CarRecallDB

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls and problems

3 recalls and 153 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan.

3
recalls
153
owner complaints
10
complaints mentioning a crash
0
mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls

Unknown or other

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · reported May 16, 2018 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 252 vehicles potentially affected

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

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · reported August 4, 2015 · Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · 415,825 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Fuel system, gasoline

NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · reported July 21, 2014 · Volkswagen of America, Inc. · 151,389 vehicles potentially affected

The problem
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.
The risk
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
The fix
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.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 27, 2026 · Steering

A couple of weeks now my steering wheel has been locking while I’m driving, sadly I thought it was because I needed to get my car serviced. This morning my steering wheel locked out of nowhere as I was turning and I almost ended up in a head on collision with another car while my kids were in the car. Then my brother…

Nov 2, 2025 · Steering

Steering wheel gets locked up while driving; power steering fails. The red steering light turns on. This is a problem that happens to several Tiguans. There were no prior symptoms prior to failure. This is extremely dangerous and difficult to deal with while driving, especially on the freeway. please help.

Aug 28, 2025 · Steering

I was driving the car and the steering wheel locked out of nowhere A red steering light came on the dashboard. I’ve never seen before

Aug 25, 2025 · Engine · 135,000 miles

The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. Additionally, while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart. The check engine, EPC, and TPMS warning…

Apr 10, 2025 · Air bags

The clockspring has failed and there are recalls on similar models of Tiguans of the same year.

Tiguan model years compared

YearRecallsComplaintsCrashesFires
2009 316856
2010 211054
2011 316242
2012 3153100
2013 314021
2014 38420
2015 46211

Across all years, the 2018 Tiguan has the most complaints (288). All Volkswagen Tiguan years →

Questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan, the most recent reported on May 16, 2018 (Unknown or other). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Owners have filed 153 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is engine (50 complaints), followed by air bags (33).
How many 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan complaints mention a crash or fire?
10 of 153 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 6 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 27, 2026.