Is the 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG reliable?

The 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG has 37 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: average. Most common issue: FUEL SYSTEM problems.

What are common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Top problems: FUEL SYSTEM (8 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (6 complaints, avg repair $500); STEERING (5 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): UNKNOWN OR OTHER, SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:PEDALS AND LINKAGES. Contact any Volkswagen dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

The 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG gets 21 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2286. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG is approximately $1,478/year (sedan-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Average

Quick Summary

The 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG has 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.0x the segment average of 37. The most common issue is fuel system problems (22% of all complaints), specifically: vehicle lost power without warning at highway speeds on a three lane expressway. was able to maintain control in spite of loss of power steering and brakes and coasted to stop on narrow berm. when i tried to restart the engine i smelled fuel and upon opening the door discovered a large pool of fue. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

1 crash report 3 injuries

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

FUEL SYSTEM

8 complaints

22%

• VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A THREE LANE EXPRESSWAY. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN SPITE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND COASTED TO STOP ON NARROW BERM. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE I SMELLED FUEL AND UPON OPENING THE DOOR DISCOVERED A LARGE POOL OF FUE
• I WAS DRIVING ON A BUSY STREET, WHEN I STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT. THE CAR STALLED AT THE LIGHT, AND WOULD NOT RESTART. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NEAREST VW DEALER AND WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL PUMP (METAL FOUND), AND THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE FUEL PUMP, AND LIN
• AD BLUE HEATING ELEMENT FAILED FOR SECOND TIME ON VEHICLE. FIRST ONE REPLACED AT 58,000 MILES AND SECOND ONE AT 98,500 MILES. VOLKSWAGEN NOT OFFERING ANY FINANCIAL RELIEF FOR SECOND FAILED PART CITING THE PART WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED.

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A THREE LANE EXPRESSWAY. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN SPITE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND COASTED TO STOP ON NARROW BERM. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE I SMELLED FUEL AND UPON OPENING THE DOOR DISCOVERED A LARGE POOL OF FUE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Based on 27 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 45K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

FUEL SYSTEM

High-mileage issuemedian 72K mi · 6 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

UNKNOWN OR OTHER16/05/2018

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.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local diesel price)

Per year

$2,934

Per month

$244

Per mile

24.4¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,851/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,370/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2012 Volkswagen TOUAREG

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,478

Full coverage / month

$123

Liability only / year

$611

vs US avg

-12%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-midsize)0.96x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1478

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Volkswagen TOUAREG Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

100K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

TSI turbo engines require VW-approved 502/504 spec synthetic oil. DSG transmission service (if equipped) every 40K miles.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Volkswagen New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

7 yr / 100K mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Volkswagen. If you're buying a used 2012 TOUAREG, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Volkswagen dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

FUEL SYSTEM(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

STEERING(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

SEATS/RESTRAINTS(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 37 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
FUEL SYSTEM: VEHICLE LOST POWER WITHOUT WARNING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS ON A THREE LANE EXPRESSWAY. WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL IN SPITE OF LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKES AND COASTED TO STOP ON NARROW BERM. WHEN I TRIED TO RESTART THE ENGINE I SMELLED FUEL AND UPON OPENING THE DOOR DISCOVERED A LARGE POOL OF FUE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: MY 2012 TDI LUX JUST WENT IN FOR A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND THE DIAGNOSIS WAS THE ADBLUE HEATER HAS GONE BAD. I HAD 55,000 MILES AT THE TIME. I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP THAT THIS PART IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE POWERTRAIN OR EMISSIONS WARRANTIES. I WAS INFORMED THAT THIS FIX WOULD BE AROUND $70
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
STEERING: VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT AT ALL SPEEDS AND WHICH NECESSITATES CONSTANT INPUT FROM THE DRIVER TO HOLD THE CAR STRAIGHT. *TR
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED FROM THE IGNITION. YOU STOP THE VEHICLE , PLACE IT IN PARK AND THE KEY CAN NOT BE REMOVED. I VIEW THIS AS A SAFETY AND SECURITY HAZARD, THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES WHEN WE HAVE HAD TO STOP AND START THE CAR SEVERAL TIMES FOR THE KEY TO BE REMOVED. A SEA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Volkswagen dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)