2014 Volkswagen Tiguan Airbags Problems

Clock spring broken when my wife turned her steering wheel leaving a parking lot. Airbags no longer work, along with anything electronic within steering wheel.

NHTSA ID

11645361

Incident

Feb 15, 2025

Clock Spring in steering wheel is broken. Driver Airbag is non-functional, as are the controls on the steering wheel. No Driver air bag is a huge safety issue! We immediately "scheduled" an appointment to have this issue repaired. At the appointment, a VW dealer (VW Castle Downers Grove IL) confirmed the issue and noted that this was the subject of a recall (15V483000) with an ongoing & perpetual duty to repair. Despite the recall, the dealer does not have the parts, nor can they provide a date when they might be available (they are "backordered"). We checked with another dealer, and this seems to be a common problem. Also, we did a thorough search online to assess the situation with other drivers/vehicles - this is a common issue! Someone (either the dealer or VW) is dragging their feet on this mandatory, potentially life-threatening issue & repair. When will the NHTSA kick VW (or the dealer) in the [XXX]? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID

11593682

Incident

May 15, 2024

I was turning into a parking spot and heard a loud “snap” coming from my wheel. The “error: airbag” light came on and all electrical on my wheel stopped working. And the horn does not work. I googled it and my year and model has a recall for the clock spring. It says my airbag will not deploy. I have no way to change the computer screen. So I can’t digitally see my speed and I can’t update my tire pressure amongst other things.

NHTSA ID

11514949

Incident

Apr 1, 2023

Airbag light came on. At the same time we lost all of our steering wheel controls as well as our horn. Some vehicles are covered by a recall but supposedly this yr and model isn't covered for some reason

NHTSA ID

11496664

Incident

Dec 8, 2022

The contact owns a 2014 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated, and the horn and the buttons on her steering failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who informed her that there was a recall on that model vehicle for a similar failure. The contact went to a dealer and was informed that her vehicle was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 15V483000 (Air Bags) and that the vehicle was not under warranty. The manufacturer was also notified of the failure and referred her to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 143,550.

NHTSA ID

11491888

Incident

Oct 5, 2022

Mileage

143,550 mi

In 2020 we had the clock spring "repaired" by the dealership under a recall. As of 9/6/2022 it is malfunctioning again. My daughter drives this car as a freshman in college 5 hours away with no horn or airbag!

NHTSA ID

11488461

Incident

Sep 6, 2022

EMISSION TEST FAILED 9/30/2022. i HAVE TRIED TO GET THROUGH TO VOLKSWAGEN AND HAVE NOT HAD ANY SUCCESS. Air bag lights, Engine Light, Tire Pressure Lights, Horn does not work. Indiana State Emissions Vehicle Inspection report attached.

NHTSA ID

11487252

Incident

Sep 30, 2022

Unable to complete vehicle inspection . Horn does not work, some electronics malfunction, airbags light is on. Cannot use dashboard related functions i.e. adjust tire pressure settings, gas tank door lock malfunctions, hands free communication malfunction. This is the 2nd time in a year that the clock spring failed. The manufacturer is not being able to provide the parts due to conflict area manufacturing, perhaps its time to relocate manufacturing. It's been 3 1/2 month and still no ETA on parts. Perhaps it's a poorly designed part. Maybe back to the drawing board. I understand the malfunction can set off airbag without a collision.

NHTSA ID

11486895

Incident

Jun 13, 2022

Turned the steering wheel, heard a popping noise and then an airbag error appeared. The horn no longer works either. Assumed to be the known clock spring issue for this year/make/model.

NHTSA ID

11485179

Incident

Sep 18, 2022

Airbag and horn doesn't work the clock spring is out there is a recall on other 2014 Volkswagen Tiguans but not this one. it's unsafe to drive with these conditions. The airbag error went off when I started the car.

NHTSA ID

11477767

Incident

Jul 20, 2022

This is the second time my Volkswagen Tiguan's spring clock has broken. As a result I have lost access to my airbags and horn. I also can't contact my driver electrical from the steering wheel. I am being told there is no way of knowing when the dealership may be able to get the part. I will be driving in an extremely unsafe care with my one-year old son. This is terrifying.

NHTSA ID

11476918

Incident

Aug 1, 2022

The clock spring in my vehicle went out. There is a backorder of upwards of 1 yr for part to replace. VW stated its a known issue. Until the clock spring gets fixed, I have no drivers side airbag, no horn, all lights on dash are on. With them all on, I am not alerted to any issues that may be occurring with any system in my vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11476571

Incident

Jan 7, 2022

My clock spring was diagnosed to be faulty and covered under the manufacturers extended warranty. I was told that the part was on back order and could take a few weeks to get in. That was on November 9, 2021. I have now driven for over 7 months in a car that does have a functioning air bag and have spent hours on the phone with Volkswagen USA and in different dealerships trying to find a remedy. My VIN number currently says there are no open recalls but fits perfectly under NHTSA Recall #15V483000. According to the NHTSA when it comes to recalled vehicles, "Manufacturers are required to fix the problem the problem by repairing it, replacing it, offering a refund, or in rare cases repurchasing the vehicle" (https://www.nhtsa.gov/recalls). The part is not available for this car so dealerships are unable to repair this issue. According to the NHTSA, this issue needs to be resolved in on e of the ways listed above and so far my safety has been neglected by not only the local dealerships but also by Volkswagen USA. I now have 2 months until my inspection expires and I will not be able to legally drive a car due to the negligence of the manufacturer.

NHTSA ID

11468720

Incident

Nov 9, 2021

Clock spring failed in the steering wheel after having the part replaced 2 years ago under a VW warranty. Now that the clock spring failed a second I am told that there is no ETA to get the vehicle fixed and there are over 10k people waiting for the part needed to fix the vehicle. The wait is likely over 9 months. With a failed clock spring the airbags do not work. The horn also doesn't work. 2 key safety features are no longer working in my vehicle because of a manufactures defect that is highly known. VW taking no responsibility and will not expedite parts replacement or offer an alternate vehicle. Because of VW a vehicle that would fail a safety inspection in most states will be on the road. They are not offering a loaner vehicle and are instead allowing cars to be on the road without horns and airbags. This should be a recall and VW should have to pay for damaged vehicles that are unsafe to drive.

NHTSA ID

11463260

Incident

May 3, 2022

Took car to shop with a noise in the steering column and the SRS light is on. Automotive shop (attachment) diagnosed vehicle needs a new clock spring for the SRS system but the part is on back order with no release date as of now. This part has been unfindable for over five months, leaving the vehicle unable to be safely driven or sold/traded-in as the VW dealerships will not pay what vehicle is worth because of VW's own part issue. This leaves the consumer in a really bad position. There is no functioning airbag and VW can't come up with the part. This is a persistent issue, including a previous NHTSA investigation, see these links: https://www.forbes.com/sites/jensen/2017/11/17/feds-investigate-volkswagens-reluctant-recall/?sh=53b9719e3b77 http://www.vwproblems.com/clock-spring-failure/ We had this fixed initially under the first recall, but the issues persists for who knows how many car owners.

NHTSA ID

11461963

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

Took car to dealer for Air bag Light On, No controls in steering wheel worked. Including Radio control, Tire pressure reset, Inspection reset and oil change reset. Faulty Clock Spring Diagnosed. Clock spring was not replaced at date of invoice ,and still waiting on part as of 03/11/2022. VW Number One Back Ordered Part. With no Air Bag in Steering wheel is a safety concern.

NHTSA ID

11456339

Incident

Dec 15, 2021

When turning the car, I heard a sound in the steering wheel and then lost functioning of the horn and all other steering wheel controls and buttons; The air bag light also came on - indicating the driver's side airbag is not functioning. Based on research believe it is identical problem others that have reported with defective steering wheel clock spring. Cannot find evidence that this vehicle was subject to or repaired under the previous recall on this issue. 1) it is available for inspection 2) safety risk because driver side airbag is now malfunctioning 3) not inspected by dealer or service center yet 4) not inspected by any others 5) no, no other warning lamps, message or symptoms appeared prior to the failure - airbag malfunction light went on at the same time the car lost other electrical functioning in the steering wheel. Unable to view any other messages because button to toggle through info system on dash is not working as well.

NHTSA ID

11452132

Incident

Feb 14, 2022

One day I noticed that my horn wasn't working. Then a few days later I noticed that I couldn't connect to my phone from the steering wheel. The the airbag light came on. Garage said it is malfunctioning of electrical parts in the steering wheel column.

NHTSA ID

11449649

Incident

Jan 21, 2022

i Was Driving my Vehicle and suddenly the Air Bag and ABS lights went on my dashboard

NHTSA ID

11436030

Incident

Oct 8, 2021

We purchased the car pre-owned and after having the car for only a year the driver’s side airbag failed and horns need to be replaced. There have been so many repairs in this car. We have invested more than $5,000 in repairs in only a year. We looked up other recalls on this car and have been seeing the same information about the airbags failing.

NHTSA ID

11417919

Incident

May 16, 2021

POWER TO THE AIRBAG HAS FAILED, MAKING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT HAS BEEN ACTIVATED. SEE VW DEALERS STATEMENT OF FACT WITH REMARKS.

NHTSA ID

11387935

Incident

Jan 2, 2021

Mileage

130,000 mi

A CLICKING SOUNDS STARTED COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL WHILE TURNING, AT ONE POINT THE AIR BAG LIGHT TURNED ON, AND FROM THAT POINT FORWARD, THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL NO LONGER WORK, INCLUDING THE HORN. THE CLICKING SOUNDS FROM THE STEERING WHEEL IS STILL PRESENT WHILE TURNING. I CALLED A PLACE THAT SPECIALIZES IN VW AND THEY SUGGESTED I CALL VW DEALER INSTEAD BECAUSE IT WAS A SAFETY ISSUE AND HIGHLY LIKELY A RECALL. I CALLED VW AND THEY STATED IT WAS NOT A RECALL BUT PART OF AN "EXTENDED WARRANTY", WHICH MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR DUE TO THE MILES ON THE CAR. AFTER SOME RESEARCH, IT SEEMS THIS IS A VERY COMMON ISSUE WITH VW, AND THEY ARE ASKING FOR $160 TO SIMPLY DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, EVEN THOUGH IT IS CLEAR TO THEM WHAT THE ISSUE IS, AND NOT NEW TO THEM. IT IS NOT DUE TO THE AGE OR MILEAGE ON THE CAR, BUT A SAFETY MISS FROM THEIR END.

NHTSA ID

11287852

Incident

Dec 6, 2019

Mileage

145,000 mi

WHILE TURNING MY 2014 TIGUAN I NOTICED A CLICKING NOISE. ABOUT A DAY LATER MY AIRBAG ELECTRICAL ALERT APPEARED ON THE DASH AND ALL MY ELECTRICAL ON MY STEERING WHEEL BUTTONS STOPPED WORKING AS WELL AS MY HORN. I CHECKED ALL MY FUSES AND THEN SAW THAT IT MIGHT BE THE CLOCK SPRING DUE TO COMPLAINTS EXACTLY LIKE MINE. I SAW THAT THERE WAS A RECALL BUT MY CARS VIN NUMBER WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND MANY OTHER 2014 TIGUAN VOLKSWAGEN ARE HAVING TO COVER THESE COST THEMSELVES DUE TO NOT BEING INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. VOLKSWAGEN NEEDS TO HAVE ITS RECALL EXPANDED BECAUSE THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE TO MAKE CONSUMERS PAY OUT OF POCKET OVER A MANUFACTURED MALFUNCTION. I FEEL VERY UNSAFE DRIVING MY CAR NOW KNOWING MY AIRBAGS OR HORN WILL NOT WORK. PLEASE INVESTIGATE THIS SITUATION FURTHER AND NOT ALLOW VOLKSWAGEN TO GET AWAY WITH THIS.

NHTSA ID

11255766

Incident

Sep 15, 2019

AIR BAG RECALL - AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON AND STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS DO NOT WORK INCLUDING HORN. TOOK CAR IN AND DEALER SHOWED THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE/MODEL BUT NOT FOR MY SPECIFIC VIN

NHTSA ID

11156402

Incident

Apr 2, 2018

Mileage

39,000 mi

TAKATA RECALL. I WAS DRIVING MY CAR WHEN I HEARD SOME CLICKING NOISE COMING FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. SUDDENLY, THE AIRBAG LIGHT APPEARED ON MY DASHBOARD. THE HORN AND THE STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, SUCH AS, VOLUME, STOPPED WORKING. I CALLED VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY SAID MY CAR WASN'T INCLUDED ON THE CLOCK SPRING RECALL EVEN THOUGH MY CAR DETAILS(YEAR, MODEL, PROBLEM) FIT. I HAVE HAD VOLKSWAGEN FOR EVER 9 YEARS AND I AM SO FRUSTRATED. MY CAR SHOULD HAVE BEEN INCLUDED ON THE RECALL. NO DOUBT.

NHTSA ID

11156047

Incident

Jun 7, 2018

Mileage

25,000 mi