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2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Tiguan years

Owner complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan are substantially higher than the model-year median of 124.5.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

154 reports with mileage · 128 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Engine. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

5 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

21 reports
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4,000 miles · Sep 17, 2019
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CAR HESITATES ERRATICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY WHEN ACCELERATING. IT'S MOST NOTICEABLY FROM A DEAD STOP, BUT ALSO AT SPEED AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE CAR ACCELERATES FINE, BUT OTHER TIMES, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP TO CROSS A STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL JUST SIT UNRESPONSIVE FOR SECONDS AND BARELY ACCELERATE.…

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CAR HESITATES ERRATICALLY AND UNPREDICTABLY WHEN ACCELERATING. IT'S MOST NOTICEABLY FROM A DEAD STOP, BUT ALSO AT SPEED AS WELL. SOMETIMES THE CAR ACCELERATES FINE, BUT OTHER TIMES, WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE FROM A STOP TO CROSS A STREET IN BUSY TRAFFIC, THE CAR WILL JUST SIT UNRESPONSIVE FOR SECONDS AND BARELY ACCELERATE. THE UNPREDICTABLENESS OF THE ACCELERATION BEHAVIOR IS DANGEROUS AND AN ACCIDENT WAITING TO HAPPEN. THIS BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN PRESENT SINCE THE CAR HAS BEEN PURCHASED TO PRESENT. WHILE THE HESITATION IS INCONSISTENT, IT IS OFTEN AND COMMON.

NHTSA ODI #11256060

34,000 miles · Aug 20, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTH IN THE FAST LANE ( AT 70 MPH), WHEN THE "ENGINE EXCEEDS 4000 RPM" WARNING CAME ON THE DASH BOARD/SYSTEM READ OUT AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED DECELERATING (TO 40 MPH). I CONTINUED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND C…

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I WAS DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 95 NORTH IN THE FAST LANE ( AT 70 MPH), WHEN THE "ENGINE EXCEEDS 4000 RPM" WARNING CAME ON THE DASH BOARD/SYSTEM READ OUT AND THE CAR LOST POWER AND STARTED DECELERATING (TO 40 MPH). I CONTINUED TO PUSH THE GAS PEDAL BUT THE CAR CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP. I PUT ON MY FLASHERS AND RESTARTED THE CAR AND COASTED TO THE SHOULDER. I PUT THE PARK, STOPPED THE CAR AND WAITED AND RESTARTED THE CAR. WE ENTERED THE HIGHWAY AGAIN AND AS I TRIED TO ACCELERATE, THE CAR HESITATED AND DECELERATED AGAIN. THIS TIME I MOVED OVER TO THE RIGHT SHOULDER , STOPPED AND GOT OUT OF THE CAR. MY HUSBAND'S FRIEND WAS IN THE CAR WITH ME AND MY HUSBAND WAS FOLLOWING BEHIND US. I CALLED MY INSURANCE COMPANY AND EXPLAINED TO THEM WHAT WAS HAPPEING WITH THE CAR AND THEY CAME AND TOWED THE CAR TO OURISMAN LAUREL VOKLSWAGON. I LEFT A NOTE AND A KEY IN THE DROP OFF SERVICE BOW AND NOW 24 HOURS LATER I HAVE NOT RECEIVED A CALL FROM ANY SERVICE PERSONNEL. IT SEEMS FROM REVIEWING OTHER COMPLAINTS, THAT SEVERAL PEOPLE (MORE THAN 20) HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11245140

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

7,000 miles · Jun 20, 2019
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 18, 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GUNTHE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN ATTEMPTING TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE OCCURRED EVERY DAY WHILE DRIVING IN TRAFFIC OR MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY EVER SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED ON OCTOBER 18, 2018. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO GUNTHER VOLKSWAGEN (4300 FL-7, COCONUT CREEK, FL 33073) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AS DESIGNED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,000. *AS CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS BROUGHT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AGAIN A WEEK AGO TODAY. TWO TRANSMISSIONS AND STILL HAVING SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THEY STILL HAVE THE VEHICLE. I DON'T CONSIDER THAT AS DESIGNED TO DRIVE THAT WAY. IT JUST INCREASES WITH PROBLEMS. I WON'T DRIVE IT FOR MY SAFETY AS WELL AS THE DRIVERS OUT THERE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #11221425

14,000 miles · Apr 7, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A SIGN STATING THAT THEIR WAS LOW COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AROUND 14,000 MILES AND THE PCM HAS BEEN DESTROYED. THE ENGINE HASN'T BEEN GETTING COOLANT FOR SOME TIME. ONCE THAT WAS REPLACED MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING PROPERLY AND ROGERS REALLY ROUGHLY MAINLY THROUGH GEARS 1-3. IT'S REALLY DANGEROUS IF…

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MY VEHICLE DISPLAYED A SIGN STATING THAT THEIR WAS LOW COOLANT. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AROUND 14,000 MILES AND THE PCM HAS BEEN DESTROYED. THE ENGINE HASN'T BEEN GETTING COOLANT FOR SOME TIME. ONCE THAT WAS REPLACED MY CAR STOPPED ACCELERATING PROPERLY AND ROGERS REALLY ROUGHLY MAINLY THROUGH GEARS 1-3. IT'S REALLY DANGEROUS IF I NEED TO ACCURATE QUICKLY TO MERGE THE RESPONSE TIME IS OFF AND I HAVE HAD SEVERAL NEAR MISSES. I FLAGGED THIS WITH VW AND THEY ARE REFUSING TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THEIR IS AN ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO GET THIS RESOLVED BEFORE MYSELF OR OTHERS ARE INJURED.

NHTSA ODI #11194439

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

4,995 miles · Dec 12, 2018
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING, NO OBJECT OR ANYTHING IN THE FRONT, THE CAR EMITS A BEEP, RED FLASHING COLLISION SIGNAL, AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKE. THE DAY IS CLEAR, SUNNY, AND DAYTIME. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. TWO TIMES, IT ALMOST FELT LIKE WE HIT A WALL. IT CAUSED WHIPLASH AND MY NECK WAS STIFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIX…

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WHILE DRIVING, NO OBJECT OR ANYTHING IN THE FRONT, THE CAR EMITS A BEEP, RED FLASHING COLLISION SIGNAL, AND SLAMS ON THE BRAKE. THE DAY IS CLEAR, SUNNY, AND DAYTIME. THIS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES. TWO TIMES, IT ALMOST FELT LIKE WE HIT A WALL. IT CAUSED WHIPLASH AND MY NECK WAS STIFF FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS. THIS NEEDS TO BE FIXED ASAP.

NHTSA ODI #11160944

550 miles · Nov 29, 2018
Vehicle Speed Control

ACCELERATOR POSITION AND ENGINE RESPONSE ON THIS VEHICLE IS VERY INCONSISTENT SLOW TO RESPOND FROM STATIONARY POSITION MAKING THE VEHICLE UNPREDICTABLE AND OFTEN UNSAFE. DEPRESSION OF ACCELERATOR PRODUCES INCONSISTENT RESULTS OFTTIMES THE VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO START MOVING, THEN OTHER TIMES FROM STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FO…

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ACCELERATOR POSITION AND ENGINE RESPONSE ON THIS VEHICLE IS VERY INCONSISTENT SLOW TO RESPOND FROM STATIONARY POSITION MAKING THE VEHICLE UNPREDICTABLE AND OFTEN UNSAFE. DEPRESSION OF ACCELERATOR PRODUCES INCONSISTENT RESULTS OFTTIMES THE VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO START MOVING, THEN OTHER TIMES FROM STATIONARY, THE VEHICLE LURCHES FORWARDS WITH EXACT SAME TYPE OF ACCELERATOR INPUT. THESE EXPERIENCES ARE IN ALL MODES.

NHTSA ODI #11154865

9,000 miles · Aug 17, 2018
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control

THERE IS ALL THIS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING ALMOST LIKE A BUCKING OR THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS/OXYGEN MIX. THEN YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL A QUARTER OF THE WAY DOWN AND THE ENGINE HESITATES THEN THROWS THE CAR INTO HIGH GEAR AND TAKES OFF. I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF CARS THE PAST WEEK EVEN A VW TOUAREG THAT DID NOT …

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THERE IS ALL THIS HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING ALMOST LIKE A BUCKING OR THE ENGINE IS NOT GETTING ENOUGH GAS/OXYGEN MIX. THEN YOU CAN PRESS THE GAS PEDAL A QUARTER OF THE WAY DOWN AND THE ENGINE HESITATES THEN THROWS THE CAR INTO HIGH GEAR AND TAKES OFF. I HAVE DRIVEN A LOT OF CARS THE PAST WEEK EVEN A VW TOUAREG THAT DID NOT ACT LIKE THIS CAR DOES WITH THE ACCELERATOR. IT IS LIKE THE ACCELERATOR IS NOT SENDING THE CORRECT SINGLE TO THE ENGINE OR THE ENGINE'S COMPUTER IS NOT INTERRUPTING IT CORRECTLY FROM THE ACCELERATOR. THE COMPUTER IN THE CAR CAN BE BAD AND GIVE A FALSE POSITIVE. THIS VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO 4 DEALERSHIPS AND FIELD ENGINEERS HAVE STATED THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT VW REFUSES TO BUY BACK THE VEHICLE. THERE HAVE BEEN SEVERAL REQUESTS BUT THEY KEEP GETTING DENIED AND SAY THERE IS NO FIX FOR THE VEHICLE AND I FEEL IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE. I HAVE ALMOST GOT INTO 3 ACCIDENTS BECAUSE THE ACCELERATOR WOULD NOT REACT AND THE CAR STALLED OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11120601

250 miles · Aug 1, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemVehicle Speed Control

ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE IS VERY SLOW TO RESPOND. WHEN I GIVE GAS, IT STRUGGLES TO START MOVING, FEELS LIKE IT IS CARRYING 10K LBS OF LOAD BEHIND. I PUSH GAS PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR AT A SIGNAL LIGHT TO GET AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. CAR WON'T RESPOND FOR ABOUT 1 OR 2 SECONDS, THEN STARTS TO MOVE, BUT VERY SLOW, CRAWLING, THEN STARTS TO S…

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ENGINE ON THIS VEHICLE IS VERY SLOW TO RESPOND. WHEN I GIVE GAS, IT STRUGGLES TO START MOVING, FEELS LIKE IT IS CARRYING 10K LBS OF LOAD BEHIND. I PUSH GAS PEDDLE TO THE FLOOR AT A SIGNAL LIGHT TO GET AWAY FROM TRAFFIC. CAR WON'T RESPOND FOR ABOUT 1 OR 2 SECONDS, THEN STARTS TO MOVE, BUT VERY SLOW, CRAWLING, THEN STARTS TO SPEED UP. TURBO LAG IS VERY BAD. I DON'T FEEL SAFE. THIS APPEARS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE THAT IS BEING REPORTED FROM CUSTOMERS. TO BE FRANK, THE SIZE OF THE VEHICLE (LARGER THAN OTHER MODELS) DOES NOT SEEM TO MATCH THE ENGINE SIZE. NHTSA NEEDS TO INVESTIGATE FOR THE SAFETY OF OTHER DRIVERS, PARTICULARLY THOSE WHO SHARE THE SAME FEARS.

NHTSA ODI #11115188

Official recalls

14

26V590000 · Steering

Sep 11, 2026

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.

22V226000 · Structure:body

Apr 6, 2022

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.

21V732000 · Structure:body:roof And Pillars

Sep 23, 2021

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

Remedy: Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51H5.

20V724000 · Seat Belts:front:webbing

Nov 20, 2020

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belts and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BH.

19V679000 · Unknown Or Other

Sep 25, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.

19V188000 · Suspension:rear:springs:coil Springs

Mar 6, 2019

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.

18V824000 · Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/panel

Nov 26, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.

18V467000 · Visibility:sun/moon Roof Assembly

Jul 13, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall 60D1.

18V375000 · Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module

Jun 6, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.

18V324000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint

May 16, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the nut on the lower ball joint and, as necessary, clean the thread in the ball joint, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40N4. Note: owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair has been performed.

18V262000 · Suspension:rear:shock Absorber

Apr 25, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42i7.

18V159000 · Engine

Mar 8, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F7.

18V102000 · Air Bags:frontal

Feb 9, 2018

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Tiguan Limited vehicles. The front driver air bag installed on these vehicles may not be intended for use in vehicles sold in the United States. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.

17V662000 · Exterior Lighting:tail Lights

Oct 18, 2017

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.

Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

EA18005 · Seat Belt Webbing Failure

Opened Jul 3, 2018 · Closed Feb 27, 2023

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:front:webbing

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

Additional source detail variants (3)

Seat Belts:front

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

Seat Belts:front:webbing

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

Seat Belts

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

PE18001 · Seat Belt Webbing Failure

Opened Jan 10, 2018 · Closed Jul 3, 2018

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the 2018 MY Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35 mph, full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front-passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017 at MGA Research Corp. in Wisconsin (MGA) and December 13, 2017 at the Transportation Research Center of Ohio (TRC).During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated in tension where it looped through the seat belt latch tongue (see attached photos). Based on its analysis of the NCAP test results, VW asserted that the test dummy umbilical cord exerted additional forces on the seat belt system causing the separation. To support this theory, VW conducted several sled tests.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-001) on 01/10/2018 to evaluate the two (2) incidents of seat belt separation. ODI and NCAP reviewed the sled test data submitted by VW in support of their theory. Micro analysis, conducted by the Materials Laboratory at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), verified the seat belts failed in tension and not due to cuts or abrasion.PE18-001 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA18-005) to further examine seat belt behavior in the subject vehicles and to determine, among other things, a root cause for the seat belt separation. ODI will perform a thorough review of any vehicle and seat belt design changes for the new 2018 MY Tiguan platform and their effects on the performance of the seat belt system.

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