TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING, RATTLING, AND KNOCKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAMILTON VOLKSWAGEN (2200 NJ-33 HAMILTON, NJ 08690, 844-858-4565) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE B PILLAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING, RATTLING, AND KNOCKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAMILTON VOLKSWAGEN (2200 NJ-33 HAMILTON, NJ 08690, 844-858-4565) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE B PILLAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 181087619. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #11118783
500 miles · Aug 1, 2018
Structure
THERE WAS A LOUD, CONTINUOUS "CLICKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALL ALONG WHERE THE ROOFLINE MEETS THE SIDE PANELS. THIS IS FROM A STRUCTURAL DEFECT DUE TO A LACK OF WELDING IN THOSE AREAS. WHILE IN FOR INSPECTION, I WAS LOANED THREE ADDITIONAL TIGUANS AND THEY ALL MADE THE CLICKING SOUND. IT'S A HEAT-SENSITIVE IS…
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THERE WAS A LOUD, CONTINUOUS "CLICKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALL ALONG WHERE THE ROOFLINE MEETS THE SIDE PANELS. THIS IS FROM A STRUCTURAL DEFECT DUE TO A LACK OF WELDING IN THOSE AREAS. WHILE IN FOR INSPECTION, I WAS LOANED THREE ADDITIONAL TIGUANS AND THEY ALL MADE THE CLICKING SOUND. IT'S A HEAT-SENSITIVE ISSUE, OCCURRING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES AT LEAST 45 DEGREES AND THE METAL EXPANDS. AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY INSTALLING CLIPS, WEDGES, AND FELT PADDING, VOLKSWAGEN AGREED TO RE-PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM ME. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, WITH VW REPURCHASING SEVERAL VEHICLES. THE CLICKING IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.
NHTSA ODI #11115085
500 miles · Jul 9, 2018
Structure
TICKING NOISE/RATTLING FROM THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE.
NHTSA ODI #11110209
12,100 miles · Jun 22, 2018
Structure
CREAK/RATTLE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE B-PILLAR ALMOST SINCE NEW. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD; HAPPENS MOST BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. RECENTLY STARTED SAME FROM PASSENGER-SIDE B-PILLAR, BUT LESS FREQUENTLY. MOST OFTEN NOTICED WHEN DRIVING A MODERATE SPEEDS (35-55). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A TSB FOR EARLY MODEL YEAR…
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CREAK/RATTLE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE B-PILLAR ALMOST SINCE NEW. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD; HAPPENS MOST BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. RECENTLY STARTED SAME FROM PASSENGER-SIDE B-PILLAR, BUT LESS FREQUENTLY. MOST OFTEN NOTICED WHEN DRIVING A MODERATE SPEEDS (35-55). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A TSB FOR EARLY MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION. MAY INVOLVE POOR/MISSING WELDS.
NHTSA ODI #11103444
Mileage unknown · Jun 21, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other
PURCHASED A 2018 TIGUAN AND DEVELOPED A RATTLE IN THE B-PILLAR. VW/BODY SHOP IS REPAIRING IT ACCORDING TO A TSB THAT IS NOT UP TO STANDARD IN MY OPINION. HOW CAN YOU FIX A BAD WELD BY MAKING THE SPACE WIDER AND SPRAYING IT WITH A SEALER?
NHTSA ODI #11103083
8,000 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Power TrainStructureUnknown Or Other
WHEN I'M GIVING GAS/ ACCELERATING, THERE IS A "HISSING-SOUND" COMING FROM OUTSIDE AND MORE CLEARER AND LOUDER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE PERSON POSITION. CAN HEAR IT EVEN CLEAR IF I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS. SOUND STARTS COMING ANYWHERE FROM 0 - MAX MPH NO MATTER WHICH ROADS I DRIVE IN. DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHICH PART OF THE CAR IS DOING…
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WHEN I'M GIVING GAS/ ACCELERATING, THERE IS A "HISSING-SOUND" COMING FROM OUTSIDE AND MORE CLEARER AND LOUDER TO THE PASSENGER SIDE PERSON POSITION. CAN HEAR IT EVEN CLEAR IF I ROLL DOWN THE WINDOWS. SOUND STARTS COMING ANYWHERE FROM 0 - MAX MPH NO MATTER WHICH ROADS I DRIVE IN. DON'T KNOW FOR SURE WHICH PART OF THE CAR IS DOING THE SOUND BUT "ACCELERATION" IS THE CAUSING IT AND WHEN I LET THE CAR ROLL WITHOUT GIVING GAS, THE SOUND STOPS. SO YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY GIVE GAS/ PRESS ACCELERATION PEDAL TO HEAR THIS SOUND. ITS BEEN 9 MONTHS SINCE I PURCHASED THIS CAR AND HAS ROUGHLY 11K MILES ON IT. (TIGUAN SE 2018 4MOTION) SOUNDS FROM DRIVER'S SIDE B COLUMN IS ALSO NOTICEABLY LOUD WHEN DRIVING.
NHTSA ODI #11099525
600 miles · Jun 4, 2018
Structure
TICKING IN THE B PILLAR. IT COMES AND GOES BUT IS LOUD ENOUGH THAT ALL PASSENGERS IN THE CAR HEAR IT. IT IS IDENTICAL TO THE RATTLE THAT ALL OTHER TIGUANS HAVE. VW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT HAS A NARROW VIN RANGE. THERE IS MOST CERTAINLY A STRUCTURAL CONCERN AND INHERENT DESIGN FLAW IN THE B PILLAR. TSB # 2050…
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TICKING IN THE B PILLAR. IT COMES AND GOES BUT IS LOUD ENOUGH THAT ALL PASSENGERS IN THE CAR HEAR IT. IT IS IDENTICAL TO THE RATTLE THAT ALL OTHER TIGUANS HAVE. VW HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE BUT IT HAS A NARROW VIN RANGE. THERE IS MOST CERTAINLY A STRUCTURAL CONCERN AND INHERENT DESIGN FLAW IN THE B PILLAR. TSB # 2050753/2
NHTSA ODI #11099471
2,505 miles · May 13, 2018
Structure
THE DRIVER'S SIDE B-PILLAR HAS A RATTLE/CREAK. IT'S A SLIGHT TICKING THAT HAPPENS MOST OF THE TIME OVER UNEVEN ROADS OR WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP; THE RATTLE/NOISE HAPPENS OVER THE SMALLEST BUMP. NOISE CAN BE HEARD EVEN ON EVEN ROADS.I'VE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1/31/2018 WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW, AND AS OF TODAY 5/12/18 HAS 2637 MILES. I HA…
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THE DRIVER'S SIDE B-PILLAR HAS A RATTLE/CREAK. IT'S A SLIGHT TICKING THAT HAPPENS MOST OF THE TIME OVER UNEVEN ROADS OR WHEN YOU HIT A BUMP; THE RATTLE/NOISE HAPPENS OVER THE SMALLEST BUMP. NOISE CAN BE HEARD EVEN ON EVEN ROADS.I'VE HAD THE CAR SINCE 1/31/2018 WHEN I PURCHASED IT NEW, AND AS OF TODAY 5/12/18 HAS 2637 MILES. I HAVE NOTICED THE RATTLE SINCE THE WEATHER HAS BEEN WARMER AND AFTER THE VEHICLE SITS IN THE SUN OR OUTSIDE. THE RATTLE OCCURS AT ANY SPEED; 15 MPH - 70 MPH.I HAVE NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP SINCE I WANT THIS ISSUE DOCUMENTED SINCE IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE BASED ON MY RESEARCH AND THE FIX IS NOT FULL PROOF YET. I DON'T WANT MY CAR DISMANTLED UNTIL I KNOW THE FIX WILL ACTUALLY FIX IT PERMANENTLY. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WHICH HAS BEEN REPORTED TO THE NHTSA AND VW ALREADY BY OTHER VW TIGUAN OWNERS. VW HAS ISSUED TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN 2050753 ON 4/2/18 WITH A SUPPOSED FIX, BUT MULTIPLE OWNERS ARE STAYING THAT FIX HAS NOT SOLVED THEIR ISSUES. FOR DETAILS ON THE ISSUE PLEASE REFER TO THE FOLLOWING VW OWNER FORUM - HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?8860202-2018-TIGUAN-B-PILLAR-RATTLE-AND-OTHER-ANNOYANCES&P=107961257#/TOPICS/8903433?PAGE=1
NHTSA ODI #11093517
3,500 miles · Apr 5, 2018
Structure
I AM EXPERIENCING A RATTLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE B-PILLAR. MY DEALER IS AWARE OF MY PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. THEY ARE GOING TO RESEARCH ANY TSB THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE REGARDING THE RATTLE, BEFORE THEY START DISASSEMBLING THE INTERIOR LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE. IN THE MEAN TIME, I HAVE FOUND M…
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I AM EXPERIENCING A RATTLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE B-PILLAR. MY DEALER IS AWARE OF MY PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. THEY ARE GOING TO RESEARCH ANY TSB THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE REGARDING THE RATTLE, BEFORE THEY START DISASSEMBLING THE INTERIOR LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE. IN THE MEAN TIME, I HAVE FOUND MANY ON-LINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND ONE OF THE RESPONSES INDICATE COMMUNICATION WITH AN OWNER AND WITH VOLKSWAGEN, BY THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'LL TRY TO ATTACH THE LINK TO THAT CONVERSATION. IF, AS STATED IN THE COMMUNICATION, A FIX HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN FORWARD IT TO MY DEALER BEFORE THEY START REMOVING MY VEHICLES INTERIOR LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. HERE IS THE LINK I REFERENCED ABOVE. IF THE LINK DOESN'T TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO THREAD # 137, PLEASE GO TO PAGE 6 AND SCROLL DOWN TO THREAD # 137. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?8903433-2018-TIGUAN-ISSUES-PURCHASED-ON-9-16-B-PILLAR/PAGE6
NHTSA ODI #11083371
100 miles · Mar 28, 2018
Structure
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY. A WEEK LATER AN AWFUL RATTLE/TICKING NOISE BEGAN IN THE B-PILLAR WHERE IT MEETS THE ROOF LINE. THE SOUND IS VERY CONSISTENT AND LOUD. UPON DOING A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY. A WEEK LATER AN AWFUL RATTLE/TICKING NOISE BEGAN IN THE B-PILLAR WHERE IT MEETS THE ROOF LINE. THE SOUND IS VERY CONSISTENT AND LOUD. UPON DOING A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT VW HAS HAD THEIR VEHICLE FOR WEEKS AND ARE COMPLETELY STRIPPED INSIDE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, SENT THEM THE INFO FROM NHTSA AND VIDEOS OF THE PROBLEM. THE SHOP FOREMAN TOLD ME HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS AND IT WAS AN EASY FIX. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT. DROVE IT 70 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP. ANOTHER TECH WORKED ON IT WITHOUT SPEAKING TO THE FOREMAN AND FOUND THAT BOTH SEAT BELT MECHANISMS WHERE OUT OF THEIR TRACK ( CONCERNING IN AND OF ITSELF). THE FIXED THAT ISSUE AND TOLD ME TO COME GET THE CAR. I ASKED THEM IF THEY SPOKE TO THE FOREMAN ABOUT WHAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AND THEY HADN'T. I GET A CALL SAYING THEY NEED TO KEEP THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I'M TOLD THEY ARE GOING TO START REMOVING THE SIDE PANEL AND HEADLINER. DURING THAT TIME I CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES--BUT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY BOUGHT BACK PEOPLE'S CARS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. I PICKED UP MY CAR 5 DAYS LATER BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT IT TORN APART AND USED AS A GUINEA PIG AND I NEEDED A CAR AND CAN'T LET IT SIT TORN APART FOR MONTHS. THEY ARE TELLING ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIGURE IT OUT IS TO BRING IT BACK AND RESTART THE PROCESS, BUT IT'S CLEAR FROM REPORTS ON HERE AND OTHER SOURCES THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HAVE DEEMED CARS INOPERABLE FOR THIS ISSUE.
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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