NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
282 reports8,200 miles · Oct 22, 2018
Structure
ON OCTOBER 11, 2018 I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A SIDE STREET TRAVELING 30 MILES AN HOUR I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I TURNED AROUND AND SAW MY SIDE MIRROR BROKEN AND SMASHED INTO THE SIDE OF MY CAR WINDOW. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. IT WAS ISOLATED TO THE SIDE MIRROR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I EXPLA…
Read full complaint
ON OCTOBER 11, 2018 I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A SIDE STREET TRAVELING 30 MILES AN HOUR I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I TURNED AROUND AND SAW MY SIDE MIRROR BROKEN AND SMASHED INTO THE SIDE OF MY CAR WINDOW. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. IT WAS ISOLATED TO THE SIDE MIRROR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THEY LOOKED AT THE SIDE MIRROR. THEY CAME BACK TO TELL ME THAT SOMETHING HIT MY CAR LIKE A ROCK OR STICK. I WAS SURPRISED AND SAID REALLY THE ROCK OR STICK ONLY HIT THE SIDE MIRROR AND PUSHED THE MIRROR INTO THE WINDOW? I SAID I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFROST, LANE CHANGE OR POWER MIRROR WIRING CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND ESTIMATED TO COST TO $1100. I HAD DEALER ORDER A NEW MIRROR. I SCHEDULED THE SERVICE AND CONFIRMED WITH THE DEALER THAT THE PART WAS READY. AN HOUR WAITING FOR THE CAR TO BE SERVICED THE SERVICE ADVISOR GOT ME FROM THE WAITING ROOM TO TELL ME THAT THE NEW PART THAT WAS ORDERED FROM VOLKSWAGEN AND PAINTED TO ORDER WAS DAMAGED! TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD A REPLACEMENT MIRROR THAT HAD BEEN ORDERED FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER. SINCE THAT CUSTOMER HAD NOT SCHEDULED A TIME FOR SERVICE IT WAS GOING TO BE SENT OUT TO BE PAINTED FOR ME. I LEFT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH MY BROKEN MIRROR. WHILE DRIVING HOME I REALIZED, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE MIRROR, THE REPLACEMENT MIRROR CAME IN DAMAGED, AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A SIDE MIRROR. I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PICTURES.
NHTSA ODI #11141871
5,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
StructureUnknown Or Other
RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE SEATBELT COLUMN. HAVE BROUGHT IN MY CAR AND SENT RECORDINGS OF THE NOISE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE NOISE THEY NOW HAVE IT FOR THE 3 MRS TIME AND I HAVE SHARED U TUBE LINKS AND THE VW FORUM TO SHOW THEM THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE THE ISSUES
NHTSA ODI #11141121
13,000 miles · Oct 17, 2018
Unknown Or Other
SUNROOF SHATTERED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY AROUND TACOMA, WA. NO APPARENT CAUSE. THE SUNROOF IS PANORAMIC AND ONLY THE FRONT HALF SHATTERED.
NHTSA ODI #11141050
3,000 miles · Oct 15, 2018
Structure
INTERMITTENT CLICKING EMINATING FROM DRIVERS SIDE B PILLAR WITH OCCASIONAL CREAKING FROM VEHICLE FRAME IN THE SAME AREA. QUESTION AS TO SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES FRAME. THE CLICKING IS VERY IRRITATING AS IT IS NEXT TO DRIVERS EAR.
NHTSA ODI #11140470
2,450 miles · Oct 12, 2018
Engine
EVERYTIME I DRIVE WHEN ENGINE IS COLD, IT FEELS LIKE ENGINE IS GOING TO DIE. I CAN FEEL SMALL JERKING, LIKE CAR IS RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. FUEL TANK IS FULL. I READ MANY COMPLAINS AND FORMS, VW DOESN'T CARE. I CONTACTED THEM VIA TWITTER, NO RESPONSE YET.
NHTSA ODI #11139961
600 miles · Oct 1, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemStructure
SINCE BRAND NEW THERE IS A RATTLE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE PILLAR. TAKEN TWICE TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE AND THE RATTLE STILL THERE. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FORCING ME TO RESTART MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY. COLD STARTS VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WELL, FEELS LIKE WHEN SOMEONE IS LEARNING H…
Read full complaint
SINCE BRAND NEW THERE IS A RATTLE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE PILLAR. TAKEN TWICE TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE AND THE RATTLE STILL THERE. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FORCING ME TO RESTART MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY. COLD STARTS VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WELL, FEELS LIKE WHEN SOMEONE IS LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AND MISSES THE CLUTCH AND THE VEHICLE JUMPS. TAKEN TWICE TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE TRANSMISSION AND EVERYTHING IS WELL. AS SOON AS I DROVE OFF THE LOT IT BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING. WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AT AN INTERSECTION OR THAT THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH POWER DUE TO LAG WHEN NECESSARY.
NHTSA ODI #11132662
9,497 miles · Oct 1, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR OCCASINGLY SURGES UNDER HEAVIER THROTTLE PRESSURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE DEALERS ARE TELLING US THIS IS 'NORMAL' BEHAVIOR. I SEE THAT MANY DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET INJURED BEFORE WE GET TAKEN SERIOUSLY? VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO FIX THE P…
Read full complaint
THE VEHICLE HESITATES WHEN ACCELERATING FROM A STOP OR OCCASINGLY SURGES UNDER HEAVIER THROTTLE PRESSURE. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND THE DEALERS ARE TELLING US THIS IS 'NORMAL' BEHAVIOR. I SEE THAT MANY DRIVERS HAVE REPORTED THIS ISSUE. DOES SOMEONE HAVE TO GET INJURED BEFORE WE GET TAKEN SERIOUSLY? VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO FIX THE PROBLEM WITH THE ENGINE NOW.
NHTSA ODI #11132415
3,300 miles · Sep 28, 2018
Power Train
FROM A STOP, AND AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES VERY BADLY. AT TIMES, WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE FOR 2-3 SECONDS OR MORE--IT JUST COASTS. IN OTHER SITUATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL, AND THE ENGINE REVS TO HIGH RPM. THIS HAS LED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS: WHEN…
Read full complaint
FROM A STOP, AND AT LOW SPEED, THE VEHICLE HESITATES VERY BADLY. AT TIMES, WITH THE GAS PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, THE CAR DOES NOT ACCELERATE FOR 2-3 SECONDS OR MORE--IT JUST COASTS. IN OTHER SITUATIONS, THE TRANSMISSION DOES NOT ENGAGE AT ALL, AND THE ENGINE REVS TO HIGH RPM. THIS HAS LED TO NEAR ACCIDENTS ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS: WHEN CROSSING TRAFFIC TO MAKE A LEFT-HAND TURN, MERGING INTO TRAFFIC AFTER MAKING A RIGHT-HAND TURN, OR ATTEMPTING TO GET TO SPEED ENTERING A FREEWAY. FURTHER, THIS IS NOT HOW THE VEHICLE BEHAVED ON THE TEST-DRIVE. IF IT HAD, I WOULD NEVER HAVE PURCHASED IT. TO DATE, THE VEHICLE HAS SPENT MORE THAT 3 WEEKS IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT OF THE LOCAL VW DEALERSHIP. AFTER THIS PERIOD OF SERVICE, THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO ME, AND I WAS TOLD THAT VW HAD DETERMINED THAT THIS IS A "FEATURE OF THE VEHICLE", AND THAT NOTHING MORE WOULD BE DONE TO ADDRESS THE PROBLEM. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD, AND A BAIT-AND-SWITCH.
NHTSA ODI #11132095
Mileage unknown · Sep 28, 2018
Exterior Lighting
THE BACKUP LIGHTS ON THIS CAR ARE ALMOST NON-EXISTANT AND EVEN WITH THE CAMERA ITS DIFFICULT TO SEE TO BACK UP. I WORRY THAT NO ONE NOTICES I AM BACKING UP AND THERFORE THIS COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR INJURY.
NHTSA ODI #11132053
4,575 miles · Sep 26, 2018
Engine
08/24/2018- EPC LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER I BEGAN MY MORNING COMMUTE WHILE DRIVING APPROX 45MPH ON CITY STREET. MY CAR SLOWED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ACCELERATION, AS A SECOND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING 'ENGINE SPEED MAX 3000RPM'. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK A SHORT DISTANCE AT A REDUCED SPEED WITH LIMITED ACCELERATION. HAD CAR TO…
Read full complaint
08/24/2018- EPC LIGHT CAME ON SHORTLY AFTER I BEGAN MY MORNING COMMUTE WHILE DRIVING APPROX 45MPH ON CITY STREET. MY CAR SLOWED AND WOULD NOT ALLOW ACCELERATION, AS A SECOND WARNING LIGHT CAME ON STATING 'ENGINE SPEED MAX 3000RPM'. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE BACK A SHORT DISTANCE AT A REDUCED SPEED WITH LIMITED ACCELERATION. HAD CAR TOWED FOR THE EARLIEST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT ON 08/27/2018 AT A LOCAL VW SERVICE CENTER. TOLD TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOLLOWING A THOROUGH DIAGNOSTIC AND TSB. 09/21/2018- TOLD VW ENGINEER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AFTER THE TIMING CHAIN FIX AND THE ECP LIGHT CAME BACK ON, SO IT WAS DETERMINED A FULL ENGINE REPLACEMENT WAS NEEDED. ALSO SAME DAY, VW CUSTOMER CARE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THAT MY PRIOR REQUEST FOR A VEHICLE REPLACEMENT/ REPURCHASE WAS DENIED, BUT WOULD BE RE-SUBMITTED WITH THE NEW INFORMATION TEGARDING THE ENGINE. 09/25/2018- VW CUSTOMER CARE REP NOTIFIED ME THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS ORDERED AND WAS ESTIMATED TO ARRIVE AT VW SERVICE WITHIN 10-12 BUSINESS DAYS. 09/26/2018- I NOTIFIED VW CUSTOMER CARE REP THAT I WANT TO BE CONTACTED AS SOON AS A DECISION FOR THE RE-SUBMITTED REPLACEMENT/REPURCHASE REQUEST IS MADE, AS I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DRIVING THIS VEHICLE DUE TO SAFETY CONCERNS (FAILURE TO ACCELERATE) AND RELIABILITY CONCERNS AFTER ENGINE FAILURE AT 5 MO./ 4575 MILES.
NHTSA ODI #11131853
Official recalls
14Sep 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
2EA18005 · 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.
Illustration