2012 Volkswagen Golf
This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1985 | 10 |
| 1986 | 13 |
| 1987 | 4 |
| 1988 | 9 |
| 1989 | 17 |
| 1990 | 10 |
| 1991 | 8 |
| 1992 | 6 |
| 1993 | 7 |
| 1994 | 41 |
| 1995 | 43 |
| 1996 | 3 |
| 1997 | 7 |
| 1998 | 18 |
| 1999 | 64 |
| 2000 | 88 |
| 2001 | 116 |
| 2002 | 73 |
| 2003 | 26 |
| 2004 | 28 |
| 2005 | 19 |
| 2006 | 12 |
| 2007 | 2 |
| 2008 | 1 |
| 2009 | 3 |
| 2010 | 69 |
| 2011 | 110 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 43 |
| 2014 | 11 |
| 2015 | 129 |
| 2016 | 85 |
| 2017 | 115 |
| 2018 | 29 |
| 2019 | 62 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 81 |
| 2023 | 11 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
23% of complaints: engine — 11 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180723
21% of complaints: air bags — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow complaint excerpts
My vehicle struck a car from behind moving about 35 mph. Air bags did not deploy and I had a proceeding next injury. Why did the airbags not deploy?
NHTSA ODI report, 20210625
I WAS TRAVELING ON A HIGHWAY IN DALLAS. THERE WAS A 2003 TOYOTA TACOMA TWO LANES TO THE LEFT OF ME. HE APPARENTLY WANTED TO TAKE AN EXIT THAT WAS RAPIDLY COMING UP.
NHTSA ODI report, 20130502
Heated seats get extremely hot. Smell of burning. Possible to catch fire or burn people Vw patrick volkswagen auburn ma confirmed that electrical inspection to rule out seat recall No.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260508
19% of complaints: power train — 9 distinct reports on file.
17% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 8 distinct reports on file.
Show complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN GOLF. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH, ALL OF THE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180723
15% of complaints: fuel system, diesel — 7 distinct reports on file.
SAFETY TIMELINE
High-Pressure Fuel Pump Failure
Diesel Fuel Injector Line Leakage
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
Remedy: 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 O
Campaign 11V490000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 15V483000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 16V078000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
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.
Remedy: 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.
Campaign 18V148000 — check if this car was fixed
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
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.
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 November 29, 2018.
Campaign 18V329000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver's side air bag inflators, free of charge. The recall began December 20, 2019.
Campaign 19V862000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2012 Volkswagen Golf — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (11 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (9 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 11V490000 (fuel system, diesel) has been completed.
- Verify recall 15V483000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 16V078000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V148000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V329000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V862000 (air bags) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2012 Volkswagen Golf is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2012 Volkswagen Golf?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 23% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.