAD TO STOP AND START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. A SEARCH ON LINE WILL SHOW SEVERAL …

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ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. YOU STOP THE VEHICLE , PLACE IT IN PARK AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED. I VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY AND SECURITY HAZARD, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE HAVE HAD TO STOP AND START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. A SEARCH ON LINE WILL SHOW SEVERAL OTHER PEOPLE REPORTING THIS PROBLEM, SOME USE A PAPER CLIP TO REMOVE THE KEY. OTHERS WARN OF A BATTERY DRAIN AND STATE THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED IF THE BATTER US DRAINED WHICH MAKES ME THINK THIS IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM. OTHERS HAVE ALSO POSTED YOU TUBE VIDEOS OF NOT BEING ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEY. HTTP://WWW.YOUTUBE.COM/WATCH?V=LKTFKHFQ6LC UPDATED 11/24/2014 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10592249

22,000 miles · Apr 23, 2014
Fuel System, Diesel

VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A THREE LANE EXPRESSWAY. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN SPITE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND COASTED TO STOP ON NARROW BERM. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE I SMELLED FUEL AND UPON OPENING THE DOOR DISCOVERED A LARGE POOL OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. I…

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VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A THREE LANE EXPRESSWAY. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN SPITE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND COASTED TO STOP ON NARROW BERM. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE I SMELLED FUEL AND UPON OPENING THE DOOR DISCOVERED A LARGE POOL OF FUEL LEAKING FROM THE VEHICLE. I HAVE CONFLICTING REPORTS FROM VW. THE DEALER WHO INSPECTED THE VEHICLE CLAIMS THAT A PRIOR FUEL PUMP REPAIR CARRIED OUT TWO MONTHS AGO AT ANOTHER VW DEALER CAUSED STRESS ON A BRACKET SUPPORTING THE FUEL LINE THAT ULTIMATELY GAVE WAY AND LED TO SEPARATION OF THE LINE, LOSS OF FUEL TO THE ENGINE AND THE FUEL LEAKAGE. THE DEALER THAT DID THE ORIGINAL FUEL PUMP REPAIRS CLAIMS THAT THE BRACKET MUST HAVE FAILED DUE TO NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR (THESE THINGS HAPPEN I WAS INFORMED). IF IN FACT THE LATTER DEALER IS CORRECT THAT INDICATES A BROADER PROBLEM THAN SIMPLY A NEGLIGENT REPAIR AND THIS ISSUE MAY IMPACT OTHER OWNERS OF SIMILAR VEHICLES. THAT LEADS TO THE REASON FOR MY COMPLAINT. IS THE DESIGN OF THIS VEHICLE SAFE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10584371

125 miles · Aug 21, 2013
SeatsInjury

THE POWER SEAT KNOB/SWITCH DESIGN CAUSES THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I HAVE FALLEN/SLID BACK INTO THE SEAT WHEN EXITING BECAUSE THE SEAT BACK WOULD RECLINE. ON SUCH OCCASIONS IT'S LIKE LOSING ONE'S BALANCE AS YOU TRY AND STAND UP BY USING ONE'S BODY TO PUSH OFF THE SEAT. …

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THE POWER SEAT KNOB/SWITCH DESIGN CAUSES THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I HAVE FALLEN/SLID BACK INTO THE SEAT WHEN EXITING BECAUSE THE SEAT BACK WOULD RECLINE. ON SUCH OCCASIONS IT'S LIKE LOSING ONE'S BALANCE AS YOU TRY AND STAND UP BY USING ONE'S BODY TO PUSH OFF THE SEAT. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS THE HEAVY TOUAREG DOOR UNFORTUNATELY CLOSES AND HAS SLAMMED ON MY LEGS CAUSING BRUISING AND PAIN. WHEN MY PARTNER, WHO HAS A BAD BACK, TRIES TO ENTER AND EXIT THE TOUAREG, THE RECLINING SEAT BACK HAS CAUSED HER TO SLIDE ON THE SEAT AND TWEAKING HER BACK AND CAUSING UNPRECEDENTED HARM. MY CONTINUED FEAR IS WHEN TRYING TO EXIT THE VEHICLE ON BUSY STREETS BECAUSE WHEN I HAVE HAD TO NOT EXIT FULLY BECAUSE OF TRAFFIC, THE BACK SEAT SUPPORT IS GONE CAUSING ME TO ONCE AGAIN SLIDE INTO THE RECLINED SEAT BACK AND GETTING MY LEGS ONCE AGAIN CAUGHT BY A HEAVY DOOR. I HAD THIS ISSUE SINCE MY FIRST WEEK OF OWNERSHIP AND IT IS DOCUMENTED WITH THE DEALER. I RECENTLY FOUND OUT VW RECOGNIZES THE ISSUE AS THEY REENGINEERED THE SEAT KNOB AND BACKING BEZEL TO STOP THIS ISSUE BUT PRIOR TO THE FIX OWNERS ARE NOT ELIGIBLE BECAUSE THEY CONSIDER THIS REENGINEERED FIX TO BE JUST AN ACCESSORY. THE FIX STARTED TO APPEAR WITHIN THE 2013 MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10536605

850 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Steering

THE STEERING WHEEL SHAKES AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS 99% OF THE TIME. THE SPEED AT WHICH THIS OCCURS IS IN THE RANGE OF 65-80 MPH. I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A SAFETY CONCERN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505743

400 miles · Nov 12, 2012
Steering

VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHICH NECESSITATES CONSTANT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER TO HOLD THE CAR STRAIGHT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484035

15 miles · Jul 27, 2012
Service Brakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE KNOCKING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREG. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A KNOCKING SOUND WAS COMING FROM THE UNDER CARRIAGE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DEALER WAS ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE KNOCKING, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE DEALER CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER AND WAS TOLD THEY WERE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, BUT DID NOT HAVE A SOLUTION AVAILABLE TO REMEDY THE ISSUE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER 9 DAYS, THE MANUFACTURER PROVIDED A SPECIAL SPRAY TO THE DEALER TO SPRAY BEHIND THE BRAKE PADS. THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE WITH THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 15 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 1,200.

NHTSA ODI #10467905

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.