2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Air bags is the leading concern among 96 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 11th highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 96

Of the 2016 reports, 4 involved a crash and 2 involved a fire. 3 people were injured.

Primary concernAir bags37 reports · 39% of complaints
Owner complaints96Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship2 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Air bags37
  2. Electrical system27
  3. Other or unspecified23
  4. Steering12
  5. Engine10
  6. Structure6
  7. Fuel/propulsion system4
  8. Power train3

Recalls and investigations

  1. 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

  2. Latches/locks/linkagesJun 24, 2016

    Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.

    If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

    Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.

    Campaign 16V464000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: electrical system

27 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Oct 26, 2017

    THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OR HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. ALSO WIPERS TURN ON BY ITSELF OCASSIONALY.

  2. Electrical system, Exterior lighting, Visibility/wiper, Oct 7, 2016

    SAFETY ISSUE! LEASED THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY. TWO INCIDENTS WHEN ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN IT IS DARK OR FOGGY OUT. HAVE BROUGHT IN TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER 2 TIMES FOR REPAIR AND HAPPENED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE WIPERS ALSO GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY YET IT IS NOT RAINING. THEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF AND KILLS THE BATTERY.