2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 139 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.
Of the 2013 reports, 2 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 1 person was injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Other or unspecifiedMay 16, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI 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.
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.
Campaign 18V329000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalAug 4, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Campaign 15V483000 on NHTSA.gov
Fuel system, gasolineJul 21, 2014
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.
Campaign 14V441000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: fuel/propulsion system
14 reports, newest first. Show all
Air bags, Seat belts, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2026
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place..I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now) Also , as of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. And the overheat light comes on now, off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up I see no recall on my car VIN #, for these issues??? How can that be possible???
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2026
As of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. Now the overheat light comes on ,off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up
Electrical system, Air bags, Fuel/propulsion system, Feb 6, 2026
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place..I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now) Also , as of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. And the overheat light comes on ,off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while, then clears up
Electrical system, Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 24, 2025
My engine shut off my battery as I was driving. This forced my car to stop in the middle of the road. There wasn’t a battery sign or engine light on until after the event. This could’ve caused a wreck, especially if it would’ve happened on the highway. I also have a problem with my gas not registering. It doesn’t show how much gas I have left in my tank. I have had other electrical issues, and problems when starting my car.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Jul 8, 2024
After filling up one day I was heading home and started to smell gas from my ac vents when I turned it on I didn’t pay much attention until I got nauseous and a huge headache. Later that day my boyfriend tried to get to work and the car said “engine off” and turned off on the side of the highway if wouldn’t start. We figured maybe a battery l got it towed home afterwards and just let it sit for a day bought a new battery it didn’t start then noticed there was no gas in it suddenly I just had a full tank the day prior. When I cranked it up the next morning after going to get more gasoline it all just started spraying from under the engine and it smelled like gas. I’m to scared to move it far and it blows up or something.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 12, 2022
Fuel door actuator intermittently jams prevents access to the fuel nozzle. Yes, the car was off and locks disengaged. I had to spend $304.00 have the part replaced so that I can fuel my car. I researched this issue online VW drivers across models have experienced this issue.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 1, 2022
The coolant pump started to leak Then there were heating issues that still have not been fixed after that the engine ran out of oil from combusting it. while I was driving at the engine started shaking the vehicle did not want to move I took it to a mechanic to put oil in it so I could get it off of the road and in my driveway I have taken it to multiple mechanics and they have all said the engine failed and it's burning oil and shooting the gas and oil up through the engine cylinders. I've had to get multiple spark plugs replaced because they keep being burnt
Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 13, 2018, fire
FUEL SYSTEM PROBLEMS... REPLACED REAR FUEL PUMP 8/15/2017. CAR BLEW OUT FUEL LINE WITHIN TWO WEEKS.. SPILLED GAS ALL UNDER CAR.. CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GOUND. VW TECHNICAL PROS DID WORK... @ AUDI PENSACOLA (SONIC AUTO GROUP) . CAR HAD PREVIOUSLY HAD RECALL ON FUEL SYSTEM FIXED IN 2016. STILL FAILED. GOT INTO CAR IN AM AND IT WOULD RUN FOR 2 SECONDS AND QUIT. CALLED SERVICE TECH FOR GUIDANCE.. SAID GET TOW TRUCK TO BRING IT IN TO AUDI PENSACOLA FOR EXAM. CAR CAUGHT FIRE IN DRIVEWAY THANKFULLY OUT FROM UNDER CARPORT. FIRE DEPT ARRIVED JUST IN TIME TO SAVE MY HOUSE FROM BEING TOTALLY INVOLVED. SEE ATTACHMENTS OF REPAIR BILL AND PIX OF FIRE. MORE AVAILABLE
Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 8, 2017
HARD STARTING 1ST THING AM.... SEEMS TO RUN OK AFTERWARD. VW SERIVCE TECH SAYS REAR FUEL PUMP AND SENSOR BAD..CAUSING ENGINE SPEED SENSOR TO MALFUNCTION. CAR STALLED ON FWAY TWICE TOO...
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Oct 1, 2016
WHEN YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR, THE CAR STOPS COMPLETELY. EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN. NEED TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART CAR. THE CAR RESTARTS. HOWEVER, THE SHUTDOWN CAN HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE DURING THE SAME TRIP EACH TIME THE CAR STOPS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN WILL GO OFF. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN AUG 2015 @ 27000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES. THEY RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CLEAR FAULT IF THE LIGHT IS ON AT THE TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOOST PRESSURE SENSOR IN JUNE 2016 BUT THE PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. SINCE THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, IT IS HARD TO KNOW IF THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. SO FAR IT HAS STALLED ON SIDE ROADS OR PARKING LOTS. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IN 2014, THE CAR WAS PART OF A FUEL PUMP RECALL.
Steering, Power train, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 8, 2016, crash
WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IT WILL GET UP TO 40 SPEED AND NOT ABOVE AND STALL OUT TO 0 MPH. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AND STALL FOR DURATION OF TIME, THEN IT WILL DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED UNDER 10-20MPH. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, I MADE IT KNOWN TO THE BRANDON VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, FIDELITY BANK AND VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA. I HAD TWO WARRANTIES AND THE PROBLEM WERE TOLD ME IN 2012 AND 2013, BY BRANDON VOLKSWAGEN THE PROBLEM WERE RESOLVED. IN JULY 2015 THROUGH AUGUST 2015 THE BRANDON VOLKSWAGEN INFORMED THAT A PART DOES NOT EXISTED TO CORRECT MY PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NON-OPERABLE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY 301HWY.
Service brakes, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 12, 2014
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V441000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HAD EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR REPAIR. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR BECAUSE THERE WERE NO AVAILABLE APPOINTMENTS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE DELAY. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,798. UPDATED 10/22/14*CN UPDATED 4/8/2015 *JS
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Aug 10, 2014
CAR STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC WITH ME AND A TWO YEAR OLD STRAPPED IN HER SEAT. MOST HORRIFYING EXPERIENCE IN MY WHOLE 48 YEARS OF LIFE. YOUR DEALER DID NOTHING AND SAID IT'S ALL IN MY HEAD. CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP MULTIPLE TIMES EVER SINCE FOR STALLING WHILE ME DRIVING! WILL START CLASS ACTION SUIT THROUGH AN ORLANDO LAW FIRM OF DEBAUBIEN, KNIGHT, MANZARIS, SIMMONS AND NEAL UNLESS CAR IS REPLACED. *TR
Steering, Fuel/propulsion system, Mar 20, 2014
I PURCHASED A 2012 VW TIGUAN AND STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLE AT ABOUT 15,000 MILES WHEN THE FUEL PUMP AND MODULATOR WENT BAD.. AFTER THAT I WENT THROUGH 2 OR 3 MORE FUEL PUMPS ON THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED. UNSATISFIED WITH THE CARS PERFORMANCE I VOICED MY OPINION TO THE DEALERSHIP; ASKING TO GET OUT OF THE VEHICLE. THEY CONTACTED VW WHO AGREED TO PLACE ME IN A 2013 MODEL AND GAVE ABOUT $4500 TOWARDS MY COSTS OF THE UPDATED MODEL; WHICH I STILL LOST CONSIDERABLE MONEY ON BECAUSE OF A VERY LOW TRADE IN VALUE; BUT I WANTED A SAFE VEHICLE FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. NOW I HAD THE 2013 FOR OVER A YEAR AND 21,000 MILES ROLES ON AND MY FUEL PUMP WENT OUT ON THIS CAR. IT HAPPENED WHILE I WAS MAKING A RIGHT TURN INTO TRAFFIC AND THE CAR DIED ALMOST CAUSING MY FAMILY AND I TO HAVE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND MODULE ONCE AGAIN. I CONTACTED VW AND EXPLAINED MY WIFE AND I ARE SCARED THIS PROBLEM WILL CONTINUE TO HAPPEN AND HAVE FOUND MULTIPLE SOURCES INCLUDING THE DEALER STATING THIS PROBLEM CONTINUES TO OCCUR AND I FEAR FOR MY SAFETY WHILE DRIVING. I ALSO HAVE BEEN VERY PATIENT WITH THEM REGARDING THE MULTIPLE INCONVENIENCES THIS HAS BEEN FOR ME WITH MULTIPLE VEHICLES. THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME AND JUST CONTINUE WITH THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY. I ASKED FOR CONSIDERATION TO PLEASE BE TAKEN OUT OF THIS VEHICLE AND THEY OUT RIGHT REFUSED TO HEAR ME. NOW I HAVE A CAR THAT I OWE MONEY ON, CANNOT AFFORD TO TRADE IN, WITH A KNOWN MECHANICAL PROBLEM. MY WIFE IS SCARED TO DRIVE IN THE CAR AND WILL NOT ALLOW ME TO TRAVEL WITH MY KIDS. VW WAS ONLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE BOTTOM LINE AND NOT THE CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE. THE REP WOULD NOT INTERJECT HIS OWN FEELINGS HOWEVER HE DID SAY GIVEN MY VW EXPERIENCE HE DOES NOT BLAME ME FOR WANTING OUT OF THE CAR; BUT VW WOULD NOT HELP. ALL I ASKED FOR WAS A VEHICLE THAT WILL PROVIDE SAFETY FOR ME AND MY FAMILY. *TR