2012 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
The Volkswagen Tiguan (German pronunciation: ) is a series of cars produced by German manufacturer Volkswagen since 2007, sitting between the smaller T-Roc and the larger Touareg in the company's crossover SUV range. The first generation was based on the PQ46 platform, while the second generation, released in 2016, utilizes the Volkswagen Group MQB A2 platform. It is generally considered to be a medium-sized SUV in Europe, while in North America it is considered to be a compact crossover.
The name Tiguan is a portmanteau of the German words Tiger ("tiger") and Leguan ("iguana") and won a naming contest by German car magazine publisher Auto Bild—from a field of names that also included Namib, Rockton, Samun and Nanuk.
As of the spring of 2020, six million units had been sold worldwide, with 910,926 units being manufactured in 2019 alone, making the Tiguan the best-selling car overall in the Volkswagen Group. It was also the best-selling SUV in Europe.
Its larger counterparts include the Tiguan Allspace, a long-wheelbase family-oriented version of the Tiguan with three-row seating, and the Tiguan X, a coupé SUV.
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Common 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
The Volkswagen Tiguan 2012 has several common problems that have been reported by owners. Here are some of the most significant issues:
- Engine Issues: The Volkswagen Tiguan is known to have a number of issues with its engine and powertrain. Some of the most common problems include issues with the throttle body, turbocharger, carbon deposits, and timing chain tensioner. One of the most telling signs of engine problems is the check engine light, which could be triggered by a number of things, such as engine misfiring, faulty oxygen sensors, issues with the catalytic converter, and defective airflow sensors.
- Throttle Body Issues: Throttle body issues are prevalent in both early and newer Volkswagen Tiguans. The signs of such issues include rough idling, RPM fluctuations, and the check engine light. A malfunctioning throttle body can cause your car to perform poorly, especially during low-speed cruising.
- Turbocharger Issues: The turbocharger is known to malfunction or fail in many Volkswagen Tiguans. Some owners have reported that their cars experience a severe lack of power or struggle to maintain motorway speeds. If you hear the engine overworking, it could be a sign of a malfunctioning turbocharger. These issues are so common that Volkswagen owners have even petitioned for the company to initiate a recall.
- Carbon Deposits: Volkswagen Tiguans have a known engine design fault, which results in carbon buildup. This can cause black smoke from the exhaust, failing sensors, and poor performance. The TSI direct engine injection engine used in the Tiguan is especially prone to carbon buildup, leading to issues such as power loss, rough idling, hard starts, decreased acceleration, and misfires. To address carbon buildup, the intake manifold, intake ports on the cylinder head, and intake valves should be cleaned thoroughly.
- Timing Chain Issues: One of the most frustrating and expensive issues that a Volkswagen Tiguan can experience is related to its timing system. The timing chain tensioner, which is made of plastic, tends to fail in many Volkswagen Tiguans. If you hear rattling or misfiring while idling, your timing system may be failing. If you notice a check engine light accompanied by contaminated engine oil, it may be a sign of a timing chain issue.
- Hesitation When Accelerating: One of the most concerning issues with the Tiguan is hesitation when accelerating. According to owners, this issue is severe and erratic, making it dangerous to drive on the motorway. The problem is that this issue does not show any diagnostic trouble codes. However, it is often caused by a fuel/air mixture that is too lean, which can be caused by a failed mass airflow sensor, faulty fuel pump, failed throttle position sensor, or dirty/failing fuel injectors.
- Electrical Issues: Another common problem with the VW Tiguan is related to various electrical systems. Many owners have reported problems with the exterior lights, infotainment screen, and rearview camera.
- Exterior Lights Issues: These issues include low and high beams failing, issues with the sunroof ambient lighting bar, and issues with the taillights. Some of these issues were common enough to prompt VW to issue recalls to fix them.
- Infotainment System Issues: Infotainment screen issues are a particular problem with newer Volkswagen Tiguan models, where the system freezes or goes blank completely. These issues can often be resolved by resetting or updating the system to the newest version. However, VW did recall the Tiguan back in 2018 because the cluster can fail and not remind you that your key is still in the ignition.
- Burning Oil: Burning oil is another problem Tiguan owners have experienced. A common problem with Tiguan models, mainly from 2018, is that the engine continually needs oil adding, leaving owners confused and worried as they burn through oil at an alarming rate. Although VW dealers have reportedly been telling customers they consider it acceptable for their cars to burn through a quart this simply isn’t good enough. This problem has been linked to bad cylinder seals.
- Rearview Camera: Rearview camera issues are a reasonably regular sight with many modern-day VW models and it seems like the Tiguan is no exception. Volkswagen even issued two recalls to combat this issue.
These are some of the most common problems reported by Volkswagen Tiguan owners. It is essential to be aware of these issues and consider them before purchasing a Tiguan. Regular maintenance and timely repairs can help prevent these problems from becoming more severe and costly.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 VW Tiguan?
Timing Chain Issues
One of the most frustrating and expensive issues that a Volkswagen Tiguan can experience is related to its timing system. The timing chain tensioner, which is made of plastic, tends to fail in many Volkswagen Tiguans. If you hear rattling or misfiring while idling, your timing system may be failing.
How many miles can a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan last?
With proper maintenance, the VW Tiguan has been known to exceed 200000 miles without too much trouble, so there is no need to worry about being stranded far from home. You'll have a great experience owning a Volkswagen Tiguan.
Is A Tiguan A Good car to buy?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has one of the simplest recipes of any family SUV. It looks good without being too in-yer-face, is spacious without being intimidating to drive in town, and has a lovely interior without being so posh you're scared to get your kids' grubby figures anywhere near it.
Are there any recalls on 2012 VW Tiguan?
Summary: 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.
What is the most common problem with the 2012 VW Tiguan?
Timing Chain Issues
One of the most frustrating and expensive issues that a Volkswagen Tiguan can experience is related to its timing system. The timing chain tensioner, which is made of plastic, tends to fail in many Volkswagen Tiguans. If you hear rattling or misfiring while idling, your timing system may be failing.
How many miles can a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan last?
With proper maintenance, the VW Tiguan has been known to exceed 200000 miles without too much trouble, so there is no need to worry about being stranded far from home. You'll have a great experience owning a Volkswagen Tiguan.
Is A Tiguan A Good car to buy?
The Volkswagen Tiguan has one of the simplest recipes of any family SUV. It looks good without being too in-yer-face, is spacious without being intimidating to drive in town, and has a lovely interior without being so posh you're scared to get your kids' grubby figures anywhere near it.
Is the VW Tiguan expensive to repair?
The average total annual cost for repairs and maintenance on a Volkswagen Tiguan is $730, compared to an average of $521 for compact SUVs and $652 for all vehicle models.
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan car problems categorized by type of issue
After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Volkswagen Tiguan problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:
- Engine problems
- Air bags problems
- Electrical system problems
- Unknown or other problems
- Steering problems
The graph below shows statistics for all 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicle components and the number of complaints received.
Latest 25 complaints 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
The NHTSA has received 146 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-30
- VIN: WVGAV7AX3CW
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The contact was able to coast to the side of the road to restart the vehicle. The contact stated that several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent and had occurred at various speeds. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic to be diagnosed or repaired. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V441000 (Fuel System, Gasoline). The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 143,000.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2024-07-22
- VIN: WVGBV7AX8CW
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: I was accelerating on the highway when my engine started making a rattling sound and the check engine light came on. I took my car into a specialty European auto shop and they determined my timing chain and tensioner needed replacing. The price is going to be over $5k and there are only 113,763 miles. I’ve always taken my car to a VW dealership for scheduled maintenance. As others have mentioned I never received a notice about this problem earlier from VW.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-10-10
- VIN: WVGBV7AX6CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
- Summary: Sunroof lets water in and floods in car causing electrical problems, mold, rust, ruining roof interior and carpets. The air bag and horn stopped working and clock spring needs to be replaced. I had no prior warning of that these problems would occur. I have spent thousands of dollars in repairs for electrical trying to figure out why the car stopped working and also how water was getting into car when there is no leaks around the sunroof. This puts the safety of my family as well as others on the road when my car breaks down. I wasn't able to drive my car for months during the winter because the area around the fuel tank froze from rain water sitting in area unknown.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-09-18
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WVGBV7AX8CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES
- Summary: I made a report on 11/1/19 about issues with my vehicle due to a manufactures defect that the panoramic roof drains did not drain properly and water leaked throughout the vehicle. Please refer to ODI# 41277589 and Ref.# 238025. This is a known issue with these vehicles and should have been recalled by volkswagon. On September 18, 2023 my daughter got into an accident because the vehicle shut off and couldn't stop. Air bags never went off either. It has officially been determined that there was in fact an electrical short.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-09-15
- VIN: WVGAV7AX9CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the instrument panel display turned on and turned off intermittently. The contact continued driving at an unknown speed. The contact had since experienced failures related to the electrical system, with the interior and exterior lights not working as needed, the door open indicator malfunctioning, and the infotainment unit not working as needed. There were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer or an independent mechanic. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 154,000.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-06-28
- VIN: WVGAV7AX3CW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Steering wheel lock every time I start the engine.
STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-01
- VIN: WVGAV7AX9CW
- Components: STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
- Summary: While making a uturn my neighborhood with steering wheel turned to the left I started to hear and feel a "clicking and grinding" noise in steering wheel. Moments later, the airbag error light illuminated on dash and has not turned off. Front driver airbag error, airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. Horn no longer works. Steering wheel controls do not work. Airbag error warning light displayed on dash and alarms during vehicle ignition. Clock spring seems to be defective and complete power steering failure has happened on multiple occasions, in very dangerous and inconvenient situations (i.e getting on the freeway). Once the engine and computer is powered down and restarted, no longer power steering failure for the time being. No active recall but all sources say this is the recall that has been covered previously. Car is unsafe to drive.
AIR BAGS,SEATS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-04-10
- VIN: WVGBV7AX6CW
- Components: AIR BAGS,SEATS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: Water pump melted and needed to be replaced, car won't start, airbag light is on and clock spring needed to be replaced, heated seat gets extremely hot on driver's side when turned on.
TIRES PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2023-03-11
- VIN: WVGAV7AXXCW
- Components: TIRES
- Summary: Tires had 17,000 miles on them. Tire pressure was checked 6 days prior to tire failure. Tire failure occurred on 3/11/23. My 19 year old daughter and two friends were driving on I-26 just east of Columbia, SC, when the tire sidewalls spontaneously failed. The TPMS is functional and never alerted the driver to low tire pressure. I contacted Continental Tire and provided them photos, and they have brushed it off saying that the tire was driven with low tire pressure. Continental Tire recalled 94,000 tires during the same time frame that these tires were manufactured due to sidewall failures. As noted in my correspondence with Continental Tire, there was a hairline crack in the rim which Discount Tire said may have caused the low tire pressure. The TPMS did not go off - the crack in the rim was a result of my 19 year old daughter trying to get to safety while driving at 70 MPH on I-26.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-11-01
- VIN: WVGBV7AX2CW
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: The front headlight does not work on one side but the high beam and running lights still work on both sides. Might be an issue with the ballast or electrical system. A few days later my car would not start in the morning. The engine would crank but never start. There were no warning lights or signs of anything not working correctly. Seems like it might be because of the timing system either the belt/chain or the tensioner. Have to get cared towed to shop to have inspected and prices for repairs are very high. I've owned this vehicle for only 3 months.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-05-05
- VIN: WVGAV7AX0CW
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: Ignition Coil failed while on highway. Car hesitated , shook, and and slowed down. Created dangerous situation where we had to merge across to get off highway.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-04-26
- VIN: WVGBV7AX1CW
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Pulling out of parking space with steering wheel turned to the left. Heard and felt a "click/grind" in steering wheel and airbag error light illuminated on dash.Front driver airbag error, airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. Horn does not work. Steering wheel controls do not work. Airbag error warning light displayed on dash and alarms during vehicle ignition. Clock spring defective. Problem was confirmed with independent service center and dealership. VW of America notified. Clock spring is covered under warranty but is on an indefinite national back order, could be months, years or eternity. Car is unsafe to drive without resolution from dealer or Volkswagen.
AIR BAGS PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2022-03-25
- VIN: WVGBV7AX3CW
- Components: AIR BAGS
- Summary: Bought vehicle used--had apparently been taken in at some point prior to our purchase for clock spring recall. Clock spring has failed and cannot find replacement part at any US-based source. Driver's airbag now deactivated.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-31
- VIN: WVGBV7AX9CW
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: At 77k miles the engine's timing chain jumped a tooth or two at startup. This seems to have destroyed the engine. Prior to that: no problems. My DTC scanner said the cam timing was off. VW wanted $25k to fix it after having it towed in. It sounded like rocks in a coffee can. It had just come from Chicago to visit and my son was stranded. I had to put him on a train home. I now am putting in a used engine for $9500 & it is going to take several weeks. When I looked on the internet I see this has been described as "a ticking time bomb". (REF Jalopnik.com). There was a class action law suit, but I guess --- since we had not had an issue--- redress was over. Still... 77k miles.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-12-03
- VIN: WVGAV7AX1CW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: unexpectedly power steering stop working, second it happened
UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-06-01
- VIN: wvgbv7ax9cw
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: Our daughter's veh. has mold in the rt front & rt rear seat flooring. The inside of the windshield has water to the point that it is very hard to see out of it at night and the pano. glass roof also has water inside of the suv as well. We have taken the veh. to (2) glass shops & a body shop & they are saying this is a safety & defect issue with this model. We researched on this & there are thousand of consumers who have the same complaints & concerns about the mold that this has caused & also many cases electrical issues inside this model suv. no matter what year same issues. We also know of a relative same thing same model & leakage as well and luckily hers so far no mold as of yet. Our daughter cannot use this suv due to the mold & is forced to use another veh. to get to college. We have video and photos showing the water in the veh & inside the rt windows during the night & day time. We have tried getting this resolved & have done all we could in so far as also going to the dealership but they did not want to hear it nor their VW "Care" dept. as well they just stated to contact NHTSA as our veh. could be included as again there are numerous complaints on this issue. Please let us know what is needed from us to investigate this. I can be reached at [XXX] or email us at [XXX]. ***Thank you so very much for any assistance you can provide us on this.*** Sincerely concerned parent INFORMATION Redacted PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-05-06
- VIN: WVGAV7AX1CW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: Power steering malfunction, it’s a serious safety concern reason why being there is no indication or warning of steering problem. Before The steering stop working. Went online to see if there is a recall and there was none. Seen a lot of report on the same situation.
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2021-02-13
- VIN: WVGAV7AX6CW
- Components: FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
- Summary: AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF, THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTED TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS DOESN'T POPS OFF AND GASOLINE LEAKS ALL OVER MY ENGINE. THIS STARTED HAPPENS REPEATEDLY NOW. WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR, IT IS FILLED WITH THE SMELL OF THE GASOLINE THAT IS LEAKING BECAUSE THE HOSE DOESN'T STAY ON THE FUEL PUMP. I HAVE TO POP OPEN MY HOOD AND SLIDE THE HOSE ONTO THE FUEL PUMP BEFORE I START DRIVING. I'VE TRIED USING DIFFERENT BRACKETS TO KEEP THE HOSE TIGHT ON THE FUEL PUMP, HOWEVER, THE HOSE KEEPS ON FALLING OFF. I'M NOT SURE WHAT ELSE I CAN DO, AND I CAN'T IMAGINE HOW DANGEROUS IT IS THAT THERE ARE POOLS OF GASOLINE SITTING AROUND MY ENGINE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-11-30
- VIN: WVGBV7AX8CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WATER IS LEAKING FROM THE SUNROOM ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WHEN IT RAINS. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS SOAKING THE AREA AROUND THE ELECTRONICS, AND HAS FLOODED THE FOOTWELLS OF THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, NOW THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HVAC SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY AND I CANNOT DE-FOG THE ENTIRE RIGHT SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD WHILE DRIVING. THERE IS ALSO SIGNIFICANT MOLD BUILD UP FROM THE DAMP AREAS, AND IT DOESN'T SEEM LIKE A GOOD IDEA TO BREATHE THAT IN. WATER DRIPS AND SOAKS THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE WHEN STATIONARY OR IN MOTION IN THE RAIN. LEAK HAS BEEN GETTING PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER THE LAST SEVERAL MONTHS.
STEERING PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-10-15
- VIN: WVGBV7AX5CW
- Components: STEERING
- Summary: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL DIFFERENT OCCASIONS WHERE THE RACK AND PINION, STEERING ANGLE SENSOR, CLOCKSPRING, AND THE POWER STEERING CONTROL MODULE WERE ALL REPLACED. THE COMPUTER SOFTWARE IN THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO UPDATE HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED SHORTLY AFTER EACH REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
VISIBILITY/WIPER PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-01
- VIN: WVGAV7AX8CW
- Components: VISIBILITY/WIPER
- Summary: FAULTY AND FAILING DRAINS IN ALL 4 CORNERS OF PANORAMIC SUN ROOF HAVE CAUSED EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE ON PILLARS, HEADLINER, CARPET, PAD AND SEATS IN FRONT AND BACK SEAT, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. MOISTURE INSIDE OF CABIN CREATES FOGGED WINDSHIELD AND UNKNOWN POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL DAMAGE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-22
- VIN: WVGBV7AX8CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Summary: WE ALREADY HAD A PRIOR COMPLAINT IN ABOUT THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE ODI# 412775589 REF# 238025. WE SAID IT WAS AFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE CAR. TODAY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION STARTER BUTTON DUE TO THE CONDENSATION. WE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED VOLKSWAGON PRIOR TO THIS, BUT THEY JUST IGNORE THE ISSUE.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-07-20
- VIN: WVGBV7AX0CW
- Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,UNKNOWN OR OTHER,ENGINE
- Summary: I'VE ONLY OWNED THE VW TIGUAN 2012 FOR 6 MONTHS, JANUARY 2020 AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, ALL POWER LOST AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 8 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, 2 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, IT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YESTERDAY JULY 20,2020 WHILE DRIVING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION.
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2019-10-01
- Crash: 1
- VIN: WVGAV7AX9CW
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: GRADUAL COOLANT LEAK WITH DEALERSHIP KNOWLEDGE UPON SALE OF THE CAR (44,000 MILES). REFILL OVERFLOW EVERY 8 TO 10 MONTHS. LEAK UNKNOWN. HAD TO INCREASE REFILLING GRADUALLY OVER TIME, THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO USE FROM WORK IN 2016. INCREASED TO ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS 2017. FILL EVERY WEEK OR TWO FROM 2018 TO 2019....DAILY SINCE LATE 2019 TO NOW. ENGINE DOES NOT OVER HEAT. REFILLING OVER FLOW COOLANT TANK EVERY TIME I NEED TO DRIVE THE CAR. I HAVE TO TURN ON THE CAR, POP THE HOOD, AND SEE HOW MUCH IT GOES BELOW THE MINIMUM LINE. THEN FILL TO MAXIMUM. DAILY REFILL STARTED AROUND OCTOBER 2019. RECEIVED TRANSMISSION FLUSH AND FUEL INDUCTION SERVICE. MECHANIC SAID I NEED A WATER PUMP AND RADIATOR. HE THOUGHT THE RECALL WOULD COVER MY CAR BUT SAID MY VIN WASN'T SHOWING A DEFECT. I'M NOT SURE WHY IT'S NOT. DEALERSHIP KNEW ABOUT THE LEAK UPON THE SALE OF THE CAR. HELP!! I HAD NO IDEA THE LEAK WAS GOING TO GET WORSE. THE DEALERSHIP MADE IT SOUND LIKE SOMETHING MINOR I JUST HAD TO DEAL WITH. *TR
ENGINE PROBLEM
- Date Of Incident: 2020-05-07
- VIN: WVGAV7AX1CW
- Components: ENGINE
- Summary: THE VEHICLE CHECKS ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT OFTEN APPEAR IN THE PANEL, EVEN AFTER CHANGE THE OIL AND THE CAR SHOW NO LEAKING. THE OIL WAS CHANGED ALWAYS BY VW, WHO NEVER DETECTED ANY PROBLEM, EVEN WHEN THE PAPER THEY GAVE TO US SAYS, 'OUR TECHNICIAN HAS INSPECTED YOUR VEHICLE'. WE LEFT THE CAR IN VW SERVICE WE RECEIVED THE DIAGNOSTIC: "REPLACE TIMING CHAIN AND TURBO." BY THE WAY, THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THEY REPLACE THE TURBO: ORIGINAL ONE, AND 2 REPLACEMENT. AFTER THEY CHANGE THE TURBO, THEY DISCOVERED A NEW PROBLEM WITH CAMSHAFT. OUR CAR HAS THE MPP COVERAGE, THE LAST OWNER HAS TOO. ALL THE REPAIR AND OIL CHANGE NEVER BE MADE BY OUTSIDE OF VW. THIS COST TO OUR COVERAGE AND FOR US A LOT OF MONEY AND WE SPEND A LOT OF TIME WITHOUT THE CAR. WE WOULD DO LIKE AN ANSWER FROM VW ABOUT THIS SITUATION BECAUSE THE CAR STILL HAS A PROBLEM WITH VIBRATION. *TR
2012 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has issued 3 recalls for different components of the 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: 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.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
- Components: AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Summary: 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 the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
- Consequence: 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.
- Remedy: 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 will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
- Manufacturer: Volkswagen of America, Inc.
- Components: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
- Summary: 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.
- Consequence: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Remedy: 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.
Negative 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan car reviews
Positive 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan car reviews
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The Tiguan sales brochure advertises
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Living on a mountain, I needed a SUV with four wheel drive but didn't need a big vehicle. After test driving a range of small SUVs, I found that the Tiguan was the perfect size and outperformed most of the cars I looked at. I've come to really enjoy driving the Tiguan because it's so much smoother over bumps and quieter than my last car. I appreciate the firm but comfortable feel of the suspension and steering, making it a great car for traversing the mountain's bends and curves. Once the turbo kicks in, the car has plenty of power and lots of low-end torque, making it easy to get up and down the hill. I now understand why people who own VWs love driving them - they're fun!
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This is an excellent SUV with great build quality, fun driving experience, and practicality. It also has that classic Volkswagen feel. However, it's worth noting that VW has made significant changes to the shift pattern of the transmission for 2012. Some drivers have reported that the car tries too hard to be in the highest possible gear, like 5th or 6th gear, between 30-35 MPH. This can result in severe lugging of the engine, causing the vehicle to shudder and shake. Additionally, it can make an annoying low-pitched rumbling sound at these speeds. If you're considering this car, we recommend taking it for a test drive and paying attention to how it feels at speeds around 30-35 MPH to see if the shaking and shuddering bothers you. Overall, this is a great SUV that's definitely worth considering.
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I'm so glad I purchased the 2012 Tiguan after seeing it at the dealer. It looks fantastic and the interior is reminiscent of Audi's high-end models. The radio and navigation system are both very cool and easy to use. The interior is top-notch and the car drives incredibly well, handling bumps and ruts with ease. With great acceleration and sporty handling, it's a joy to drive. According to the Tiguan's computer, I'm averaging an impressive 27.8 mpg combined. I would definitely consider purchasing another one in the future. The only thing I would suggest is offering the LED/Xenon headlights on the SE model as an option.
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We have a 2012 Tiguan. It rides well, has great acceleration and performance, and superior braking in its early years (although it's just okay now in 2018). The rear seat is satisfactory, but not great, and there is very limited cargo space. While the mileage may not match reported values, it's probably typical for this class of vehicle. Although we haven't experienced many of the reported problems, particularly related to performance, the Tiguan does age well. However, expect numerous expensive repairs. Specifically, the drain tubes that empty the water pan, a feature that collects condensation, can clog and cause water to back up into the interior, which is an expensive fix. The water pump is also sure to fail. The most critical and expensive repair is the turbocharger. The dealership first diagnosed this as a faulty turbo oil diverter valve, which is a fairly reasonable fix. However, when the diverter doesn't correct the problem, the dealership claims the entire turbo must be replaced, and of course, this does not fix the problem. The turbo job is a long, deep engine, expensive fix, costing over $2000. While the Tiguan looks great, handles well, and has very good performance in its early life, my suggestion is to not buy this vehicle. There are many choices in this class, so keep looking.
Other years of Volkswagen Tiguan
Are you having problems with your 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Jed Sipes 2024-08-20
The transmission struggles a bit on hills, but some drivers have reported that it adjusts to their driving style over time. In my experience, I haven't noticed much of a difference since I started driving mine in November. Unfortunately, you can't open just the back windows without a lot of noise and shaking. I'm not sure if this is a common issue with SUVs/CUVs. The sound system could use some improvement - to my ears, it sounds a bit hollow and echoey no matter how much I adjust it. Additionally, the radio, CD player, satellite radio, and Bluetooth audio input all play at slightly different volume levels, which can be a bit frustrating to constantly adjust. The ride is decent, but not exactly cushy.
Manuela Stark 2024-08-11
This is the first and last time I will choose a VW Tiguan. Its complicated electronics system and frequent dashboard lights have caused me big expenses.
Doris Kemmer 2024-06-28
I'm saying goodbye to the VW brand after two years with my Tiguan. It's been a frustrating experience, reminding me of my old 15-year-old Honda Accord which needed fewer service visits. I'm eagerly waiting for my lease to expire so I can move on from this vehicle. I feel fortunate that I won't have to own one any longer.
Garnet Gusikowski 2024-04-22
The first 17,000 miles were pretty easy, and I didn't have anything out of the ordinary to report. However, since then, I've had to bring it in 4 times. Once was for the 20,000 mile service, another time for a broken media cord, and another time for the car stalling at low speeds. Currently, I'm having an issue with the air vent on the passenger side being stuck on, causing cold air to constantly flood the cabin. Additionally, the car has been stalling again at low speeds and failing to rev past 4000 rpm's, which creates a
Lawrence Zulauf 2024-04-19
It has great looks! However, the acceleration is quite sluggish and the engine makes a lot of noise while picking up speed. Additionally, the electronic gas pedal is very stiff and sluggish.