2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Airbags Problems

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake independently activated, and the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to function as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The parking brake was not activated. Additionally, the front driver's side door latch failed to unlatch as needed. The contact stated that none of the electrical system features functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed wiring harness and a failed front driver's side door harness. The contact was informed that the wiring harness and front driver's side door harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer reset the codes. The contact was informed that until the repair was performed, the failure would recur. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

NHTSA ID

11728207

Incident

Dec 10, 2025

My 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a failure of the airbag control module caused by water intrusion through the HVAC access area and failed seam seal tape at the cowl support. The dealership confirmed that water leaked through a factory seam, accumulated at the airbag module, and caused the module to fail. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the system is inoperable. This failure matches the same defect pattern covered under Volkswagen’s recall campaigns for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport (water intrusion leading to airbag control module failure), but my VIN is not included. The root cause and safety implications are identical: water entering through a body seam/HVAC area and compromising the airbag system. This is a safety‑critical issue that disables the airbags and creates a risk of injury in a crash. I am requesting NHTSA review this defect for potential recall expansion. Dealership Findings: • Water present at airbag control module • Water leaking through HVAC access hole • Failed seam seal tape at cowl support • Water accumulation damaging the airbag module • Cowl trim cracked and repaired • Recommended replacement of airbag control module and seam sealing tape • Estimated repair cost: $1,377 + tax Safety Concern: Airbag system is disabled due to water intrusion from a factory seam. This creates a risk of injury or death in the event of a collision.

NHTSA ID

11726578

Incident

Mar 20, 2026

One time the car Just Lost power on the freeway and the e-card engine light came on and the cat Ran rugh and stalled and jerked hard almost causing me to cause a serious accident...I took it to vw and explained the severity and they bypassed that And installed a new water pump..2months later the same thing happened exactly to where I was very lucky and very upset...and took it to them once again and explained more issues where I'm urging . As to the front warning light and motion has came into play a few times witch was shocking...also the car would be on slow mo mode....and constant warning lights would come on the dashboard as well as the car would feel so unstable and Feel as if it were On gear 1/L while in the drive position...also the Eco turn of feature would playout ..and stall from time to time..then the car would get stuck on speed when foot would come off the accelerator to brake before a stop sign or red light intersection witch just started to concern me and I again took these concerns to Rick case vw and They thought I was inventing this story..then the car leaked coolant..and it rusted out the whole bottom of my car ..hoses...and they replaced the thermostat this time around and now the car has misfired..could not start ..idle was ver rough and just vibrated dramatically and damaged coils and spakplugs and blew out fuel inject #2 and can't hold pressure past 30 ..changed out the spak plugs and coils and the car is just crippled and its a safety hazard and in many occasions has almost caused me to cause a serious accident...

NHTSA ID

11704422

Incident

Dec 2, 2025

Airbag fault light is illuminated. drivers side, Fault Code: B101715 - crash sensor for side airbag, drivers side open circuit to B+ Intermittent occurred on 5/19/2025 at 56000 mile. Data from vehicle Software Number; 5Q0959655AG Software Version: 0336 Hardware Number: 5Q0959655AG Hardware Version: 004

NHTSA ID

11668706

Incident

May 19, 2025

Seat belt light on. Car went into limp mode while on the highway. Seat belt acted like it was loose. Went for scan and it pulled up diagnostic code P0203 which is Replace Fuel injector wiring harness. Saying Cylinder 3 circuit malfunction. Also threw code P050B.

NHTSA ID

11661145

Incident

May 14, 2025

Air Bag Warning Light

NHTSA ID

11636215

Incident

Jan 6, 2025

My vehicle has had repeated issues with passenger airbags, after last repair all of the safety sensors failed and received warning on dashboard (no collision protection, no Adaptive cruise control) after bringing back to dealer car was returned to me and told the parts are unavailable. Currently I have had a vehicle under warranty which has no collision protection features that came with the car. Car by dealer’s own statement it is unsafe to drive yet was returned to us. It has been nearly 3 months and are continually told that there is no fix in site.

NHTSA ID

11543476

Incident

Jun 19, 2023

Solo prendieron la luz

NHTSA ID

11531615

Incident

Nov 12, 2022

I was involved in a head-on collision going 35mph. The airbags failed to deploy. Due to this fact, my leg arms, and shoulder took all the force of the accident causing edema and bursitis to my left shoulder. The car was towed to one of State Farm’s Collison centers where it was inspected. There were no warnings or symptoms prior to total failure of the system.

NHTSA ID

11432150

Incident

Aug 11, 2021

MY NAME IS [XXX] AND I WAS A CAR ACCIDENT ON THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 2021 A VEHICLE HIT ME. I WAS IN MOTION HEADING STRAIGHT AND THE OTHER CAR FAILED THE RIGHT AWAY AND HIT ME ON THE DRIVERS SIDE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. I'M WONDERING IF THERE WAS RECALL OR IF ANYONE ELSE HAS HAD THIS ISSUE? INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

11389966

Incident

Jan 21, 2021

NOTHING BUT PROBLEMS WITH MY SISTER'S LEASED 2018 TIGUAN.... REPEATED SERVICE CALLS...CONSTANTLY IN THE SHOP...CURRENTLY A WHOPPING 10 RECALLS...AIRBAG NOT WORKING... NO HELP FROM VOLKSWAGEN..CALLED CUSTOMER SERVICE...PUSHED NUMBER AS DIRECTED... NOTHING! COULDNT SPEAK TO A HUMAN BEING...TRIED CHAT OPTION ON FACEBOOK...NO REPLY! NOTHING IN THIS CAR WORKS PROPERLY. ASKED TO BE LET OUT OF LEASE... APPARENTLY NOT POSSIBLE UNLESS IT HAS THE SAME EXACT ISSUE 3 TIMES!! MY CAR HAS HAD ISSUES IN MULTIPLE AREAS REPEATEDLY BUT NOT SPECIFICALLY MEETING LEMON LAW STANDARDS. $400 PAYMENT AND NO HELP. SHE WILL NEVER BUY A VOLKSWAGEN AGAIN AND I WILL MAKE SURE TO TELL EVERYONE I KNOW TO AVOID VOLKSWAGEN AT ALL COST! MAY HAVE TO SPEAK TO A LAWYER I GUESS.

NHTSA ID

11270813

Incident

Aug 12, 2019

Mileage

14,829 mi

LEAKING SUNROOF DRAIN CAUSES THE COMPUTER TO MULFUNCTION AND REPORT MULTIPLE CAR ISSUES, LIKE: FAULT: ELECTRONIC PARKING BRAKE ERROR: ABS/ELECTRONIC STABILIZATION CONTROL (ESC) ERROR: AIRBAG THIS HAPPENS EVERY TIME THERE IS A HEAVY RAIN

NHTSA ID

11269068

Incident

Oct 16, 2019

Mileage

12,000 mi

I AM HAVING SEVERAL PROBLEMS WITH MY TIGUAN. THE PASSENGER SEAT DETECTION SENSOR IS VERY SENSITIVE. I CAN PLACE MY PHONE OR SOMETHING VERY LIGHT ON THE SEAT AND MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY STARTS TO CHIME AND THE PASSENGER AIRBAG IS TURNED ON. THIS COULD BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN THE ACCIDENT IF NO PASSENGER IS PRESENT. THE OTHER ISSUE I HAVE WITH THIS CAR IS THE ACCELERATION IS INCONSISTENT. SOMETIMES I CAN HIT THE ACCELERATOR AND THE CAR FLIES, OTHER TIMES, THE CAR STUTTERS AND HAS SOME LAG.

NHTSA ID

11257279

Incident

Sep 21, 2019

SINCE NOVEMBER 2018 OF THIS YEAR THE SEAT BELT ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOES NOT FEEL RIGHT IT SEEMS LOOSE AND THE LIGHT ILLUMINATES RED AND COMES ON RANDOMLY AND CHIMES. THE SEAT BELTS LOOKS AND FEELS CHEAPLY MADE. IT HAS ONLY GOTTEN WORSE SINCE THE AIRBAG MODULE WAS REPLACED BY DEALERSHIP. DEALERSHIP SAYS THE LOOSENESS OF THE BELT IS NORMAL.THEY CLAIM WHEN THEY DRIVE IT THE RED SYMBOL NEVER COMES ON OR CHIMES. IT IS NEVER PICKED UP AS A CODE ON THE VW CAR NET OR ON THEIR MACHINE. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? I WANT THESE SEAT BELTS TO BE REPLACED. IT ONLY COMES ON WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AND DRIVING THE CAR.THE DEALERSHIP SAYS NOTHING IS WRONG. I AM STUCK BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE

NHTSA ID

11163067

Incident

Dec 21, 2018

Mileage

5,671 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE SEAT BELT CHIME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE STARTED TO SOUND AND THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR BEGAN FLASHING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ONLY THING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT WAS A CELL PHONE. THE CONTACT REMOVED THE CELL PHONE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE CHIME STOPPED. THE CONTACT SLIGHTLY PLACED HER HAND ON THE PASSENGER SEAT AND THE CHIME STARTED AGAIN. THE CONTACT DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER (SOUTH MOTORS VOLKSWAGEN, 17930 S DIXIE HIGHWAY, MIAMI, FLORIDA 33157) FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER KEPT THE VEHICLE FROM 04/13/18 UNTIL 04/17/18, BUT FOUND NO FAILURES. THE DEALER STATED THAT A HEAD ENGINEER WOULD EVALUATE THE VEHICLE ON 04/18/18. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,355.

NHTSA ID

11088697

Incident

Apr 13, 2018

Mileage

3,355 mi