What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2016 Volkswagen Tiguan

Typical pattern

1.4% of complaints about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2016 vehicle — around the middle of the 199 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 6.1 yr in service. The most-reported system is air bags (37 complaints), typically at 6.3 yr or about 58,000 miles.

Complaints
146
Median age at failure
6.1 yr
Median mileage
49,000 n=64
Crash / fire / tow
7.5% of reports
Safety recalls
2

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Air bags
37 reports · 58,000 mi
6.3 yr
0%
Electrical system
27 reports · 48,500 mi
5.8 yr
7.4%
Other
23 reports · 30,009 mi
6.3 yr
17.4%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

19V535000 2019-07-17
Air bags: air bag/restraint control module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.

Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.

16V464000 2016-06-24
Latches / locks

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.

If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Electrical system 6,290 mi 1.1 yr in service
SAFETY ISSUE! LEASED THE VEHICLE IN JANUARY. TWO INCIDENTS WHEN ALL VEHICLE LIGHTS TURN OFF WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. HAPPENS WHEN IN MOTION AND WHEN IT IS DARK OR FOGGY OUT. HAVE BROUGHT IN TO VOLKSWAGEN DEALER 2 TIMES FOR REPAIR AND HAPPENED AGAIN FOR THE THIRD TIME WHILE DRIVING IN THE DARK. WHEN THIS OCCURS THE WIPERS ALSO GO OFF AUTOMATICALLY YET IT IS NOT RAINING. THEN WHEN THE VEHICLE IS PARKED, THE HEADLIGHTS STAY ON AND WILL NOT TURN OFF AND KILLS THE BATTERY.
Electrical system mileage not reported 1.1 yr in service
THE EMERGENCY FLASHERS OR HAZARD LIGHTS ARE INOPERATIVE. ALSO WIPERS TURN ON BY ITSELF OCASSIONALY.
Electrical system 48,500 mi 2.9 yr in service
MY VEHICLE HAD A FAULTY CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM FOR VW SINCE 2011 AND THEY ARE NOT COVERING IT UNDER WARRANTY. IT HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING. THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A CRACKING NOISE THEN STARTED MAKING A GRINDING NOISE. AT THAT POINT THE STEERING BUTTON CONTROLS STOPPED WORKING AND THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON.
Other 20,000 mi 1.2 yr in service
REAR DOOR THE REAR DOOR (LEFT) HAS A DEFECT. SINCE NEW IT HASN'T BEEN FIXED PROPERLY. LAST WEEK IT OPENED BY ITSELF WHILE RIDING OVER 45 MPH. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE DOOR INDICATOR WASN'T ON. NO INDICATION TO ME. EXCEPT FOR MY DAUGHTER SCREAMINGS. MY DAUGHTER WAS SITTING NEXT TO THE DEFECTIVE DOOR WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT WAS SERVICED AT THE DELEARSHIP FOR THAT DOOR BUT IT STAYED THE SAME. IT DOESN'T CLOSE COMPLETELY.

Other Tiguan model years

20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009

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