ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED LESS THAN 5MPH THE EMERGENCY BRAKING WILL ENGAGE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE STARTING TO PROCEED FORWARD AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AS WELL AS SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH NO CARS NEAR TO CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. LUCKILY …
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED LESS THAN 5MPH THE EMERGENCY BRAKING WILL ENGAGE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE STARTING TO PROCEED FORWARD AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AS WELL AS SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH NO CARS NEAR TO CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. LUCKILY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED AT THIS POINT, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO WHAT MAY HAPPEN IF THE CAR WAS MOVING FASTER.
NHTSA ODI #11256087
7,500 miles · Jul 21, 2019
Service Brakes
MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING IN OUR TIGUAN WITH OUR 7 MONTH OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK. WE WERE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET DURING THE DAY WITH GOOD VISIBILITY. AS WE APPROACHED A METAL PLATE OVER THE ROAD (FOR A ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT) THE TIGUAN'S "FRONT ASSIST" SYSTEM CAUSED THE CAR TO NEARLY S…
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MY WIFE AND I WERE DRIVING IN OUR TIGUAN WITH OUR 7 MONTH OLD AND 3 YEAR OLD IN THE BACK. WE WERE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35-40MPH ON A RESIDENTIAL STREET DURING THE DAY WITH GOOD VISIBILITY. AS WE APPROACHED A METAL PLATE OVER THE ROAD (FOR A ROAD CONSTRUCTION PROJECT) THE TIGUAN'S "FRONT ASSIST" SYSTEM CAUSED THE CAR TO NEARLY SKID TO A STOP. THE CAR BEHIND US LUCKILY DID NOT REAR END US BUT HAD WE BEEN GOING FASTER AND THE CAR BEHIND US HAD BEEN FOLLOWING CLOSER, THE OUTCOME WOULD HAVE BEEN MUCH WORSE. THIS IS A WORRYING PROBLEM BECAUSE THE METAL PLATE WAS NO MORE THAN AN INCH HIGHER THAN THE PAVEMENT AND IS A VERY STANDARD THING TO SEE IN CONSTRUCTION SITES. IT SHOULD NOT HAVE CAUSED THE FRONT ASSIST TO ACTIVATE.
NHTSA ODI #11233706
8,150 miles · Jun 1, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineService BrakesInjury
VEHICLE ENGAGES AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING...NO OTHER VEHICLE ANYWHERE IN SIGHT. IT HAS HAPPENED ON A RURAL TWO LANE ROAD, WITH A FARM ON ONE SIDE AND WOODS ON THE OTHER AND HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON A 4 LANE ROAD WITHIN CITY LIMITS, BUT NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT ONE TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE IN THE LANE HE…
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VEHICLE ENGAGES AUTOMATIC BRAKING SYSTEM WITHOUT ANY PROMPTING...NO OTHER VEHICLE ANYWHERE IN SIGHT. IT HAS HAPPENED ON A RURAL TWO LANE ROAD, WITH A FARM ON ONE SIDE AND WOODS ON THE OTHER AND HAS ALSO HAPPENED ON A 4 LANE ROAD WITHIN CITY LIMITS, BUT NO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME, BUT ONE TO THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE IN THE LANE HEADING IN THE SAME DIRECTION. EVERY TIME THIS HAPPENS IT BRINGS THE VEHICLE TO A COMPLETE STOP, REGARDLESS OF SPEED. I HAVE EXPERIENCED WHIPLASH ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, AS WELL AS MY HUSBAND AND MY 7 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER. THE AMOUNT OF FORCE IS SO VIOLENT THAT I WOULD IMAGINE IT IS EQUIVALENT TO BEING HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. I HAD JUST PICKED UP TAKE-OUT ONCE WHEN THIS HAD HAPPENED, AND THE SALSA IN THE TAKEOUT BAG FLEW OFF OF THE BACK SEAT AND THE FORCE CAUSED THE LID TO COME OFF AND SALSA WAS ALL OVER THE 2ND ROW, FRONT ROW, AS WELL AS MYSELF AND WINDSHIELD TO PUT INTO PERSPECTIVE HOW FORCEFUL THIS IS. I FEAR THE DAY THAT IT ENGAGES AND A CAR IS BEHIND ME, BECAUSE IT WILL KILL SOMEONE. WE ONLY DRIVE THIS CAR NOW ONLY IF IT IS ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY AND WE CAN'T MAKE OTHER ARRANGEMENTS.
NHTSA ODI #11217259
Mileage unknown · May 27, 2019
Service BrakesInjury
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 …
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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 ODI #11210108
550 miles · Apr 8, 2019
Service BrakesUnknown Or Other
ON 2/17/2019, MY SISTER & I WERE DRIVING WEST ON SANTA MONICA BLVD. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45MPH. IT WAS SLIGHTLY OVERCAST. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF US FOR BLOCKS &, LUCKILY, NO CARS BEHIND US. THERE WERE NO BICYCLES OR MOTORCYCLES OR PEDESTRIANS OR ANY OTHER APPARENT 'HAZARD' IN FRONT OR ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR.…
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ON 2/17/2019, MY SISTER & I WERE DRIVING WEST ON SANTA MONICA BLVD. I WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45MPH. IT WAS SLIGHTLY OVERCAST. THERE WERE NO CARS IN FRONT OF US FOR BLOCKS &, LUCKILY, NO CARS BEHIND US. THERE WERE NO BICYCLES OR MOTORCYCLES OR PEDESTRIANS OR ANY OTHER APPARENT 'HAZARD' IN FRONT OR ON EITHER SIDE OF THE CAR. OUT OF NOWHERE, THE CAR'S BRAKES SLAMMED ON, LEAVING US STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF SANTA MONICA BLVD. THE DIGITAL COCKPIT WENT BLACK & A RED WARNING LIGHT STARTED FLASHING ACROSS IT. I ASKED MY SISTER TO GRAB THE OWNERS MANUAL TO TRY TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. AFTER SHE GRABBED IT, THE VEHICLE STARTED DRIVING AGAIN & SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE DIGITAL COCKPIT WENT BACK TO NORMAL. IT TURNED OUT THE WARNING LIGHT WAS ASSOCIATED WITH THE FRONT ASSIST SYSTEM. I TOOK MY VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 2/21/2019. ON 4/6/2019, HAVING FIXED NOTHING, THEY FORCED ME TO TAKE MY CAR BACK. THEY PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST ON 2/25/2019 THAT MY SISTER & I SAW, BUT THEY ARE REFUSING TO PROVIDE ME A COPY OF. IN THAT DIAGNOSTIC IT DID SHOW THAT THE DISTANCE MONITORING SYSTEM FAILED IN 11/2018. THE FRONT ASSIST DOES NOT SHOW A FAIL OR THAT IT HAS EVER BEEN ACTIVATED. BECAUSE MY DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO 'DUPLICATE' THE MALFUNCTION, I AM BEING TOLD THAT THIS A NORMAL FUNCTION OF THE CAR. VW ALSO WANTED ME TO KEEP A JOURNAL FOR WHEN THIS MALFUNCTION HAPPENS AGAIN - AS I'VE EXPLAINED TO VW & MY DEALERSHIP, THE NEXT TIME THIS HAPPENS THERE COULD BE AN ACCIDENT THAT RESULTS IN INJURY OR DEATH. I WAS STILL FORCED TO TAKE THE CAR BACK. I AM TOO SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR KNOWING THAT THERE IS SOMETHING MALFUNCTIONING WITH THE SENSORS, AUTONOMOUS BRAKING SYSTEM, FRONT ASSIST SYSTEM. I AM EXTREMELY WORRIED ABOUT THE MALFUNCTION CAUSING AN ACCIDENT THAT COULD INJURE MYSELF, MY PASSENGERS, & OTHER PEOPLE ON THE ROADS.
NHTSA ODI #11194803
16,500 miles · Mar 29, 2019
Electrical SystemService Brakes
FRONTAL BRAKE ASSIST IS ENGAGING WITHOUT NECESSITY. ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED SLOWING DRIVING THROUGH AN EMPTY PARKING GARAGE WHILE SLOWLY FOLLOWING ANOTHER CAR ABOUT A CAR LENGTH AHEAD. MY DASH WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS APPROACHING A CAR THAT HAD BEEN STOPPED IN MY…
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FRONTAL BRAKE ASSIST IS ENGAGING WITHOUT NECESSITY. ONE INCIDENT OCCURRED SLOWING DRIVING THROUGH AN EMPTY PARKING GARAGE WHILE SLOWLY FOLLOWING ANOTHER CAR ABOUT A CAR LENGTH AHEAD. MY DASH WARNING LIGHTS TURNED ON AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED. SECOND INCIDENT OCCURRED AS I WAS APPROACHING A CAR THAT HAD BEEN STOPPED IN MY LANE ON A CITY STREET, GOING SAME DIRECTION AND IN PROCESS OF MAKING A LEFT TURN. THOUGH THE CAR AHEAD WAS ALREADY TURNING AND 2 LENGTHS AWAY, MY CAR'S DASH WARNING LIGHTS LIT AND THE CAR BEGAN TO APPLY THE BRAKES BUT DID NOT COMPLETELY STOP.
NHTSA ODI #11192506
1,900 miles · Feb 18, 2019
Service BrakesVehicle Speed Control
IN MOTION 70MPH AND CONTROL OF VEHICLE LOST TO SYSTEM CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOW DOWN/BRAKE AT RAPID RATE AMONGST 70 MPH FLOW OF TRAFFIC. PRIOR INCIDENT OCCURRED AT 40 MPH. DRIVER COULD NOT CONTROL SPEED OR BRAKING.
NHTSA ODI #11180945
2,000 miles · Sep 13, 2018
EngineService BrakesSteeringCrash
TODAY, THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS STATION/STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT AND GOT DRAGGED BY THE TRUCK WHICH ALMOST RAN OVER MY CAR. MY CAR'S SENSOR SWITCHED TO EMERGENCY MODE AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE. I WANTED TO DRIVE MY CAR AWAY WHEN I SAW THE DANGER. HOWEVER, L COULD NOT AND ALMOST GOT KILLED AND RAN OVER BY THE 18 WHEELS TRU…
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TODAY, THE CAR STALLED WHILE I WAS STATION/STOPPED AT THE RED LIGHT AND GOT DRAGGED BY THE TRUCK WHICH ALMOST RAN OVER MY CAR. MY CAR'S SENSOR SWITCHED TO EMERGENCY MODE AND WOULD NOT LET ME DRIVE. I WANTED TO DRIVE MY CAR AWAY WHEN I SAW THE DANGER. HOWEVER, L COULD NOT AND ALMOST GOT KILLED AND RAN OVER BY THE 18 WHEELS TRUCK.
NHTSA ODI #11129437
30 miles · Jul 15, 2018
EngineService Brakes
ON 7/13/2018 WE ARE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN WE STOP THE VEHICLE TO TAKE SOME PICTURES THE CAR ON PARKING, START TO MAKE HIGH AND LOW ACELERATION WITH VIBRATIONS AND THEN A LIGHT WITH EPC SHOW ON DASHBOARD. I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR A MINUTE AND THEN TURN ON, THE EPC LIGHT DISAPPEAR, BUT THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED. THE NEXT DAY (7/14/…
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ON 7/13/2018 WE ARE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN WE STOP THE VEHICLE TO TAKE SOME PICTURES THE CAR ON PARKING, START TO MAKE HIGH AND LOW ACELERATION WITH VIBRATIONS AND THEN A LIGHT WITH EPC SHOW ON DASHBOARD. I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR A MINUTE AND THEN TURN ON, THE EPC LIGHT DISAPPEAR, BUT THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED. THE NEXT DAY (7/14/2018) WE ARE ON THE ROAD AND THE VEHICULE STARTS THE VIBRATIONS , THEN SHOW THE CHECKENGINE PICTURE ON THE DASHBOARD, RAPIDLY 2 ERRORS APPEARED ON THE SCREEN 'ERROR: START-STOP' AND 'ENGINE ON DUE TO SYSTEM ERROR'. WE CALL VW CENTER AND WE HAVE A INSPECCION OF THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK. ALSO WITH LESS OF 4,000MI WE SAW THAT THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS HAVE PROBLEMS. THEY SHOW A BIG MARK WITH DITCH. THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE PADS OR WITH THE STOP SYSTEM
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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.
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