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2012 Volkswagen Tiguan LE

The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan LE is a 200-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-4 with a 6-speed automatic and front-wheel drive. It starts at $25,175 MSRP and is rated at 24 mpg combined.

It makes 200 horsepower at 5,100 rpm and 207 lb-ft of torque at 1700 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 22 mpg city and 26 mpg highway (24 mpg combined).

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$25,175 ($35,635 *)
MSRP with Destination$25,995 ($36,796 *)
Destination Charge$820
Engine
Engine Type2.0L DOHC 16-valve turbocharged TSI inline-4
Displacement2 L
Horsepower200 hp @ 5,100 rpm
Torque207 lb-ft @ 1700 rpm
ValvetrainDOHC 16-valve
Bore and Stroke82.5 x 92.8
Compression Ratio9.6:1
Injection TypeDirect injection (TSI)
Drivetrain
Drive TypeFront-wheel drive
Transmission
Transmission6-speed automatic
Fuel Economy
City22 MPG
Highway26 MPG
Combined24 MPG
Recommended FuelPremium unleaded gasoline
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★ (18.5 % risk)
Tested variant: 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD
Other tested variants (1)
  • 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD: overall not rated

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen TIGUAN. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

May 16, 2018 · UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

NHTSA campaign 18V329000

Aug 4, 2015 · AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

NHTSA campaign 15V483000

Jul 21, 2014 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

NHTSA campaign 14V441000

153 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen TIGUAN

Owner Complaints

153 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2012 Volkswagen TIGUAN (10 mention a crash, 5 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Engine50
Air Bags33
Electrical System23
Steering21
Unknown Or Other20
Fuel/Propulsion System12
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 27, 2026 · Steering
“A couple of weeks now my steering wheel has been locking while I’m driving, sadly I thought it was because I needed to get my car serviced. This morning my steering wheel locked out of nowhere as I…”
Nov 2, 2025 · Steering
“Steering wheel gets locked up while driving; power steering fails. The red steering light turns on. This is a problem that happens to several Tiguans. There were no prior symptoms prior to failure…”
Aug 28, 2025 · Steering
“I was driving the car and the steering wheel locked out of nowhere A red steering light came on the dashboard. I’ve never seen before”
Aug 25, 2025 · Engine
“The contact owns a 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the vehicle was experiencing excessive oil consumption. Additionally, while driving at 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact was…”
Apr 10, 2025 · Air Bags
“The clockspring has failed and there are recalls on similar models of Tiguans of the same year.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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