Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1300–25K
1825–50K
250–75K
375–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
154 reports with mileage · 128 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
282 reports
Mileage unknown · Oct 3, 2019
EnginePower TrainVehicle Speed Control
CARS RESPONSE TO DRIVER ACCELERATOR INPUTS IS HESITANT AND ERRATIC. CAR MOTION IS UNPREDICTABLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STAND STILL. THE PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTABLE AND VERY WITHOUT APPARENT EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. UNPREDICTABLE PERFORMANCE ENDANGERS CAR OCCUPANTS WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN DETERMI…
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CARS RESPONSE TO DRIVER ACCELERATOR INPUTS IS HESITANT AND ERRATIC. CAR MOTION IS UNPREDICTABLY WHEN ACCELERATING FROM STAND STILL. THE PERFORMANCE IS NOT PREDICTABLE AND VERY WITHOUT APPARENT EXTERNAL ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS. UNPREDICTABLE PERFORMANCE ENDANGERS CAR OCCUPANTS WHILE ENTERING TRAFFIC. THE BEHAVIOR HAS BEEN DETERMINED BY DEALER AS NORMAL AGAINST OTHER 2018 MODELS BUT IS DIFFERENT AGAINST 2019. VW US HAS NOT RETURNED INQUIRY REQUESTS.
NHTSA ODI #11265828
100 miles · Oct 3, 2019
Power Train
THERE IS AN INITIAL HESITATION FROM A STOPPED POSITION THAT COULD LEAD TO AN ACCIDENT WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC.
NHTSA ODI #11265812
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 · Sep 23, 2019
Air BagsPower TrainSeat Belts
I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY TIGUAN. THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION SENSOR IS VERY SENSITIVE. I CAN PLACE MY PHONE OR SOMETHING VERY LIGHT ON THE SEAT AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY STARTS TO CHIME AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED ON. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE ACCIDENT IF NO PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THE OTHER ISS…
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I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY TIGUAN. THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION SENSOR IS VERY SENSITIVE. I CAN PLACE MY PHONE OR SOMETHING VERY LIGHT ON THE SEAT AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY STARTS TO CHIME AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED ON. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE ACCIDENT IF NO PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE WITH THIS CAR IS THE ACCELERATION IS INCONSISTENT. SOMETIMES I CAN HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR FLIES, OTHER TIMES, THE CAR STUTTERS AND HAS SOME LAG.
NHTSA ODI #11257279
10,000 miles · Sep 17, 2019
Service Brakes
ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED LESS THAN 5MPH THE EMERGENCY BRAKING WILL ENGAGE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE STARTING TO PROCEED FORWARD AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AS WELL AS SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH NO CARS NEAR TO CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. LUCKILY …
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ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AT A VERY SLOW RATE OF SPEED LESS THAN 5MPH THE EMERGENCY BRAKING WILL ENGAGE FOR NO REASON AT ALL. THIS HAS HAPPENED WHILE STARTING TO PROCEED FORWARD AFTER SITTING AT A RED LIGHT AS WELL AS SLOWLY TURNING INTO A PARKING LOT WITH NO CARS NEAR TO CAUSE THE SYSTEM TO ENGAGE. LUCKILY NO ONE HAS BEEN INJURED AT THIS POINT, BUT I AM VERY CONCERNED AS TO WHAT MAY HAPPEN IF THE CAR WAS MOVING FASTER.
NHTSA ODI #11256087
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
2,500 miles · Sep 12, 2019
Power Train
SINCE OWING MY 2018 VW TIGUAN, IT HAS HAD AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM MOVING FORWARD WHEN I PUSH ON THE THROTTLE FROM A COMPLETE STOP. SOMETIMES THERE IS A DELAY OF 2 TO 3 SECONDS BEFORE THE CAR MOVES FORWARD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11255090
7,000 miles · Sep 8, 2019
Steering
I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED VEERING STRONGLY TO THE LEFT, HEADING ME DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE CONCRETE MEDIAN. I STRUGGLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT BACK TO MY LANE BUT ENDED UP MOVING 2 LANES OVER AND ALMOST INTO THE MEDIAN. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK A BIT ONE LANE OVER BUT SEEMED TO HAVE ALMO…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY AND SUDDENLY MY CAR STARTED VEERING STRONGLY TO THE LEFT, HEADING ME DIRECTLY TOWARDS THE CONCRETE MEDIAN. I STRUGGLED WITH THE STEERING WHEEL TO CORRECT BACK TO MY LANE BUT ENDED UP MOVING 2 LANES OVER AND ALMOST INTO THE MEDIAN. I WAS ABLE TO MOVE BACK A BIT ONE LANE OVER BUT SEEMED TO HAVE ALMOST NO CONTROL OVER THE STEERING. IT SEEMED THE CAR HAD TAKEN OVER STEERING AND I WAS FIGHTING IT, MOVING SIDE TO SIDE AMONG 3 LANES. IT WAS TERRIFYING. IT SEEMED TO TAKE SEVERAL MINUTES OF FIGHTING AND TRYING TO REGAIN CONTROL OF STEERING MY CAR WHEN SUDDENLY I WAS ABLE TO STEER AGAIN AND STAY IN MY LANE. WHEN I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE REASON THIS OCCURRED WAS THAT ALL 4 OF THE WHEELS WERE OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THIS MAKES NO SENSE AS I'VE NOT HIT ANY POTHOLES OR ANYTHING THAT COULD CAUSE ONE OR TWO TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT, NEVER MIND ALL 4. THEY REALIGNED THE WHEELS AND RESET THE LANE ASSISTANCE. I'VE SINCE TURNED OFF THE LANE ASSISTANCE AS I NO LONGER TRUST THAT FEATURE. TOO BAD SINCE THAT WAS ONE REASON I PURCHASED THAT CAR.
NHTSA ODI #11253951
Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2019
Structure
THE NEWEST GENERATION VW TIGUAN HAS A B PILLAR ISSUE WHERE THE RIVETS WHERE THE B PILLAR IS WELDED RATTLES. I AM CONCERNED OF THE OVER ALL STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE AND HOW IT WOULD WITHSTAND A CAR ACCIDENT.
NHTSA ODI #11245160
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.
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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