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

2018 Volkswagen Tiguan

Early-defect pattern

33% of complaints about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan came in its first year of service — a higher share than 98% of the 182 2018 model-years on record. That points to problems present from new rather than wear. The most-reported system is engine (79 complaints), typically at 1.8 yr or about 8,245 miles.

Complaints
448
Median age at failure
1.9 yr
Median mileage
7,400 n=239
Crash / fire / tow
4.7% of reports
Safety recalls
10 1 do not drive

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Engine
79 reports · 8,245 mi
1.8 yr
6.3%
Other
48 reports · 5,400 mi
2.1 yr
2.1%
Power train
48 reports · 8,000 mi
1.8 yr
0%
Electrical system
43 reports · 12,000 mi
2.1 yr
9.3%
Fuel / propulsion
40 reports · 9,000 mi
2.5 yr
0%
Structure
37 reports · 1,400 mi
9 mo
0%
Speed control
20 reports · 7,000 mi
2.0 yr
0%
Service brakes
19 reports · 10,000 mi
2.3 yr
15.8%
Exterior lighting
16 reports · 1,350 mi
11 mo
0%
Seat belts
16 reports · 5,534 mi
1.3 yr
0%
Air bags
15 reports · 12,000 mi
5.2 yr
13.3%
Collision avoidance
15 reports · 46,000 mi
4.3 yr
6.7%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

18V324000 2018-05-16 Do not drive
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.

A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.

26V590000 2026-09-11
Steering

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.

A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.

22V226000 2022-04-06
Structure:body

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.

An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.

21V732000 2021-09-23
Structure:body:roof and pillars

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan vehicles. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.

The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.

20V724000 2020-11-20
Seat belts:front:webbing

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan LWB vehicles. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.

A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.

19V679000 2019-09-25
Other

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.

If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.

19V188000 2019-03-06
Suspension:rear:springs:coil springs

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Golf Sportwagen, 2019 Jetta, 2015-2019 Golf, and 2018-2019 Tiguan vehicles. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

18V824000 2018-11-26
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan and 2019 Volkswagen Jetta vehicles that do not have keyless entry. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."

If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.

18V467000 2018-07-13
Visibility:sun/moon roof assembly

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.

A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

18V375000 2018-06-06
Air bags:frontal:passenger side:inflator module

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Atlas and Tiguan vehicles. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.

If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.

In owners’ own words

Structure 1,400 mi 1 mo in service
PURCHASED THE 2018 TIGUAN ON SEPTEMBER 16TH, ENTERED SERVICE ON OCTOBER 10TH WITH TWO B PILLAR RATTLES, EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE FROM DRIVERS DOOR AND A SCREEN FLICKER WITH THE BACK-UP CAMERA. CAR HAS REMAINED IN SERVICE FOR 21 DAYS AND NO RESOLUTION FROM VOLKSWAGEN.
Structure mileage not reported 4 mo in service
ANNOYING DRIVER-SIDE B-PILLAR RATTLE AT SPEEDS UP TO ABOUT 50. DOESN'T HAPPEN AS MUCH WHEN VERY COLD (BELOW 35 OR SO) OR -- ODDLY -- WHEN RAINING. DEALER SAYS THEY'VE NEVER HEARD OF THIS ISSUE. WEB SEARCH SHOWS IT TO BE FAIRLY WIDESPREAD. SUPPOSEDLY WELDING-RELATED.
Structure 2,100 mi 5 mo in service
INTERIOR B-PILLAR NOISE COMING FROM PASSENGER SIDE. PASSENGER SIDE DASH WHERE IT MEETS A-PILLAR ALSO PRODUCES NOISE
Exterior lighting 2,102 mi 2 mo in service
VERY DIM-INVISIBLE HEAD LIGHT-LIGHTENING DURING HEAVY RAINS OR DARK STREET RIDES. FELT SCARY WHILE DRIVING. ALMOST THOUGHT THAT THERE WERE NO HEAD LIGHTS ON THE CAR. FROM THAT POINT I WAS REALLY NOTICING AND THIS IS THE RATING I GIVE FOR THE LIGHTING THE ROAD AT NIGHT DURING MOTION -> 2/10 STATIONARY ->6/10 CITY STREET ->6/10 PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND FOR SURE YOU'LL FIND THIS "DEFECT" IN THE BRIGHTNESS OF HEADLIGHTS.

Other Tiguan model years

20252024202320222021202020192018201720162015201420132012201120102009

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