THE CAR HAS HAD A DISTINCT NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I COMPLAINED EVERY TIME WE WERE IN AND FINALLY JUNE OF 2019 I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT AFTER I HAD REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER PAYING FOR A NEW ALIGNMENT I WAS TOLD THAT YES THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THAT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE ISSUES …
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THE CAR HAS HAD A DISTINCT NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I COMPLAINED EVERY TIME WE WERE IN AND FINALLY JUNE OF 2019 I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT AFTER I HAD REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER PAYING FOR A NEW ALIGNMENT I WAS TOLD THAT YES THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THAT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE ISSUES MY TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I HAD THAT DONE, A MONTH LATER I WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT! I TOLD THEM IT WAS JUST DONE! THEY ASSURED ME THAT I WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. IF IT WAS ACTUALLY DONE, I WILL NEVER KNOW. EVEN AFTER ALL OF THIS THE CAR STARTED MAKING THE NOISE AGAIN! I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO BACK AND FORTH. I FINALLY GOT FED UP AND WENT IN ON A SATURDAY. THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED AT THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND TOOK A 0.2 MILE TEST DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE ALIGNMENT IN THE BACK IS BAD AND HAS CAUSED SEVERE CUPPING ON MY BACK TIRES. SAYING I NEED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT AND MORE NEW TIRES! I HAVE HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND IF IT ISN'T THE ALIGNMENT, THE TIRES, THE WHEEL BEARINGS, IT'S THE SUN ROOF WHICH HAS FLOODED THE BACK OF MY CAR 3 WEEKS OF OWNING IT AND NOW HASN'T CONSTANT RECALLS. AS WELL AS RECALLS TO FIX THE RECALLS. THIS CAR IS A COMPLETE DEFINITION OF A LEMON! THE TECHNICIAN ADMITTED THE THIS MODEL HAS LOTS OF PROBLEMS. I'VE ALWAYS OWNED USED CARS THIS IS MY FIRST NEW CAR OFF THE LOT AND I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325030
25,000 miles · Apr 11, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ, AN ERROR APPEARS SAYING THE ENGINE HAD EXCEEDED 4000RPM, WHEN IT DOES NOT. THEN THE CAR DROPS DOWN TO 10 MPH AND WILL NOT EXCEED. THE CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CAR IS 28 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES SINCE 6 MONTHS IN. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT VOLKWAGEN DEALERSHIPS FOR 3-4 WE…
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LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ, AN ERROR APPEARS SAYING THE ENGINE HAD EXCEEDED 4000RPM, WHEN IT DOES NOT. THEN THE CAR DROPS DOWN TO 10 MPH AND WILL NOT EXCEED. THE CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CAR IS 28 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES SINCE 6 MONTHS IN. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT VOLKWAGEN DEALERSHIPS FOR 3-4 WEEKS AT A TIME 4 TIMES ALREADY FOR THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE FILED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #11320877
26,500 miles · Dec 31, 2019
Unknown Or OtherInjury
DRIVING 65 ON HIGHWAY, PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED FOR NO REASON.
NHTSA ODI #11292232
Mileage unknown · Oct 15, 2019
Unknown Or Other
WATER LEAKS FROM SUNROOF AND DOORS. WATER FROM THE ROOF LANDS OF START ENGINE BUTTON. FLOORS FLOODED WITH WATER MAKES FOOT SLIPPERY.
NHTSA ODI #11268708
4,575 miles · Oct 1, 2019
Unknown Or Other
PANORAMIC SUNROOF DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED MAJOR LEAKAGE OF WATER INTO VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, IT SEEMS LIKE CHEMICALS POSSIBILITY FROM WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKING INSIDE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED ON BLACK MOLD TO DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. ALL CARPETS REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE; HOWEVER, EXTREME FOUL CHEMICAL ODOR CONTINUES IN THE INTERIO…
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PANORAMIC SUNROOF DEFECTIVE AND CAUSED MAJOR LEAKAGE OF WATER INTO VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, IT SEEMS LIKE CHEMICALS POSSIBILITY FROM WINDSHIELD FLUID LEAKING INSIDE VEHICLE. THIS RESULTED ON BLACK MOLD TO DEVELOP THROUGHOUT THE VEHICLE. ALL CARPETS REPLACED ON MY VEHICLE; HOWEVER, EXTREME FOUL CHEMICAL ODOR CONTINUES IN THE INTERIOR AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO BREATH. THE DEALER HAS MY VEHICLE FOR MORE THAN 9 DAYS AND STILL NO RESOLUTION. ISSUE STARTED WITH LESS THAN 1 YEAR OF OWNERSHIP OF THIS BRAND NEW CAR. EVEN WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED ON MY DRIVEWAY WITH WINDOWS CLOSED YOU CAN SMELL THE CHEMICAL ODOR AROUND THE VEHICLE. FIRST OCCURRENCE REPORTED ON 7/3/19 AND NO RESOLUTION. SECOND OCCURRENCE: 9/21/19 AND STILL ONGOING
NHTSA ODI #11265290
Mileage unknown · Aug 2, 2019
Unknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control
THE CAR IS HAVING ISSUES ACCELERATING AFTER A COLD/HARD STOP. AT STOP SIGNS, AFTER STOP LIGHTS, THE CAR JERKS AND HAS A HARD TIME GAINING POWER. ON THE HIGH WAY I HAVE ISSUES ACCELERATING. THIS HAS BECOME DANGEROUS AND SCARY, I AM NOT IN CONTROL OF HE ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE VW DEALER ONE TECH SAID "TR…
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THE CAR IS HAVING ISSUES ACCELERATING AFTER A COLD/HARD STOP. AT STOP SIGNS, AFTER STOP LIGHTS, THE CAR JERKS AND HAS A HARD TIME GAINING POWER. ON THE HIGH WAY I HAVE ISSUES ACCELERATING. THIS HAS BECOME DANGEROUS AND SCARY, I AM NOT IN CONTROL OF HE ACCELERATION OF MY VEHICLE. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE VW DEALER ONE TECH SAID "TRY PREMIUM GAS" THE NEXT TECH SAYS, "NOTHING IS WRONG WITH YOUR CAR". I AM EXTREMELY DISAPPOINTED AND READY TO CHANGE BRANDS AFTER 10 YEARS OF BEING AVW OWNER. THIS PROBLEM IS PUTTING MY LIFE IN DANGER EVERY DAY THAT I DRIVE IT.
NHTSA ODI #11241294
12,000 miles · Jun 16, 2019
Unknown Or Other
EXPLODING SUNROOF. TRAVELING DOWN THE FREEWAY AT 50-60 MPH, HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF EXPLODED, SHOWERING GLASS DOWN WITHIN INTERIOR OF CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11220504
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
Mileage unknown · Feb 24, 2019
Unknown Or Other
I AM HEARING A RATTLE IN MY VW TIGUAN'S B-PILLAR WHEN DRIVING. IT IS IN MY EAR. WHEN I TOOK TO THE DEALERSHIP, THEY TOLD ME THAT ALL TIGUANS MAKE THIS NOISE. I DON'T BELIEVE A NOISE SHOULD BE HAPPENING AND MAKES ME WONDER IF THE CAR IS UNSAFE STRUCTURALLY.
NHTSA ODI #11182221
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2018
Unknown Or Other
WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED WITHOUT OBJECTS/ANIMALS/OTHER VEHICLES IN SIGHT THE CAR EMITS A BEEP ALONG WITH THE RED FLASHING CAR COLLISION SIGNAL ACROSS THE FRONT PANEL THEN OCCASIONALLY SLAMS THE BRAKES WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT MYSELF(DRIVER) AND PASSENGERS ARE LUNGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MOSTLY DURING SUNNY DAYS …
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WHILE DRIVING AT NO PARTICULAR SPEED WITHOUT OBJECTS/ANIMALS/OTHER VEHICLES IN SIGHT THE CAR EMITS A BEEP ALONG WITH THE RED FLASHING CAR COLLISION SIGNAL ACROSS THE FRONT PANEL THEN OCCASIONALLY SLAMS THE BRAKES WITH SO MUCH FORCE THAT MYSELF(DRIVER) AND PASSENGERS ARE LUNGED FORWARD. THIS HAS HAPPENED MOSTLY DURING SUNNY DAYS ON MULTIPLE TYPES OF ROADS SUCH AS INTERSTATES AND CITY STREETS REGARDLESS OF TURNING OR DRIVING STRAIGHT.
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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