2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Body & structure Problems

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

1)My sunroof/window is leaking. This has caused internal damage. My car had 2-2.5 inches of water that has damaged by carpeting and pads the 60E5 was performed. ~72,500 miles 2018 Tiguan. 2) dealer service has advised of service:REPLACE SET OF (4) FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS DUE TO FUEL LEAK AT FUEL RAIL-INCLUDE INTAKE MANIFOLD GAKET AND THROTTLE BODY GASKET.

NHTSA ID

11705198

Incident

Nov 25, 2025

There is an excessive amount of water leaking into the passenger compartment and also the cargo area The result is that considerable mold growing on the carpeting of the entire car The dealer has ordered repair parts but the parts are on back order leaving me to drive the vehicle while it has mold I have been advised if I remove the molded carpeting I will invalidate the warranty Very dangerous as occupying this vehicle results in inhaling mold

NHTSA ID

11539153

Incident

Jun 1, 2023

The front passenger door locking system does not function properly. The door intermittently is unable to be unlocked or opened from the outside and must manually be opened from the inside. The door also intermittently doesn't lock. This is a safety concern for thieves. If in immediate danger, ie. accident, no one is able to open the passenger door to access the person. No indication lights appear on the vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11490146

Incident

Aug 14, 2022

Driving down the Highway with my kids in the car and the sunroof shattered. No was around driving near me, nothing was hit, no other damage on my vehicle. the sunroof just exploded with my 4 children in the car. Now Im 1,000 miles away from home.

NHTSA ID

11427528

Incident

Aug 2, 2021

LEAKING FROM PANORAMIC MOONROOF,WATER COMING FROM PIPE DRAINE TUBES AND DRIPPING INTO BACK INTO SEATBELTS COMPARTMENT THAT FREEZE SEATBELTS DURING COLD WEATHER AND I CAN NOT PULL SEATBELTS OUT TO BUCKLE UP. ALSO AT THE SAME TIME WATER COMING INTO TRUNK MAKING AREA WHERE WIRING SISTEM GOING THROUGH ALL WET .VW DEALER FIXED IT ONCE BY AND IT HAPPEND SECOND TIME AGAIN.MY CAR IS IN THE SHOP NOW AND THIS PROBLEM WILL JUST KEEP GOING ON IN MY OPINION FOREVER UNTIL CAR EVENTUALLY DIE BECAUSE OF WATER GOING ONTO WIRING .

NHTSA ID

11315731

Incident

Mar 1, 2020

Mileage

75,390 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH IN INCLEMENT WEATHER, THE FRONTAL COLLISION WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO (VOLKSWAGEN OF DOWNTOWN CHICAGO, LOCATED AT 1111 N. CLARK ST, CHICAGO, IL 60610), TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND INFORMED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11302747

Incident

Aug 13, 2019

Mileage

30,000 mi

THE NEWEST GENERATION VW TIGUAN HAS A B PILLAR ISSUE WHERE THE RIVETS WHERE THE B PILLAR IS WELDED RATTLES. I AM CONCERNED OF THE OVER ALL STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE AND HOW IT WOULD WITHSTAND A CAR ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ID

11245160

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

BOUGHT THE VEHICLE NEW IN EARLY APRIL 2019, AFTER A COUPLE HUNDRED MILES I NOTICED A SCREECHING/RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE B PILLARS. I TOOK IT BACK THE DEALER FOR A RESOLUTION TO THE ISSUE. THEY HEARD THE NOISE AND SAID THERE IS FIX FOR THE PROBLEM THAT INVOLVES GUTTING THE ENTIRE INTERIOR AND WELDING BAD OR MISSING WELDS ON THE STRUCTURE UP NEAR THE ROOF. I HAVE TWO PROBLEMS WITH THEIR SOLUTION. FIRST, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. WHO KNOWS IF THE ROOF WOULD HOLD UP DURING A ROLLOVER ACCIDENT CONSIDERING THE DEALERSHIP MECHANICS ARE NOT QUALIFIED WELDERS FOR SUCH A CRITICAL APPLICATION. SECOND, THE NOISE IS VERY DISTRACTING WHILE DRIVING. SO I HAVE DECIDE WHETHER OR NOT TO LET THEM TEAR THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OUT OF MY VEHICLE AND LET THEM MAKE SHODDY REPAIR ON MY BRAND NEW VEHICLE OR TAKE A CHANCE ON MY AND MY PASSENGER'S SAFETY. SHAME ON VOLKSWAGEN. THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE BOUGHT OR REPLACED WITH A 2019 WHICH DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE THE PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID

11205427

Incident

Apr 23, 2019

I PURCHASED MY TIGUAN SE 4MOTION IN JULY 2018 AND SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE I HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE ACCELERATION AND NOISE COMING FROM THE PASSENGER SIDE B PILLAR. THE ACCELERATION FEELS LIKE A TURBO LAG FROM THE START WHERE THE GAS PEDAL IS PRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE HESITATES TO RESPOND CAUSING A SMALL "STALL". THIS HAPPENS IN BOTH DRIVE AND SPORT MODES. WHEN ACCELERATING UP-HILL THE VEHICLE HAS ISSUES WITH FINDING THE PROPER GEAR AND CONSTANTLY SEARCHES FOR A GEAR TO SETTLE ON. THE B PILLAR NOISE SOUNDS LIKE LOUD CLICKING WHEN GOING OVER BUMPS AND RUTS IN THE ROAD AND EVEN MAKES A NOISE WHEN OPENING THE DOOR TO ITS FULLEST.

NHTSA ID

11156726

Incident

Jul 15, 2018

Mileage

10 mi

THIS CAR IS DANGEROUS! I HAD VEHICLE FOR 4 MONTHS AND HAVE ONLY DRIVEN 411 MILES CAR HAS STARTED TO HESITATE WHEN PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC, IT ALMOST FEELS LIKE IT SHUTS OFF FOR A SOLID 4 SECONDS BEFORE IT DECIDES TO ACCELERATE. GAS MILEAGE READS 100MPG, WE ALL KNOW THAT'S NOT POSSIBLE... LOUD WIND NOISES AT 50 MPH AND A POP NOISE COMING FROM DRIVERS SIDE DOOR EVERY BUMP IN THE ROAD AT 50 MPH . THE START STOP OPTION TURNS ON AND OFF WHEN THE ROAD IS ROUGH OR SLIGHTLY BUMPY!

NHTSA ID

11151863

Incident

Nov 15, 2018

Mileage

517 mi

B PILLAR RATTLE/CREAKING METAL SOUND, BOTH SIDES, BUT WORSE ON PASSENGER SIDE WHILE IN MOTION. SOUND IS ALWAYS PRESENT.

NHTSA ID

11150849

Incident

May 17, 2018

Mileage

17 mi

ON OCTOBER 11, 2018 I WAS DRIVING STRAIGHT DOWN A SIDE STREET TRAVELING 30 MILES AN HOUR I HEARD A LOUD BANG. I TURNED AROUND AND SAW MY SIDE MIRROR BROKEN AND SMASHED INTO THE SIDE OF MY CAR WINDOW. TO MY SURPRISE THERE WAS NO OTHER DAMAGE TO THE CAR. IT WAS ISOLATED TO THE SIDE MIRROR. I BROUGHT THE CAR TO THE DEALER. I EXPLAINED WHAT HAD HAPPENED AND THEY LOOKED AT THE SIDE MIRROR. THEY CAME BACK TO TELL ME THAT SOMETHING HIT MY CAR LIKE A ROCK OR STICK. I WAS SURPRISED AND SAID REALLY THE ROCK OR STICK ONLY HIT THE SIDE MIRROR AND PUSHED THE MIRROR INTO THE WINDOW? I SAID I BELIEVE THAT THE DEFROST, LANE CHANGE OR POWER MIRROR WIRING CAUSED THE EXPLOSION. IT WAS DETERMINED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED BY THE WARRANTY AND ESTIMATED TO COST TO $1100. I HAD DEALER ORDER A NEW MIRROR. I SCHEDULED THE SERVICE AND CONFIRMED WITH THE DEALER THAT THE PART WAS READY. AN HOUR WAITING FOR THE CAR TO BE SERVICED THE SERVICE ADVISOR GOT ME FROM THE WAITING ROOM TO TELL ME THAT THE NEW PART THAT WAS ORDERED FROM VOLKSWAGEN AND PAINTED TO ORDER WAS DAMAGED! TO THE SERVICE ADVISOR INFORMED ME THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT HAD A REPLACEMENT MIRROR THAT HAD BEEN ORDERED FOR ANOTHER CUSTOMER. SINCE THAT CUSTOMER HAD NOT SCHEDULED A TIME FOR SERVICE IT WAS GOING TO BE SENT OUT TO BE PAINTED FOR ME. I LEFT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WITH MY BROKEN MIRROR. WHILE DRIVING HOME I REALIZED, I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE SIDE MIRROR, THE REPLACEMENT MIRROR CAME IN DAMAGED, AND ANOTHER CUSTOMER HAD A PROBLEM WITH A SIDE MIRROR. I CAN PROVIDE ADDITIONAL PICTURES.

NHTSA ID

11141871

Incident

Oct 11, 2018

Mileage

8,200 mi

RATTLING NOISE COMING FROM THE SEATBELT COLUMN. HAVE BROUGHT IN MY CAR AND SENT RECORDINGS OF THE NOISE AND THE DEALERSHIP SAID THEY CANNOT REPLICATE THE NOISE THEY NOW HAVE IT FOR THE 3 MRS TIME AND I HAVE SHARED U TUBE LINKS AND THE VW FORUM TO SHOW THEM THAT OTHER CUSTOMERS HAVE THE ISSUES

NHTSA ID

11141121

Incident

Aug 1, 2018

Mileage

5,000 mi

INTERMITTENT CLICKING EMINATING FROM DRIVERS SIDE B PILLAR WITH OCCASIONAL CREAKING FROM VEHICLE FRAME IN THE SAME AREA. QUESTION AS TO SAFETY OF THE VEHICLES FRAME. THE CLICKING IS VERY IRRITATING AS IT IS NEXT TO DRIVERS EAR.

NHTSA ID

11140470

Incident

May 30, 2018

Mileage

3,000 mi

SINCE BRAND NEW THERE IS A RATTLE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE PILLAR. TAKEN TWICE TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE AND THE RATTLE STILL THERE. ALSO THE VEHICLE HAS SHUT OFF COMPLETELY ON TWO DIFFERENT OCCASIONS FORCING ME TO RESTART MY VEHICLE COMPLETELY. COLD STARTS VEHICLE DOES NOT ACCELERATE WELL, FEELS LIKE WHEN SOMEONE IS LEARNING HOW TO DRIVE A MANUAL CAR FOR THE FIRST TIME AND MISSES THE CLUTCH AND THE VEHICLE JUMPS. TAKEN TWICE TO VOLKSWAGEN SERVICE AND THEY SAID THEY ADJUSTED THE TRANSMISSION AND EVERYTHING IS WELL. AS SOON AS I DROVE OFF THE LOT IT BEGAN TO DO THE SAME THING. WORRIED THAT THE VEHICLE MAY SHUT OFF COMPLETELY AT AN INTERSECTION OR THAT THERE MAY NOT BE ENOUGH POWER DUE TO LAG WHEN NECESSARY.

NHTSA ID

11132662

Incident

Sep 30, 2018

Mileage

600 mi

VEHICLE WAS MAKING A SMALL ANNOYING RATTLING SOUND, EMANATING FROM THE DRIVER SIDE B-PILLAR, NEXT TO DRIVER'S HEAD. RATTLE HAD BEEN INTERMITTENT INITIALLY BUT BY 8,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE THE RATTLE WAS ALMOST CONSTANT AT ANY SPEED WHILST BEING DRIVEN OVER ANY SURFACE SMOOTH OR OTHERWISE. WE TOOK THE VEHICLE TO OUR LOCAL VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP AND IT HAS NOW BEEN THERE FOR 32 DAYS. A REPAIR WAS DONE, BUT THE RESULT WAS SATISFACTORY, SO THEY ARE TRYING TO REPAIR IT AGAIN.

NHTSA ID

11129852

Incident

Aug 15, 2018

Mileage

8,700 mi

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED AND ON ANY ROAD SURFACE THERE IS A CONSTANT RATTLING COMING FROM THE DOOR AND WINDOW PILLARS. IT IS VERY LOUD AND NOTICEABLE AT ANY SPEED.GOING OVER ROUGH ROADS AND UNEVEN SURFACES MAKES THE RATTLING WORSE. THIS VEHICLE IS BRAND NEW AND ONLY FOUR DAYS OLD. WHEN I CALLED I WAS TOLD THERE IS NO KNOWN STRUCTURAL ISSUE. HOWEVER THERE ARE DOZENS OF THIS ISSUE REPORTED HERE AND ON VARIOUS VW FORUMS.

NHTSA ID

11120754

Incident

Aug 15, 2018

Mileage

91 mi

IN THE FIRST MONTH OF OWNING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL PUMP AND FUEL TANK HAD TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THEN THE VEHICLE HAS DISPLAYED INTERMITTENT LOSS OF RESPONSE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THIS OCCURS WHEN FIRST SHIFTING INTO DRIVE, THE VEHICLE WILL NOT RESPOND TO ANY INPUT INTO THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE ENGINE RPMS WILL HOLD AT 1000 OR DROP TO ALMOST STALLING THE CAR. AFTER ABOUT 10-20 SECONDS OF THIS, THE CAR WILL SUDDENLY RECOGNIZE THE THROTTLE INPUT AND WILL LURCH FORWARD. THERE IS NO INDICATION OF WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL DECIDE TO RESPOND TO THE THROTTLE INPUT. THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH SIDES OF THE CAR STARTED TO RATTLE WHEN THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS OVER ~55 F. THIS HAS BEEN SERVICED ONCE, PER A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN FROM VOLKSWAGEN. THE SERVICE SIMPLY MADE THE PROBLEM INTERMITTENT. THE TSB STATES THAT THE PROBLEM IS CAUSED BY THE AIR BAG MODULES RUBBING ON THE METAL OF THE FRAME AND BODY. ADDITIONALLY THE TSB PROCEDURE INSTRUCTS THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN TO SLIDE A SCREW DRIVER BETWEEN TWO PIECES OF BODY OR FRAME METAL, AND USE A HAMMER TO BEND THE PANELS APART FROM EACH OTHER. HAS THIS BE PROVEN TO NOT COMPROMISE THE STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE? THE TRANSMISSION CONSISTENTLY FAILS TO FIND THE CORRECT GEAR TO BE IN AT LOW SPEEDS OR FROM A STOP. WHEN STARTING FROM A STOP THE TRANSMISSION HAS A HARSH SHIFT IN THE FIRST 3 GEARS. THE TRANSMISSION AT TIME WILL START OFF IN THE 3RD GEAR, WITH THE THROTTLE FULLY ENGAGED, AND WILL TAKE SEVERAL SECONDS TO DETERMINE THAT IT NEEDS TO BE IN THE FIRST GEAR. BY THE TIME IT FINALLY SHIFTS INTO FIRST, IT IS AT THE PEAK RPM'S FOR FIRST GEAR AND WILL HARSHLY SHIFT INTO SECOND GEAR. THIS IS THEN QUICKLY FOLLOWED BY ANOTHER JERKY SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR. STARTING THE CAR OFF IN THIRD GEAR HAS CAUSED ISSUES FOR MAKING A TURN IN A BREAK IN TRAFFIC TO THE POINT WHERE I CAN NO LONGER RELIABLY DEEM THAT TO BE A SAFE MANEUVER.

NHTSA ID

11120358

Incident

May 17, 2018

Mileage

3,338 mi

THERE IS A RATTLE COMING FROM LOWER B PILLAR RATTLE COMING FROM DRIVER SEAT BELT RETRACTOR, OVERHEAD CONSOLE, WOOD TRIM ON BOTH FRONT DOORS, BOTH TWEETER SPEAKER GRILLS, BOTH REAR CUP HOLDERS, ALSO FOUND REAR DECK LID CLIPS NOT CLIPPED IN ALL THE WAY DRIVER REAR ACCESS PANEL RATTING ALONG WITH BOTH REAR STOP LIGHT ACCESS PANELS

NHTSA ID

11118847

Incident

Jun 14, 2018

Mileage

163 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING UNKNOWN SPEEDS ON ROUGH TERRAIN, THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL TICKING, RATTLING, AND KNOCKING NOISE EMERGING FROM THE FRAME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HAMILTON VOLKSWAGEN (2200 NJ-33 HAMILTON, NJ 08690, 844-858-4565) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE B PILLAR NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 181087619. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 3,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

11118783

Incident

Jun 1, 2018

Mileage

3,000 mi

THERE WAS A LOUD, CONTINUOUS "CLICKING" NOISE COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE ALL ALONG WHERE THE ROOFLINE MEETS THE SIDE PANELS. THIS IS FROM A STRUCTURAL DEFECT DUE TO A LACK OF WELDING IN THOSE AREAS. WHILE IN FOR INSPECTION, I WAS LOANED THREE ADDITIONAL TIGUANS AND THEY ALL MADE THE CLICKING SOUND. IT'S A HEAT-SENSITIVE ISSUE, OCCURRING WHEN THE TEMPERATURE REACHES AT LEAST 45 DEGREES AND THE METAL EXPANDS. AFTER FOUR ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE BY INSTALLING CLIPS, WEDGES, AND FELT PADDING, VOLKSWAGEN AGREED TO RE-PURCHASE THE VEHICLE FROM ME. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS ONLINE ABOUT THIS ISSUE, WITH VW REPURCHASING SEVERAL VEHICLES. THE CLICKING IS A CONTINUOUS ISSUE WHENEVER THE VEHICLE IS IN MOTION.

NHTSA ID

11115085

Incident

Mar 1, 2018

Mileage

500 mi

TICKING NOISE/RATTLING FROM THE B-PILLAR ON BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE.

NHTSA ID

11110209

Incident

Jul 1, 2018

Mileage

500 mi

CREAK/RATTLE FROM DRIVER'S SIDE B-PILLAR ALMOST SINCE NEW. HAPPENS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS IN THE ROAD; HAPPENS MOST BUT NOT ALL OF THE TIME. RECENTLY STARTED SAME FROM PASSENGER-SIDE B-PILLAR, BUT LESS FREQUENTLY. MOST OFTEN NOTICED WHEN DRIVING A MODERATE SPEEDS (35-55). THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH A TSB FOR EARLY MODEL YEAR PRODUCTION. MAY INVOLVE POOR/MISSING WELDS.

NHTSA ID

11103444

Incident

Jun 22, 2018

Mileage

12,100 mi

PURCHASED A 2018 TIGUAN AND DEVELOPED A RATTLE IN THE B-PILLAR. VW/BODY SHOP IS REPAIRING IT ACCORDING TO A TSB THAT IS NOT UP TO STANDARD IN MY OPINION. HOW CAN YOU FIX A BAD WELD BY MAKING THE SPACE WIDER AND SPRAYING IT WITH A SEALER?

NHTSA ID

11103083

Incident

May 28, 2018