Every 2012 Volkswagen Touareg recall
Each campaign as NHTSA published it: what is wrong, what can happen, and the fix. Newest first.
Unknown Or Other · NHTSA 18V329000
May 16, 2018Unknown Or Other
- Problem
- 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.
- 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.
Full recall details for 18V329000 →Service Brakes, Hydraulic · NHTSA 16V170000
Mar 24, 2016Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Pedals and Linkages
- Problem
- 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.
- 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 number for this recall is 46G4.
Full recall details for 16V170000 →Hybrid Propulsion System · NHTSA 16V035000
Jan 25, 2016Hybrid Propulsion System
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2015 Touareg Hybrid vehicles manufactured March 20, 2010, to April 11, 2015. The hybrid battery tray may not drain water sufficiently. If water collects in the hybrid battery tray, it may cause an electrical short in the high voltage battery.
- Risk
- An electrical short in the high voltage battery increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a fitted drain valve to allow water to drain properly, free of charge. The recall began late February 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this 53B8.
Full recall details for 16V035000 →Fuel System, Gasoline · NHTSA 15V019000
Jan 20, 2015Fuel System, Gasoline:Fuel Injection System:Fuel Rail
- Problem
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2011-2012 Audi S4, S5, Q7, 2012 Audi A6, Volkswagen Touareg Hybrid, and 2012-2013 Audi A7 vehicles. In the affected vehicles the fuel injection system may experience a fuel leak.
- Risk
- A fuel leak in the injection system in the presence of an ignition source, increases the risk of a fire.
- Fix
- Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the fuel rails and corresponding seals, free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2015. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 24AP for Audi customers and 24BK for Volkswagen customers.
Full recall details for 15V019000 →
2012 Volkswagen Touareg complaints and service bulletins
Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, reporting 1 crashes, 3 injuries. Volkswagen has issued at least 973 technical service bulletins (repair instructions to dealers) for this model year. Complaints are unverified owner reports; a recall is the manufacturer’s admission of a safety defect.
Most-reported components
- Fuel/Propulsion System6
- Engine5
- Steering5
- Electrical System4
- Power Train3
- Air Bags2
Service bulletins by component
- Equipment (471)
- Electrical System (273)
- Engine and Engine Cooling (245)
- Engine (139)
- Power Train (101)
- Unknown Or Other (78)
Read Volkswagen Touareg owner complaints and bulletins, every year
NHTSA defect investigations covering the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation lists this model year in 2 investigations. An investigation is not a recall; it is how NHTSA decides whether one is needed.
- Pedestrian alert sounds
DP22005Opened Jan 27, 2023Closed Aug 7, 2023
- High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
EA11003Opened Feb 7, 2011Closed Mar 27, 2015
What people reported
Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg. A few in their own words, shortened. Complaints are unverified and are not proof of a defect or of any recall.
Injury reportedCrash
“WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY 24 AIRBAG SPONTANEOUSLY DEPLOYED AND I WAS INVOLVED IN MVA. FRONT END OF VW TOUREG SMASHED INTO CONCRETE CENTER POST. TRAVELING ABOUT 65 MPH.”
2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREGSep 13, 2016
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10906075
Injury reported
“THE POWER SEAT KNOB/SWITCH DESIGN CAUSES THE SEAT BACK TO RECLINE WHEN ENTERING AND EXITING THE VEHICLE. ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS I HAVE FALLEN/SLID BACK INTO THE SEAT WHEN EXITING BECAUSE THE SEAT BACK WOULD RECLINE.”
2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREGAug 21, 2013
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 10536605
“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".”
2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREGMar 23, 2026 · AZ
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11726250
“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.”
2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREGFeb 20, 2025
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11643863
“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.”
2012 VOLKSWAGEN TOUAREGDec 27, 2024
Complaint filed with NHTSA, not verified by the agency · NHTSA complaint 11632714
Check your Touareg by VIN
Not every 2012 Volkswagen Touareg is in every recall. Enter your 17-character VIN to see the recalls on record for your exact vehicle, then confirm which are still open at NHTSA.gov or with any Volkswagen dealer.
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