2013 Volkswagen Tiguan problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (25) · Air Bags (23) · Engine (18)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Volkswagen Tiguan model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
94 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (3)
Unknown Or Other 2018-05-16 · campaign 18V329000 · 252 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2015-08-04 · campaign 15V483000 · 415,825 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline 2014-07-21 · campaign 14V441000 · 151,389 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (1,061)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Engine 2026-09-17 · V0116152014815_20 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
suggested fuel additive
Unknown Or Other 2026-09-09 · SM 39-2026 · Other
this special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-04 · V0026012081638_2 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
differences between a leak and seepage
Electrical System 2026-07-15 · VOS-26-42 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
this is a notice for software changes with the odis diagnostic program to correct the communication during vehicle programming function: a software fix is needed to correct the issue: da 0019 - hotfix 12-v battery test(s) – no battery diagnosis - inconclusive test result.
Engine 2026-07-09 · V1718062017813_24 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
oil consumption measurement and electronic oil consumption measurement
Showing the 6 most recent of 1,061 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-20 · Suspension“engine light on at around 50k - dealership said it was just an "issue with the warning lights" don't worry unless it blinks. at 74k i found out the turbo boost was the reason for this and i should have been told when the car was still under warranty. realized in december of 2020 the car was soaking wet inside. front and back carpet was soaked like …”
2026-05-07 · Steering“when driving down the highway, my power steering went out with zero warning or indicators leading up to it going out. upon researching, this is a problem that many people have experienced with this make and model of vehicle. …”
2026-02-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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 …”
2026-02-06 · Electrical System“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. …”
2026-02-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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…”
2026-02-06 · Seat Belts“ 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) …”
2025-10-06 · Wheels“1 of the 2 water pumps has been repaired twice. on this 2013 volkswagen tiguan between the years of 2022-2024. upon the last repair of water pumps the vehicle just cut off while driving. no overheating indication notice was alarmed or visual indication of smoke / overheating from radiator. the vehicle failed to restart after putting approximate sol…”
2025-08-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System“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…”
2025-08-11 · Visibility/Wiper“the issue involves ongoing water intrusion through the panoramic sunroof, front power windows, and windshield seals. the vehicle is available for inspection upon request. this recurring leak has caused extensive interior water damage, including visible mold growth in the carpet on multiple occasions. this mold presents serious health risks to both …”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.