CSR

Volkswagen · NHTSA safety record

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Every safety complaint, recall and defect investigation the US government holds on this vehicle.

276

Complaints

5

Crashes

3

Fires

11

Injuries

0

Deaths

Owners of the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have filed 276 safety complaints with NHTSA between October 2017 and August 2026. The most complained-about system is the engine, named in 79 of them (29%). The typical failure was reported at 6,700 miles, the median across the 154 complaints that gave an odometer reading.

Complaints more than doubled year on year: 20 in the twelve months to 2026-Q1, against 10 in the twelve before.

NHTSA has issued 13 recalls covering this vehicle.

Recalls (13)

STRUCTURE:BODY

22V226000 · April 6, 2022

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
The risk
An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 6,553 vehicles across all model years covered

STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS

21V732000 · September 23, 2021

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.
The risk
The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
The remedy
Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51H5.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 2 vehicles across all model years covered

SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING

20V724000 · November 20, 2020

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.
The risk
A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belts and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BH.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 10,835 vehicles across all model years covered

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

19V679000 · September 25, 2019

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. 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.
The risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 113 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS

19V188000 · March 6, 2019

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.
The risk
If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 56,173 vehicles across all model years covered

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL

18V824000 · November 26, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
The risk
If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 73,549 vehicles across all model years covered

VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY

18V467000 · July 13, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.
The risk
A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall 60D1.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 45,457 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE

18V375000 · June 6, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.
The risk
If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 821 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT

18V324000 · May 16, 2018

Do not drive until repaired

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.
The risk
A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the nut on the lower ball joint and, as necessary, clean the thread in the ball joint, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40N4. Note: owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair has been performed.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 2,473 vehicles across all model years covered

SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER

18V262000 · April 25, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process
The risk
If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42i7.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 7,430 vehicles across all model years covered

ENGINE

18V159000 · March 8, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
The risk
If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F7.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 4 vehicles across all model years covered

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

18V102000 · February 9, 2018

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Tiguan Limited vehicles. The front driver air bag installed on these vehicles may not be intended for use in vehicles sold in the United States. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
The risk
In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 3,768 vehicles across all model years covered

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS

17V662000 · October 18, 2017

The defect
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
The risk
If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.
The remedy
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. · up to 5,509 vehicles across all model years covered

Defect investigations (2)

An investigation means NHTSA has decided a pattern is worth examining. A preliminary evaluation is often closed with no action; an engineering analysis is the stage that usually precedes a recall.

Seat Belt Webbing Failure

EA18005

Closed engineering analysis · opened July 3, 2018 · closed February 27, 2023 · led to recall 20V724000

the seat belts

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) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

Seat Belt Webbing Failure

PE18001

Closed preliminary evaluation · opened January 10, 2018 · closed July 3, 2018

the seat belts

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 both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated in tension where it looped through the seat belt latch tongue (see attached photos). Based on its analysis of the NCAP test results, VW asserted that the test dummy umbilical cord exerted additional forces on the seat belt system causing the separation. To support this theory, VW conducted several sled tests.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-001) on 01/10/2018 to evaluate the two (2) incidents of seat belt separation. ODI and NCAP reviewed the sled test data submitted by VW in support of their theory. Micro analysis, conducted by the Materials Laboratory at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), verified the seat belts failed in tension and not due to cuts or abrasion.PE18-001 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA18-005) to further examine seat belt behavior in the subject vehicles and to determine, among other things, a root cause for the seat belt separation. ODI will perform a thorough review of any vehicle and seat belt design changes for the new 2018 MY Tiguan platform and their effects on the performance of the seat belt system.

What owners report

Complaints naming each system. One complaint can name several, so these add up to more than 276.

ENGINE 79 29%
UNKNOWN OR OTHER 50 18%
POWER TRAIN 49 18%
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 42 15%
STRUCTURE 39 14%
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 38 14%
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 21 8%
SERVICE BRAKES 19 7%
EXTERIOR LIGHTING 16 6%
SEAT BELTS 16 6%
AIR BAGS 15 5%
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 12 4%

When the complaints arrived

By the year NHTSA received them, which is not the year the failures happened. They peaked in 2018 at 92.

2017 2018 2026
2017 to 2026, the last of them a part year

In owners' own words

Quoted from NHTSA's complaint file. These are unverified accounts by the people who filed them, not findings of fault.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 injured · crash

Engine keeps failing and dings while driving non-stop. Causes the vehicle to think there is another vehicle near me and activates the emergency braking in the middle of the highway almost causing me to crash. I have taken the vehicle to dealer and told it is fixed about 8 times now

NHTSA complaint 11525928. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2 injured · 26,500 miles

DRIVING 65 ON HIGHWAY, PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO REASON.

NHTSA complaint 11292232. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

AIR BAGS

1 injured · crash · towed

I was involved in a head-on collision going 35mph. The airbags failed to deploy. Due to this fact, my leg arms, and shoulder took all the force of the accident causing edema and bursitis to my left shoulder. The car was towed to one of State Farm’s Collison centers where it was inspected. There were no warnings or symptoms prior to total failure of the system.

NHTSA complaint 11432150. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SERVICE BRAKES

1 injured

DRIVING ON A SATURDAY MORNING TO MY HOME. NO CARS IN FRONT OF ME, BEHIND ME OR IN THE OPPOSITE LANE (2 LANE ROAD). WITHIN 1/4 MILE FROM HOME, THE AUTOMATIC FRONT BRAKE ASSIST WAS ENGAGED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN ON THIS EXACT ROAD 100'S OF TIMES AND THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED. THE GROCERIES IN THE BACK SEAT FLEW TO THE FRONT SEAT AND I EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH. I AM JUST SO GRATEFUL THAT MY CHILDREN WERE NOT IN THE CAR! IT WAS SCARY AND COMPLETELY UNPROMPTED. I CHECKED THE OWNERS MANUAL AND DISENGAGED THE FRONT ASSIST. I HAVE BEEN A LOYAL VW OWNER FOR 25 YEARS BUT THIS IS SO UNSETTLING! THE CAR JUST HAD ITS FIRST SERVICE (10,000 MILES) 4 DAYS PRIOR AT A VW DEALERSHIP.

NHTSA complaint 11210108. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE

towed · 37,000 miles

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an engine failure, and internal parts fell apart and started grinding into the oil pan. The message "LIMP Mode” and the vehicle failed to exceed 4,000 RPM. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be disassembled to be fully diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA complaint 11755859. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ENGINE
Our 2018 Volkswagen had a light that came on so we took to dealership. The part that needs replaced is the cylinder head assembly which will be over $6000 plus $3k for timing. It will take over 28 weeks to get the part. So the car is not able to be driven. After looking into this, this is a known issue and there is a class action lawsuits going on right now. There are 4,600 back order parts nationwide. This is a defective part that the company has not recalled. The dealership is aware also that this is a known issue. There was not an injury but they say it is unsafe to drive. Volkswagen has no resolution for problem for a known defect part.

NHTSA complaint 11754799. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER
A few weeks ago i noticed that a car passed me and the little blind spot alert light didn't light up. when i arrived at my destination I did some scanning through the menus and i discovered that the blind spot (side assist) was not on, but when i attempted to turn it on, the car said "function not available". After some investigation (using a odbeleven scanner) i discovered that the blind spot assist functionality has a fault with "no communication". This system, upon failure, give NO indication anywhere, plus this also means my rear back up alert ( a kid running behind my car, for example, which would normally cause a huge alert, nothing happens). I also learned that there is a technical

NHTSA complaint 11742512, quoted in part. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
First purchased this car from a dealership in 2023, used at128,051 miles. Did not have any problems with it in the first year I would say. Then suddenly while driving down the road the epc light would come on limiting my speed to 4,000 rpm. It would come on and off also causing my check engine light to come on and off. It has now become more frequent, the epc and check engine lights will come on and off creating a major hazard while driving. Got it scanned while the check engine light was on and it ran a code for a cylinder 4 engine misfire from my fuel injector wiring rail harness. It looks to be a common problem with this model but it’s showing my vin is not attached to a recall.

NHTSA complaint 11733032. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
2018 VW Tiguan. The fuel injector harness failed. There is a NHTSA letter stating 2018-2019 Tiguans had this issue and there’s an extended warranty up to 120,000 miles. My Tiguan is at 91,000 miles, but VW is saying the warranty isn’t assigned to my VIN. So there’s a warranty for this exact issue and year, but my vehicle isn’t covered. This warranty obviously needs to be extended by build date as it’s a pretty costly repair.

NHTSA complaint 11732357. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

SUSPENSION
Front coil spring fractured at 84,554 miles. I am the original owner with full dealer-maintained service history. VW issued Safety Recall 42J5 for premature rear coil spring fracture on 2018–2019 Tiguans due to material specification and manufacturing process defects at the spring supplier. The front springs on this vehicle came from the same supply chain and production window. VW dealer in [XXX] noted that spring failures are common in this area on these vehicles. VW Customer CARE declined goodwill assistance. Requesting investigation into expanding Recall 42J5 to include front axle coil springs. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint 11728835. Filed by an owner and not verified by NHTSA or by us.

Compare

Other years of the Volkswagen Tiguan

Model year Complaints Recalls Deaths
2025 45 2
2024 57 2
2023 60 1
2022 251 5
2021 132 5
2020 137 3
2019 188 5
2017 73 4 1
2016 96 2
2015 62 4
2014 83 3
2013 139 3
2012 152 3
2011 160 3
2010 109 2

Other 2018 Volkswagen models

Every Volkswagen on this site — 152 vehicles, 256 recall campaigns and 2 open investigation s.

If this is your car and a dealer keeps failing to fix it, your state's lemon law may require the manufacturer to replace it or buy it back. What each state asks for , read from the statutes.

Where these numbers come from

A complaint is one owner's account and has not been verified by NHTSA or by us. A vehicle with more complaints is not necessarily worse: models that sold in larger numbers collect more of them. How this is counted.

Compiled and maintained by
Independent developer and analyst