2015 Volkswagen Tiguan
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Air bags is the leading concern among 62 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 16th highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.
Of the 2015 reports, 1 involved a crash and 1 involved a fire. 4 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Air bags, air bag/restraint control moduleJul 17, 2019
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.
Campaign 19V535000 on NHTSA.gov
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, side/windowJan 28, 2016
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 15, 2015, to January 21, 2015, and 2015 Audi Q5 vehicles manufactured January 13, 2015, to February 3, 2015. The affected vehicles are equipped with driver and front seat passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators that may rupture in the event of a crash.
In the event of a crash necessitating deployment of a seat-mounted air bag, the inflator could rupture with metal fragments striking the driver or other occupants resulting in serious injury or death.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the side air bag modules, free of charge. The recall began July 7, 2016. Owners may contact Audi customer service at 1-800-822-2834 or Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69M1 (for Audi) and 69L9 (for VW).
Campaign 16V045000 on NHTSA.gov
Equipment, other, labelsMay 26, 2015
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2015 Tiguan vehicles manufactured January 22, 2015, to March 20, 2015. These vehicles may be equipped with Certification labels that are missing the required tire pressure information and they may state incorrect weight and loading information. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of 49 CFR Part 567, "Certification."
If the labels have incorrect weight and loading information, the operator may overload the vehicle which could cause vehicle instability, increasing the risk of a crash.
Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will correct the information on the certification label, free of charge. The recall began on June 12, 2015. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01A5.
Campaign 15V311000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
15 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 25, 2024
Car stalled while driving on the highway. No warning codes and mechanics cannot find a reason. This has happened twice before in past year with warning codes but all have been addressed yet it has stalled again with no code now. This has been costly, very dangerous and cannot feel safe driving.
Other or unspecified, Aug 16, 2023
The manufactured rear camera and lock. Have been having water leaking in do to improper placing of lock and camera. It has stop working.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Aug 23, 2022
The clock spring went out on my car. This is a known defect at VW. My horn and airbags do not work now. Both are essential to safe driving. The part is backordered and people have been waiting for months. VW is letting people drive in death traps vehicles and recklessly allowing people to put themselves in danger because they cannot afford new vehicles nor will VW provide rental cars while the part is on backorder. We need help. VW has a reputation for taking advantage of these situations and doing nothing. Please help us. VW won't.
Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2022
The clock spring broke very suddenly over two months ago. The airbag light came on and the steering wheel started to make a twisting noise when I turned it. My steering wheel controls and horn stopped working. The VW dealer diagnosed the problem as the clock spring, and stated that they would order the part and it would be replaced for free since it was part of a recall. The dealer has been unable to get the part for two months with no delivery date in sight. The inconvenience of not being able to access bluetooth and steering wheel controls is an annoyance, but not having a functioning horn has been a huge liability. In that time, I have nearly been hit by other drivers twice, and was unable to alert them with my horn. One of those events was almost a head on collision...the oncoming car drifted into my lane because the driver was looking at her phone. I was able to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid an accident. I was lucky that there were no obstructions or pedestrians. My car is unsafe to drive and yet I have no other option.
Electrical system, Structure, Other or unspecified, Sep 20, 2021
VW panoramic roof was leaking behind plastic and roof covering without visible signs to the floor . We only figure it out after 3 years . Electric failure noticed after a year of ownership . Keyless entry , stop / start engine and what most dangerous car stoped in the middle of the street /fortunately not busy street . And it took a while to start engine again. Also fire hazard because electric damaged by the water . There was recall because of fire hazard in VW Tiguan 2015 and panoramic roof issue but notes was sent only a few customers . At least 10 lawsuits was filed already . VW refuse to fix the problem . And we don't have money to fix it because its not just about roof leak but electric , carpet fool of mold and other water damage and cost of fixing it will exceed the cost of this car . Technically it's flooded car because of manufacturer defect . Car has only 58000 miles.
Electrical system, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jan 2, 2021
I WAS TURNING AND A CRACK SOUND CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, TURNING THE CAR CAUSED THE CLOCK SPRING TO BREAK. AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, HORN DOESN'T WORK, NO CONTROLS ON STEERING WHEEL WORK. KNOWN ISSUE BUT THEY STOPPED RECALLS AT 2014 MODELS BUT SHOULD STILL HAVR RECALLS FOR LATER YEARS, SAME ISSUE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Engine, Oct 27, 2019, fire
MY CAR WAS PARKED IN A PUBLIC AREA AND CAUGHT FIRE AFTER I GOT OUT OF IT ON A CITY STREET
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Oct 9, 2019
STEERING WHEEL HAS CONTROLS THAT NO LONGER FUNCTION, THE HORN IS NON-FUNCTIONING AND CAN NOT BE USED TO ALERT A CAR WHEN DANGER IS EMINENT, SUCH AS BACKING UP WITH BYPASSING CARS, CARS IMPROPERLY CHANGING LANES OR DRIFTING INTO LANE, ALSO THE AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON AND THE CAR DISPLAYS ERROR AIRBAG MESSAGE.
Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2019
CAR STATIONARY, ATTEMPT MADE TO TURN ON 2015 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN, ON THE DASHBOARD, THE TERM "ERROR: AIRBAG" CAME UP. ASSESSING ISSUE, OWNER WENT TO CHECK THE STEERING WHEEL AND THE HORN DOES NOT WORK WHICH CAN POSE A VERY DANGEROUS HAZARD WHEN DRIVING RESULTING IN BEING UNABLE TO ALERT DRIVERS OF THE CARS PRESENCE WHEN CHANGING LANES ETC. ELECTRONIC CONTROLS ON DRIVING WHEEL DO NOT WORK RESULTING IN BEING UNABLE TO CONTROL HANDS FREE OPTION WHEN USING CALL FEATURE, OR OTHER FEATURES RESULTING IN DISTRACTED DRIVING AND COMPROMISING PASSENGERS SAFETY.
Other or unspecified, Nov 4, 2018
WHILE TRAVELING ABOUT 50 MPH, THE PANORAMIC SUNROOF IMPLODED, SHOWERING THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE WITH SHARDS AND CHUNKS OF GLASS OF ALL SIZES. WE WERE IN THE STATE OF OHIO, NEAR THE CITY OF ATHENS ON STATE HIGHWAY 124. WE DID NOT GO UNDER AN OVERPASS OR BRIDGE.
Other or unspecified, Apr 5, 2018
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY ABOUT 72 MPH AND SUDDENLY I HEARD A BIG BOOM SOUND, LIKE A GUNSHOT . AND THEN GLASS WAS EVERYWHERE , THE SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED , BUT IT DIDN'T APPEAR TO BE ANY OBJECTS INSIDE THE VEHICLE, AND I DIDN'T NOTICE ANY ROAD DEBRIS,
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 18, 2017
1 MONTH OLD AND BATTERY DISCHARGED, TOOK TO DEALER NO ISSUE FOUND , 2 YEARS LATER SAME ISSUE BATTERY DISCHARGED PURCHASED NEW BATTERY WORKED FOR 2 DAYS THEN WOULD NOT START AGAIN. ALTERNATOR NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY, TOOK TO DEALERSHIP THEY SAID NO ISSUE WITH ALTERNATOR OR BATTERY. WHEN I WENT TO START THIS IT SHOWED ALL THE LIGHTS ALL THE SYMBOLS AND THEN COMPLETELY BLANK.
Other or unspecified, Mar 31, 2017
I PULLED MY 2015 TIGUAN OUT OF MY GARAGE AND BACKED OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY. I STARTED TO DRIVE BUT THERE WAS A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS A BLOCK AHEAD OF ME WITH CARS STOPPED BEHIND IT. I DROVE ABOUT 20 FEET AT NO MORE THAN 5 MPH AND STOPPED BEHIND THE LINE OF CARS AHEAD OF ME. SUDDENLY I HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND TINY WHITE SHARDS OF GLASS WERE COVERING ME AND THE ENTIRE CABIN. I LOOKED UP AND SAW MY SUNROOF HAD EXPLODED AND BUBBLED UP. I TURNED MY CAR AROUND TO RETURN HOME AND CHUNKS OF GLASS STARTED TO FALL ON ME. WHEN I WAS SAFELY BACK IN MY DRIVEWAY I CALLED MY VW DEALERSHIP (PLATINUM VW) AND SITE UNSEEN THE RECEPTIONIST TOLD ME A ROCK HIT MY CAR. I TOLD HER NO ROCK HIT MY CAR, I WAS BEHIND A LINE OF STOPPED CARS. SHE TRANSFERRED ME TO A SERVICE ASSOCIATE WHO ALSO, SITE UNSEEN, INSISTED A ROCK HIT MY CAR. AGAIN I PROTESTED AND WAS TOLD TO BRING IN THE CAR. BEFORE I COULD DRIVE IT, I HAD TO REMOVE AS MUCH OF THE GLASS AS POSSIBLE BY BREAKING IT OFF WITH THE BACK OF A SPATULA. I THEN DROVE TO THE DEALERSHIP. THEY TOOK MY CAR AND REFUSED TO LOAN ME A CAR AND TOLD ME I HAD TO PAY FOR A RENTAL CAR AND ALL REPAIRS BECAUSE VW IS NOT RESPONSIBLE. I REPEATED MY STORY TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOOK PHOTOS OF THE REMAINING GLASS. THEY CALLED THE NEXT MORNING TO INFORM ME THAT THEY HAVE "EVIDENCE" OF AN IMPACT OF A ROCK. THIS IS A LIE. NO ROCK HIT THE CAR. I, PERSONALLY, HAD TO "IMPACT" THE REMAINING SHATTERED GLASS TO REMOVE AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE SO I COULD DRIVE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP WITHOUT MORE FALLING ON ME. THEY REFUSE TO COVERED THIS UNDER WARRANTY AND INSIST I PUT A CLAIM INTO MY INSURANCE BECAUSE IT IS NOT A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. IT IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NOTHING HIT MY CAR. MY CAR WAS STOPPED BEHIND A LINE OF OTHER CARS BEHIND A STOPPED SCHOOL BUS. THERE WAS NO FLYING DEBRIS. VW MUST TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS AS THEY ARE WITH OTHER MODELS LIKE AUDI A3, A5 AND BEETLES.
Visibility, Other or unspecified, Oct 6, 2016
THE SUNROOF GLASS EXPLODED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY. WE WERE SHOWERED WITH GLASS FRAGMENTS INCLUDING TINY SHARDS. SOME PIN PRICK SIZE INJURIES ON HANDS AND ARMS. WE WERE CRUISING AT 70MPH ON I-90 AT THE TIME OF THE EVENT. IT WAS ABOUT 65 DEGREES OUTSIDE AND WE HAD ONE REAR WINDOW DOWN FOR AIR SO INTERNAL TEMPERATURE WAS ABOUT THE SAME. *TR
Structure, Other or unspecified, Visibility/wiper, Nov 4, 2015
WATER SPOTS ON WINDOWS. THEY COLLECT DUST MAKING VISIBILITY DIFFICULT. CAN NOT REMOVE WATER SPOTS WITH ALCOHOL, AMMONIA, OR PROFESSIONAL FINE-CUT CLEANER.