NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
62 reports11,000 miles · Feb 26, 2018
Service Brakes
THE BRAKES SIMPLY JUMP WHEN IT'S GOING SLOWLY OVER ROUGHER SURFACE. THE BRAKE PEDALS ALSO SHAKE AND BOTTOM OUT UP AND DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I GENTLY HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THEN REAPPLY PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE DURING THE MOMENT LOOSE THE BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT A COLLISION. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEAL…
Read full complaint
THE BRAKES SIMPLY JUMP WHEN IT'S GOING SLOWLY OVER ROUGHER SURFACE. THE BRAKE PEDALS ALSO SHAKE AND BOTTOM OUT UP AND DOWN. WHEN THIS HAPPENS I GENTLY HAVE TO TAKE MY FOOT OFF THEN REAPPLY PRESSURE ON THE PEDAL. CONSEQUENTLY THE VEHICLE DURING THE MOMENT LOOSE THE BRAKING WHICH COULD RESULT A COLLISION. I HAVE GONE TO THE DEALER SERVICE TWICE IN 2 YEARS BUT THE SERVICE COULD NOT FIND THE FAULT AND BRUSH OFF MY GRAVE SIGHTINGS. THE 2 PREVIOUS REPORTS CONFIRMED THE SAME SYMPTONS AND RESULT. IT NOW IS EVIDENT IN MULTIPLE VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11075143
42,000 miles · Nov 29, 2017
Air BagsElectrical System
MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42000 MILES ON IT. 6000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. AS I WAS TURNING I HEARD A RATTLING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DO NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SAME ISSUE AS 2010-2014 RECALLS. THE PART IS DEFECTED AND DEALER…
Read full complaint
MY VEHICLE ONLY HAS 42000 MILES ON IT. 6000 MILES OVER WARRANTY. AS I WAS TURNING I HEARD A RATTLING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK AND STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS DO NOT WORK. DEALERSHIP SAID IT'S THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING WHEEL. SAME ISSUE AS 2010-2014 RECALLS. THE PART IS DEFECTED AND DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO PAY FOR IT. IF I WRECK THE AIRBAG WILL NOT WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11051148
16,450 miles · Oct 18, 2017
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
1 MONTH OLD AND BATTERY DISCHARGED, TOOK TO DEALER NO ISSUE FOUND , 2 YEARS LATER SAME ISSUE BATTERY DISCHARGED PURCHASED NEW BATTERY WORKED FOR 2 DAYS THEN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NO ISSUE WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY. WHEN I WENT TO START THIS IT SHOWED ALL THE LI…
Read full complaint
1 MONTH OLD AND BATTERY DISCHARGED, TOOK TO DEALER NO ISSUE FOUND , 2 YEARS LATER SAME ISSUE BATTERY DISCHARGED PURCHASED NEW BATTERY WORKED FOR 2 DAYS THEN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NO ISSUE WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY. WHEN I WENT TO START THIS IT SHOWED ALL THE LIGHTS ALL THE SYMBOLS AND THEN COMPLETELY BLANK.
NHTSA ODI #11034395
Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2017
Electrical SystemVisibility/wiper
WHEN PLACING THE CAR IN REVERSE, THE VIEWING SCREEN SUDDENLY TURNS DARK AND UNVIEWABLE, THEREFORE CREATING A DRIVING HAZARD FOR TODAYS DRIVING REQUIREMENTS. THE COMPANY SAYS THEY CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT THE CONDITION?? THIS HAS OCCURRED IN ALL THE 2 YEARS I HAVE HAD THE CAR. OTHER VW OWNERS HAVE THE SAME CONDITION.
NHTSA ODI #11032777
36,000 miles · Aug 2, 2017
Power Train
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY GOING 70+MPH THE CAR MADE A LOUD THUD, LIKE A TIRE WAS BLOWN, THE WHEEL LOST CONTROL FOR A SECOND THE CAR ALMOST ROLLED. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON FOR WARNING. ALL TIRES WHERE INTACT. AFTER PULLING OVER THE CAR AND TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR LOUD BANGING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND IT COUL…
Read full complaint
DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY GOING 70+MPH THE CAR MADE A LOUD THUD, LIKE A TIRE WAS BLOWN, THE WHEEL LOST CONTROL FOR A SECOND THE CAR ALMOST ROLLED. NO ENGINE LIGHT OR TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT CAME ON FOR WARNING. ALL TIRES WHERE INTACT. AFTER PULLING OVER THE CAR AND TRYING TO DRIVE THE CAR LOUD BANGING FROM UNDER THE CAR AND IT COULD NOT BE DRIVEN. WAS TOWED TO A VW SERVICE CENTER. VERY SCARY EXPERIENCE GOING 70MPH ON THE FREEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE ENDED IN A MAJOR CRASH.
NHTSA ODI #11012234
28,000 miles · Mar 31, 2017
Unknown Or Other
I PULLED MY 2015 TIGUAN OUT OF MY GARAGE AND BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I STARTED TO DRIVE BUT THERE WAS A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS A BLOCK AHEAD OF ME WITH CARS STOPPED BEHIND IT. I DROVE ABOUT 20 FEET AT NO MORE THAN 5 MPH AND STOPPED BEHIND THE LINE OF CARS AHEAD OF ME. SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND TINY WHITE SHARDS OF GLA…
Read full complaint
I PULLED MY 2015 TIGUAN OUT OF MY GARAGE AND BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I STARTED TO DRIVE BUT THERE WAS A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS A BLOCK AHEAD OF ME WITH CARS STOPPED BEHIND IT. I DROVE ABOUT 20 FEET AT NO MORE THAN 5 MPH AND STOPPED BEHIND THE LINE OF CARS AHEAD OF ME. SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND TINY WHITE SHARDS OF GLASS WERE COVERING ME AND THE ENTIRE CABIN. I LOOKED UP AND SAW MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND BUBBLED UP. I TURNED MY CAR AROUND TO RETURN HOME AND CHUNKS OF GLASS STARTED TO FALL ON ME. WHEN I WAS SAFELY BACK IN MY DRIVEWAY I CALLED MY VW DEALERSHIP (PLATINUM VW) AND SITE UNSEEN THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD ME A ROCK HIT MY CAR. I TOLD HER NO ROCK HIT MY CAR, I WAS BEHIND A LINE OF STOPPED CARS. SHE TRANSFERRED ME TO A SERVICE ASSOCIATE WHO ALSO, SITE UNSEEN, INSISTED A ROCK HIT MY CAR. AGAIN I PROTESTED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IN THE CAR. BEFORE I COULD DRIVE IT, I HAD TO REMOVE AS MUCH OF THE GLASS AS POSSIBLE BY BREAKING IT OFF WITH THE BACK OF A SPATULA. I THEN DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOOK MY CAR AND REFUSED TO LOAN ME A CAR AND TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR AND ALL REPAIRS BECAUSE VW IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. I REPEATED MY STORY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK PHOTOS OF THE REMAINING GLASS. THEY CALLED THE NEXT MORNING TO INFORM ME THAT THEY HAVE "EVIDENCE" OF AN IMPACT OF A ROCK. THIS IS A LIE. NO ROCK HIT THE CAR. I, PERSONALLY, HAD TO "IMPACT" THE REMAINING SHATTERED GLASS TO REMOVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE SO I COULD DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT MORE FALLING ON ME. THEY REFUSE TO COVERED THIS UNDER WARRANTY AND INSIST I PUT A CLAIM INTO MY INSURANCE BECAUSE IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NOTHING HIT MY CAR. MY CAR WAS STOPPED BEHIND A LINE OF OTHER CARS BEHIND A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS. THERE WAS NO FLYING DEBRIS. VW MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AS THEY ARE WITH OTHER MODELS LIKE AUDI A3, A5 AND BEETLES.
NHTSA ODI #10969700
19,500 miles · Dec 15, 2016
Service Brakes
I WANT TO REFERENCE NHTSA COMPLAINT ID # 10883887, FILED ON 7/11/2016 BY ANOTHER CONSUMER, BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY DESCRIBED WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 2015 VW TIGUAN. AS THEY SAID, THE PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY, TYPICALLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS, AND IN MY CASE, SOMETIMES (BUT N…
Read full complaint
I WANT TO REFERENCE NHTSA COMPLAINT ID # 10883887, FILED ON 7/11/2016 BY ANOTHER CONSUMER, BECAUSE I HAVE EXPERIENCED EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM THAT THEY DESCRIBED WITH THE BRAKES ON MY 2015 VW TIGUAN. AS THEY SAID, THE PROBLEM OCCURS RANDOMLY, TYPICALLY WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AT LOW SPEEDS, AND IN MY CASE, SOMETIMES (BUT NOT ALWAYS) IT SEEMS TO BE LINKED WITH APPLYING THE BRAKES ON A ROUGH ROAD THAT HAS POTHOLES OR AN UNEVEN SURFACE. THE VEHICLE LOSES BRAKING EFFECTIVENESS AND IT FEELS AS IF THE BRAKES ARE GRINDING METAL-ON-METAL (CONSISTENT WITH THE OTHER CONSUMER'S DESCRIPTION OF A LOUD GRINDING NOISE). WHEN IT HAPPENS, I HAVE TO RELEASE THE PEDAL AND THEN SLOWLY REAPPLY THE BRAKES - AND THIS DELAY IN EFFECTIVELY STOPPING THE VEHICLE COULD EASILY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. ALSO, I WANT TO NOTE THAT THIS IS NOT THE SAME AS THE RAPID "PUMPING" OF THE BRAKES THAT OCCURS AUTOMATICALLY DURING HARD BRAKING WITH ANTILOCK BRAKES - THIS "BRAKE GRINDING" PROBLEM IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THAT, AND ALMOST CERTAINLY NOT NORMAL. IT HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR THE ENTIRE LIFE OF THE VEHICLE, AND I HAVE DISCUSSED IT TWICE WITH MY VW DEALER'S SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT MY ROUTINE MAINTENANCE CHECKS. BOTH TIMES THEY HAVE DISMISSED IT, ATTRIBUTING IT TO DUST OR DIRT ACCUMULATING ON THE BRAKES, OR JUST SAYING THAT VW BRAKES OFTEN HAVE "LOUD SQUEALS," WHICH IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM THE GRINDING SOUND THAT I AM REPORTING. NOW THAT I SEE THAT ANOTHER CONSUMER HAS REPORTED EXACTLY THE SAME PROBLEM, I THINK IT MERITS AN INVESTIGATION TO DETERMINE WHETHER THERE IS SOME UNDERLYING DEFECT IN THE BRAKES THAT WOULD WARRANT A RECALL.
NHTSA ODI #10935512
34,000 miles · Oct 6, 2016
Unknown Or OtherVisibility
THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. WE WERE SHOWERED WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS INCLUDING TINY SHARDS. SOME PIN PRICK SIZE INJURIES ON HANDS AND ARMS. WE WERE CRUISING AT 70MPH ON I-90 AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. IT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE HAD ONE REAR WINDOW DOWN FOR AIR SO INTERNAL TEMPER…
Read full complaint
THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. WE WERE SHOWERED WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS INCLUDING TINY SHARDS. SOME PIN PRICK SIZE INJURIES ON HANDS AND ARMS. WE WERE CRUISING AT 70MPH ON I-90 AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. IT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE HAD ONE REAR WINDOW DOWN FOR AIR SO INTERNAL TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT THE SAME. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10914350
8,500 miles · Jul 11, 2016
Service BrakesStructureSuspension
WE CURRENTLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH OUR BRAKING SYSTEM IN OUR 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY. THE CAR WILL LOOSE ITS ABILITY TO BRAKE AND WILL MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND THE CAR MANUFACTURE CANNOT SEEM TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. OUR CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE TAKE…
Read full complaint
WE CURRENTLY HAVE AN ISSUE WITH OUR BRAKING SYSTEM IN OUR 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. AT LOW SPEEDS THE CAR DOES NOT BRAKE PROPERLY. THE CAR WILL LOOSE ITS ABILITY TO BRAKE AND WILL MAKE A LOUD GRINDING SOUND. THIS HAPPENS AT RANDOM TIMES AND THE CAR MANUFACTURE CANNOT SEEM TO REPLICATE THE ISSUE. OUR CONCERN IS THAT WE HAVE TAKEN IT TO VOLKWAGEN TWICE; ON THE FIRST OCCASION THEY SAID THERE WAS NO ISSUE AND ON THE SECOND OCCASION THEY SAID IT WAS A BRAKE SEAL ISSUE. THE ISSUE IS STILL OCCURRING AND NOW THEY ARE MAKING STATEMENTS THAT AN OUTSIDE INFLUENCE MAY HAVE CAUSE THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE ASKED THEM TO REPURCHASE THE CAR DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE, BUT THEY HAVE REFUSED AND WE ARE ATTEMPTING TO FIX IT AGAIN TODAY. WE ALSO HAVE ISSUES WITH THE PAINT ON THE CAR AND THE SIRRIUS XM RADIO. ALTHOUGH THESE LAST TWO ISSUES ARE SMALLER, I AM CONCERNED THAT VOLKSWAGEN HAS SOLD A CAR THAT MAY HAVE ELECTRICAL ISSUES, AS WELL.
NHTSA ODI #10883887
5,000 miles · Nov 23, 2015
Visibility
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE SUN ROOF EXPLODED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000.
NHTSA ODI #10806332
Official recalls
4Jul 17, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.
May 16, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI 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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Jan 28, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).
May 26, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 22, 2015, to March 20, 2015. These vehicles may be equipped with Certification labels that are missing the required tire pressure information and they may state incorrect weight and loading information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the labels have incorrect weight and loading information, the operator may overload the vehicle which could cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will correct the information on the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01A5.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗