Mandatory fastener.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2012 Volkswagen Touareg steering problems
moderate 5 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Complaints
5
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
When does it fail?
Of the 5 steering complaints filed for the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Among the 5 model years of Volkswagen Touareg in our records for steering problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA steering complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 13 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
Horn and ancillary steering wheel controls diagnosis.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Updated to include model year 2017 applicability
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Technical Bulletin (Squeaking Noises From Front Of Vehicle): Squeaking/creaking noise from front of vehicle while fully turning steering wheel. The document also gives information on servicing the issue
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Tech Tips: This Tech Tip was established to explain the influence the adjustable steering column tilt position has on the steering wheel being off center and to provide information on checking for steering wheel off center
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
What owners are reporting 2 most recent
Vehicle pulls to the right at all speeds and which necessitates constant input from the driver to hold the car straight. *tr
I have a 2012 touareg tdi that has a steering shaking problem which it has exhibited since I purchased it. Vw has tried to rectify the problem by road force balancing and installing new tires but this has not resolved the problem. The steering wheel shakes, or oscillates, when driving at speeds reaching anywhere between 65 and 70 MPH and higher. The oscillation continues up through higher speeds…
Had steering trouble with your 2012 Volkswagen Touareg?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the steering problem on the 2012 Volkswagen Touareg?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 5 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $700 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Based on the 5 complaints filed, steering issues most often appear around 13,000 miles. Some report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 with no symptoms. Maintenance habits matter — vehicles that received timely fluid services and were not regularly overworked tend to last longer.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $700 for steering repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2012/Volkswagen/Touareg.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.