DecodedCars2012 Volkswagen Tiguan
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2012 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 2.0 4motion 4dr AWD SUV, 2.0 FWD 4dr FWD SUV
- Engines
- 2.0L 4-cyl turbo
- Drivetrain
- Front-Wheel Drive, All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 24 combined · 22 city / 26 hwy
- Length
- 174.4 in
- Curb weight
- 3,393–3,591 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 3 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- Excellent fuel economyUp to 24 MPG combined — 15% better than the average 2012 SUV - (20.9 MPG).
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 21 similar 2012 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is a SUV - offered with a 2.0L 4-cyl turbo engine and front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
It measures about 174 inches long and 71 inches wide on a 102-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 3,591 lb (2.0 4motion 4dr AWD SUV).
EPA rates its most efficient version at 24 MPG combined (22 city / 26 highway), 15% better than the 2012 SUV - average of 20.9 MPG, for an estimated $3,400 a year in fuel.
NHTSA has not published a 5-Star overall rating for this model year.
It has 3 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 121 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the engine.
What changed for 2012
- Best combined MPG up from 22 to 24
Compared with 2011; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2011 Tiguan →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 4motion 4dr AWD SUV | 174.4 in | 71.3 in | 66.1 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,591 lb | 57/43 |
| 2.0 FWD 4dr FWD SUV | 174.4 in | 71.3 in | 66.1 in | 102.4 in | 61.8 / 61.8 in | 3,393 lb | 57/43 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tiguan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | Front-Wheel Drive | 22 / 26 / 24 | +15% | $3,400 | 370 |
| Tiguan 4motion | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Automatic (S6) | All-Wheel Drive | 21 / 26 / 23 | +21% | $3,550 | 386 |
| Tiguan | 2.0L 4-cyl turbo | Manual 6-spd | Front-Wheel Drive | 18 / 26 / 21 | 0% | $3,900 | 423 |
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 Tiguan.
Similar 2012 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan (this car) | 24 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 6 |
| 2012 Honda CR-V | 26 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Hyundai Tucson | 25 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2012 Subaru Forester | 23 MPG | Not rated | 15 |
| 2012 Kia Sportage | 25 MPG | Not rated | 5 |
| 2012 Hyundai Santa Fe | 23 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
Recalls (3)
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 · 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, Gasoline · Jul 21, 2014
NHTSA campaign 14V441000 · 151,389 vehicles
- Problem
- 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.
- Risk
- A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
- Fix
- 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.
Not every 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 3 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Engine — 35 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Air Bags — 28 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Electrical System — 18 owner reports. Test every window, lock, light, screen and USB port; check the battery age.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 65,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- 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 Tiguan. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Tiguan years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 37 |
| 2025 Tiguan | 29 | 184.3 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 56 |
| 2024 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 2 | 76 |
| 2023 Tiguan | 27 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 1 | 70 |
| 2022 Tiguan | 26 | 185.8 in | Not rated | 5 | 273 |
| 2021 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 144 |
| 2020 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 3 | 141 |
| 2019 Tiguan | 25 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 5 | 195 |
| 2018 Tiguan | 24 | 185.8 in | ★★★★★ | 14 | 294 |
| 2017 Tiguan | 22 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 76 |
| 2016 Tiguan | 23 | 174.4 in | Not rated | 2 | 97 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Volkswagen. How we calculate this →