IllustrationIT'S A SLIGHT TICKING. THE RATTLE HAPPENS OVER THE SMALLEST BUMP.
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Tiguan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
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 reportsWE PURCHASED OUR 2018 TIGUAN IN JANUARY OF THIS YEAR FROM MOMENTUM VOLKSWAGEN OF CLEAR LAKE. OUR CAR HAS BEEN IN 3 TIMES FOR SERVICE AND EACH TIME (AT 5K, 10K, AND 15 MILES), I HAVE EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE WRITERS THAT MY CAR HAS A LAG, A STOP IN THE THROTTLE AND TURBO, WHERE IT FAILS TO ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY UPON PUSHING THE …
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
BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2017, IMMEDIATELY HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT REAR SENSOR REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD SHOW THAT THERE WAS A VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OF ME, EVEN WHEN I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TO AUTOMATIC THEY ARE ALWAYS ON. THEY DON'T TURN OFF WHEN YOUR DRIVING IN FULL SUNSHINE. B PILLAR RATTLE HAS GO…
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BOUGHT THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2017, IMMEDIATELY HAD TO HAVE THE LEFT REAR SENSOR REPLACED BECAUSE IT WOULD SHOW THAT THERE WAS A VEHICLE TO THE LEFT OF ME, EVEN WHEN I WAS IN THE LEFT HAND LANE. WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS ARE SET TO AUTOMATIC THEY ARE ALWAYS ON. THEY DON'T TURN OFF WHEN YOUR DRIVING IN FULL SUNSHINE. B PILLAR RATTLE HAS GOTTEN STEADILY WORSE ON BOTH SIDES. I JUST TOOK MY CAR IN AND THE DEALERSHIP COULDN'T GIVE ME AN ESTIMATE ON WHEN I WILL GET IT BACK. THE RATTLING HAPPENS ALL TIMES OF THE DAY AND ON ALL ROAD CONDITIONS. THE TEMPERATURE DOESN'T SEEM TO IMPACT THE RATTLING EITHER.
VEHICHLES AUTO ON OFF POWER SYSTEM ENABLES WHILE TURNING, STOPPED, OR PARKED IF SEATBELT IS BUCKLED. TURNS MADE COMPLICATED IF ENGINES AUTO STOP COMES ON. VEHICHLE UNABLE TO MAKE COMPLETE TURN WITH EASE AT A COAST WHILE AUTO STOP KICKS ON. TURNING INTO PARKING SPOT AUTO ENGINE SYSTEM KICKED TO OFF. CAR DID NOT TURN WELL C…
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VEHICHLES AUTO ON OFF POWER SYSTEM ENABLES WHILE TURNING, STOPPED, OR PARKED IF SEATBELT IS BUCKLED. TURNS MADE COMPLICATED IF ENGINES AUTO STOP COMES ON. VEHICHLE UNABLE TO MAKE COMPLETE TURN WITH EASE AT A COAST WHILE AUTO STOP KICKS ON. TURNING INTO PARKING SPOT AUTO ENGINE SYSTEM KICKED TO OFF. CAR DID NOT TURN WELL CAUSING CAR TO NOT TURN EAISLY LIKE THERE WAS NO POWER OR POWER STEERING. CAR BUMPED INTO CAR NEXT TO IT WHICH WAS PARKED. CAUSING FRONT PASSANGER DAMAGE.
ENGINE OIL WILL LEAK FROM INTAKE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT VALVE. LEAK WAS NOTICED FIRST WHEN PARKED. AFTER FIRST REPAIR BY DEALER (11 JULY 2018), IT STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN ONLY AFTER FIVE DAYS FROM REPAIR. THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE OR EVENTUALLY ENGINE TO FAIL. CAN PROVIDE REPAIR REPORT FROM DEALER (FIRST RE…
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ENGINE OIL WILL LEAK FROM INTAKE CAMSHAFT ADJUSTMENT VALVE. LEAK WAS NOTICED FIRST WHEN PARKED. AFTER FIRST REPAIR BY DEALER (11 JULY 2018), IT STARTED TO LEAK AGAIN ONLY AFTER FIVE DAYS FROM REPAIR. THIS REPRESENTS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MAY CAUSE A FIRE OR EVENTUALLY ENGINE TO FAIL. CAN PROVIDE REPAIR REPORT FROM DEALER (FIRST REPAIR) AND SECOND ONCE IT IS FINALIZED. THANK YOU.
ON 7/13/2018 WE ARE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN WE STOP THE VEHICLE TO TAKE SOME PICTURES THE CAR ON PARKING, START TO MAKE HIGH AND LOW ACELERATION WITH VIBRATIONS AND THEN A LIGHT WITH EPC SHOW ON DASHBOARD. I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR A MINUTE AND THEN TURN ON, THE EPC LIGHT DISAPPEAR, BUT THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED. THE NEXT DAY (7/14/…
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ON 7/13/2018 WE ARE ON A FAMILY TRIP WHEN WE STOP THE VEHICLE TO TAKE SOME PICTURES THE CAR ON PARKING, START TO MAKE HIGH AND LOW ACELERATION WITH VIBRATIONS AND THEN A LIGHT WITH EPC SHOW ON DASHBOARD. I TURN OFF THE CAR FOR A MINUTE AND THEN TURN ON, THE EPC LIGHT DISAPPEAR, BUT THE VIBRATIONS CONTINUED. THE NEXT DAY (7/14/2018) WE ARE ON THE ROAD AND THE VEHICULE STARTS THE VIBRATIONS , THEN SHOW THE CHECKENGINE PICTURE ON THE DASHBOARD, RAPIDLY 2 ERRORS APPEARED ON THE SCREEN 'ERROR: START-STOP' AND 'ENGINE ON DUE TO SYSTEM ERROR'. WE CALL VW CENTER AND WE HAVE A INSPECCION OF THE VEHICLE THIS WEEK. ALSO WITH LESS OF 4,000MI WE SAW THAT THE FRONT BRAKE DISCS HAVE PROBLEMS. THEY SHOW A BIG MARK WITH DITCH. THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH THE PADS OR WITH THE STOP SYSTEM
I PURCHASED MY 2018 TIGUAN ON JUNE 26TH, 2018. ON JUNE 27TH, AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY I HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR . THE MORE I DROVE THE LOUDER IT WAS . I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I WAS HEADED TO THE DEALERSHIP ANYWAY BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MISSING 3 ITEMS FR…
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I PURCHASED MY 2018 TIGUAN ON JUNE 26TH, 2018. ON JUNE 27TH, AS I WAS DRIVING ON THE EXPRESSWAY I HEARD A LOUD RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CAR . THE MORE I DROVE THE LOUDER IT WAS . I DIDN'T KNOW EXACTLY WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I WAS HEADED TO THE DEALERSHIP ANYWAY BECAUSE MY CAR WAS MISSING 3 ITEMS FROM THE TRUCK. THE PAINT PROTECTOR WASN'T DONE PROPERLY AND THE INSIDE OF THE CAR WASN'T CLEAN. I SPOKE WITH MY SALES PERSON ONCE I ARRIVED AND WE WENT TO THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT TO GET THE CAR RE-DETAILED INSIDE AND OUT ALONG WITH THEM CHECKING OUT THE NOISE I WAS HEARING. THURSDAY JUNE 29, 10 AM, I ARRIVED AND CHECKED MY VEHICLE IN. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD TAKE A COUPLE OF HOURS TO COMPLETE EVERYTHING. IT TOOK 5 HOURS AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE SHIFT PLATE UNDER THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS LOOSE AND IT WOULD TAKE ABOUT 3 TO 4 DAYS FOR THE PART TO ARRIVE. I RECEIVED A CALL ON JULY 5TH, STATING THE PART CAME IN AND I WAS SCHEDULED TO COME BACK IN ON SATURDAY JULY 9TH AND THAT HE WOULD HAVE A TECHNICIAN RIDE WITH ME , SINCE I WAS HEARING THE NOISE FROM THE SEAT BELT PANEL ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR. WHEN I ARRIVED, THE TECHNICIAN RODE WITH ME TO HEAR THE NOISE AND HE AGREED THAT IT WAS COMING FROM THE SEAT BELT PANEL. TECHNICIAN DROVE 2 OTHER DEMO CARS SINCE MY CAR WAS DRIVEN BY THE OWNER. FAST-FORWARD, I WAS TOLD THE DEMO CARS SOUNDED THE SAME WAY AND THAT HE TOOK THE SEAT BELT PANEL OFF, REARRANGED SOMETHING , DROVE THE CAR AND DIDN'T HEAR THE NOISE. THE SERVICE PERSON EXPLAINED THAT IF I STILL HEARD THE NOISE THAT IT WAS NOTHING THAT COULD BE DONE AND I HAD TO DEAL WITH THE NOISE. SINCE MY 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WAS WITH ME , I DIDN'T HAVE TIME TO GO BACK AND FORTH, I SAID OK AND REPORTED THIS ISSUE TO VOLKSWAGEN.
TICKING NOISE/RATTLING FROM THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE.
THE VEHICLE HAS A START/STOP FEATURE THAT IS ON BY DEFAULT AND IS DANGEROUS WHEN WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. IT TEMPORARILY SHUTS THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTS UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD WHICH CAUSES SEVERE HESITATION IN EXCELLERATION. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE JERKS AND HESITA…
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THE VEHICLE HAS A START/STOP FEATURE THAT IS ON BY DEFAULT AND IS DANGEROUS WHEN WAITING TO MAKE A TURN. IT TEMPORARILY SHUTS THE CAR DOWN AND RESTARTS UPON RELEASE OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO MOVE THE CAR FORWARD WHICH CAUSES SEVERE HESITATION IN EXCELLERATION. TO MAKE MATTERS WORSE THE TRANSMISSION IN THIS VEHICLE JERKS AND HESITATES. WHEN IT DOES FINALLY KICK IN IT CAUSES THE CAR TO SURGE FORWARD TO FAST AND MAKES IT DIFFICULT TO DRIVE AND HANDLE IN A TURN, EPECIALLY WITH ONCOMING TRAFFIC. HAVE ALMOST BEEN T-BONED A FEW TIMES DUE TO BOTH OF THESE ISSUES. WE DONT FEEL SAFE IN THIS VEHICLE!! THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE ADDRESSED BY VOLKSWAGON BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY HURT. WE LOVE THE STYLING AND LOOK OF OUR TIGUAN BUT FEEL THE TRANSMISSION AND START/STOP ISSUES ARE VERY UNSAFE!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF ABILENE (1350 S CLACK ST, ABILENE, TX 79605, (325) 673-4663) AND WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE A RATTLING SOUND. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO VOLKSWAGEN OF ABILENE (1350 S CLACK ST, ABILENE, TX 79605, (325) 673-4663) AND WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE OF THE DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO WAIT FOR A RESPONSE FOR TRADING IN THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 750. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Official recalls
1426V590000 · 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
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.