What Volkswagen Tiguan owners have reported to NHTSA, the service bulletins the manufacturer sent dealers, and any federal defect investigations, by model year. See Volkswagen Tiguan safety recalls or check your VIN.
Complaints owners filed with NHTSA, by the model year of the vehicle. A high count can also mean a popular year, so compare it with how many were sold.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injured | Deaths | TSBs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 30 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 87 |
| 2025 | 49 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 140 |
| 2024 | 71 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 264 |
| 2023 | 68 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 348 |
| 2022 | 269 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 466 |
| 2021 | 141 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 504 |
| 2020 | 140 | 5 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 519 |
| 2019 | 192 | 6 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 697 |
| 2018 | 290 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 748 |
| 2017 | 75 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 582 |
| 2016 | 96 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 662 |
| 2015 | 62 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 737 |
| 2014 | 84 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1,000 |
| 2013 | 139 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1,060 |
| 2012 | 153 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 1,002 |
| 2011 | 161 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 856 |
| 2010 | 110 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 787 |
The vehicle systems named most often in Volkswagen Tiguan complaints (one complaint can name several).
In the owners’ own words, as filed with NHTSA. Unverified reports; NHTSA removes personal details before publishing.
The infotainment center in my 2023 VW Tiguan SE has completely died. With this failure, the reverse camera no longer activates or functions whatsoever. I am unable to access any of the features of the car that are adjusted via the infotainment center. I have contacted both the manufacturer and dealer, but there are no recalls on this year of vehicle, only the newer years. It is available for inspection. There was no indication of an issue before this failure occured and it still remains unusable after various attempts to resolve the issue per online recommendations. I cannot see behind me as the car has various blind spots now.
infotainment center, chargers and reverse camera no longer working. vehicle available for inspection my reverse camera is not working which causes safety issues as Under Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) No. 111, Rear Visibility, vehicles in the relevant categories manufactured on or after May 1, 2018 are required to provide a compliant rearview image during a backing event. NHTSA explains that manufacturers generally satisfy this requirement with a backup/rear camera system. vehicle has been inspected by a third party auto dealership that specializes in European vehicle. There is NO Volkswagen dealership on the Hawaiian Island of Hawaii that I live on. there were not warning…
On multiple occasions, while actively steering, I have gotten a warning on the dash to take over steering. Within seconds, the car brakes hard. I am typically in interstate traffic when this occurs.This happens when using cruise control. Speed does not matter as it has happened at 40 mph, 70 mph, and in between these two.
The contact owns at 2024 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the radio screen was distorted or blank. The failure was a recurring failure. The contact stated that with the screen blank the speedometer and vehicle alerts were inoperable. The back over prevention camera was also inoperable. The dealer was contacted and was able to reproduce the failure. The manufacturer was contacted by e-mail and made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 1,000.
The cat has been leaking oil and has gotten worse this past month. The plastic plug has been changed but it keeps leaking.
While opening the sunroof, the front end of the sunroof began to billow smoke. The cabin filled with smoke. The car was immediately turned off and the fuse was removed. While attempting to drive the vehicle closer to the dealership, the car experienced a total electrical failure and stalled on the side of the road. The car will require a tow. There is a known recall on this matter, however, my VIN does not fall under this recall. The recall explains the exact issue we experienced with the smoking sunroof motor from the faulty lighting causing a serious fire risk.
A couple of weeks now my steering wheel has been locking while Iâm driving, sadly I thought it was because I needed to get my car serviced. This morning my steering wheel locked out of nowhere as I was turning and I almost ended up in a head on collision with another car while my kids were in the car. Then my brother did some research and sent me NHTSA link talking about the recalls. This is absolutely dangerous and I need to get reimbursed or something for my SUV doing this. Itâs dangerous and can possibly kill someone.
This is an additional complaint concerning the same vehicle previously reported under ODI XXX. On XXX, while the vehicle was in Drive and moving at approximately 5 mph in [XXX], it unexpectedly shut off and shifted itself into Park. On XXX, while reversing, the vehicle suddenly lost all power and the engine shut off while the transmission was still in Reverse. The vehicle had to be shifted into Park before it would restart. Photographs were taken immediately after the XXX incident and are available. These repeated shutdowns created a serious risk of a crash or injury. The vehicle has an extensive repair history, including a transmission replacement, but continues to experience hard shifting…
Repair instructions and other communications the manufacturer sent dealers about known issues. A TSB is not a recall, and the repair is usually free only while the car is under warranty; ask your dealer for the bulletin number.
Repair or Replace Information
Brake rotor resurfacing
Resurfacing Rotors during Perfect Delivery Inspection
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct various flash programming errors.
Oil leak from Cylinder Head Cover; Customer states MIL-on, Transmission warning light on, harsh shifting; Coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket, Low coolant level, Visible coolant leak, or Coolant warning message in instrument cluster; Customer states no start condition; Customer states no start condition; Customer states wind noise and or water ingress; Customer states there is a noise when pressing the brake pedal; Customer states there is a leak from the front of the vehicle
Mis-installed foam blocks for rear lid spoiler
Oil leak from Cylinder Head Cover; Customer states MIL-on, Transmission warning light on, harsh shifting; Coolant leak from the cylinder head gasket, Low coolant level, Visible coolant leak, or Coolant warning message in instrument cluster; Customer states no start condition; Customer states no start condition; Customer states wind noise and or water ingress; Customer states there is a noise when pressing the brake pedal; Customer states there is a leak from the front of the vehicle
Steering wheel sensor mat (hands on detection) and software deviation in the steering wheel detection control module -1158-.
This is a notice for software changes with the ODIS diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: A software fix is needed to correct the issue: Part number 3Q0-959-435N software version number 1307 has incorrect coding.
In some vehicles, a software condition may cause the engine control module (ECM) to remain active after a diagnostic check has been completed. If this occurs, the 12âvolt battery could gradually discharge while the vehicle is turned off. Under this service action, Volkswagen is providing an ECM software update to ensure the control module shuts down properly and to help prevent unnecessary battery drain. Updated ECM software version table to include additional versions
In some vehicles, a software condition may cause the engine control module (ECM) to remain active after a diagnostic check has been completed. If this occurs, the 12âvolt battery could gradually discharge while the vehicle is turned off. Under this service action, Volkswagen is providing an ECM software update to ensure the control module shuts down properly and to help prevent unnecessary battery drain. Updated ECM software version table to include additional versions
Battery Checking Procedure before replacement
NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation opens these when complaints point to a possible safety defect. Many end in a recall.
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to te
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC)
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the 2018 MY Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35 mph, full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front-passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017 at MGA Research Corp. in Wisconsin (MGA) and December 13, 2017 at the Transportation Research Center of Ohio (TRC).During bo
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to te
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened an investigation based on consumer allegations of steering wheel clock spring/steering column control module (SCCM) failures in model year (MY) 2012 Volkswagen Passat and CC models.The SCCM is a module within the steering column that incorporates a spiral conductor (a ribbon cable) to electrically connect the steering wheel to the vehicle's electrical system while allowing for the turning of the steering wheel.Complainants alleged that that the cl
Volkswagen Group of America (VW) is conducting a safety recall of approximately 62,155 model year (MY) 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles to address a partial loss of the exterior lighting (see NHTSA recall 13V-569 for more information).These vehicles' exterior lighting system is protected by two separate fuses contained in a fuse box located in the engine compartment.According to VW, high thermal cycling and soft-coated fuse coating material used at the F16 (also referred to as SB16) location
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation public data (complaints, manufacturer communications, investigations), model years 2010 and later. Had a safety problem? Report it to NHTSA.
In complaints filed with NHTSA for model years 2010–2026, owners most often name: engine, electrical system, unknown or other. 2,130 complaints are on record.
No. A complaint is an unverified report from an owner. A technical service bulletin (TSB) is the manufacturer telling dealers how to fix a known issue; it is not a safety recall and is usually covered only under warranty. A recall is a formal safety action, and its repair is free.
File a vehicle safety complaint at NHTSA.gov. NHTSA reads every report, and patterns of complaints are what open defect investigations and, eventually, recalls.
