Model year guide

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 164 on record.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints152
Combined23 mpg
Typical price$14,666

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls 3

Unknown Or Other NHTSA Campaign #18V329000 · 16/05/2018

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.

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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

Air Bags:frontal NHTSA Campaign #15V483000 · 04/08/2015

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 th…

Fix: 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 wi…

Fuel System, Gasoline NHTSA Campaign #14V441000 · 21/07/2014

Volkswagen 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.

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel System
Sniff for fuel odor, check for leaks, hard starts or stalling, and confirm the fuel gauge reads correctly.
Gasoline
Have a trusted mechanic inspect this system as part of a pre-purchase inspection.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan safety ratings

Rollover★★★★★

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), tested as the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD. Ratings can differ by body style and drivetrain.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan MPG & running costs

Combined23 mpg
City20 mpg
Highway26 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,375

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan worth?

Low
$11,000
Typical price
$14,666
High
$18,400

From 162 comparable 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$16,875
Depreciation (5 yrs)$10,150
Total$27,025
Per mile$0.36

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($14,666) with the same model 3 model-years older ($8,578), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan trims & engines on record

Trims
S · SE · SEL 4Motion · LE · SEL · 4-Motion · SE 4Motion
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl 200 hp

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles on record

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Other Volkswagen Tiguan model years

2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2005

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

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

Based on 152 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are air bags, steering, engine.

What is the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan safety rating?

NHTSA gives the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan crash-test ratings of rollover 4★ (out of 5; this model year pre-dates NHTSA's overall score).

What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan at about 23 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway).

How much is a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan worth?

Comparable 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan listings run roughly $11,000–$18,400, typically around $14,666 (from 162 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.