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CarMonitor

Transport Canada + NRCan

2012 Volkswagen Golf

Everything Canada’s open data holds on this vehicle: what has been recalled, what it costs to run, and how efficient it is compared with everything else on the road.

Recalls

6

6 current

Combined

9.2L/100 km

Fuel, a year

$2,852

20,000 km, Ontario prices

Recalls

Good news: Recall repairs cost you nothing. Book with any manufacturer dealer and quote the recall number — no time limit, however many owners the vehicle has had.

Heater And Defroster

Transport Canada recall 2024648 · manufacturer campaign 804T / 804G

30 October 2024

Transport Canada lists: Beetle 2013–2015 · Golf 2012–2014 · Jetta 2012–2016

What is wrong

Volkswagen Group Canada is conducting a parts recovery campaign targeting 2012-2016 Volkswagen vehicles equipped with a TDI (diesel) engine built between May 25, 2011 and June 1, 2016. The auxiliary heater elements are being recovered to aid in Volkswagen's analysis in support of Transport Canada defect investigation file no. 3280-15-10. Note: This action is not being conducted under the requirements of the Motor Vehicle Safety Act. For the 2016 model year Jetta, only the Jetta Hybrid model is involved in this parts recovery program.

Why it matters

No safety defect has been identified with these auxiliary heater elements.

What the dealer will do

Volkswagen will notify owners by mail and advise them to take their vehicle to a dealership to replace the auxiliary heater element at no charge.

35,086 vehicles affected in CanadaCarService Campaign Mfr

Label

Transport Canada recall 2020353 · manufacturer campaign 97EM 97EK 97EL

4 August 2020

Transport Canada lists: A 3 2010–2013, 2015 · Atlas 2018–2019 · Beetle 2013–2015 · Golf 2010–2019 · and 2 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the warning label for the engine block heater cable is written in English only. As a result, a French user may not receive important safety information about how to use the engine block heater. A label that is not provided in both official languages could create confusion.

Why it matters

User confusion could increase the risk of injury when trying to use the block heater.

What the dealer will do

The company will mail each owner a new label for the block heater cable. If you would like help installing the label, you can contact a dealer for assistance.

132,432 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2018111 · manufacturer campaign 69Q9

6 March 2018

Transport Canada lists: CC 2009–2014 · Eos 2010–2014 · Golf 2010–2013 · Passat 2007–2010, 2012–2014

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, long-term exposure to high absolute humidity and temperature, combined with high temperature cycling, could eventually degrade the propellant contained in the driver frontal airbag. This could cause the airbag to deploy with more force than normal. As a result, if the vehicle were involved in a collision that warrants airbag deployment, fragments could be propelled toward vehicle occupants, and the airbag assembly could be damaged, preventing proper function. These issues could increase the risk of injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the driver frontal airbag inflator. Note: Canadian climate results in the propellant degrading slowly. The recall is being conducted as a precaution to address future risk, and is expected to replace airbag inflators before their function would be affected. Additional Note: This recall supersedes the Volkswagen brand vehicles subject to recall 2016-064 (Volkswagen Recall 69M9). Volkswagen vehicles completed under the previous 2016-064 recall require repair under this recall, as the previous recall remedy was an interim repair. Interim repair parts must be replaced with final repair parts.

37,197 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Airbag

Transport Canada recall 2016064 · manufacturer campaign 69M9 / 69N1

9 February 2016

Transport Canada lists: A 5 2010–2012 · Q 5 2009–2012 · S 5 2010–2012 · CC 2009–2014 · and 7 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the driver frontal airbag inflator could produce excessive internal pressure during airbag deployment. Increased pressure may cause the inflator to rupture, which could allow fragments to be propelled toward vehicle occupants, increasing the risk of injury. This could also damage the airbag module, which could prevent proper deployment. Failure of the airbag to fully deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will replace the front driver airbag inflator. Note: This campaign only affects the Audi A5 and Audi S5 Cabriolet models.

64,660 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Seats And Restraints

Transport Canada recall 2015344 · manufacturer campaign 69L2

31 July 2015

Transport Canada lists: CC 2010–2014 · Eos 2011–2013 · Golf 2011–2014 · Gti 2011–2014 · and 3 more

What is wrong

On certain vehicles, the steering wheel clock spring could become contaminated with long hair or long fibers which may cause a displacement of the internal guide loops. When the guide loops are dragged out of position, they may apply tension to the internal flat cable and cause it to tear. Should the cable tear, the electrical connection to the driver's front airbag may be lost, causing the airbag monitoring indicator light to illuminate. Failure of the driver's airbag to deploy during a crash (where deployment is warranted) could increase the risk of personal injury to the seat occupant.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install a cover of a different design to help prevent clock spring contamination caused by hair or other fibers. In instances where the vehicle has an airbag light on (and diagnosis confirms the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement), dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring.

41,308 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Fuel System

Transport Canada recall 2011355 · manufacturer campaign 23J9/V5, 23J8/K5

3 October 2011

Transport Canada lists: A 3 2010–2012 · Golf 2009–2012 · Jetta 2009–2012

What is wrong

On certain vehicles equipped with a 2.0L TDI diesel engine, the fuel injection lines could crack. Diesel fuel leakage may ignite on a hot engine surface and cause a fire, which could result in property damage and/or personal injury.

What the dealer will do

Dealers will install vibration dampers on all four fuel injection lines. Additionally, on some vehicles (depending on the date of manufacture) the #2 fuel injection line will be replaced.

41,078 vehicles affected in CanadaCarSafety Mfr

Efficiency and running cost

Class
Station wagon: Small
In its class
More efficient than 48% of 50 2012 vehicles in this class
Tailpipe CO₂
212 g/km

Set your own distance and pump price · Full efficiency ranking

Watch this vehicle

Recall letters go to whoever owns the car on paper, which may not be you. Save your 2012 Volkswagen Golf and we will email you the day Transport Canada issues a new recall for it.

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Common questions

Does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf have any recalls?
Transport Canada has 6 recalls on record for the 2012 Volkswagen Golf. Recall repairs are free at any manufacturer dealer.
What fuel economy does the 2012 Volkswagen Golf get?
NRCan rates the 2012 Volkswagen Golf at 9.2 L/100 km combined, emitting 212 g of CO2 per kilometre. There are 4 rated versions; this is the median.
What does it cost to run a 2012 Volkswagen Golf for a year?
At 20,000 km a year and Ontario average prices, about $2,852 in fuel, producing roughly 4,250 kg of CO2. Your own distance and prices will change this — the calculator lets you set both.

Source: Transport Canada — Vehicle Recalls Database; NRCan — Fuel consumption ratings. Data current as of 30 July 2026. Running cost uses Ontario average prices (155 ¢/L, 14.5 ¢/kWh), which are hand-maintained estimates. 30,784 rated vehicles on file.