RoadVitals

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
7
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
0
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
1
1 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 7 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited, most frequently naming the airbags, electrical and engine categories. 249 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags220.0%
  • Electrical220.0%
  • Engine220.0%
  • Powertrain (other)220.0%
  • Fuel system110.0%
  • Steering110.0%

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

No recalls in our database for this model year

That does not guarantee a specific vehicle is unaffected — recalls are issued against VINs, and new campaigns are announced regularly. Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov.

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

Airbags
Filed Nov 3, 2026
Crash reported

I was in an accident where the front of the vehicle was the main part of the collisions. The vehicles airbags didn’t deploy they just smoked.

NHTSA ID
11775447
Incident
Oct 2, 2026
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 20, 2023

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, upon attempting to slow the vehicle, the RPM's increased rapidly up to 3,000 RPM; however, the vehicle failed to accelerate as intended. The failure prompted the contact to pull over to the shoulder of the roadway. After resuming driving, the RPM's increased rapidly, but the vehicle failed to accelerate above 30 MPH. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to the dealer, who was unable to duplicate the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 62,000.

NHTSA ID
11561184
Incident
Dec 20, 2023
Mileage
62,000 mi
EngineFuel systemPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 20, 2023

Was traveling at 70 mph and applied the break and engine rpm went up to 3500-4000 and I was in D. The dealership couldn’t replicate the issue and claims nothing is wrong. Also when you put the ac or heater on floor the air still blows out the top vents.

NHTSA ID
11561182
Incident
Dec 20, 2023
Filed Feb 27, 2023
1 injury reported

1. The lower corner of each front door (both driver's and passenger's) has cut my leg, each side, right and left. The edge is sharp. It has cut my skin through jeans both times, requiring bandage, leaving scars. 2. The sharp metal cuts skin. 3. The issue has not been reproduced or confirmed yet by our VW dealer, though we will report it the next time we are there for service. 4. The vehicle has not been inspected by police or insurance. 5. There were not warning lamps, lights or messages associated with these events.

NHTSA ID
11509314
Incident
Feb 25, 2023
AirbagsElectricalSteering
Filed May 2, 2022

The clock spring on my 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited unexpectedly failed @ 20,000 miles/3.5 years of ownership while gradually turning my wheel to pull into a parking space. The failure was indicated by the sound of plastic cracking and the airbag warning light appeared on my dashboard. The clock spring had been recalled on older VW's and was obviously never fully corrected. I then had to drive my car with a dysfunctional driver side airbag to the dealership, putting my life in danger en route where they confirmed the failed clock spring. The part is currently on a national back order with no ETA and my car has been sitting at the dealership for over 3 months (since January 21, 2022). VW has made no public statement on the clock spring failure despite having thousands of customers on a waiting list for a replacement part. VW continues to provide no information on the part ETA. Their lack of urgency on a safety critical part is deeply concerning. Prior to this incident, I had been keeping up with all regular services recommended by the manufacturer. Being a new infrequently driven vehicle, my car had no issues or equipment failures before the clock spring broke.

NHTSA ID
11463105
Incident
Jan 21, 2022
Electrical
Filed Aug 23, 2021

When placing car in reverse camera does not always turn on. Sometime camera does not turn off when then driving forward for a few miles. Sometimes when driving, screen will go black and radio stops working for approx. a minute. Accident or injury could occur when backing up .Concerned that other systems could also fail if info system goes black. Took to Herzog Motors in Beaverton, Oregon. Service department only said, "Yes that happens". Did not say that fix or review further. No warning lamps. First occurred about six months ago.

NHTSA ID
11430064
Incident
Aug 22, 2021
Filed Dec 15, 2020

THE PASSENGER SIDE VIEW MIRROR EXPLODES AS IF IT WAS A BOMB. IT IS SO LOW AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT STARTLES EVERYONE IN THE CAR. THIS HAS HAPPEN TWICE. I WENT TO THE DEALER BUT THEY CHOOSE TO BLAME ME AS IF I AM A LIAR TO THEM. I EXPLAIN THAT NOTHING HIT IT BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE VEHICLE IN BOTH CASES IT WAS IN MOTION. THE FIRST TIME IT HAPPEN IN LANDOVER IN SPRING HILL FL.. THE SECOND TIME IT HAPPEN IN OAKHILL ROAD IN WEEKI WACHEE FL

NHTSA ID
11383536
Incident
Nov 5, 2019
Mileage
2,200 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

V0018092053065_8

Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting

V0116152014815_20

ENGINE

Suggested fuel additive

SM 39-2026

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

V4015022033347_8

POWER TRAIN

Replacement instruction

TT 00-13-04_7

Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order

V0026012081638_2

Differences between a leak and seepage

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.