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2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

SUV · 2010–2027

2010–2016 Volkswagen Tiguan — 2010–2016 pictured. Photo: M 93, CC BY-SA 3.0 de, via Wikimedia Commons

Which year to buy

Best bet2024Fewest serious problems: 0.5× usual AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad Be careful2010–2014, 2022, 2025More problems; check the recalls were done

Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.

usual

’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.

2012CAREFULSerious complaints 1.6× usual, mostly engine and air bags Extended coverage

123 serious complaints of 153, the most about engine (50) and air bags (33); per car on the road, 1.6× this model's usual year. 3 recalls. NHTSA investigation EA18003: air bag clockspring failure. NHTSA investigation RQ17009: air bag clockspring failure.

What owners report

“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.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the engine, Jul 2024

“When backing out of a parking spot, I heard a crack from the steering wheel. An error: airbag warning light came on, and the horn and steering wheel controls stopped working. This appears to be a clock spring failure.”
An owner's complaint to NHTSA about the air bags, Jan 2018

Fixes and extended coverage

Extended coverage VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP COMMUNICATION: Volkswagen announced a warranty extension program to cover the High Pressure Fuel Pump on 2009-2012 model year TDI Clean Diesel Engine vehicles (Dealer, Apr 2015)
Extended coverage This document advises dealers regarding the Timing Chain/Timing Chain Tensioner Limited Warranty Extension (VWP-18, Aug 2018)
Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension (VWP-18-11, Oct 2018)
Extended coverage This Document informs dealers on the the new Water Pump Limited Warranty Extension (VWP-19, Dec 2019)
Extended coverage This supporting FAQ is for the Turbocharger Limited Warranty Extension Class Action Settlement. (Turbocharger, Sep 2025)
Extended coverage This technical bulletin was updated per powertain team and warranty team. (V241702, Feb 2017)

From the manufacturer's bulletins filed with NHTSA. A dealer can look up whether a car has had the work done or is still covered.

153 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 21–24 mpg · NHTSA: Not rated · 2012 trims and features

Every Tiguan year's verdict →

Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.

Trims and features

2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026 2027

Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl turbo · Drive: AWD, FWD

2012 Tiguan trims

	4-Motion

base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Volkswagen reports it. Tech and comfort features (CarPlay, heated seats, sunroof) for Volkswagen aren't in our data yet. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.

Year by year

Year	Engines	Drive	Fuel economy	Crash rating	Recalls	Owner complaints	Most-reported problem	CarPlay
2027	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–268 hp	AWD, FWD	25–29 mpg	5 of 5	0	0	—	—
2026	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201–268 hp	AWD, FWD	25–29 mpg	5 of 5	0	30	Engine (13)	—
2025	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 201 hp	AWD, FWD	25–29 mpg	5 of 5	3	49	Electrical system (15)	—
2024	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184 hp	AWD, FWD	24–27 mpg	4 of 5	2	71	Electrical system (24)	—
2023	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184 hp	AWD, FWD	24–27 mpg	4 of 5	1	68	Engine (24)	—
2022	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184 hp	AWD, FWD	24–26 mpg	Not rated	5	269	Engine (112)	—
2021	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184 hp	AWD, FWD	24–25 mpg	5 of 5	5	141	Engine (53)	—
2020	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184 hp	AWD, FWD	23–25 mpg	5 of 5	3	140	Unknown or other (52)	—
2019	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184 hp	AWD, FWD	24–25 mpg	5 of 5	5	192	Electrical system (56)	—
2018	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 184–200 hp	AWD, FWD	22–24 mpg	4–5 of 5	14	290	Engine (83)	—
2017	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 200 hp	AWD, FWD	21–22 mpg	4 of 5	4	75	Air bags (30)	—
2016	2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 200 hp	AWD, FWD	22–23 mpg	4 of 5	2	96	Air bags (37)	—
2015	2.0L 4-cyl turbo	AWD, FWD	22–23 mpg	4 of 5	4	62	Air bags (28)	—
2014	2.0L 4-cyl turbo manual available	AWD, FWD	21–23 mpg	4 of 5	3	84	Air bags (46)	—
2013	2.0L 4-cyl turbo manual available	AWD, FWD	21–23 mpg	4 of 5	3	139	Air bags (63)	—
2012	2.0L 4-cyl turbo manual available	AWD, FWD	21–24 mpg	Not rated	3	153	Engine (50)	—
2011	2.0L 4-cyl turbo manual available	AWD, FWD	21–22 mpg	Not rated	3	161	Engine (63)	—
2010	2.0L 4-cyl turbo manual available	AWD, FWD	20–21 mpg	Not rated	2	110	Engine (50)	—

Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.

Which years have…

Third row (7+ seats)Blind-spot monitoring

Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints

Year	Version	Stars	Forward collision warning	Lane departure warning	Recalls	Complaints
2027	VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN SUV ICE FWD	5	No	No	0	0
2027	VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN SUV ICE AWD	5	No	No	0	0
2026	VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN SUV N/A AWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	30
2026	VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN SUV N/A FWD	5	Standard	Standard	0	30
2025	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	49
2025	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	5	Standard	Standard	3	49
2024	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	4	Standard	Standard	2	71
2024	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	4	Standard	Standard	2	71
2023	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	4	Standard	Optional	1	68
2023	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	4	Standard	Optional	1	68
2022	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	Not Rated	Standard	Optional	5	269
2022	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	Not Rated	Standard	Optional	5	269
2021	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	5	No	Optional	5	141
2021	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	5	No	Optional	5	141
2020	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	5	Standard	Optional	3	140
2020	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	5	Standard	Optional	3	140
2019	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	5	Optional	Optional	5	192
2019	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	5	Optional	Optional	5	192
2018	Volkswagen Tiguan Later Release SUV AWD	5	Optional	Optional	1	30
2018	Volkswagen Tiguan Later Release SUV FWD	5	Optional	Optional	1	30
2018	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	4	Optional	Optional	14	284
2018	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	4	Optional	Optional	14	284
2018	Volkswagen Tiguan LTD SUV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	13	254
2018	Volkswagen Tiguan LTD SUV FWD	Not Rated	No	No	13	254
2017	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	4	No	No	4	75
2017	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	4	No	No	4	75
2016	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	4	No	No	2	96
2016	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	4	No	No	2	96
2015	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	4	No	No	4	62
2015	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	4	No	No	4	62
2014	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	4	No	No	3	84
2014	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	4	No	No	3	84
2013	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD Later Release	4	No	No	0	9
2013	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD Later Release	4	No	No	0	9
2013	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD Early Release	4	No	No	3	139
2013	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD Early Release	4	No	No	3	139
2012	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	153
2012	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	153
2011	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	161
2011	Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD	Not Rated	No	No	3	161
2010	Volkswagen Tiguan 4-Dr. w/SAB	Not Rated	No	No	2	110

Source: NHTSA.

Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg

Year	EPA model	Engines	Combined
2027	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	28
2027	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	26
2027	Tiguan S	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	29
2027	Tiguan SEL 4Motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2026	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	28
2026	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2026	Tiguan S	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	29
2026	Tiguan SEL 4Motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2025	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	28
2025	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2025	Tiguan S	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	29
2024	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	26
2024	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2024	Tiguan R-Line 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2024	Tiguan S	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	27
2023	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	26
2023	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2023	Tiguan R-Line 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2023	Tiguan S	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	27
2022	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	26
2022	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2022	Tiguan R-Line 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2021	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2021	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2020	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2020	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	23
2019	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	25
2019	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2018	Tiguan	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	24
2018	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S8), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	23
2018	Tiguan Limited	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	23
2018	Tiguan Limited 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	22
2017	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	22
2017	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	21
2016	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	23
2016	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	22
2015	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	23
2015	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	22
2014	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	21–23
2014	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	22
2013	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	21–23
2013	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	22
2012	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	21–24
2012	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	23
2011	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	21–22
2011	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	21
2010	Tiguan	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo Man 6-spd, 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	21
2010	Tiguan 4motion	Auto (S6), 4 cyl, 2.0 L, Turbo	20

Source: fueleconomy.gov.

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