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2012 Volkswagen Tiguan

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2012 Tiguan.

Body SUVTransmission Automatic (S6)

The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan is a compact SUV powered by a turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, and it achieves EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city, 26 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined with an oil capacity of 4.9 quarts using 0W-40, 5W-30, or 5W-40 viscosity. With 152 owner complaints and three recalls recorded, the 2012 Tiguan falls in the middle of the model's complaint history spanning 2009 to 2026—more problematic than the lowest years but considerably less troubled than the 2018 model year, which recorded the highest complaint count at 274. This positions the 2012 as a model year with notable but not extreme reliability concerns relative to the Tiguan's broader production run.

Model year2026 2025 2024 2023 2022 2021 2020 2017 2012

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40OEM · verified

Lug nut torque88 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy22/26/24 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 47 · 540 CCA battery, OE oil filter 06J115403Q. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 47 · 540 CCAOEM · verified

Tail / brake / turnLAMPOEM · verified

Tire size215-65R16OEM · verified

Wheel / rim6.5-J inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	06J115403Q
Engine air filter	1K0129620G
Spark plug	06H905601A alt 06H905621A
Battery	000915089E alt 000915089F
Front wiper blades	5N1998002 alt 3C8955425B
Serpentine belt	06J260849D
Thermostat	06J121113C alt 06H121113B
Cabin air filter	1K1819669 alt 1K0819644B

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Automatic (S6)

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	174.4 in
Overall width	71.3 in
Overall height	66.1 in
Wheelbase	102.4 in
Curb weight	3591 lb
Track (front / rear)	61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	22 / 26 / 24 mpg
Drivetrain	Front-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Premium Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Tiguan of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.8–8.0 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.80 sec — 2012 SE

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2012	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.20 sec	200 hp	FWD
2012	SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.80 sec	16.00 sec	200 hp	AWD
2012	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	8.00 sec	16.30 sec	200 hp	FWD
2010	SE 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.10 sec	15.50 sec	200 hp	FWD
2014	2.0 TDI 4MOTION Euro Spec 2.0L Turbo Diesel I-4	7.40 sec	15.90 sec	177 hp	AWD
2009	S 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.30 sec	15.50 sec	200 hp	FWD
2009	SEL 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	15.90 sec	200 hp	FWD
2009	SEL 4MOTION 2.0L Turbo I-4	7.70 sec	16.00 sec	200 hp	AWD

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 0W-40 / 5W-30 / 5W-40 engine oil, DOT 4 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 88 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-3-4-2. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission Fluid	ATF
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity	7.5
Brake Fluid	DOT 4
Engine Coolant	USE G012ABG-A1 COOLANT
Engine Oil	0W-40 · 5W-30 · 5W-40
Engine Oil Capacity	4.9 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	Synthetic · 75W-85 · GL-4
Manual Transmission Fluid Capacity	4.0-5.50

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	88 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	11.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	Bevel box: 44.0, Haldex Clutch: 22.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	720 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	80 rpm
Spark Plug Manufacturer	VW
Spark Plug Gap	0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque	18 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.40-1.50 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Standard BCI Group Number	47
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	540 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	47
Optional BCI Cranking Performance	640 cca

Service checks

Fuel Pump Pressure Minimum	58.0 psi
Fuel Pump Pressure Maximum	101.0 psi
Residual Pressure	43.5 psi
Engine Compression	159

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	148 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	0.984 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	0.984 in / 0.472 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	0.866 in / 0.394 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

6 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

6 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 3 stages

1	29.5 ft. lbs.	29.5 ft. lbs
2	turn 90 degrees	90 degrees
3	turn 90 degrees; Starting at center and working outward, tighten all fasteners alternately and evenly.	90 degrees

Engine Flywheel Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

44 ft. lbs., Step 2: 90

44 ft. lbs

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

2 ft. lbs., step 2: 7

2 ft. lbs

Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

4 ft. lbs., step 2: 9 ft. lbs., step 3: 12 ft. lbs., step 4: 18

4 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 10,000 mi; spark plugs every 60,000 mi.

Every 10,000 mi	Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace) · Headlamp Washer Nozzle (inspect) · Headlamp Washer System (inspect fluid level)
Every 20,000 mi	Battery (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Brake System (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Suspension Shock or Strut (inspect)
Every 40,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Door Hinge (lubricate) · Engine Assembly (leak inspection) · Engine Coolant System (inspect fluid level) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect)
Every 60,000 mi	Air Intake Hose Debris Screen (clean) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Air Filter Housing (clean) · Spark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2012 Volkswagen Tiguan sits in the middle of the first-generation run, with 152 complaints, 3 recalls, 3 investigations, and 998 TSBs. Compared with 2011 (160 complaints, 4 investigations, 852 TSBs) and 2013 (139 complaints, 3 investigations, 1,056 TSBs), the 2012 model is largely consistent with its adjacent model years, showing neither a notable spike nor a drop in complaints. Across the broader arc, first-generation Tiguan years from 2009 through 2014 registered moderate, relatively stable complaint counts ranging from 82 to 166, before volumes fell in 2015–2017 and then jumped sharply in 2018 to 274 complaints and 13 recalls. The 2012 model's leading complaint categories were Engine (35), Air Bags (19), Steering (12), and Unknown/Other (12), with 10 crash-related complaints and zero fire complaints, though the data does not specify root causes. Given its position before the 2018 spike and its alignment with surrounding first-generation years, a 2012 Tiguan is a reasonably sensible used-car choice within this generation, provided a pre-purchase inspection confirms the condition of the engine, air bag, and steering systems.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

998

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

152

Owner complaints

10 involved a crash · 0 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’09 ’10 ’11’12’13 ’14 ’15 ’16 ’17 ’18 ’19 ’20 ’21 ’22 ’23 ’24 ’25 ’26

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 152 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Engine35

Air Bags19

Steering12

Unknown Or Other12

Fuel/Propulsion System7

Seat Belts6

Electrical System5

Power Train4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V329000Unknown Or OtherReported 16/05/2018

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… Remedy: 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…

15V483000Air Bags:FrontalReported 04/08/2015

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… Remedy: 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…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 998 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
TT 10-18-02_2	2026-06-18	Engine	Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
TT 13-20-01_3	2026-06-18	Engine	Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
V6919012010479_17	2026-06-11	Air Bags	Inquiries
V1719012012855_81	2026-06-04	Engine	Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
VOS-26-21	2026-03-27	Engine	This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Tiguan. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 47 battery Vehicles taking 4.9 qt Engine oil filter 06J115403Q Engine air filter 1K0129620G Spark plug 06H905601A Battery 000915089E

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2012 Tiguan take?

4.9 qt of 0W-40, 5W-30 OR 5W-40 MEETING VW SPECIFICATION 502.00, per the factory manual.

Does the 2012 Tiguan have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Tiguan get?

EPA figures are 22 city / 26 highway / 24 combined mpg.