2012 Volkswagen Golf: problems, recalls and reliability
6 recalls and 48 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is engine (19% of complaints); the 2014 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Dec 2019
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 48 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“ABS pump and module have failed according to my mechanic. ABS lights and traction control lights are on all the time. If I were to drive this car on the road, and I would have to make an emergency stop, my brakes would lock up and I would slide. This is an extreme safety hazard.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Mar 2025
“Heated seats get extremely hot. Smell of burning. Possible to catch fire or burn people Vw patrick volkswagen auburn ma confirmed that electrical inspection to rule out seat recall No. No recall has been submitted yet When i first bought the car in 2025”Owner report · Seats · Mar 2025
“My vehicle struck a car from behind moving about 35 mph. Air bags did not deploy and I had a proceeding next injury. Why did the airbags not deploy? I have read that "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" for 2011-2014 Golf. I would like confirmation that this was supposed to happen, no airbag deployment. My car was totaled.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2021
Show 7 more owner reports
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen golf. The contact stated that the passenger side air bag warning indicator illuminated. The contact was concerned for the safety of the passenger in the event of a crash. The vehicle was taken to dublin volkswagen (located at 6085 scarlett ct, dublin, ca 94568, (925) 829-0800) where it was diagnosed that the air bag control module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was currently being repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 7,522.*bf *jb”Owner report · Air Bags · Jul 2019
“Dual mass flywheel failed at 81,200 miles rendering the vehicle inoperable. Failure was 21,200 miles after power train warranty expired. Vehicle was in motion and began to shift very strangely, was able to make it home and park it.”Owner report · Power Train · Oct 2018
“Tl* the contact owns a 2012 volkswagen golf. While driving 5 mph, all of the warning indicators illuminated and the vehicle stalled. Moss brothers volkswagen of moreno valley (27750 eucalyptus ave, moreno, valley, california 92555, (951) 485-4188) was made aware of the failure and stated that the fuel system was contaminated. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided the contact with case number: 180-76-1675. The failure mileage was 123,986.”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2018
“When the temperature reaches above 80 degrees fahrenheit the drivers door and the passengers door will not latch closed properly. If you try to close the doors, they just bang against the frame and swing open. Once the temperature of the door cools down, the door will eventually latch. Sometimes I have to wait till morning to properly close them shut. The dealership is asking $600 to repair this. This is a safety issue and these doors should lock properly before driving away.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2017
“My local volkswagen dealership stated there is a recall on certain vw models for the clock-spring located inside the steering column. My vehicle has been making a terrible noise when I turn the wheel in either direction, which vw attributes to the clock-spring. They told me the 2012 golf tdi model is not covered under the recall but apparently this clock-spring problem impacts other models. They warned the problem will get worse and eventually impact the steering, airbag, turn signals, horn, and other electrical components inside the steering wheel. They quoted the cost to replace the clock-spring is $890. So my question is can the recall be broadened to include 2012 golf tdis as well?”Owner report · Steering · Jul 2017
“Reading some online forums, many people are experiencing a creaking sound coming from components related to the steering system. It occurs when turning the steering wheel in either direction. The exact diagnosis is not posted on any of the forums but it does make vw owners nervous. It happens when the vehicle is stationary or in motion, regardless of the speed.”Owner report · Steering · Apr 2017
“Takata recall I spoke with vw customer care and they said there is no fix currently available due to a lack of parts. Furthermore, they said they are not providing an alternative to driving my defective car and they will not disable the faulty air bag. So I'm left driving a car that may kill me. I find this unacceptable.”Owner report · Air Bags · Aug 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 6 campaigns
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
Remedy: VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
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.
Remedy: 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2012 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Golf by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
NHTSA has 48 owner complaints and 6 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf. The most complained-about area is engine (19% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2012 Volkswagen Golf problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 17,775 miles or less.
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf have open recalls?
6 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning fuel system, diesel. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.