Owner-reported complaints naming the airbag system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Airbags reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
8
Latest Nov 9, 2026
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
4%
of 197 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 8 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming airbag
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Airbags
Filed Nov 9, 2026
The contact owns a 2019 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving, the air bag warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the air bag feature was deactivated. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not under recall or warranty. The dealer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 170,715.
NHTSA ID
11776758
Incident
Sep 30, 2026
Mileage
170,715 mi
AirbagsElectrical
Filed Feb 25, 2026
Experienced water leaks due to improperly routed sun roof drains. Experienced air bag electrical malfunctions, locking doors and unlocking doors, and air bag sensor/wiring harness inside passenger door.
NHTSA ID
11720559
Incident
Jul 1, 2025
AirbagsOther / unspecifiedSteering
Filed Sep 19, 2023
Vehicle was purchased from Volkswagen Marin Dealership As Certified Pre-owned 2019 model year Tiguan SE 4motion Turbo Color Red on August 24, 2021 and has 18,664 mileage already upon delivery. We have received a recall letter for the water pump & made an appointment to the Dealership& brought the car there In VW Sunnyvale, Ca.. According to the service advisor (Tanya) that the recall we are acquiring is not in their database, but oil change service performed on 27,450 mileage (estimated) during that scheduled appointment for water pump service recall letter received. My wife paid for oil change service charges and fees total amount paid in cash for $450.00 - Now there are issues coming out while driving (1) frequently low tire pressure Front R-side (2) airbag icon shows (3) steering wheel steers to the right while driving; (4) the Volkswagen net-software was not activated nor provided.(5) the 4 alloy wheels has like a mirror scratch all over the design of the wheels This are the issues came out in the vehicle that we've purchased and owned possession... Please advise, hoping to get this into your attention and safety concerns is our main priority. Submitted by MR&MRS [XXX] [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
NHTSA ID
11545531
Incident
Sep 18, 2023
Airbags
Filed Mar 27, 2023
I had a tire blowout on the highway and caused my airbags to go off without having impact on my vehicle. The airbags going off was extremely dangerous and could of caused serious harm to me or someone else by possibly crashing into another vehicle. I luckily managed to keep my car in control with minimal damage to the body. The dealer inspected and other than replacing tire and alignments is the 10,000 charge for airbags and seatbelt fixing. There were no warnings by the vehicle before incident.
NHTSA ID
11514096
Incident
Mar 23, 2023
Airbags
Filed Dec 28, 2021
Passenger and driver air bag lights have come on 3 times (not working). Huge safety concern
NHTSA ID
11445343
Incident
Dec 22, 2021
Airbags
Filed Aug 18, 2021
Crash reported
I was involved in a collision where I hit another vehicle with the front passenger side. The air bags did not deploy on mine, and the seat belt did not lock into place causing me to hit the steering wheel. The police verified this upon inspection immediately after the accident happened. I have spoken with Volkswagen many times about the transmission lagging and requiring excessive acceleration. Because of the lag I have almost been hit many times, as well as almost hit others due to the increase in speed after the lag.
NHTSA ID
11429634
Incident
Aug 16, 2021
AirbagsDriver assistance
Filed Dec 4, 2020
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2019 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 65 MPH, WHEN A VEHICLE IN FRONT SUDDENLY STOPPED CAUSING THE CONTACT TO REAR END THEIR VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE'S FORWARD COLLISION PREVENTION SYSTEM HAD FAILED TO ALERT THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS A VEHICLE IN FRONT. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE VEHICLE WAS DEEMED TOTALED. THE CONTACT DID RECEIVE ABDOMINAL, CHEST, AND BACK INJURIES. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS NEEDED. A POLICE REPORT FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (HENDRICK VOLKSWAGEN OF CONCORD LOCATED AT 7500 HENDRICK AUTO PLAZA NW, CONCORD, NC 28027; (704) 743-4110) WHO WERE MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, HOWEVER, THE MANAGER HAD CONTACTED THEM BACK AS PROMISED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AN OPENED A CASE REGARDING THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,997.*DT*JB
NHTSA ID
11377883
Incident
Oct 30, 2020
Mileage
37,997 mi
AirbagsBody & structureEngine
Filed Mar 1, 2019
THE FIRST DAY I DROVE MY NEW 2019 TIGUAN SEL HOME, I OPENED THE PASSENGER DRIVER-SIDE DOOR AND THE HANDLE GOT STUCK AND WOULD NOT GO BACK IN...MADE AN APPOINTMENT FOR 2-DAYS LATER TO GET THIS FIXED. DURING THE 2-DAY WAITING PERIOD, I WAS STOPPED IN A TURNING LANE ON A FOUR-LANE, LIGHTED ROAD TO MAKE A U-TURN. WHEN I HIT THE GAS PEDDLE TO GO THE CAR JERKED FORWARD, AND WENT TO A STANDSTILL FOR ABOUT 5-SECONDS WHILE MY FOOT WAS FIRMLY PRESSING THE GAS PEDDLE. THIS CAUSED THE TWO ONCOMING VEHICLES TO HAVE TO SCREECH TO A STOP; AND THE VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE LANE HAD TO SWERVE TO AVOID HITTING ME AND SPIN OUT. WHEN THE TIGUAN STARTED MOVING FORWARD, I HAD TO PULL OVER BECAUSE I WAS SHAKING. THE SAME ISSUE HAPPENED AGAIN THE NEXT DAY, BUT NO ONCOMING CARS WERE IN SIGHT. WENT IN FOR THE DOOR APPOINTMENT, I TOLD THE SERVICE REP ABOUT ENGINE AND ASKED TO SPEAK TO A MANAGER. AN ASSISTANT MANAGER CAME OUT, I TOLD HIM ABOUT THE ENGINE, AND HE RESPOND THAT'S A VW AND GAVE ME A HUG AND TWO FREE T-SHIRTS. NEW DOOR HANDLE HAD TO BE ORDERED DUE TO CORROSION, HAD TO COME BACK 3-DAYS LATER TO HAVE IT FIXED. DURING THOSE 3-DAYS, THE PASSENGER SEAT SEAT BELT WARNING SOUND STARTED RANDOMLY GOING OFF, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG LIGHT FLASHING ABOVE THE HAZARD LIGHT WHEN MY HANDBAG WAS ON THE SEAT. REPORTED THAT AND THE ENGINE ISSUE AGAIN AT NEXT APPOINTMENT. HAD TO LEAVE THE CAR FOR TWO DAYS...AT PICK-UP WAS TOLD EVERYTHING WAS TESTED FINE, BUT VW DID NOT BOTHER TO TEST THE SEAT SENSOR. WAS INSTRUCTED TO NOT PUT ANYTHING ON THE PASSENGER SEAT, AS STATED IN THE CAR'S MANUAL. REQUESTED A NEW VEHICLE, OR LET ME OUT OF MY LEASE DUE TO FEELING TOTALLY UNSAFE...WAS DENIED BY BOTH CORPORATE AND DEALER. MONEY SHOULD NEVER COME BEFORE SAFETY, SO I PAID $3000 TO BREAK MY LEASE TODAY AS VW CORP & DEALER TOLD ME TO GET BACK IN THAT CAR. THIS IS A DEADLY SAFETY ISSUE.
NHTSA ID
11183563
Incident
Feb 20, 2019
Mileage
230 mi
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.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own