2012 Volkswagen Touareg: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg: 2 recalls, 28 owner complaints and up to 22 mpg combined.
Recalls
2 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Brakes (hydraulic) Vehicle recall #16V170000 · 2016 · 46,574 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver May not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: 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.
Other / unknown Vehicle recall #18V329000 · 2018 · 252 vehicles
What's wrong: 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.
Why it matters: 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.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 0 mention a fire, 3 injuries and 0 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Fuel & propulsion (6): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (2), warning light on (2).
- Steering (5): the most common themes are steering problems (4).
- Engine (5): the most common themes are warning light on (3).
- Electrical (4): the most common themes are electrical failure (2).
The 2012 Volkswagen Touareg has 28 owner complaints, ranking #7 of 14 Touareg model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 46). Complaints peaked in 2016 (8 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 40,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2011 (16 complaints, 2 recalls), 2013 (30 complaints, 2 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0 L 6-cyl turbo | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 19 | 26 | 22 | Diesel |
| 3.6 L 6-cyl | Automatic (S8) | All-Wheel Drive | 16 | 23 | 19 | Premium |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg.
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FAQ
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 2 vehicle recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen Touareg problems?
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are fuel & propulsion (6), steering (5), engine (5).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg get?
EPA ratings run up to 22 mpg combined (3.0 L, Automatic (S8)), across 2 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.