2012 Volkswagen Tiguan Problems

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 able to pull over to the side of the road. The vehicle was able to restart. The check engine, EPC, and TPMS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated that the failure had been recurring while driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed with engine failure. The contact was informed that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to the cost. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.

What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? Defective Primary Engine Water Pump, yes. The original primary engine water pump system for a 2012 VW Tiguan 2.0 was replaced under the VW extended warranty in 2020 by an authorized dealer as a the result of the class action suit---please see Water Pump Class Action and Limited Warranty Extension bulletin issued by NHTSA. The replacement primary engine water pump system installed in 2020 has been found to be defective in March 2025 and the primary engine water pump requires replacement a second time -- without a warranty extension and less than five years from the date of service of the replacement under the Water Pump Class Action and Limited Warranty Extension issued by NHTSA. VW is still using defective primary engine water pump systems throughout the warranty period----does the NHTSA have any evidence that VW made modifications to the primary engine water pump system after the bulletin issued by NHTSA? Was it a requirement that VW modify the primary engine water pump system? I have been informed that no changes were made to the VW primary engine water pump that was used to replace defective primary engine water pump systems as a result of the Water Pump Class Action and Limited Warranty Extension. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? A defective primary engine water pump is a safety risk because it creates a potential for engine failure. Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The problem has been confirmed by an authorized VW dealer. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? UNKNOWN Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? Indicator warning lights on dash--RED.

The clockspring has failed and there are recalls on similar models of Tiguans of the same year.

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.

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.

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.

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. This is extremely dangerous and difficult to deal with while driving, especially on the freeway. please help.

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

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.

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.

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.

INTERMITTENTLY POWER STEERING WOULD NOT ENGAGE WHEN THE CAR WAS STARTED. TURNED THE CAR OFF AFTER GETTING THE STEERING WHEEL TO LOCK AND POWER STEERING CAME BACK.. LATER NOTICED THE STEERING WAS LOOSE AND WOULD THE STEERING WHEEL WOULD OSCILLATE RAPIDLY. PROBLEM BECAME MORE FREQUENT OVER TWO WEEKS. TOOK TO DEALERSHIP AND THEY DIAGNOSED AS STEERING MODULE NEEDED REPROGRAMMING. PROBLEM RETURNED THE NEXT DAY AFTER BRAKE VACUUM PUMP WAS REPLACED FOR ~$500. REPAIR NOW DIAGNOSED AS REPLACE STEERING RACK AND WIRING MODULE. CAR HAS 112K MILES MOSTLY HIGHWAY DRIVING. NO OFF ROAD DRIVING. VW SAYS BEYOND WARRANTY NOT THEIR PROBLEM. $2200 TO REPAIR. SORRY BUT STEERING IS A FUNDAMENTAL ASPECT OF DRIVING A CAR. WILL MY CAR STILL BE SAFE TO DRIVE?

THERE WAS NO CRASH OR PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO MY VEHICLE, AIRBAG SYSTEM IS MALFUNCTIONING. FOR ABOUT A WEEK NOW, "ERROR: AIRBAG" MESSAGE IS SHOWN UP ON DASHBOARD AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT HAS TURNED ON. IN ADDITION TO THAT, EVEN I BUCKLED UP, WHEN I MAKE A RIGHT TURN SEAT BELT ALARM IS BEEPING AND SEAT BELT LIGHT HAS TURNED ON WHILE I AM DRIVING. I AM CONCERNING ABOUT THIS SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I AM DRIVING MY CAR EVERYDAY WITH POTENTIAL THREAT OF ACCIDENT WITHOUT AIRBAGS BEING DEPLOYED.

IN OUR 2012 VW TIGUAN SEL, THE DRIVER SIDE SHOULDER SEAT BELT WOULD REMAIN AND/OR ENGAGE IN A LOCKED POSITION INCORRECTLY. THIS WOULD CREATE A VERY DANGEROUS AND STRESSFUL SITUATION FOR US. IT WOULD PREVENT US FROM BEING ABLE TO STRAP IN (WHICH IS ALSO A LAW IN OUR STATE). WE WOULD PULL ON THE DRIVER SIDE SEAT BELT AND IT WOULD LOCK'MAYBE GETTING A FEW INCHES OF SLACK AND CLEARLY NOT ENOUGH TO STRAP YOURSELF IN. THE VEHICLE COULD EITHER BE ON OR OFF WHEN THIS OCCURS. IN ADDITION, IF YOU WERE ABLE TO FINAGLE THE SEAT BELT OUT, SLOWLY AND PATIENTLY WHILE IT CONTINUALLY LOCKS AND GAINING ENOUGH SLACK TO STRAP YOURSELF IN AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS, IT COULD INCORRECTLY LOCK WHILE YOU ARE DRIVING PREVENTING YOU FROM MOVING YOUR TORSO AROUND TO PROPERLY CHECK BLIND SPOTS, MIRRORS, ETC. OUR SITUATION QUICKLY GOT WORSE TO THE POINT WHERE WE COULDN'T EVEN GET ENOUGH SLACK TO STRAP OURSELVES IN AND WERE FORCED TO DRIVE WITHOUT A SEAT BELT. WE HAD NO CHOICE BUT TO GET THIS FIXED AND PAYED THE DEALERSHIP OVER $600. WE WAITED SEVERAL DAYS FOR THE 'FAULTY PIN MECHANISM/ASSEMBLY' AND PART TO ARRIVE AT THE DEALERSHIP BECAUSE THEY SAID IT'S NOT A COMMON PART THEY KEEP IN STOCK AS IT'S NOT SOMETHING THEY TYPICALLY HAVE TO FIX. THIS IS CORRECT, A SEAT BELT ASSEMBLY/DESIGN SHOULD NEVER FAIL! I'VE VISITED FORUMS ONLINE AND READ ABOUT OTHER 2012 VW TIGUAN OWNERS WITH THE SAME ISSUE. PLEASE RECALL THIS TO AVOID ANYONE FROM GETTING SERIOUSLY HURT.

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS FAULT: ABS/STABILIZATION CONTROL. TIRE PRESSURE ERROR AND AIRBAG ERROR WHEN DRIVING AND CAR BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. *TR

WHILE RIDING ON THE EXPRESSWAY WITH MY WIFE DRIVING, EVERYTHING ON THE DASHBOARD AS WELL AS THE RADIO STARTED FLICKERING ON AND OFF THEN WE LOST POWER STEERING. JUST ABOUT EVERY CODE LITE UP FROM THE ENGINE LIGHT, BRAKE LIGHT AND GOT A MESSAGE SAYING EPC & ABS FAILURE.

I HAVE VW TIGUAN, 2012 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER, THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR IS INCONSISTENT. TOOK TO DEALER TO TAKE A LOOK BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO AFFECT MULTIPLE OWNERS AND MULTIPLE TIGUAN MODELS, AS SEEN HERE IN THIS FORUM DISCUSSION: HTTPS://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?9237567-VERY-DELAYED-ACCELERATION-NO-FIX

IN JAN 2018 WITH LESS THEN 58K MILES ON IT MY 2012 TIGUAN STARTED LOSING COOLANT. I WAS DRIVING AND THE THERMOSTAT SENSOR WENT OFF, I PULLED OVER AND FOUND THE COOLANT LEVEL WAS VERY LOW. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS A LEAKING WATER PUMP WHICH HAD TO BE REPLACED, AT THE SAME TIME THE SERPENTINE BELT AND TENSIONER ALSO NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I CALLED VW AND THEY SAID BECAUSE MY CAR WAS ACTUALLY BOUGHT IN 2011 THAT THE 5 YEAR / 60K POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHICH WOULD HAVE COVERED THIS NO LONGER APPLIED (E.G. BECAUSE IT WAS AFTER 5 YEARS FROM SALE) AND THERE WAS NOTHING THEY WOULD DO FOR ME (E.G. I WAS ON MY OWN TO FIX IT). THE REPAIR WAS ~$1300 WHICH IS VERY FRUSTRATING ON A CAR WITH LOW MILES THAT IS DRIVEN CAREFULLY AND WELL CARED FOR. THE MORE FRUSTRATING THING IS THAT VW HAD THE EXACT SAME ISSUE ON THEIR GTI MODELS FROM THESE EXACT SAME YEARS AND ISSUED A RECALL ON THESE WATER PUMPS ( SEE: HTTPS://HUMBLEMECHANIC.COM/WATER-PUMP-RECALL-MK6-GTI-PODCAST-EPISODE-88/ ) BUT WERE UNWILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME WHEN I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE TIGUAN.

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.

AFTER RAIN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT & REAR CARPET IS SOAKED

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.

THERE WAS WATER LEAKING AND I BROUGHT MY VEHICLE TO A VW DEALERSHIP TO REPAIR. THEY INVESTIGATED THE VEHICLE AND FOUND OUT THAT WATER LEAKS FROM THE SUNROOF FRAME. THEY STATED THAT THE LEAK IS IN A LOCATION THAT CANNOT BE FOUND AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED. THUS I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRAME. THE SUNROOF FRAME IS FAULT EVEN I HAD NO PHYSICAL DAMAGE OR ACCIDENT ON MY VEHICLE. THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO BE SERIOUSLY INVESTIGATED SINCE WATER LEAKING FROM THE SUNROOF MAY CAUSE MANY OTHER ELECTRICAL ISSUES WITH THE VEHICLE.

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.

THE REAR DOOR (TAILGATE) DOES NOT LATCH NOR LOCK. WHEN IT IS CLOSED, THE CATCH DOES NOT ENGAGE AND THERE IS NO NOISE FROM THE LOCKING MOTOR. SO THE DOOR REMAINS OPEN WHEN DRIVING OR PARKING. THIS IS THE SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. I ALSO FOUND A LOT OF COMPLAINTS AND FAULT REPORTS FROM OTHER VOLKSWAGEN OWNERS OVER THE INTERNET. *TR

2012 VW TIGUAN WAS SENT INTO THE DEALER FOR BRAKES. DEALER STATED THE SPRING WAS RUSTED AND CRACKED AT AROUND 70K MILES ONLY. UPON QUESTIONING REGARDING THE PREMATURE DAMAGE TO THE SUSPENSION THE DEALER STATED "IT'S A COMMON PROBLEM." THE DEALER CHARGED AROUND $700 FOR THE REPAIR. SOUNDS LIKE A NECESSARY SAFETY RECALL TO ME.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND GOING OVER DEBRIS ON THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SWERVE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

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.

ON 5/3/12 @ 12,000 MILES, I WAS SLOWING @ A YIELD (10MPH) AND MY TRANSFER CASE FELL ON MY DRIVE SHAFT BREAKING IT AND THE HEAT SHIELD. VW FIXED IT AND SAID IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT FACTORY BECAUSE A PIECE WAS MISSING THAT CAUSED THE TRANSFER BOLTS TO BACK OUT OF THE CASE. I COMPLAINED I WANTED A NEW CAR AND JILL, THE REGIONAL CASE MGR FOR VW CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULDN'T APPROVE OF IT. ONCE THAT WAS FIXED, 5/30/12 MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND THE PIECE TO TAKE THE HUBCAP OFF WASN'T IN THE CAR. VW REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE OF ALL THE TROUBLE I'VE HAD WITH IT. JILL SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO REPLACE THE CAR. ON 6/7/12 MY TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE CAME ON AGAIN AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE. 38 ON BOTH RIGHT TIRES, 37 ON FRONT LEFT AND 36 ON REAR LEFT. I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS CAR ANY LONGER. I PAID CASH FOR THIS CAR AND NOW I AM LEFT DRIVING SOMETHING I FEAR. *JS

ON 5/3/12 @ 12,000 MILES, I WAS SLOWING @ A YIELD (10MPH) AND MY TRANSFER CASE FELL ON MY DRIVE SHAFT BREAKING IT AND THE HEAT SHIELD. VW FIXED IT AND SAID IT COULD HAVE HAPPENED AT FACTORY BECAUSE A PIECE WAS MISSING THAT CAUSED THE TRANSFER BOLTS TO BACK OUT OF THE CASE. I COMPLAINED I WANTED A NEW CAR AND JILL, THE REGIONAL CASE MGR FOR VW CUSTOMER RELATIONS WOULDN'T APPROVE OF IT. ONCE THAT WAS FIXED, 5/30/12 MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY RIGHT REAR TIRE BLEW. WENT TO CHANGE THE TIRE AND THE PIECE TO TAKE THE HUBCAP OFF WASN'T IN THE CAR. VW REPLACED THE TIRE FREE OF CHARGE BECAUSE OF ALL THE TROUBLE I'VE HAD WITH IT. JILL SAID THEY WEREN'T GOING TO REPLACE THE CAR. ON 6/7/12 MY TIRE PRESSURE GAUGE CAME ON AGAIN AND I IMMEDIATELY PULLED OVER AND CHECKED TIRE PRESSURE. 38 ON BOTH RIGHT TIRES, 37 ON FRONT LEFT AND 36 ON REAR LEFT. I ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE WITH THIS CAR ANY LONGER. I PAID CASH FOR THIS CAR AND NOW I AM LEFT DRIVING SOMETHING I FEAR. *JS

FOR NO APPARENT REASON MANY INDICATOR LIGHTS SIGNAL AT THE SAME TIME INDICATING TIRE MONITORING SYSTEM NOT AVAILABLE, LICENSE PLATE LIGHT NOT WORKING, LEFT TURN SIGNAL NOT WORKING, BRAKES LIGHTS DO NOT LIGHT UP, ESC NOT FUNCTIONING. TRUNK ALSO WILL NOT UNLOCK. IT CAN BE RESET (I THINK, IT WORKED ON ONE EPISODE) BY MULTIPLE (10-15 TIMES STARTING AND RESTARTING CAR) AS THIS DEFAULT HAS ONLY HAPPENED A FEW TIMES AND I HAVE BEEN AWAY FROM HOME I AM UNSURE EXACTLY WHAT RESETS IT. STARTING AND RESTARTING THE VEHICLE THIS MANY TIMES CAN NOT BE GOOD FOR THE VEHICLE ENGINE ETC. THE VEHICLE SYSTEM DID THIS ERROR A FEW TIMES OVER A COUPLE OF DAYS, STOPPED THEN STARTING DOING IT AGAIN. VEHICLE DRIVES DIFFERENTLY WHEN THE ERROR OCCURS. IT STARTS OUT FROM A STOPPED POSITION AND THE VEHICLE FEELS MORE LIKE IT IS DRIVING WITH THE REAR TIRES AND FEELS LIKE IT IS SLIPPING. THESE DEFAULTS ARE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS, HAD TO DRIVE HOME POST SNOW STORM WITH ALL OF THESE MALFUNCTIONS, NO BRAKE LIGHTS AND NO LEFT TURN SIGNAL AND NO ESC. VEHICLE ONLY HAS 28,700 MILES ON IT. *TR