FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
2010 Volkswagen Tiguan
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 109 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan, most frequently naming the engine, electrical and exterior lighting categories. 2 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 2 NHTSA investigations name it; and 785 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.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 11 |
| Oct 2012 | 1 | 12 |
| May 2013 | 1 | 13 |
| Jul 2013 | 1 | 14 |
| Sep 2013 | 3 | 17 |
| Oct 2013 | 2 | 19 |
| Nov 2013 | 3 | 22 |
| Dec 2013 | 7 | 29 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 30 |
| Mar 2014 | 3 | 33 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 34 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 35 |
| Aug 2014 | 2 | 37 |
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 39 |
| Jan 2015 | 2 | 41 |
| Jun 2015 | 2 | 43 |
| Jul 2015 | 1 | 44 |
| Aug 2015 | 1 | 45 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 46 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 47 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 48 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 49 |
| Apr 2016 | 1 | 50 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 51 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 52 |
| Aug 2016 | 2 | 54 |
| Sep 2016 | 2 | 56 |
| Jan 2017 | 1 | 57 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 58 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 59 |
| Jun 2017 | 4 | 63 |
| Jul 2017 | 3 | 66 |
| Aug 2017 | 1 | 67 |
| Sep 2017 | 1 | 68 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 69 |
| Dec 2017 | 2 | 71 |
| Jan 2018 | 3 | 74 |
| Feb 2018 | 2 | 76 |
| Mar 2018 | 3 | 79 |
| May 2018 | 1 | 80 |
| Jun 2018 | 2 | 82 |
| Jul 2018 | 3 | 85 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 86 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 87 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 88 |
| May 2019 | 4 | 92 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 93 |
| Jul 2019 | 2 | 95 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 96 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 97 |
| May 2021 | 1 | 98 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 99 |
| Jul 2021 | 1 | 100 |
| Sep 2021 | 1 | 101 |
| Apr 2023 | 2 | 103 |
| Jul 2023 | 1 | 104 |
| Aug 2023 | 2 | 106 |
| Jul 2024 | 1 | 107 |
| Sep 2024 | 1 | 108 |
| Aug 2025 | 1 | 109 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine5434.6%
- Electrical3119.9%
- Exterior lighting1912.2%
- Steering138.3%
- Fuel system85.1%
- Brakes63.8%
- Powertrain (other)63.8%
- Driver assistance53.2%
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
2 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS; EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Air Bag Clockspring Failure
In August 2015, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) launched Safety Recall 15V-483 to address the loss of the protection provided by the front driver air bag in several models due to the failure of the clockspring.Debris entry into the steering wheel hub can result in contamination and ultimately failure of the clockspring in 2010-2014 Model Year (MY) CC, Passat, Eos, Golf, GTI, Tiguan, Jetta and Jetta Sportwagen models.Contamination of the clockspring can cause the ribbon cable to tear resulting in loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag and any steering wheel mounted controls.The loss of the electrical connection to the front driver air bag will result in illumination of the air bag warning light and will prevent operation of the front driver air bag in a crash of sufficient severity requiring a commanded deployment.In November 2017, the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Recall Query (RQ17-009) after the agency received 90 complaints alleging failure of the clockspring in the subject models.Several of the complaints allege failure of the clockspring after receiving the recall remedy.The majority of the complaints allege the same failure mode without being included in the original recall, 15V-483.In its March 2018 response to ODI's Information Request under the Recall Query, Volkswagen provided approximately 700 consumer complaints and field reports on the recalled vehicles.These reports allege clockspring failure similar to the NHTSA reports described above.To date, NHTSA has received approximately 154 allegations of clockspring failure since the recall has launched.The total of 852 reports shown in the table above eliminates 6 duplicative reports received by ODI and the manufacturer.An Engineering Analysis has been opened to further evaluate the scope and effectiveness of the remedy associated with 15V-483 and perform a thorough review of the design changes implemented by Volkswagen and its suppliers to address this issue.The ODI complaints cited above can be viewed at www.NHTSA.gov under the following ODI identification numbers: 11080741, 11079877, 11079805, 11079124, 11076709, 11076645, 11076297, 11076249, 11076133, 11075756, 11075726, 11075358, 11075259, 11075055, 11074920, 11074565, 11073090, 11072745, 11072457, 11072089, 11071933, 11071880, 11071630, 11071592, 11067396, 11067061, 11066738, 11066601, 11066511, 11065909, 11065871, 11065262, 11064701, 11064564, 11064544, 11064531, 11063961, 11063501, 11063095, 11062772, 11062464, 11062353, 11062344, 11061463, 11061310, 11061311, 11060735, 11058154, 11057519, 11057477, 11057341, 11056793, 11056243, 11056063, 11055639, 11054279, 11052812, 11052678, 11052384, 11052228, 11051336, 11051155, 11051074, 11048803, 11047037, 11044226, 11043653, 11039142, 11033893, 11033330, 11032548, 11025475, 11025356, 11024647, 11023423, 11020570, 11020312, 11019415, 11019067, 11015441, 11015431, 11014595, 11014016, 11013709, 11013415, 11012596, 11011753, 11006668, 11006521, 11006307, 11006181, 11005301, 11003865, 11001780, 11001783, 11001334, 10994184, 10993360, 10993524, 10992490, 10985926, 10983678, 10981220, 10980831, 10980941, 10980549, 10979418, 10971152, 10967344, 10967155, 10959968, 10958624, 10957279, 10956488, 10949129, 10947562, 10945122, 10936498, 10936543, 10933950, 10927311, 10925421, 10924034, 10915612, 10915569, 10911171, 10902066, 10898733, 10896537, 10896510, 10895526, 10893938, 10891686, 10864967, 10863742, 10861984, 10851242, 10822505, 10821562, 10818403, 10795068, 10794402, 10788738, 10787804, 10782544, 10780725, 10780145, 10779145, 10776477, 10775448, 10763492, 10763423, 10763289, 10762670, 10760644, 10758777, 10749901, 10748922
Partial Loss of Exterior Lights
Volkswagen Group of America (VW) is conducting a safety recall of approximately 62,155 model year (MY) 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles to address a partial loss of the exterior lighting (see NHTSA recall 13V-569 for more information).These vehicles' exterior lighting system is protected by two separate fuses contained in a fuse box located in the engine compartment.According to VW, high thermal cycling and soft-coated fuse coating material used at the F16 (also referred to as SB16) location causes movement between the fuse blade and socket, resulting in abrasions on the fuse coating material.This increases resistance and results in overheating of the fuse and disruption of electrical current flow to roughly half of the vehicle's exterior lighting circuits. Examples include loss of one of each of the following: low beam headlight, high beam headlight, brake light, and turn signal light involving the front and rear of the vehicle.VW has stated that the subject F16 fuse in the Tiguan model was used in several other Volkswagen models.According to VW, the temperature of the vehicle's engine and the fuse box varies by vehicle model.ODI found that the complaint and warranty rates for the MY 2009-2010 Tiguan are more than four times greater than that of MY 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta sedans.ODI is aware of VW's plan to take a service action of some, but not all, of the other vehicle models.The action will cover MY 2009-2010 Jetta sedan and MY 2009 GTI vehicles.ODI will monitor complaints to NHTSA on all other Volkswagen models equipped with the same subject fuse and take further action if warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10362206, 10471503, 10490408, 10501271, 10504495, 10508638, 10512642, 10520573, 10521147, 10522909, 10523748, 10526032, 10534679, 10538004, 10538410, 10543629, 10544805, 10545540, 10547334, 10547530, 10547775, 10549584, 10550140, 10550903, 10551486, 10551503, 10551538, 10551776, 10551816, 10551848, 10551853, 10552153, 10552322, 10552740, 10552811, 10552866, 10553122, 10553299, 10554352, 10554441, 10554443, 10554730, 10554890, 10555047, 10555080, 10555527, 10555540, 10555988, 10556475, 10558014, 10559441, 10559447, 10561642, 10562693.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
We own a 2010 VW Tiguan and it has many problems, but the biggest one is that the Steering Wheel just randomly will turn off and loose all power steering, I believe these models use electric power steering (EPS) system, which don't use like a traditional power steering hydraulic pump but uses electricity and maybe magnets... to induce the steering. the steering wheel is a big deal and should not just randomly stop working and there is tons of these models and others have have this problems, I seen people on youtube have the same problem with the 2017 models Tiguan and this part is consistently out of stock, because so many of them break.. this should be a nationwide recall and a major safety recall as well.
- NHTSA ID
- 11680243
- Incident
- Aug 10, 2025
Vehicle sometimes displays red check engine light on dash with alarm sounding. Check engine light goes away after the vehicle is stopped briefly and restarted. Oil level is normal. Mechanic found no diagnostic codes when scanned with OBD scanner. Mechanic changed oil pressure sensor, replaced oil, checked oil pan. There is no leaking. But the check engine light still comes on with alarm. It does not seem to be related to miles driven, speed driven, road conditions, or external temperature. Consumer is afraid to drive the car, or sell car. Mileage is 61,000, one owner.
- NHTSA ID
- 11616682
- Incident
- Aug 1, 2024
Reversing out drive way and coil rear suspension spring snaped
- NHTSA ID
- 11602420
- Incident
- Jul 11, 2024
The contact owns a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. The contact stated that the forward momentum allowed her to pull off the roadway. The contact stated that the steering wheel started shaking violently. The contact stated an unknown red warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was turned off and restarted and the power steering functionality returned. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent, however the failure had reoccurred several times. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed and determined that the power steering assist, and rack and pinion gear needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 125,068.
- NHTSA ID
- 11541882
- Incident
- Jul 30, 2023
- Mileage
- 125,068 mi
Timing chain/extensioner broke My car suddenly started jerking or jumping when I was idling. I pulled into a parking lot and ended up having to have it towed. It does not run now and I was told it needed a new engine. I was told that there was a known issue and class action lawsuit with the timing chain but that I had passed the extended warranty. My care only has 50,000 miles on it so a timing chain should not fail so soon. I am sure that there extended warranty left a lot of engine failures out.
- NHTSA ID
- 11536564
- Incident
- Jul 30, 2023
Timing chain tensioner broke. Loss of power
- NHTSA ID
- 11533954
- Incident
- Jul 12, 2023
While driving down the road the steering wheel began to wobble and shake really bad and the power steering light came on and then power steering locked up, I was barely able to get out of the way of oncoming traffic which was very difficult for me because I have Lupus and not very much strength in my arms. Had to turn car off and restart several times before getting the light to stay off long enough to get home but it was still wobbling, this was a very scary situation for me.
- NHTSA ID
- 11516141
- Incident
- Apr 7, 2023
The contact's mother owns a 2010 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle made a loud popping sound coming from the passenger’s side engine compartment. Additionally, the service engine warning light became illuminated. The vehicle was veered to the side of the road and failed to accelerate. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who determined that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was informed that the vehicle had exceeded the recall remedy timeframe. The failure mileage was 180,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11515567
- Incident
- Oct 8, 2022
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
Oil Consumption Measurement and Electronic Oil Consumption Measurement
ENGINE
Lubricating engine components before reassembly.
ENGINE
Instruction, how to lubicate engine before initial start.
AIR BAGS
Inquiries
ENGINE
Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards
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.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 41.1 |
| 2025 | 44 | 2 | 0 | 52.6 |
| 2024 | 57 | 2 | 0 | 61.1 |
| 2023 | 60 | 1 | 0 | 44.7 |
| 2022 | 251 | 5 | 0 | 56.1 |
| 2021 | 132 | 5 | 0 | 56.6 |
| 2020 | 137 | 3 | 0 | 55.1 |
| 2019 | 187 | 5 | 0 | 56.3 |
| 2018 | 276 | 13 | 2 | 59.1 |
| 2017 | 73 | 4 | 0 | 54.9 |
| 2016 | 96 | 2 | 1 | 55.7 |
| 2015 | 62 | 4 | 0 | 47.8 |
| 2014 | 83 | 3 | 3 | 57.9 |
| 2013 | 139 | 3 | 3 | 58.6 |
| 2012 | 152 | 3 | 3 | 57.3 |
| 2011 | 160 | 3 | 4 | 54.3 |
| 2010Viewing | 109 | 2 | 2 | 54.4 |
| 2009 | 167 | 3 | 1 | 52.5 |
| 2008 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2007 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2006 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2005 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.