After driving the car for approximately 30 minutes without any problems and turning it off, it would not turn the ignition back on, release the parking brake or shift out of „P“. Several towing companies were unable to tow the vehicle due to the manufacturer’s failure to provide instructions on how to release the shifter in case of a problem. Other vehicles have a release button somewhere, the 2012 VW Touareg doesn’t. On page 481 of the owners manual VW advises the owner that if „you want to have the vehicle towed, the gear shift selection lever must first be released with the emergency procedure. Get professional assistance.“ The manual doesn’t explain what this emergency procedure would be. We had to call 3 different towing companies with professionals who didn’t have any clue in regards to the question how to release the shifter. The fourth company came with special equipment which allowed to tow the vehicle with the shifter in „P“ The dealership found that the ESL module (electronic steering lock) was faulty, which could be a safety issue, especially if it actuates while driving the vehicle.
The worst 2012 Volkswagen Touareg problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Fuel system8
- Engine6
- Steering5
- Electrical4
- Transmission3
- Airbags2
- Brakes2
- Seat belts2
- Acceleration1
- Driver assistance1
- Lights1
- Seats1
- Wheels1
Specific symptoms reported on the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
Recalls 2
Unknown or other
- What is 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.
- Risk
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- 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.
Recall number 18V329000 · Recall details
Service brakes, hydraulic: pedals and linkages
- What is 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.
- Risk
- If the brake pedal dislodges, the driver may not be able to apply the brakes, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
Recall number 16V170000 · Recall details
See all 2 recalls for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
Defect investigations
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
The Office of Defects Investgation (ODI) opened EA11-003 on February 7, 2011, based on 160 complaints to ODI and Volkswagen involving high pressure fuel pump (HPFP) failures in model year (MY) 2009 through 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and Golf and Audi A3 TDI vehicles and questions regarding fuel sample results provided by Volkswagen as part of its response to PE10-034.During EA11-003, ODI analyzed design information, field experience and test data for MY 2009 through 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, Golf and Touareg and Audi A3 and Q7 vehicles equipped with TDI engines. Volkswagen has not identified any design or manufacturing defects in the subject TDI Clean Diesel pumps and has stated that the subject pumps were designed, tested and approved for use in the United States market, with substantial design margins for fuels that are out of specification.Volkswagen believes that misfueling with gasoline is the primary cause of HPFP drivetrain failures in the field.Only the Q7 vehicles were built with misfuel protection devices.In May 2013 Volkswagen initiated a service campaign to install misfuel protection devices in all MY 2009 through 2012 Jetta, Golf and A3 vehicles.Volkswagen implemented misfuel protection devices in all of the subject models beginning in MY 2013. ODI?s analysis of HPFP drivetrain failure incidents indicates that most failures do not result in engine stall while driving and, when pump drivetrain failure does result in stall while driving, it is usually preceded by numerous warning symptoms (e.g., glow plug warning lamp, chime, limp mode, and driveability symptoms).The failure data for the subject vehicles show relatively low stalling rates (less than one percent at three years in service) for each of the pump designs used in the subject vehicles.There have been no reports of crashes, injuries or fatalities related to the alleged defect. Based on these facts, this investigation is closed.The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by the federal safety agency that a safety-related defect does not exist.The agency will continue to monitor complaints and other information relating to the alleged defect in the subject vehicles and take further action in the future if warranted.For additional information, see the closing report in the document file for EA11-003.
EA11003
Technical service bulletins for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg 978
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Prevent Sporatic Misfire Faults.
- Reprogramming Control Module process
- Engine missfire diagnostic aid
- Identifying and Mixing Volkswagen Engine Coolants
- Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting
- Suggested fuel additive
- This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
- Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order
- Differences between a leak and seepage
- This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during...
2012 Volkswagen Touareg fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.0L 6‑cyl Diesel | AWD | 19 | 26 | 22 |
| 3.0L 6‑cyl Hybrid | AWD | 20 | 24 | 21 |
| 3.6L 6‑cyl | AWD | 16 | 23 | 19 |
What 2012 Volkswagen Touareg owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. The contact stated that the driver’s side seat belt unintendedly unlatched while driving at various speeds. Additionally, the contact stated that the clockspring was defective, causing several failures with the vehicle. The contact stated while tilting the steering wheel, the vehicle drifted away from the intended direction and the windshield wipers would activate to the fastest speed with windshield washer fluid spraying onto the windshield and the horn was blaring uncontrollably. The vehicle was taken to a dealer and the contact was provided an estimate for a diagnostic test. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 178,000.
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 the federal safety agency Campaign Number 17V151000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 119,000.
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.
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) .
There has been a substantial change/decrease in the performance of my 2012 touareg tdi resulting in significantly reduced fuel economy: previous avg fuel economy was approx 27mpg and is now barely averaging 16 mpg. Noticed continual decrease in car performance after taking my car in for general maintenance to garcia vw dealership in santa fe, nm on the following dates: 3/6/18: general maintenance (air/cabin/fuel/adblue maintenance/ and tire change) 4/17/18: replace a faulty radio which suddenly failed (dealership had car for 8 days) 6/7/18: clean up ad blue fuel spill in the rear spare tire compartment the engine now runs significantly louder and is revving up and surging at intervals. In addition to the substantial drop in fuel economy, the average speed/MPH has been locked at 13mph and dropped to 12mph on june 1, 2018. Change in engine behaviour: -engine runs louder and is revving up when idling,accelerating, breaking,downshifting -sounds like the fuel injection is sluggish when accelerating -steering wheel feels sluggish when turning right and accelerating through turns. Vibrating sound when turning. -starting ignition: longer pause for ignition to start after turning the key and foot is on brake. -suspension: suspension of the car rocks back and forth when braking and sounds like there's a tank sliding/ shifting in the rear when coming to a stop. When I initially heard this sound I opened the trunk/cargo area for the spare tire and found dried ad blue spilled all over the cargo area including dirty rags which had been used to wipe up adblue and stuffed in the bottom of the trunk. -air conditioner is emitting a very strong nauseating yeast odor that will not go away and isn't cooling efficiently. I havent authorized or approved any updates modifications to the vehicle re: the 3.0 liter gen epa/carb modifications: I suspect vehicle tampering.
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
Compare the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
Other model years
Questions about the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg reliable?
Owners have filed 28 complaints about the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, close to a typical Touareg model year.
What is the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg year score?
The 2012 Volkswagen Touareg scores 73 out of 100 (average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Volkswagen Touareg: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg?
Fuel and propulsion system, with 8 complaints, typically around 73,000 miles. Next is engine (6).
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg have?
2 recalls, covering unknown or other and service brakes, hydraulic.
What year does the Volkswagen Touareg have the most fuel system problems?
The Volkswagen Touareg model years with the most fuel system complaints are 2004 (33 complaints), 2008 (25 complaints) and 2005 (23 complaints).
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg get?
Official estimates for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg range from 19 to 22 mpg combined. The most efficient version (3.0L 6-cyl diesel, AWD) gets 19 city and 26 highway.
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