The Lemon Index2012 Volkswagen Golf.
The 2012 Volkswagen Golf is about average by owner complaints: 43 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 97, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about transmission & drivetrain, it has 6 recalls, and it gets 22 to 32 mpg combined. The best Volkswagen Golf year is 2014.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 89 owner complaints, owners reported:
Every Volkswagen Golf year. 2012 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 10K to 67K miles on the car (74 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- engine complaints mostly came at 10K–67K miles
Recalls 6
- airbags 2019
The driver's side air bag inflator may explode due to propellant degradation occurring after long-term exposure to high absolute humidity, high temperatures, and high temperature cycling.
- unknown or other 2018
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.
- airbags 2018
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to explode.
Show all 6 recalls
- airbags 2016
Upon deployment of the driver's frontal air bag, excessive internal pressure may cause the inflator to rupture.
- airbags 2015
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.
- fuel system, diesel 2011
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 MAY 2009 THROUGH SE…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Volkswagen told dealers about
Volkswagen sent dealers 1367 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- In some vehicles, the warning light for engine may be on and the engine power has failed
- While driving approximately 55 to 65mph, a whinning or whistle noise is heard
- All models experience the timing chain slipping, rattling noises of the engine after starting
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Government investigations
- OpenAir bag clockspring failure2018
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2017–2018
- ClosedAir bag clockspring failure2015
- ClosedHigh-pressure fuel pump failure2011–2015
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkswagen Golf 4 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★★☆ |
| Volkswagen Golf 2 DR FWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | not rated |
Fuel cost and engines
About $2450–3600 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
Quick answers
Is the 2012 Volkswagen Golf reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 97; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Volkswagen Golf year by this measure is 2014.
What are the most common 2012 Volkswagen Golf problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (28%), engine (28%) and fuel system, diesel (16%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf have?
6 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf get?
22 to 32 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2012 Volkswagen Golf problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 10,900 and 67,700 miles. The middle report was at 31,900 miles, from 74 complaints.
Does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 28% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf cost in fuel a year?
About $2450 to $3600 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf have?
2.0L 4-cyl, 2.5L 5-cyl.
What Volkswagen Golf year is better than the 2012?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2014, 2020 and 2013.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works