2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Engine is the leading concern among 284 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the highest complaint count among 17 Tiguan model years with reports.
Of the 2018 reports, 5 involved a crash and 3 involved a fire. 11 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
SteeringSep 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.
A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 26V590000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, bodyApr 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.
An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 22V226000 on NHTSA.gov
Structure, body, roof and pillarsSep 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 21V732000 on NHTSA.gov
Seat belts, front, webbingNov 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.
A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 20V724000 on NHTSA.gov
Other or unspecifiedSep 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.
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 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.
Campaign 19V679000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, springs, coil springsMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 19V188000 on NHTSA.gov
Electrical system, instrument cluster/panelNov 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 18V824000 on NHTSA.gov
Visibility, sun/moon roof assemblyJul 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.
A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
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.
Campaign 18V467000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontal, passenger side, inflator moduleJun 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.
If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V375000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, front, control arm, lower ball jointDo not drive until repairedMay 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V324000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, shock absorberApr 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
If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
Campaign 18V262000 on NHTSA.gov
EngineMar 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.
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.
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.
Campaign 18V159000 on NHTSA.gov
Air bags, frontalFeb 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."
In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
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.
Campaign 18V102000 on NHTSA.gov
Exterior lighting, tail lightsOct 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."
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.
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.
Campaign 17V662000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: engine
81 reports, newest first. Show all
Service brakes, Engine, Jul 15, 2018
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
Engine, Jun 14, 2018
MY EVERYDAY EXPERIENCE WITH THIS VEHICLE INCLUDES - HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING QUICKLY, JERKING FORCEFULLY WHEN ACCELERATING SLOWLY, RANDOM JERKING WHILE DRIVING. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH, EVEN AS AN AUTOMATIC CAR, I CAN FEEL EVERY GEAR CHANGE. ESPECIALLY ON THE FREEWAY, I FEEL EXTREMELY UNSAFE WHEN I ATTEMPT A LANE CHANGE. WHEN I PUT MY FOOT ON THE GAS TO QUICKLY SPEED UP, MY VEHICLE HESITATES AND DOES NOT MATCH WHAT I AM DOING ON THE PEDAL. THE HESITATION IS ESPECIALLY DANGEROUS FOR OTHER VEHICLES ON THE ROAD. I AM EXTREMELY ANXIOUS WHEN DRIVING MY VEHICLE BECAUSE I DO NOT FEEL IN CONTROL. I WORRY THAT, AT ANY POINT, IT WILL HESITATE OR JERK FORCEFULLY, AND CAUSE HARM TO ME, MY PASSENGERS, AND/OR THOSE IN OTHER VEHICLES AROUND ME. PLEASE NOTE THAT THIS IS AN ONGOING PROBLEM. THIS WAS NOT A ONE-TIME OCCURRENCE. THIS DOES NOT JUST OCCUR WHEN DRIVING AT CERTAIN SPEEDS. THE HESITATION AND JERKING OCCUR DAILY.
Engine, Jun 1, 2018
WHILE DRIVING IN A 50MPH ROAD DURING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC, THE EPC LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE LOST POWER. I DIDN'T WANT TO PULL OVER ONTO A NARROW BIKE LANE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT KEEP UP WITH TRAFFIC; OTHER DRIVERS WERE FORCED TO GO AROUND ME. AT THE NEXT STOP LIGHT, I RESTARTED THE CAR. THE EPC LIGHT DID NOT COME BACK ON, AND THE VEHICLE BEHAVED NORMALLY AGAIN. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY TOLD ME THAT IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN, THAT I SHOULD BRING IT IN. I GOT THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS IS A NORMAL REBOOT PROCESS FOR A VOLKSWAGEN, LIKE HAVING TO REBOOT A WINDOWS PC IF SOMETHING GOES WRONG. I THINK THE PROBLEM NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED BEFORE IT HAPPENS AGAIN. FORTUNATELY, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR, BUT AFTER I TOLD MY WIFE WHAT HAPPENED, SHE DOESN'T WANT TO DRIVE MY CAR.
Engine, Apr 12, 2018
THIS CAR HAS A NEW "FEATURE" CALLED AUTO START/STOP WHICH, WHEN IS ENABLED BY DEFAULT. IF NOT DISABLED, THIS FEATURE WILL TURN OFF THE CAR WHEN IT'S AT A STANDSTILL AND CONSUMING LITTLE POWER, THEN TURN BACK ON WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. MEANT AS A FUEL CONSUMPTION MECHANISM, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. A FEW TIMES NOW, I FORGOT TO DISABLE IT, AND WHEN PERCHED IN THE MEDIAN BETWEEN OPPOSITE LANES, I HAD TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY AND ALMOST GOT SLAMMED INTO BECAUSE THE CAR HAD TO FIRST START, THEN ACCELERATE. I LOST 2-3 SECONDS OF REACTION/ACCELERATION TIME. WHEN TEST DRIVING THE CAR, THE SALESMAN TOLD ME IT WAS A FUEL CONSUMPTION FEATURE, THEN TURNED IT OFF FOR THE TEST DRIVE. IF I HAD SEEN THIS IN ACTION, I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. VW WILL NOT DISABLE IT PERMANENTLY.
Engine, Fuel/propulsion system, Apr 12, 2018
WHEN THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IS DISABLED BY TOGGLING THE BUTTON ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, THE CAR DRIVES VERY ROUGH, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS.
Electrical system, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Mar 28, 2018
THE SAFETY ALERT THAT STOPS YOUR CAR IN CASE OF A COLLISION STOPS MY CAR WITH NONE OR THING IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF IT. MY BACKUP CAMERA STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY WHEN DRIVING FORWARD. THE ELECTRONIC MIDDLE CONSOLE CONSTANTLY FREEZES UP AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO DO ANYTHING OR GOES COMPLETELY BLACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING THE MOST RECENT IN THIS COMPLAINT. THE ENGINE ALSO JERKS FORWARD AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TRYING TO PULL OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE CAR NEED TO LEARN HOW I DRIVE. IT HAS 6600 MILES ON IT?