2012 Volkswagen Tiguan: raw data

Every record we hold for this vehicle, as plain tables, with nothing added. The consumer page shows the same records with the maintenance schedule, price ranges and nearby shops around them.

vehicle2012 / volkswagen / tiguan
known issues6 clusters (reviewed 2026-09-10)
complaints152 on file (2012-01-24 → 2025-11-02)
recalls3
investigations3
fars8 occupant deaths, crash years 2010-2024 (legacy-code)
indexedyes
licenseCC BY 4.0 (derived)

Known Issues clusters all years →

Timing chain tensioner failure causing engine damageENGINE13 complaints2014-06 → 2024-12timing-chain-tensioner-engine-failure
  • 11605547 I was accelerating on the highway when my engine started making a rattling sound and the check engine light came on. I took my car into a specialty European auto shop and they determined my timing chain and tensioner needed replacing. The price is going to be over $5k and there
  • 11450588 At 77k miles the engine's timing chain jumped a tooth or two at startup. This seems to have destroyed the engine. Prior to that: no problems. My DTC scanner said the cam timing was off. VW wanted $25k to fix it after having it towed in. It sounded like rocks in a coffee can
  • 11104184 TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER FAILED (COMMON ISSUE WITH VW TSI ENGINE) AND CAUSED AN INTERFERENCE WHICH RESULTED IN A CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE ENGINE DURING A REGULAR ENGINE START-UP. THIS ISSUE HAPPENED AT ABOUT 115,000 MILES AND RESULTED IN AN ENGINE REPLACEMENT
Water pump failure with coolant leakENGINE5 complaints2019-04 → 2025-03water-pump-failure-coolant-leak
  • 11648866 The original primary engine water pump system for a 2012 VW Tiguan 2.0 was replaced under the VW extended warranty in 2020 by an authorized dealer as a the result of the class action suit---please see Water Pump Class Action and Limited Warranty Extension bulletin issued by
  • 11292323 THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN CRACKED, LEAKING THE COOLANT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED BUT DIDN'T LEAD TO ACCIDENTS IN MY CASE. VW GROUP IS PRODUCING THE WATER PUMP OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH EVENTUALLY CRACKS FOR MANY OF VW AND AUDI CAR OWNERS
  • 11193943 WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONS AND OIL LEAKS LEADING TO WATER PUMP MALFUNCTIONS THAT OVER HEAT THE ENGINE AND CAUSE SIGNIFICANT ENGINE DAMAGE. THREE WATER PUMPS IN THREE YEARS AND ULTIMATELY BLOWN ENGINE
Driver seat belt fails to extend or retractSEAT BELTS6 complaints2014-06 → 2017-06driver-seat-belt-fails-to-extend-retract
  • 10995530 THE DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT WOULD REMAIN AND/OR ENGAGE IN A LOCKED POSITION INCORRECTLY. THIS WOULD CREATE A VERY DANGEROUS AND STRESSFUL SITUATION FOR US. IT WOULD PREVENT US FROM BEING ABLE TO STRAP IN (WHICH IS ALSO A LAW IN OUR STATE). WE
  • 10979183 WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STATIONARY, AND THE AMBIENT AIR IS APPROXIMATELY 65F, OR HIGHER THE DRIVERS SIDE SEAT BELT WILL NOT RELEASE/EXTEND NOT ALLOWING THE DRIVER TO FASTEN THE SEAT BELT
  • 10597016 THE ORIGIN OF THE "LAP" PART OF THE SEAT BELT IS BEHIND THE SEAT, SO THE BELT RIDES UP ONTO MY BELLY WHEN I MOVE SEAT FORWARD TO REACH THE PEDALS. ALSO THE VERTICAL PORTION OF BELT SITS ON MY NECK RIGHT OVER THE CAROTID ARTERY
Engine stalls while drivingENGINE13 complaints2012-12 → 2025-08engine-stalls-while-driving
  • 11682937 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 lights
  • 10926449 SHORTLY AFTER THE DEALER'S REPAIR, THE VEHICLE HAD A STRONG HESITATION AND STALLED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND PROVIDED FURTHER TESTING. THE FAILURE RECURRED RANDOMLY
  • 10493431 AFTER STOPPING AT A TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICE, DRIVER ACCELERATED INTO AN INTERSECTION, AT WHICH TIME THE VEHICLE'S ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE HAD TO BE PLACED INTO PARK, AND WAS THEN ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE DEALERSHIP'S SERVICE CENTER PERFORMED A FUEL PUMP PRESSURE TEST
Clock spring failure disables airbag, horn, steeringAIR BAGS19 complaints2013-05 → 2025-04clock-spring-failure-disables-airbag-horn
  • 11462669 Heard and felt a "click/grind" in steering wheel and airbag error light illuminated on dash.Front driver airbag error, airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. Horn does not work. Steering wheel controls do not work. Airbag error warning
  • 11100324 THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG ERROR WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. IN ADDITION, THE HORN FAILED TO OPERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SUNRISE VOLKSWAGEN (931 SUNRISE HIGHWAY, LYNBROOK
  • 11076247 WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS STRUCK ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION
Power steering failure with wheel lockupSTEERING12 complaints2013-06 → 2025-11power-steering-failure-wheel-lockup
  • 11268366 UPON STARTING THE CAR, THE STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE VIGOROUSLY. THE SHAKING STOPPED AFTER A FEW SECONDS AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED IN POSITION AND COULD NOT BE TURNED. AT THAT POINT THE STEERING POWER FAILURE LIGHT CAME ON ALONG WITH A LOUD WARNING SOUND
  • 11377174 THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE
  • 11697066 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

NHTSA complaints (summary) all years →

countearliest_datelatest_datecrash_flaggedfire_flaggedtop_components
1522012-01-242025-11-02100ENGINE:50; AIR BAGS:33; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:23; STEERING:20; UNKNOWN OR OTHER:20

Recalls all years →

campaign_numberreport_received_datecomponentsummaryconsequenceremedy
18V32900016/05/2018UNKNOWN OR OTHERVolkswagen 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.If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.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.
15V48300004/08/2015AIR BAGS:FRONTALVolkswagen 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.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.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.
14V44100021/07/2014FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINEVolkswagen 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.A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.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.

Investigations all years →

action_numberstatussubjectcomponentsopenedclosedrecall_campaignsummary
EA18003openAir Bag Clockspring FailureAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE2018-04-18··In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in illumination of the air bag warning light and will prevent operation of the front driver air bag in a crash of sufficient severity requiring a commanded deployment.In November 2017, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ17-009) after the agency received 90 complaints alleging failure of the clockspring in the subject models.Several of the complaints allege failure of the clockspring after receiving the recall remedy.The majority of the complaints allege the same failure mode without being included in the original recall, 15V-483.In its March 2018 response to ODI's Information Request under the Recall Query, Volkswagen provided approximately 700 consumer complaints and field reports on the recalled vehicles.These reports allege clockspring failure similar to the NHTSA reports described above.To date, NHTSA has received approximately 154 allegations of clockspring failure since the recall has launched.The total of 852 reports shown in the table above eliminates 6 duplicative reports received by ODI and the manufacturer.An Engineering Analysis has been opened to further evaluate the scope and effectiveness of the remedy associated with 15V-483 and perform a thorough review of the design changes implemented by Volkswagen and its suppliers to address this issue.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11080741, 11079877, 11079805, 11079124, 11076709, 11076645, 11076297, 11076249, 11076133, 11075756, 11075726, 11075358, 11075259, 11075055, 11074920, 11074565, 11073090, 11072745, 11072457, 11072089, 11071933, 11071880, 11071630, 11071592, 11067396, 11067061, 11066738, 11066601, 11066511, 11065909, 11065871, 11065262, 11064701, 11064564, 11064544, 11064531, 11063961, 11063501, 11063095, 11062772, 11062464, 11062353, 11062344, 11061463, 11061310, 11061311, 11060735, 11058154, 11057519, 11057477, 11057341, 11056793, 11056243, 11056063, 11055639, 11054279, 11052812, 11052678, 11052384, 11052228, 11051336, 11051155, 11051074, 11048803, 11047037, 11044226, 11043653, 11039142, 11033893, 11033330, 11032548, 11025475, 11025356, 11024647, 11023423, 11020570, 11020312, 11019415, 11019067, 11015441, 11015431, 11014595, 11014016, 11013709, 11013415, 11012596, 11011753, 11006668, 11006521, 11006307, 11006181, 11005301, 11003865, 11001780, 11001783, 11001334, 10994184, 10993360, 10993524, 10992490, 10985926, 10983678, 10981220, 10980831, 10980941, 10980549, 10979418, 10971152, 10967344, 10967155, 10959968, 10958624, 10957279, 10956488, 10949129, 10947562, 10945122, 10936498, 10936543, 10933950, 10927311, 10925421, 10924034, 10915612, 10915569, 10911171, 10902066, 10898733, 10896537, 10896510, 10895526, 10893938, 10891686, 10864967, 10863742, 10861984, 10851242, 10822505, 10821562, 10818403, 10795068, 10794402, 10788738, 10787804, 10782544, 10780725, 10780145, 10779145, 10776477, 10775448, 10763492, 10763423, 10763289, 10762670, 10760644, 10758777, 10749901, 10748922
PE15010closedAir Bag Clockspring FailureAIR BAGS:FRONTAL2015-03-242015-09-2815V483000The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.Complainants alleged that that the clock spring failed while driving and without warning.When the SCCM fails electrically, an air bag war
RQ17009closedAir Bag Clockspring FailureAIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER CLOCKSPRING/SPIRAL CASSETTE2017-11-132018-05-04·In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel

FARS occupant deaths all years →

crash_yearsoccupant_deathsmatch_typevpic_recovered
2010-20248legacy-code0

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road.

Cite this

Derived data is CC BY 4.0. Link back to the page you used. Text and BibTeX below.

Wrench.Pro (2026). 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle data [dataset]. https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/volkswagen/tiguan
@misc{wrenchpro_2012_volkswagen_tiguan_2026,
  author = {Wrench.Pro},
  title = {Wrench.Pro vehicle data: 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan},
  year = {2026},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.wrench.pro/data/vehicles/2012/volkswagen/tiguan}},
  note = {Derived from NHTSA public records. CC BY 4.0.}
}

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