Model year guide

2012 Volkswagen Touareg

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 40 on record.

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

2012 Volkswagen Touareg at a glance

Safety recalls2
Owner complaints28
Combined21 mpg
Typical price$26,555

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

2012 Volkswagen Touareg recalls 2

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.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic:pedals And Linkages NHTSA Campaign #16V170000 · 24/03/2016

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.

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

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 Touareg common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
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.
Seat Belts
Check that every belt latches, retracts and locks under a sharp tug, and that none are frayed.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.

2012 Volkswagen Touareg MPG & running costs

Combined21 mpg
City18 mpg
Highway25 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,800

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

What's a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg worth?

Low
$20,895
Typical price
$26,555
High
$32,300

From 40 comparable 2012 Volkswagen Touareg listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$19,000
Depreciation (5 yrs)$18,650
Total$37,650
Per mile$0.50

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 ($26,555) with the same model 5 model-years older ($7,919), 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 Touareg trims & engines on record

Trims
VR6 Lux · TDI Sport · Hybrid · V6 FSI, TDI, Hybrid · V6 FSI, TDI, Hybrid w/ Comfort Suspension
Engines
3.6L 6-cyl 280 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 225 hp · 3.0L 6-cyl 333 hp

2012 Volkswagen Touareg vehicles on record

2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGFK9BP2CD005194 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP6CD003582 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGFK9BP7CD002422 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGFK9BP5CD000121 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGEK9BP1CD011547 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP1CD004879 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP1CD004073 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGEK9BP8CD009889 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGEK9BPXCD008923 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP2CD001196 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BPXCD003486 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGEF9BP8CD006964 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGEF9BP3CD007357 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP6CD003288 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP7CD004823 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP1CD004266 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP3CD002440 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGEF9BP6CD008454 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGEK9BP9CD008038 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP5CD003394 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGEK9BP7CD005624 2012 Volkswagen Touareg VR6 LuxWVGFF9BP9CD004077 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGFK9BP8CD002218 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 2012 Volkswagen Touareg TDI SportWVGEK9BP7CD012248

Other Volkswagen Touareg model years

2016 2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004

2012 Volkswagen Touareg — frequently asked questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. 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 Touareg?

Based on 28 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are fuel/propulsion system, engine, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg at about 21 mpg combined (18 city / 25 highway).

How much is a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg worth?

Comparable 2012 Volkswagen Touareg listings run roughly $20,895–$32,300, typically around $26,555 (from 40 vehicles).

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