2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Power Train (33) · Engine (31) · Structure:body (30)
🧭 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
155 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (14)
Steering 2026-09-11 · campaign 26V590000 · 208,724 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body 2022-04-06 · campaign 22V226000 · 6,553 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Structure:body:roof And Pillars 2021-09-23 · campaign 21V732000 · 2 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Seat Belts:front:webbing 2020-11-20 · campaign 20V724000 · 10,835 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Unknown Or Other 2019-09-25 · campaign 19V679000 · 113 vehicles
Defect: 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
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 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.
Suspension:rear:springs:coil Springs 2019-03-06 · campaign 19V188000 · 56,173 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel 2018-11-26 · campaign 18V824000 · 73,549 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Visibility:sun/Moon Roof Assembly 2018-07-13 · campaign 18V467000 · 45,457 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal:passenger Side:inflator Module 2018-06-06 · campaign 18V375000 · 821 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Ball Joint 2018-05-16 · campaign 18V324000 · 2,473 vehicles ⚠ DO NOT DRIVE
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Suspension:rear:shock Absorber 2018-04-25 · campaign 18V262000 · 7,430 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Engine 2018-03-08 · campaign 18V159000 · 4 vehicles
Defect: 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.
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Air Bags:frontal 2018-02-09 · campaign 18V102000 · 3,768 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Fix: 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.
Exterior Lighting:tail Lights 2017-10-18 · campaign 17V662000 · 5,509 vehicles
Defect: 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."
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (750)
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.
Service Brakes 2026-08-27 · V4622022067177_5 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
repair or replace information
Electrical System 2026-08-14 · VOS-26-47 · 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: part number 3q0-959-435n software version number 1307 has incorrect coding.
Power Train 2026-08-10 · V4015022033347_8 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
replacement instruction
Unknown Or Other 2026-08-06 · TT 00-13-04_7 · Other
permission to change daily order upgraded to red order
Showing the 6 most recent of 750 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2026-10-22 · Steering · 82,000 mi“the contact owns a 2018 volkswagen tiguan. the contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal and making left turns. the contact stated that the failure became worse over time. the vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined th…”
2026-10-21 · Steering“my vehicle is under safety recall nhtsa 26v590 (volkswagen 48lg / 48vt). the steering rack mounting bolt can corrode and break, which can cause a loss of steering control. i was notified of this recall about a month ago. as of october 21, 2026, there is still no remedy available, and i am told owner letters may not go out until around november 10 —…”
2026-10-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System“within 6 months of purchasing car cpo from dealer, car went into limp mode. was less than 35k miles, still having same issues at 85k miles. took to dealer, they said nothing was wrong with car. car began to have ecu light come on frequently in the middle of driving, took back to dealer. they replaced the fuel injector harness under warranty. began …”
2026-10-09 · Steering“suspected electrical defect and potential fire hazard – 2018 volkswagen tiguan sel i am reporting a suspected electrical safety defect involving the sunroof wiring harness in my 2018 volkswagen tiguan sel. while my vehicle was parked, an attempt was made to replace a blown f23 fuse. smoke began coming from the sunroof area and filled the cabin. a…”
2026-09-28 · Unknown Or Other“while opening the sunroof, the front end of the sunroof began to billow smoke. the cabin filled with smoke. the car was immediately turned off and the fuse was removed. while attempting to drive the vehicle closer to the dealership, the car experienced a total electrical failure and stalled on the side of the road. the car will require a tow. the…”
2026-09-23 · Unknown Or Other“we have to add 1-2 quarts of oil every 600 miles. our check engine light came on 02/2026 for carbon buildup. we had it cleaned, had timing chain replaced, piston rings, oil valves, manifold. cost us $5300. the car ran fine before the light came on and all of a sudden it started making grinding noises and idling rough. we change the oil every 3,000…”
2026-09-02 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the car went into limp mode on an interstate highway. it was taken to a vw dealer in mooresville, nc after two other private garages could not diagnose the problem. their is a current factory warranty extension for 2017, 2018, 2019 vw tiguan's. the dealer in mooresville kept the car for two weeks. drove it for over 100 miles. they claim they can se…”
2026-08-30 · Engine“this vehicle goes through oil at a rapid rate. i am adding oil to my car every week. i have had to add at least 2 quarts between oil changes for the duration of owning the vehicle. …”
2026-08-27 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i began intermittently noticing a gasoline/fuel odor shortly after taking possession of the vehicle in june 2026. the odor became significantly worse, and i formally reported it to the selling dealership on july 9, 2026. the vehicle was subsequently taken to an authorized volkswagen dealership for evaluation. a repair order dated july 23, 2026 docu…”
2026-08-26 · Suspension“while i was driving down a flat road this past week, the front left coil spring on my 2018 vw tiguan s spontaneously broke, causing a large chunk of the coil spring to bounce around in the wheel well of the car and ultimately flying out into oncoming traffic as well as the left front end of my car to dip forward due to the shortening of the leftove…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.