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
139 reports, newest first.
Other or unspecified, Apr 16, 2020
THE FLOOR ON PASSENGER SIDE OCCASIONALLY FILLS WITH WATER AND I'M NOT SURE WHERE IT IS COMING FROM. AFTER NOT DRIVING MY CAR FOR A MONTH (DUE TO THE QUARANTINE) I WAS SHOCKED TO FIND ABOUT A GALLON OF WATER POOLED IN THE VEHICLE AND SIGNS OF MOLD. I'M CONCERNED FOR MY HEALTH AS WELL AS THE HEALTH OF MY NEWBORN BABY. OF COURSE I DIDN'T BRING THE BABY WITH ME WHEN I WENT TO THE MECHANIC, BUT I WAS IN THE CAR FOR ALL OF TEN MINUTES (THAT'S HOW LONG IT TAKES TO GET THERE) AND WAS INFLICTED WITH A HEADACHE DUE TO THE MOLD. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THAT THE CAR NEEDS TO BE RECALLED BECAUSE ITS NEW AND HASN'T BEEN IN ANY ACCIDENTS AND AFTER RESEARCHING MYSELF, THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE. *TR
Other or unspecified, Mar 28, 2020
OUR TOWN HAD A LOT OF STORMING/RAINING RECENTLY AND THE CAR BEGAN TO COLLECT MOLD ON THE INSIDE EVEN AS THE DOORS AND WINDOWS WERE CLOSED. THE SEAL ON THE WINDSHIELD SEEMS TO HAVE CAME LOOSE AND POSSIBLY THE BACK WINDSHIELD AS WELL.
Electrical system, Engine, Mar 16, 2020
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE EPC LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, THE VEHICLE THEN BEGAN TO LOSE POWER AND SLOW DOWN AS I WAS DRIVING. THE VEHICLE STRUGGLES TO GET POWER AND EVEN CHANGING THE SPARK PLUGS AND COILS HAS NOT WORKED AS THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO DO THE SAME THING.
Steering, Mar 3, 2020
UPON STARTING THE VEHICLE, ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING IS UNRESPONSIVE/INOPERABLE WITH CORRESPONDING CHIME AND A RED STEERING WHEEL WARNING IS ILLUMINATED ON DASHBOARD. SECONDS TO MINUTES LATER THE POWER STEERING WILL BECOME RESPONSIVE AND RED STEERING WHEEL INDICATION IS CLEARED OR AT TIMES A YELLOW STEERING WHEEL WILL REMAIN. AFTER REGAINING POWER STEERING THERE IS A SUDDEN 'JERK' AND IT IS EXTREMELY LOOSE AT ALL SPEEDS. THIS IS REMEDIED WITH EITHER RECYCLING POWER MULTIPLE TIMES OR PERIODICALLY WHEN AN UNSPECIFIED AMOUNT OF TIME PASSES . THIS DISCREPANCY HAPPENS WHEN VEHICLE IS PARKED AND HAS BEEN CONTINUED OVER THE PAST TWO YEARS. IT IS SUSPECTED TO STEERING ASSIST CONTROL MODULE OR RACK AND PINION.
Suspension, Feb 5, 2020
BOTH FRONT AND REAR COIL SPRINGS BROKE FROM SECURE POSITION CREATING A SAFETY HAZARD AS SPRING COULD COME IN CONTACT WITH MOVING TIRES. REAR SPRING SEPARATED IN JULY 2019, FOLLOWED BY FRONT SPRING IN FEBRUARY 2020. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION BOTH TIMES, BEING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WHEN FRONT SPRING BROKE.
Electrical system, Dec 2, 2019
A-L-L POST 2010 GERMAN CARS HAVE A BATTERY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM (BMS) WHICH IS A REALLY COOL FEATURE---WHEN IT IS WORKING AND SERVICED PROPERLY. VW, WHO INVENTED THE SYSTEM, HAS SOFTWARE/SENSORS THAT WILL TAKE A DYING CAR BATTERY & ATTENUATE IT WITH HIGHER CHARGING VALUES TO COMPENSATE FOR THE DIMINISHED CAPACITY OF SAID DYING BATTERY. MY OEM 5 YEAR OLD BATTERY DIED ON ME TWO MONTHS AGO AND I REPLACED IT WITH A NEW DURACELL AGM (VW TIGUAN FITTED) BATTERY FROM BATTERY & BULBS. I'M HAPPY. THEN I BOUGHT A BLUEDRIVER ODB2 MODULE AND WAS INVITED TO JOIN THEIR BETA TESTING, WHICH ALLOWED CUSTOMERS TO ENTER THEIR OWN BEM TAG CODE INFORMATION & REGISTER THE BATTERIES TO THEIR CARS WITHOUT BEING HIT WITH A DEALER $100.00 CONVENIENCE FEE. NOW GET THIS: I CALLED NOT ONE BUT TWO VW DEALERSHIPS A-N-D VW CORPORATE AND NOBODY HEARD OF THE PROCEDURE, WHICH IS HYSTERICAL SINCE VW INVENTED IT!!! I THEN CALLED BMW ELK GROVE (SEE: MR. TREVOR KAGESIRO (916) 687-9046 NELLO BMW ELK GROVE, CA). SERVICE ADVISOR MR. KAGEHIRO SAID "IF YOU DON'T REGISTER YER NEW BATTERY TO YOUR CAR'S BATTERY MGT SYSTEM, IT WILL USE THE OLD BATTERY'S VALUES & O-V-E-R-C-H-A-R-G-E BOTH YOUR NEW BATTERY & YOUR ALTERNATOR!!! THIS CONSTITUTES A SAFTEY ISSUE BECAUSE IF YOUR BATTERY & ALTERNATOR IS DESTROYED BECAUSE OF VW'S NON COMPLIANCE WITH ITS OWN SERVICE BULLETINS---YOU COULD POTENTIALLY GET PEOPLE KILLED BECAUSE THEIR CAR WOULD HAVE STRANDED THEM DUE TO A NOW DESTROYED NEW BATTERY & ALTERNATOR!!! BMW CHARGES $90.00 TO INPUT THE NEW BATTERY VALUES (DOES NOT HAVE TO BE OEM) INTO BMW'S BATTERY MGT SYSTEM VIA THEIR PROPRIETARY OBD2 SCANNER BUT WON'T DO MY CAR BECAUSE IT'S ONLY A LOWLY VW!!! REQUESTED REMEDY: COMPEL VOLKSWAGEN TO IDENTIFY THE BEM TAG CODE (LOCATED ON THEIR OEM BATTERIES) AND THE WORK AROUND TO ALLOW NON OEM BATTERIES TO REGISTER THE BATTERY BY VW CONSUMERS. THIS EFFECTS EVERY VW OWNER!!!
Steering, Nov 25, 2019
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE DOWN A MAJOR LOCAL ROADWAY (APPROX 40 MILES PER HOUR), THE STEERING RACK FAILED DISABLING THE VEHICLES ABILITY TO STEER. THIS FAILURE HAPPENED WITH NO WARNING, AND THE VEHICLE WAS UNABLE TO BE STEERED AGAIN UNTIL IT WAS SHUT OFF. DUE TO THE ELECTRONIC STEERING SYSTEM (VERSUS A STANDARD STEERING PUMP) THE VEHICLE STEERING SYSTEM LOCKED ENTIRELY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALER, WHO CONFIRMED A TOTAL FAILURE OF THE STEERING RACK.
Electrical system, Air bags, Oct 7, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND THE STEERING WHEEL FEATURES BECAME INOPERABLE. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND DID NOT ASSIST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 14, 2019
THE AIRBAG, HORN, STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS ON MY 2013 VW TIGUAN STOPPED WORKING TWICE IN THE LAST 1 1/2 YEARS AND JUST STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THE CLOCK SPRING WAS REPLACED WHICH SOLVED THE ISSUE BUT THIS IS THE 3RD TIME THIS ISSUE HAS HAPPENED IN 1 1/2 YEARS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE SINCE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE LETTING MY WIFE DRIVE THIS VEHICLE ANYMORE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THIS ISSUE. STORIES LIKE MINE ARE ALL OVER THE INTERNET AND THE VEHICLE SHOULD BE RECALLED.
Electrical system, Service brakes, Jun 26, 2019
PROBLEM WITH ACCIDENTAL DEPLOYMENT OF ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE: THIS IS A MAJOR DESIGN PROBLEM WITH AN INEXPENSIVE FIX. THE WAY THE TIGUAN HAS BEEN DESIGNED, IT PARKING LEVEL IS FLUSH TO THE CUP HOLDER. LAST WEEK, I SPILT MY COFFEE ON MY CHARGING CLUSTER (IN FIRST CUP HOLDER) AND ACCIDENTALLY DEPLOYED THE PARK BRAKE AT 70MPH AND IT LOCKED UP THE WHEELS...ON THE FREEWAY 🛣!!! THIS DEFECT COVERS MODEL YEARS 2009-2017 1ST GEN TIGUANS. THE FIX IS CHEAP & EASY. ALTHOUGH I HAVE TAPES A BUSINESS CARD OVER IT, I PLAN TO CRAFT A ROCKER PIECE TO EASILY SECURE THE PARKING BRAKE NEEDS TO BE DEPLOYED WHILE THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED.
Other or unspecified, Jun 10, 2019
MY CAR LEAKS FROM THE INSIDE WHEN IT IS RAINING. AFTER A DAY (OR ANY PERIOD OF TIME) OF RAIN, WATER COMES IN FROM UNDERNEATH MY BACK SEATS AND FLOODS THE INTERIOR FLOOR. IT ALSO LEAKS FROM THE ROOFTOP. THIS HAPPENS WHEN THE VEHICLES IS STATIONARY OR IN MOTION.
Other or unspecified, Apr 10, 2019
LOST COOLANT AND NEEDED A NEW WATER PUMP
Electrical system, Air bags, Mar 19, 2019
HAD THE CLOCK SPRING BREAK ON OUR 2013 VW TIGUAN - MADE A GRINDINGISH NOISE WHEN MAKING A STANDARD TURN AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME UP ON THE DASHBOARD. STEERING WHEEL ELECTRONICS (HORN AND CONTROLS) STOPPED WORKING.
Engine, Feb 5, 2019
AFTER DEALER REPAAIR AIRBAG TWICE OIL PRESSURE COME ON AND OFF
Engine, Feb 1, 2019
I WAS DRIVING ON A HIGHWAY WHEN MY ENGINE FAILED. MY YEAR, MAKE AND MODEL NUMBER IS LISTED IN THE VW TIMING CHAIN SETTLEMENT, BUT MY VIN # IS NOT IN THEIR DATABASE, SO THEY WILL NOT HELP ME. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY THAT I PURCHASED WITH THE CAR, WHICH WAS USED, ON 5/12/17, EXPIRES AT 121,000 MILES. I AM OVER THE MILEAGE BY APPROX. 7,800 MILES, SO THEY WILL NOT HONOR IT. *JS
Steering, Air bags, Oct 9, 2018
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A CRUNCHING SOUND COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AND ALL THE CONTROL BUTTONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE CONTACT CALLED MOSSY VOLKSWAGEN AT (760) 745-7551 (LOCATED AT 1695 AUTO PARK WAY S, ESCONDIDO, CA 92029) AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS) REGARDING THE CLOCKSPRING. THE VEHICLE WAS LATER TAKEN TO CITY VOLKSWAGEN (LOCATED AT 2205 MORENA BLVD, SAN DIEGO, CA 92110, (833) 207-1264), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED DUE TO THE COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,000.
Exterior lighting, Oct 1, 2018
WHEN YOU SWITCH ON THE IGNITION TO GO. DRIVER SIDE LOW BEAM LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF ON MY 2013 VW TIGUAN
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Sep 29, 2018
AN AIRBAG ERROR MESSAGE WENT ON WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IN JUNE 2018. SHE NOTICED THAT THE AFTER THE AIRBAG ERROR CANE ON THAT THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE HORN STOPPED WORKING AS WELL. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO DIRITO BROTHERS VW FOR SERVICING AND THEY SAID THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO REPLACED. THEY REPLACED THE PART WHICH RESOLVED THE ISSUES UNTIL TODAY WHEN THE AIRBAG ERROR LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND THE STEERING CONTROLS AND HORN STOPPED WORKING AGAIN. THAT IS A SECOND FAILURE IN 3 MONTHS. MY WIFE DRIVES MY KIDS IN THIS VEHICLE AND IT'S UNSETTLING TO THINK THAT THERE IS AN OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE PART THAT RENDERS HER AIRBAG AND HORN USELESS PUTTING THEM IN HARMS WAY. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH DIRITO BROTHERS TO REPLACE THE PART AGAIN BUT HAVE LOST CONFIDENCE. I NOTICED MANY ARTICLES AND BLOG POSTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AS WELL AS AN NHTSA INVESTIGATION INTO IT. PLEASE RE-INVESTIGATE THIS ISSUE. I CAN'T IMAGINE THAT I'M THE ONLY PERSON COMPLAINING. THANK YOU.
Electrical system, Engine, Sep 28, 2018
THE CAR LOSES POWER WHEN ACCELERATING AND EPC LIGHTS AND OIL PRESSURE LIGHTS ILLUMINATE AND DISAPPEAR SEEMS VERY DANGEROUS AND I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON WHO THIS IS HAPPENING TO
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Sep 25, 2018
ALL BUTTON OF STEERING WHEEL IS DEAD, AIRBAG INDICATOR IS ON ALL THE TIME, HORN IS DEAD, CENTER FRONT UPPER LEFT SWITCH OF DIM LIGHT IS OUT OF ORDER. IT DID NOT START AT ONCE. ABOVE PHENOMENA OCCURRED ONE BY ONE. IT SEEMS THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH CLOCK SPRING WHICH VW HAD RECALL IN 2015.
Engine, Sep 17, 2018
THE CAR STALLED, IT WAS DIFFICULT TO STARTED AGAIN AND THEN RAN POORLY. THE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD IT TOWED TO THE GARAGE. THE TIMING CHAIN SLIPPED, CAUSING A MISFIRE IN ALL FOUR CYLINDERS. MECHANIC FOUND IT WAS DUE TO A FAULTY TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. VW REPLACED THIS TENSIONER IN NEW CARS AS OF JULY OF 2012, MY CAR WAS BUILT IN JUNE OF 2012. AS THE RESULT OF A LAWSUIT, VW EXTENDED THE WARRANTY ON MODELS THROUGH 2012, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE 2013 EVEN THOUGH IT IS THE SAME FAULTY PART NUMBER. CAR IS STILL IN THE GARAGE 10 DAYS LATER, BUT I WAS TOLD IT WOULD BE $1,500-$2,000 REPAIR.
Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 16, 2018
THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS AND AIR BAGS DO NOT WORK. THIS IS A COMMONLY KNOWN ISSUE WITH VW FOR THE YEAR AND MODEL OF THIS VEHICLE, ALTHOUGH VW STATES THIS VIN IS OUTSIDE OF THE 'RECALLED GROUP', IT CLEARLY HAS THE EXACT SAME ISSUE WITH THE SAME RECALLED PARTS. THE AIRBAG CLOCK SPRING IS THE ISSUE THAT HAS WORN OUT AND THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS AND AIR BAGS IN THE STEERING WHEEL ARE NOW RENDERED USELESS. THE DEALERSHIP THEMSELVES HAVE TOLD ME THEY HAVE SEEN THIS ISSUE ON NUMEROUS VW VEHICLES AND HAVE NOT EXPANDED THEIR RADIUS OF VINS INCLUDED IN THE FAULTY PARTS.
Steering, Electrical system, Air bags, Aug 2, 2018
CLOCKSPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAS FAILED CAUSING AIR BAG LIGHT TO COME ON AND ON ONE INSTANCE THE BLINKERS DID NOT WORK. A MINOR CRACKING FIRST WAS HEARD IN VEHICLE DURING TURNING. EVENTUALLY A TURN WAS MADE AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON AND NO CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL WORKED.
Air bags, Jul 20, 2018
AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS THE EXACT ISSUE DESCRIBED IN VW RECALL NOTICE RECALL NUMBER 15V483000 RECALL DATE 08/04/2015 COMPONENT AIR BAGS:FRONTAL THE RECALL NOTICE SAID IFTHE AIRBAG LIGHT IS ON AND THE STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING REQUIRES REPLACEMENT, DEALERS WILL INSTALL A NEW STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING. IN MARCH OF 2016 VW SAID THEY PERFORMED THE RECALL WORK BY CLEANING THE CLOCK SPRING, NOT REPLACING IT. THE ISSUE FOR ME IS VW SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE CLOCK SPRING AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL NOTICE.
Air bags, Jul 3, 2018
THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED WITHIN TWO YEARS OF THE RECALL, AND BASED ON MY INTERNET RESEARCH, ALMOST 100 OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME ISSUE. THE DEALER TOLD ME THE ORIGINAL "FIX" WAS JUST TO PUT A COVER OVER THE CLOCK SPRING UNLESS THE CLOCK SPRING FAILED BEFOREHAND. IN MY CASE IT FAILED AFTER THE COVER WAS ADDED, AND FOR SOME REASON I DIDN'T GET THE BENEFIT OF AN ACTUAL REPLACEMENT PART AS PART OF THE RECALL. IT SEEMS TO ME THAT OTHERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE "FIX" FOR ALL OF THE CARS IN QUESTION SHOULD HAVE BEEN CLOCK SPRING REPLACEMENTS VS. A COVER.