IllustrationWHEN ACCELERATING. IT FEELS LIKE THE MOTOR IS VIBRATING TOO MUCH LIKE IT'S GOING TO RIP ITSELF OUT. THE CAR HAS ONLY 3K MILES. IT'S BEEN ADDRESSED TO VOLKSWAGEN! MOTOR MOUNTS ARE OK AND TRANSMISSION MOUNT IS GOOD AS TOLD BY DEALER. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME THE CAR IS ACCELERATING FROM A STANDSTILL
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Tiguan years
Owner complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 124.5.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tiguan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1300–25K
1825–50K
250–75K
375–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
154 reports with mileage · 128 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Engine. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
Power Train complaints
49 reportsWHEN PRESSING PEDAL FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE THERE IS EITHER A LAG IN RESPONSE OR NO RESPONSE CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE WHEN GOING FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO MOVING ACTION INTO TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN NOTED AT RANDOM MOMENTS, MORE NOTICEABLY WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST TURNED ON. HOWEVER, IT HAS HAPPENE…
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WHEN PRESSING PEDAL FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO ACCELERATE THE VEHICLE THERE IS EITHER A LAG IN RESPONSE OR NO RESPONSE CAUSING THE VEHICLE NOT TO MOVE WHEN GOING FROM A STOPPED POSITION TO MOVING ACTION INTO TRAFFIC. THIS HAS BEEN NOTED AT RANDOM MOMENTS, MORE NOTICEABLY WHEN VEHICLE IS FIRST TURNED ON. HOWEVER, IT HAS HAPPENED COUNTLESS TIMES WHEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL MILES. THIS LACK OF ACCELERATOR RESPONSE PUTS MY FAMILY AND I INTO A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION.
DANGEROUS JERKINESS AND LOSS OF POWER WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH FIRST 3 GEARS. WHEN COMING OUT OF A STOP THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES NOTICEABLE LAG AS IT SHIFTS THROUGH EACH GEAR. ENGINE REVS, POWER DROPS, AND THEN IT SUDDENLY JERKS INTO GEAR. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES AND I SHOULD JUST KEEP DRIVING. …
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DANGEROUS JERKINESS AND LOSS OF POWER WHEN SHIFTING THROUGH FIRST 3 GEARS. WHEN COMING OUT OF A STOP THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES NOTICEABLE LAG AS IT SHIFTS THROUGH EACH GEAR. ENGINE REVS, POWER DROPS, AND THEN IT SUDDENLY JERKS INTO GEAR. TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO TROUBLE CODES AND I SHOULD JUST KEEP DRIVING. ISSUE WAS REPRODUCIBLE IN NORMAL AND SPORT MODE, AND WAS VERIFIED BY THE TECHNICIAN WHEN I MADE HIM ACCOMPANY ME ON A TEST DRIVE.
PURCHASED A 2018 VW TIGUAN SEL IN FEBUARY 2018. BROUGHT TO DEALER TWICE (SO FAR) AND BRINGING IT BACKI TOMORROW. HAS STAYED IN SHOP FOR 5 WEEKS SINCE PURCHASE. SERIOUS HESITATION WHEN ACCERLATING. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN FEAR OF HER LIFE !! (AND SO AM I) THESE CARS MUST BE STOPPED BEING SOLD...WILL NOT BE L…
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PURCHASED A 2018 VW TIGUAN SEL IN FEBUARY 2018. BROUGHT TO DEALER TWICE (SO FAR) AND BRINGING IT BACKI TOMORROW. HAS STAYED IN SHOP FOR 5 WEEKS SINCE PURCHASE. SERIOUS HESITATION WHEN ACCERLATING. MY WIFE REFUSES TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE IN FEAR OF HER LIFE !! (AND SO AM I) THESE CARS MUST BE STOPPED BEING SOLD...WILL NOT BE LONG BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED....
FROM A STOP, AND AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES VERY BADLY. AT TIMES, WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE FOR 2-3 SECONDS OR MORE--IT JUST COASTS. IN OTHER SITUATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL, AND THE ENGINE REVS TO HIGH RPM. THIS HAS LED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS: WHEN…
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FROM A STOP, AND AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES VERY BADLY. AT TIMES, WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE FOR 2-3 SECONDS OR MORE--IT JUST COASTS. IN OTHER SITUATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL, AND THE ENGINE REVS TO HIGH RPM. THIS HAS LED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS: WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN, MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AFTER MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN, OR ATTEMPTING TO GET TO SPEED ENTERING A FREEWAY. FURTHER, THIS IS NOT HOW THE VEHICLE BEHAVED ON THE TEST-DRIVE. IF IT HAD, I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED IT. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT MORE THAT 3 WEEKS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. AFTER THIS PERIOD OF SERVICE, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME, AND I WAS TOLD THAT VW HAD DETERMINED THAT THIS IS A "FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE", AND THAT NOTHING MORE WOULD BE DONE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND A BAIT-AND-SWITCH.
THE TIGUAN HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH HESITATION WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. YOU CAN FEEL AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER, LOSS OF BOOST AND A BUCKING FEELING WHILE IT SHIFTING. I'VE ALSO DRIVEN ANOTHER TIGUAN OF THE SAME YEAR AND THE ISSUE WAS PRESENT ON THAT SPECIFIC MODEL TOO. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYAN…
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THE TIGUAN HAS BEEN HAVING ISSUES WITH HESITATION WHILE SHIFTING BETWEEN 1ST AND 2ND GEAR. YOU CAN FEEL AN IMMEDIATE LOSS OF POWER, LOSS OF BOOST AND A BUCKING FEELING WHILE IT SHIFTING. I'VE ALSO DRIVEN ANOTHER TIGUAN OF THE SAME YEAR AND THE ISSUE WAS PRESENT ON THAT SPECIFIC MODEL TOO. THIS ISSUE IS NOT ONLY AN ANNOYANCE BUT ALSO A SAFETY ISSUE WHILE MERGING OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP.
TIGUAN 2018 HESITATES TO ACCELERATE WITH A LAPSE OF A FEW (3 OR 4) SECOND BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY ACCELERATES AFTER A FULL STOP OR FROM SLOW SPEEDS. THIS ISSUE TENDS TO BE CONSTANT AND CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS WHEN TRYING TO PULL FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION OR FROM ANY OTHER SITUATION WHERE YOU NEED TO MOVE QUICK , I…
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TIGUAN 2018 HESITATES TO ACCELERATE WITH A LAPSE OF A FEW (3 OR 4) SECOND BEFORE THE CAR FINALLY ACCELERATES AFTER A FULL STOP OR FROM SLOW SPEEDS. THIS ISSUE TENDS TO BE CONSTANT AND CAN BE EXTREMELY DANGEROUS AS IT HAPPENS WHEN TRYING TO PULL FROM A BUSY INTERSECTION OR FROM ANY OTHER SITUATION WHERE YOU NEED TO MOVE QUICK , ITS A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE SOMEONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT IF VW DOESN'T COME UP WITH A RESOLUTION. IM NOW ON MY SECOND SERVICE APOINTMENT WITHIN A MONTH. SEEMS TO BE A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS MODEL VERY FRUSTRATING!!!!!
WHEN STARTING VEHICLE (EITHER COLD OR WARM), VEHICLE HAS A SEVERAL SECONDS HESITATION WHEN PUSHING DOWN ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE, HESITATES THEN LURCHES FORWARD AS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT GETTING SUFFICIENT POWER TO MOVE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR. THI…
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WHEN STARTING VEHICLE (EITHER COLD OR WARM), VEHICLE HAS A SEVERAL SECONDS HESITATION WHEN PUSHING DOWN ACCELERATOR. VEHICLE DOES NOT MOVE, HESITATES THEN LURCHES FORWARD AS IF THE VEHICLE IS NOT GETTING SUFFICIENT POWER TO MOVE. VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE VOLKSWAGEN DEALER SEVERAL TIMES AND THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO REPAIR. THIS IS DANGEROUS WHEN YOU ARE ENTERING A HIGHWAY OR CROSSING A MULTI LANE ROAD AND HAVE TO MOVE QUICKLY AND THE VEHICLE DOES NOT RESPOND.
THERE IS ALL THIS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING ALMOST LIKE A BUCKING OR THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS/OXYGEN MIX. THEN YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL A QUARTER OF THE WAY DOWN AND THE ENGINE HESITATES THEN THROWS THE CAR INTO HIGH GEAR AND TAKES OFF. I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF CARS THE PAST WEEK EVEN A VW TOUAREG THAT DID NOT …
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THERE IS ALL THIS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING ALMOST LIKE A BUCKING OR THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS/OXYGEN MIX. THEN YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL A QUARTER OF THE WAY DOWN AND THE ENGINE HESITATES THEN THROWS THE CAR INTO HIGH GEAR AND TAKES OFF. I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF CARS THE PAST WEEK EVEN A VW TOUAREG THAT DID NOT ACT LIKE THIS CAR DOES WITH THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT SENDING THE CORRECT SINGLE TO THE ENGINE OR THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER IS NOT INTERRUPTING IT CORRECTLY FROM THE ACCELERATOR. THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR CAN BE BAD AND GIVE A FALSE POSITIVE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO 4 DEALERSHIPS AND FIELD ENGINEERS HAVE STATED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT VW REFUSES TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REQUESTS BUT THEY KEEP GETTING DENIED AND SAY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE VEHICLE AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALMOST GOT INTO 3 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT REACT AND THE CAR STALLED OUT.
IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS OCCURS WHEN FIRST SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY INPUT INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE RPMS WILL HOLD AT 1000…
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IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS OCCURS WHEN FIRST SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY INPUT INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE RPMS WILL HOLD AT 1000 OR DROP TO ALMOST STALLING THE CAR. AFTER ABOUT 10-20 SECONDS OF THIS, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY RECOGNIZE THE THROTTLE INPUT AND WILL LURCH FORWARD. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL DECIDE TO RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE INPUT. THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS OVER ~55 F. THIS HAS BEEN SERVICED ONCE, PER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE SERVICE SIMPLY MADE THE PROBLEM INTERMITTENT. THE TSB STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG MODULES RUBBING ON THE METAL OF THE FRAME AND BODY. ADDITIONALLY THE TSB PROCEDURE INSTRUCTS THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO SLIDE A SCREW DRIVER BETWEEN TWO PIECES OF BODY OR FRAME METAL, AND USE A HAMMER TO BEND THE PANELS APART FROM EACH OTHER. HAS THIS BE PROVEN TO NOT COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE? THE TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO FIND THE CORRECT GEAR TO BE IN AT LOW SPEEDS OR FROM A STOP. WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP THE TRANSMISSION HAS A HARSH SHIFT IN THE FIRST 3 GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION AT TIME WILL START OFF IN THE 3RD GEAR, WITH THE THROTTLE FULLY ENGAGED, AND WILL TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS TO DETERMINE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE FIRST GEAR. BY THE TIME IT FINALLY SHIFTS INTO FIRST, IT IS AT THE PEAK RPM'S FOR FIRST GEAR AND WILL HARSHLY SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THIS IS THEN QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER JERKY SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. STARTING THE CAR OFF IN THIRD GEAR HAS CAUSED ISSUES FOR MAKING A TURN IN A BREAK IN TRAFFIC TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN NO LONGER RELIABLY DEEM THAT TO BE A SAFE MANEUVER.
Official recalls
1426V590000 · Steering
Sep 11, 2026
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
22V226000 · Structure:body
Apr 6, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
21V732000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars
Sep 23, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
20V724000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing
Nov 20, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
19V679000 · Unknown Or Other
Sep 25, 2019
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.
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 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.
19V188000 · Suspension:rear:springs:coil Springs
Mar 6, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
18V824000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel
Nov 26, 2018
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
18V467000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly
Jul 13, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
18V375000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module
Jun 6, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.
18V324000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint
May 16, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
18V262000 · Suspension:rear:shock Absorber
Apr 25, 2018
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
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
18V159000 · Engine
Mar 8, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
18V102000 · Air Bags:frontal
Feb 9, 2018
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
17V662000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights
Oct 18, 2017
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA18005 · Seat Belt Webbing Failure
Opened Jul 3, 2018 · Closed Feb 27, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:front:webbing
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.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:front
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 Belts:front:webbing
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 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.
PE18001 · Seat Belt Webbing Failure
Opened Jan 10, 2018 · Closed Jul 3, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
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.