CarModelProblems.com

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems & Recalls

Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026

High complaint levelIts most-reported problem — Engine — runs 2.6× the fleet median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.
152Complaints
3Recalls
10Crashes
0Fires
6Injured
0Deaths

Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.

Is this problem acknowledged?

The most-reported problem — Engine (32.9% of complaints) — recall and investigation status for this vehicle is currently unavailable.

Engine complaints here are 2.6× the median for that category across the 2583 model-years tracked on this site.

Complaint categoryReportsOfficial statusReference
Engine50 · 32.9%not available
Air Bags30 · 19.7%RecalledRecall 15V483000
Electrical System23 · 15.1%not available
Steering20 · 13.2%not available
Fuel/propulsion System12 · 7.9%RecalledRecall 14V441000
Service Brakes10 · 6.6%not available

Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Complaints by component

ENGINE50 · 32.9%
AIR BAGS30 · 19.7%
STEERING20 · 13.2%
Unspecified / other20 · 13.2%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM12 · 7.9%
SERVICE BRAKES10 · 6.6%
POWER TRAIN7 · 4.6%
SEAT BELTS7 · 4.6%
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)4 · 2.6%

Percentages are the share of the 152 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.

Recalls — 3 campaigns

Unknown Or Other

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · 2018 · reported 05/16/2018

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Air Bags:frontal

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 2015 · reported 08/04/2015

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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · 2014 · reported 07/21/2014

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

PARK-IT: NO  · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO  ·  OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO

Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What owners report

“VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY BEGAN IDLING ROUGHLY WHILE STOPPED AT CITY STREET INTERSECTION. WHILE DRIVING THE ENGINE STILL FELT ROUGH AND WOULD OCCASIONALLY STOP RUNNING. AFTER…”NHTSA complaint 11218449 — filed 06/07/2019 · ENGINE
“THE TIMING CHAIN & TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER MALFUNCTIONING PRIOR TO 93,000 MILES, BELOW THE PROJECTED OWNERS MANUAL 120,000 MILES, CAUSED THE TIMING CHAIN TO FAIL…”NHTSA complaint 11194867 — filed 04/09/2019 · ENGINE
“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…”NHTSA complaint 11193943 — filed 04/04/2019 · ENGINE

Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.

Complaint trend by year filed

132012172420141582016233720182916202045202212620245

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan?

Engine issues are the most-reported category, cited in 50 of 152 NHTSA complaints (32.9%), followed by air bags (30), electrical system (23), steering (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports.

How many complaints does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan have?

152 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 10 involved a crash, 0 involved a fire, and 6 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?

Yes — 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 18V329000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Has NHTSA acted on the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan's reported problems?

Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.

Is a complaint proof of a defect?

No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.

About this data — Complaint figures on this page are consumer reports submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a U.S. government agency. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints; a complaint is not proof that a defect exists, and counts reflect what owners chose to report, not confirmed failure rates. Recall information comes from official NHTSA safety recall campaigns; recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Always check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. CarModelProblems.com is an independent site and is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. Data through 07/12/2026.