2012 Volkswagen Touareg: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 28 owner complaints on record; most reports concern steering; the 2011 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall May 2018
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“I was driving to church on the morning of 2/16/25 when I heard a very loud "Boom." I thought something had hit the car. It sounded like a gun going off. When I pulled over to see what had happened I realized the right side mirror had exploded. The glass was completely gone with only the glue left on the back plate housing. Both mirrors were in the "off" position. Nothing hit the outside housing. The right side mirror simply exploded. Thank God the window was not down with a passenger in the right front seat. In cool weather I often drive with the window down. Someone could have been hurt. I have owned many cars but NEVER one with a side mirror that exploded. This design is DANGEROUS.”Owner report · Electrical System · Feb 2025
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Dec 2024
“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, he smelled an oil odor and smoke odor in the interior of the vehicle. After a visual inspection, the contact observed oil leaking from underneath the engine compartment. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined the diesel particulate filter needed to be replaced but was unable to locate the part. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure, and a case was opened. The failure mileage was 124,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Feb 2023
Show 7 more owner reports
“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that there was an abnormal gasoline odor on the driver's side of the vehicle. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact looked underneath the vehicle at the gas tank and noticed that gasoline was leaking from the fuel tank onto the exhaust pipe. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number 17V151000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Aug 2022
“The driver seat belt does not latch properly and comes off while driving. Multiple attempts are required for the seat belt to latch and be secure. This problem started around july 2020.”Owner report · Seat Belts · Jul 2020
“The catalytic converter completely separated from its own flange where it connects to the exhaust header. Ultimately causing an exhaust leak and a check engine light. This occurred while driving and under normal operating conditions. Driving on a local highway with a speed limit of 55 mph, which does not have excessive amount of pot holes) .”Owner report · Engine · Sep 2019
“This happened to this my 2012 touareg. The engine randomly died, even on freeway, which is too dangerous. The previous time in in jan,2018 and this time was on feb, 5th, 2018. I went to vw dealership, they couldn't find out anything. Saying everything is normal and they couldn't suggest anything. But it is extreme unsafe for me to drive this car. The issue randomly happens. Per http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php?4965979-car-randomly-dies-while-driving-on-freeway, seems this is a common issue among vw vehicles, and people thought it is high pressure fuel pump problem or other relevant parts. Vw should take it seriously and find out the root cause and fix it. Thanks, liang”Owner report · Power Train · Feb 2018
“Tpms light intermittently started blinking. I took it to the dealer and they "diagnosed" it as the back left sensor. I was initially told that the recommendation was to not change it until I replaced tires and then I was told it was not covered under my warranty. I called the warranty company and they said that it was 100% covered.”Owner report · Wheels · Nov 2016
“While traveling on highway 24 airbag spontaneously deployed and I was involved in mva. Front end of vw toureg smashed into concrete center post. Traveling about 65 mph.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2016
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Sep 2016
When filing, owners marked a crash in 1 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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 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.
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.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it may cause an electrical short in the high voltage battery.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a fitted drain valve to allow water to drain properly, free of charge. The recall began late February 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this 53B8.
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
How other years compare
Check your exact Touareg 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 Touareg reliable?
NHTSA has 28 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The most complained-about area is steering.
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning unknown or other. 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.