2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.

Volkswagen Golf/GTI
Pictured: 2020 Volkswagen Golf Style 1.5 Front. Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Compact Cars
Engines
2.0L 4-cyl turbo, 2.5L 5-cyl
Horsepower
140–170 hp
Transmission
automatic, 6-speed manual
Drivetrain
Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Diesel, Premium Gasoline, Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
32 combined · 29 city / 39 hwy
Length
–
Curb weight
–
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
6 campaigns

Pros & cons

What's good

  • Excellent fuel economyUp to 32 MPG combined — 25% better than the average 2012 compact car (25.6 MPG).
  • Strong performanceUp to 170 hp, versus about 132 hp for similar 2012 models.
  • AWD / 4WD available

Watch out for

  • 6 recallsMore than similar models (about 3). Confirm repairs with the VIN.

Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 24 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →

Overview

The 2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is a compact car offered with 2 engines (2.0L 4-cyl turbo and 2.5L 5-cyl) and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 32 MPG combined (29 city / 39 highway), 25% better than the 2012 compact car average of 25.6 MPG, for an estimated $2,600 a year in fuel.

NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.

It has 6 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

What changed for 2012

  • All-wheel or four-wheel drive now available

Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Golf/GTI →

Trims, performance & features

Engine140 hp2.0L 4-cyl
Engine170 hp2.5L 5-cyl
Transmissionautomatic · 6-speed manual

Built in: Wolfsburg, Germany

NHTSA vPIC, as reported by the manufacturer for 4 2012 Golf/GTI configurations; may not list every trim. How we calculate this →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Golf Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive29 / 37 / 32+25%$3,000318
Golf Diesel2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive29 / 39 / 32+25%$3,000315
GTI2.0L 4-cyl turboAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 33 / 27+5%$3,050329
Golf2.5L 5-cylAutomatic (S6)Front-Wheel Drive24 / 31 / 26+2%$2,600342
Golf2.5L 5-cylManual 5-spdFront-Wheel Drive23 / 33 / 26+2%$2,600342
GTI2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdFront-Wheel Drive21 / 31 / 25-2%$3,300355
Golf R2.0L 4-cyl turboManual 6-spdAll-Wheel Drive19 / 27 / 22-14%$3,750404
Spend $1,000Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
25.6 MPG2012 Compact Cars average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2012 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI.

Similar 2012 compact cars

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI (this car)32 MPGNot rated6
2012 Toyota Corolla29 MPGNot rated5
2012 Honda Civic44 MPGNot rated4
2012 Chevrolet Camaro22 MPGNot rated4
2012 Mazda 332 MPGNot rated0
2012 Subaru Impreza/Outback Sport30 MPGNot rated0
2012 Toyota Yaris33 MPGNot rated5

Recalls (6)

Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Dec 4, 2019

NHTSA campaign 19V862000 · 226 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2015 Passat, 2011-2014 Golf A6, and 2011-2013 Audi A3 diesel vehicles, thought to have been previously repaired under one of the Takata air bag recalls. The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
Risk
An inflator explosion may result in sharp metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298 or Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69R6, 69Q8, 69Q9, and 69Y5.
Unknown Or Other · May 16, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V329000 · 252 vehicles

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.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Mar 6, 2018

NHTSA campaign 18V148000 · 363,713 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2009-2014 Volkswagen CC, 2010-2014 Golf, 2010-2014 Eos, 2007-2010 Passat Sedan and Wagon, and 2012-2014 Passat vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could explode with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflator with an alternative inflator, free of charge. The recall began March 16, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Q9. Note: This recall partially supersedes recall 16V-078.
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module · Feb 10, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V078000 · 659,493 vehicles

Problem
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Golf, 2007-2010 Passat sedans and wagon, 2012-2014 Passat sedan and Eos, 2009-2014 CC, 2009-2012 Audi Q5, 2010-2012 S5 Cabriolet and 2010-2012 Audi A5 Cabriolet vehicles. Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
Risk
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the vehicle occupants potentially resulting in serious injury or death.
Fix
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's frontal air bag inflators, free of charge. Volkswagen issued an interim notification to owners on April 12, 2016, and will send a second notification when parts are available. Volkswagen will notify owners again once parts are available. Volkswagen owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Audi owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-253-2834.
Air Bags › Frontal · Aug 4, 2015

NHTSA campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
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.
Fix
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.
Fuel System, Diesel · Oct 3, 2011

NHTSA campaign 11V490000 · 168,275 vehicles

Problem
VOLKSWAGEN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL 2009-2012 JETTA AND JETTA SPORTWAGEN VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2008 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM MAY 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, AND MODEL YEAR 2010-2012 AUDI A3 VEHICLES, MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH SEPTEMBER 2011, THAT ARE EQUIPPED WITH A 2.0L TDI COMMON RAIL DIESEL ENGINE/CLEAN DIESEL ENGINE. THE FUEL INJECTION PULSES COULD COINCIDE WITH THE NATURAL FREQUENCY OF THE INJECTOR LINE #2, IN SPECIFIC LOAD AND RPM CONDITIONS. THIS RESONANCE CREATES ADDITIONAL STRESS IN THE FUEL LINE.
Risk
DUE TO THE RESONANCE CONDITION, INJECTOR LINE NUMBER 2 COULD DEVELOP SMALL CRACKS WHICH COULD LEAD TO FUEL LEAKAGE. LEAKING FUEL IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, MAY LEAD TO A FIRE.
Fix
VOLKSWAGEN WILL INSTALL AN IMPROVED FUEL INJECTOR LINE FOR THE NUMBER 2 CYLINDER ON CERTAIN VEHICLES AND WILL INSTALL VIBRATION DAMPERS ON ALL OF THE INJECTOR LINES. VOLKSWAGEN AND AUDI WILL NOTIFY OWNERS TO HAVE THE VEHICLES REPAIRED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING NOVEMBER 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VOLKSWAGEN AT 1-800-822-8987.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

24Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
1Injuries reported
67,550 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags8
Fuel/Propulsion System4
Engine3
Electrical System3
Power Train3
Exterior Lighting2
Steering2
Unknown Or Other1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/06: 215/09: 115/11: 116/01: 116/03: 116/04: 116/05: 116/06: 116/07: 116/08: 117/05: 117/06: 117/07: 117/08: 118/07: 118/10: 118/11: 119/07: 119/10: 121/06: 122/05: 125/09: 126/05: 115/0616/0116/0516/0817/0718/1019/1025/09max 2

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 6 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 8 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Fuel/Propulsion System — 4 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
  4. Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 67,550 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf/GTI. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other Golf/GTI years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2027 Golf/GTI28–Not rated00
2026 Golf/GTI27168.9 inNot rated00
2025 Golf/GTI27168.9 inNot rated00
2024 Golf/GTI27168.9 inNot rated00
2023 Golf/GTI28–Not rated011
2022 Golf/GTI28–Not rated081
2021 Golf/GTI33–★★★★★17
2020 Golf/GTI32–★★★★★26
2019 Golf/GTI32–★★★★★663
2018 Golf/GTI29–★★★★★629
2017 Golf/GTI29–★★★★★5117
2016 Golf/GTI29–Not rated985

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →