2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.

In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the 2018 MY Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35 mph, full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front-passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017 at MGA Research Corp. in Wisconsin (MGA) and December 13, 2017 at the Transportation Research Center of Ohio (TRC).During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated in tension where it looped through the seat belt latch tongue (see attached photos). Based on its analysis of the NCAP test results, VW asserted that the test dummy umbilical cord exerted additional forces on the seat belt system causing the separation. To support this theory, VW conducted several sled tests.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-001) on 01/10/2018 to evaluate the two (2) incidents of seat belt separation. ODI and NCAP reviewed the sled test data submitted by VW in support of their theory. Micro analysis, conducted by the Materials Laboratory at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), verified the seat belts failed in tension and not due to cuts or abrasion.PE18-001 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA18-005) to further examine seat belt behavior in the subject vehicles and to determine, among other things, a root cause for the seat belt separation. ODI will perform a thorough review of any vehicle and seat belt design changes for the new 2018 MY Tiguan platform and their effects on the performance of the seat belt system.

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 miles and the car burns through oil constantly. Our car stalled 4 times on the highway since then almost causing wrecks, it runs rough and now our check engine light is back on for the same issue. It’s causing emotional and financial distress. There are multiple lawsuits pending for this but something needs done. This is exhausting.

NHTSA ID

11766282

Incident

Feb 2, 2026

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 see the code in the computer but it is not active so VW will not pay for the known problem. I feel this is a safety issue as the car will not only possibly go into limp mode at any time but when stepping on the accelerator when not in limp mode the exhibits another known fault. The engine initially sputters as if it is going to stall then accelerates very quickly.

NHTSA ID

11761716

Incident

May 31, 2026

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.

NHTSA ID

11760702

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

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 documents: “Customer states that the vehicle smells of fuel. Could not duplicate customer concern.” Before the evaluation, I explained that the odor becomes most noticeable after the vehicle has been driven for an extended period, particularly in extreme Arizona heat. My normal commute is approximately one hour each way and 60 miles per day. I do not know how far or under what conditions the vehicle was road-tested during the evaluation. The vehicle remained with the dealership during the repair process and was returned to me on August 13, 2026. The condition has continued and has become substantially worse. After extended driving in extreme heat, the gasoline odor can become unbearable and is now noticeable inside the passenger compartment while I am driving. When parked in my home garage, the gasoline odor becomes strong enough to enter the house, and neighbors have also noticed it. The odor has also resulted in complaints from others in the parking garage at my workplace. I’m currently using approximately one tank of gasoline every two and a half days. I do not know whether the fuel consumption and gasoline odor are related. The specific failed component is UNKNOWN. The vehicle remains available for inspection. The concern has previously been presented to both the selling dealership and an authorized Volkswagen dealership, but the cause has not been identified and the condition continues.

NHTSA ID

11759889

Incident

Jul 9, 2026

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 leftover coil spring. After going to the repair shop, I learned that this is a very common issue among VW products of these years. I also came to find out that my front control arms bearings are in need of replacement due to loose bushings, which is an already recalled issue on certain 2018 VW Tiguan vehicles, but of course, my vehicle is not listed under the recall. I am extremely upset and disappointed that my vehicle is being affected by all of these known recalled issues, yet when I run my VIN number, my car is never "affected". Suspension issues can be extremely dangerous, and I feel as if the issues that I have been having are known issues; I should have the right to get them repaired under recall rather than having to pay out of pocket once the part ultimately fails, putting me and others at risk for injury.

NHTSA ID

11759617

Incident

Apr 15, 2005

I purchased this 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan in September 2019 and began noticing an intermittent rearview-camera problem around that time. I do not remember the exact date of the first occurrence because the problem initially happened only occasionally and was not persistent. When the vehicle is placed in reverse, the rearview camera intermittently fails to provide a reliable image. At other times, it operates normally. Because the problem is intermittent, it has been difficult for the dealership to reproduce consistently. Loss of the camera image reduces visibility behind the vehicle and creates a safety concern while backing up. An authorized Volkswagen dealership inspected the vehicle. The service manager stated that the stored fault indicates an intermittent open circuit in the video cable. The dealer’s diagnostic history reportedly shows approximately 90 fault occurrences beginning July 19, 2026. During recent testing, the dealership was able to get the fault to set once. The dealership has not conclusively confirmed that the camera control module failed. It proposes replacing the module as the first repair step for approximately $1,165 and stated that additional repairs may be necessary if the module replacement does not correct the problem. Volkswagen Customer CARE documented the concern under Case Number 07696586. I am submitting this report because the intermittent loss of the rearview-camera image may reduce the driver’s view behind the vehicle and increase the risk of a backing collision.

NHTSA ID

11759418

Incident

May 1, 2019

I discovered a potential safety defect while inspecting and preparing my Graco Turn2Me child restraint for eventual forward-facing use. The seat is Model 2170122, manufactured 08/26/2024. The physical SnugLock/LATCH configuration of my seat appears inconsistent with Graco’s published Turn2Me instructions and installation videos. The rear-facing SnugLock lock-off/release mechanism shown by Graco does not appear to be present or accessible on my seat. The gray InRight lower-anchor/LATCH strap is routed through the blue rear-facing belt path and cannot be repositioned in the manner shown in Graco’s instructions. I cannot move the lower-anchor system into its designated storage location or reroute it through the orange forward-facing belt path as required for forward-facing LATCH installation. This child restraint has been used to transport my child before I discovered the condition. There was no crash, fire, injury, or fatality associated with the discovery. I have stopped using the seat. I reported the issue directly to Graco. Graco created Case #52041838 and Case #52041872, cross-referenced them for Product Safety review, and instructed me in writing to “refrain from using the product until further advice is given.” I am requesting that NHTSA review this as a potential manufacturing/assembly or child-restraint safety defect. Photographs documenting the seat, lower-anchor routing, apparent SnugLock discrepancy, and manufacturer label are available.

NHTSA ID

11757673

Incident

Aug 18, 2026

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an engine failure, and internal parts fell apart and started grinding into the oil pan. The message "LIMP Mode” and the vehicle failed to exceed 4,000 RPM. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The dealer stated that the engine needed to be disassembled to be fully diagnosed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 37,000.

NHTSA ID

11755859

Incident

Aug 5, 2026

Mileage

37,000 mi

Repair or Replace Information

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.

Replacement instruction

Permission to change Daily Order upgraded to RED Order

Differences between a leak and seepage

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.