NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
282 reports14,500 miles · Sep 2, 2020
Engine
BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2018 VW TIGUAN (SEL PREMIUM R-LINE). BESIDES SOME SEEMINGLY INCONSISTENT HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF FROM START, THE CAR HAS A GREAT RIDE, THE STEERING IS GERMAN AND LIKE NO OTHER. THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SAVES ME SO MUCH STRESS ON MY 40 MINUTES DRIVE INTO WORK. SOUND GREAT RIGHT? WELL, IT WAS, UNTIL....I G…
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BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2018 VW TIGUAN (SEL PREMIUM R-LINE). BESIDES SOME SEEMINGLY INCONSISTENT HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF FROM START, THE CAR HAS A GREAT RIDE, THE STEERING IS GERMAN AND LIKE NO OTHER. THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SAVES ME SO MUCH STRESS ON MY 40 MINUTES DRIVE INTO WORK. SOUND GREAT RIGHT? WELL, IT WAS, UNTIL....I GOT MY FIRST OIL CHANGED ON TIME, LIKE I SHOULD, THEN AT ~14,500 MILES IN MAY 2020, MY LOW OIL LEVEL LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THAT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS IN THE DRIVEWAY OR UNDER THE CAR, THERE WEREN'T. I CALLED THE DEALER TO CONFIRM I WASN'T NUTS AND THAT MY OIL WAS CHANGED ~4,000 MILES AGO. THEY SAID I SHOULD ADD OIL, THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR VOLKSWAGEN'S TO BURN THROUGH A LOT OF OIL. SO I ASKED WHAT TYPE OF OIL WAS USED IN THE CAR SO I COULD BUY THE SAME TYPE. THIS WAS VERY ALARMING THAT I WAS ADDING OIL TO A CARE WITH ONLY ~14,500 MILES. I THOUGHT, OKAY, MAYBE THEY DIDN'T ACTUALLY CHANGE MY OIL, MAYBE IT'S A FLUKE. SO I ADDED THE OIL AND THE LOW OIL LEVEL LIGHT TURNED OFF, SO I PROCEEDED DRIVING IT AS NORMAL. NOW, I'VE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME DUE TO COVID-19 SO I'VE BEEN DRIVING VERY MINIMALLY. I PUT ~1000 MILES ON THE CAR SINCE ADDED OIL AND THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 8/28/2020. I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED AND MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DIDN'T DRIVE IT ALL ALL OVER THE WEEKEND, THEN TOOK IT IN ON 8/31/2020. THE SERVICE GUY CHECKING ME IN TOLD ME "VW CONSIDERS IT ACCEPTABLE FOR THEIR CARS TO BURN THROUGH A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES." YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME. THIS CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 16,000 MILES ON IT YET. THIS IS NOT OKAY AND NOT NORMAL. SO HERE I SIT ON 9/2/2020. THE DEALERSHIP STILL HAS MY TIGUAN AND ARE RUNNING WHAT THEY SAY IS A NEW SERIES OF TESTS TO CHECK WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE CAR TO BURN OIL. I'LL PROVIDE AN UPDATE AS SOON AS I SPEAK WITH THEM.
NHTSA ODI #11352719
16,000 miles · Sep 2, 2020
Engine
I GOT A NEW JOB WITH A SIGNIFICANT RAISE AND WAS SO HAPPY I REWARDED MYSELF WITH A BRAND NEW 2018 VW TIGUAN (SEL PREMIUM R-LINE). BESIDES SOME SEEMINGLY INCONSISTENT HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF FROM START, THE CAR HAS A GREAT RIDE, THE STEERING IS GERMAN AND LIKE NO OTHER. THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SAVES ME SO MUCH STRESS ON MY…
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I GOT A NEW JOB WITH A SIGNIFICANT RAISE AND WAS SO HAPPY I REWARDED MYSELF WITH A BRAND NEW 2018 VW TIGUAN (SEL PREMIUM R-LINE). BESIDES SOME SEEMINGLY INCONSISTENT HESITATION WHEN TAKING OFF FROM START, THE CAR HAS A GREAT RIDE, THE STEERING IS GERMAN AND LIKE NO OTHER. THE ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL SAVES ME SO MUCH STRESS ON MY 40 MINUTES DRIVE INTO WORK. SOUND GREAT RIGHT? WELL, IT WAS, UNTIL....I GOT MY FIRST OIL CHANGED ON TIME, LIKE I SHOULD, THEN AT ~14,500 MILES IN MAY 2020, MY LOW OIL LEVEL LIGHT CAME ON. I CHECKED THAT THERE WERE NO VISIBLE OIL LEAKS IN THE DRIVEWAY OR UNDER THE CAR, THERE WEREN'T. I CALLED THE DEALER TO CONFIRM I WASN'T NUTS AND THAT MY OIL WAS CHANGED ~4,000 MILES AGO. THEY SAID I SHOULD ADD OIL, THAT IT'S NORMAL FOR VOLKSWAGEN'S TO BURN THROUGH A LOT OF OIL. SO I ASKED WHAT TYPE OF OIL WAS USED IN THE CAR SO I COULD BUY THE SAME TYPE. THIS WAS VERY ALARMING THAT I WAS ADDING OIL TO A CARE WITH ONLY ~14,500 MILES. I THOUGHT, OKAY, MAYBE THEY DIDN'T ACTUALLY CHANGE MY OIL, MAYBE IT'S A FLUKE. SO I ADDED THE OIL AND THE LOW OIL LEVEL LIGHT TURNED OFF, SO I PROCEEDED DRIVING IT AS NORMAL. NOW, I'VE BEEN WORKING FROM HOME DUE TO COVID-19 SO I'VE BEEN DRIVING VERY MINIMALLY. I PUT ~1000 MILES ON THE CAR SINCE ADDED OIL AND THE LOW OIL LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN ON 8/28/2020. I PARKED THE CAR AND CALLED AND MADE A SERVICE APPOINTMENT AT THE DEALERSHIP. I DIDN'T DRIVE IT ALL ALL OVER THE WEEKEND, THEN TOOK IT IN ON 8/31/2020. THE SERVICE GUY CHECKING ME IN TOLD ME "VW CONSIDERS IT ACCEPTABLE FOR THEIR CARS TO BURN THROUGH A QUART OF OIL EVERY 1,000 MILES." YOU HAVE TO BE KIDDING ME. THIS CAR DOESN'T EVEN HAVE 16,000 MILES ON IT YET. THIS IS NOT OKAY AND NOT NORMAL. SO HERE I SIT ON 9/2/2020. THE DEALERSHIP STILL HAS MY TIGUAN AND ARE RUNNING WHAT THEY SAY IS A NEW SERIES OF TESTS TO CHECK WHAT COULD BE CAUSING THE CAR TO BURN OIL.
NHTSA ODI #11352716
25,000 miles · Aug 26, 2020
Service Brakes
WHEN IN MOTION, IN THE CITY, CAR HAD APPLIED BRAKES AUTOMATICALLY UNEXPECTEDLY, WITHOUT A REASON, WITHOUT CARS OR OBSTRUCTIONS ON FRONT. IT HAS HAPPENED 3 OR 4 TIMES AT SPEEDS LESS THAN 40 MPH.
NHTSA ODI #11351323
Mileage unknown · Jun 30, 2020
Power Train
WHEN VEHICLE IS IN A COLD STATE, IE NOT DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT. TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 45 TO 60 DEGREES. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION HAS A LONG DELAY IN ACCELERATION. IT TAKES THE CAR 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING BEFORE THIS DELAY GOES AWAY. I LEFT HOME AND WANTED TO MAKE A LEFT TU…
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WHEN VEHICLE IS IN A COLD STATE, IE NOT DRIVEN FOR SEVERAL HOURS OR OVERNIGHT. TEMPERATURE BETWEEN 45 TO 60 DEGREES. WHEN THE VEHICLE IS TURNED ON, AND SHIFTED INTO DRIVE, THE TRANSMISSION HAS A LONG DELAY IN ACCELERATION. IT TAKES THE CAR 5 MINUTES OF DRIVING BEFORE THIS DELAY GOES AWAY. I LEFT HOME AND WANTED TO MAKE A LEFT TURN ONTO A MAJOR STREET BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE IMMEDIATELY, IT'S OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES.
NHTSA ODI #11331645
18,000 miles · Jun 16, 2020
EnginePower Train
THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ERRATIC AND OFTEN SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE DRIVER CAN NOT GAUGE THE RATE AT WHICH THE CAR WILL SPEED UP. IT HAPPENS LESS FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING UNDER 40 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET BUT IS UNPREDICTABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE THIS. I'VE…
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THIS VEHICLE HAS AN ERRATIC AND OFTEN SEVERE HESITATION WHEN ACCELERATING, WHICH MAKES IT EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE ON THE HIGHWAY AS THE DRIVER CAN NOT GAUGE THE RATE AT WHICH THE CAR WILL SPEED UP. IT HAPPENS LESS FREQUENTLY WHEN DRIVING UNDER 40 MILES AN HOUR ON A CITY STREET BUT IS UNPREDICTABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE THIS. I'VE BEEN DRIVING FOR OVER 25 YEARS AND THIS IS THE FIRST VEHICLE IN WHICH I'VE EXPERIENCE THIS UNEVEN LAG. I'VE ALSO EXPERIENCE ISSUES WITH THE AUTO START/STOP FUNCTION, WHEN THE VEHICLE IS STOPPED ON AN INCLINE AT RED LIGHTS IT HAS FAILED TO RESTART, REQUIRING A MANUAL RESTART (PUT IN PARK AND RESTART ENGINE). THIS VEHICLE DOES NOT SEEM SAFE. THE MOST RECENT OCCURRENCE OF THE ACCELERATION LAG WAS JUNE 14, 2020, BUT IT HAD OCCURRED REGULARLY SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALERSHIP IN JANUARY 2020. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11329226
20,700 miles · May 26, 2020
Suspension
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL HIGH PITCH SOUND COMING FROM HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 10 MPH, HE HEARD AN ABNORMAL HIGH PITCH SOUND COMING FROM HIS VEHICLE. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MOVE THE VEHICLE AND THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE ATTEMPTING TO REVERSE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED WITH A DISLOCATED LOWER BALL JOINT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE SUSPENSION. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN INITIALLY TOWED TO THREE COUNTY VOLKSWAGEN (701 RIVERSIDE AVE, LYNDHURST, NJ 07071) WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED. PRIOR TO THE FAILURE, WHILE MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE CONTACT SCRAPED THE SIDE OF THE CURB WITH BOTH PASSENGER'S SIDE TIRES. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO HUDSON VALLEY VOLKSWAGEN WHERE THEY PERFORMED AN ALIGNMENT ON THE VEHICLE HOWEVER, THE MECHANIC WAS UNABLE GET A PERFECT ALIGNMENT. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTAC THAT IT APPEARED THAT AN UNNAMED PART OF THE VEHICLE WAS BENT BUT THAT THE BEND COULD NOT BE LOCATED. THE CONTACT WAS GIVEN AN ESTIMATE TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED HOWEVER, THE CONTACT DECLINED THE DIAGNOSTIC. THE CONTACT WAS ASSURED BY THE DEALER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, THE CONTACT BECAME AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 18V324000 (SUSPENSION) WHICH HE LINKED TO THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO GENSINGER VOLKSWAGEN (842 VALLEY RD, CLIFTON, NJ 07013) WHERE THE VEHICLE HAD YET TO BE REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND THEY AGREED WITH THE INITIAL DEALER THAT THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE INCIDENT THAT OCCURRED ON HIS VEHICLE SIX MONTHS PRIOR TO THE BALL JOINT FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,700.
NHTSA ODI #11326053
30,000 miles · May 20, 2020
Service Brakes
BACK CALIPERS GETTING STUCK AND CAUSED PREMATURE WEARING OF BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS. HAD TO REPLACE ONE SIDE WHILE THE OTHER WAS FINE BECAUSE PISTON WAS STUCK OUT AND CAUSED DAMAGE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325328
28,000 miles · May 18, 2020
SuspensionUnknown Or OtherWheels
THE CAR HAS HAD A DISTINCT NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I COMPLAINED EVERY TIME WE WERE IN AND FINALLY JUNE OF 2019 I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT AFTER I HAD REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER PAYING FOR A NEW ALIGNMENT I WAS TOLD THAT YES THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THAT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE ISSUES …
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THE CAR HAS HAD A DISTINCT NOISE WHEN DRIVING. I COMPLAINED EVERY TIME WE WERE IN AND FINALLY JUNE OF 2019 I WAS TOLD IT WAS THE ALIGNMENT AFTER I HAD REPEATEDLY TOLD THEM IT WAS THE WHEEL BEARINGS. AFTER PAYING FOR A NEW ALIGNMENT I WAS TOLD THAT YES THE WHEEL BEARINGS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED AND THAT BECAUSE OF ALL OF THE ISSUES MY TIRES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AS WELL. I HAD THAT DONE, A MONTH LATER I WENT IN FOR AN OIL CHANGE AND THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT! I TOLD THEM IT WAS JUST DONE! THEY ASSURED ME THAT I WOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF. IF IT WAS ACTUALLY DONE, I WILL NEVER KNOW. EVEN AFTER ALL OF THIS THE CAR STARTED MAKING THE NOISE AGAIN! I DON'T HAVE TIME TO GO BACK AND FORTH. I FINALLY GOT FED UP AND WENT IN ON A SATURDAY. THE TECHNICIAN LOOKED AT THE CAR FROM THE OUTSIDE AND TOOK A 0.2 MILE TEST DRIVE WITH ME IN THE CAR AND TOLD ME THAT THE ALIGNMENT IN THE BACK IS BAD AND HAS CAUSED SEVERE CUPPING ON MY BACK TIRES. SAYING I NEED ANOTHER ALIGNMENT AND MORE NEW TIRES! I HAVE HAD THIS CAR LESS THAN 2 YEARS AND IF IT ISN'T THE ALIGNMENT, THE TIRES, THE WHEEL BEARINGS, IT'S THE SUN ROOF WHICH HAS FLOODED THE BACK OF MY CAR 3 WEEKS OF OWNING IT AND NOW HASN'T CONSTANT RECALLS. AS WELL AS RECALLS TO FIX THE RECALLS. THIS CAR IS A COMPLETE DEFINITION OF A LEMON! THE TECHNICIAN ADMITTED THE THIS MODEL HAS LOTS OF PROBLEMS. I'VE ALWAYS OWNED USED CARS THIS IS MY FIRST NEW CAR OFF THE LOT AND I HAVE NEVER HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS WITH A CAR. PLEASE HELP! *TR
NHTSA ODI #11325030
25,000 miles · Apr 11, 2020
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other
LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ, AN ERROR APPEARS SAYING THE ENGINE HAD EXCEEDED 4000RPM, WHEN IT DOES NOT. THEN THE CAR DROPS DOWN TO 10 MPH AND WILL NOT EXCEED. THE CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CAR IS 28 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES SINCE 6 MONTHS IN. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT VOLKWAGEN DEALERSHIPS FOR 3-4 WE…
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LIKE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS I HAVE READ, AN ERROR APPEARS SAYING THE ENGINE HAD EXCEEDED 4000RPM, WHEN IT DOES NOT. THEN THE CAR DROPS DOWN TO 10 MPH AND WILL NOT EXCEED. THE CAR SHAKES UNCONTROLLABLY. THE CAR IS 28 MONTHS OLD AND HAS BEEN HAVING THESE ISSUES SINCE 6 MONTHS IN. THE CAR HAS BEEN AT VOLKWAGEN DEALERSHIPS FOR 3-4 WEEKS AT A TIME 4 TIMES ALREADY FOR THE SAME ISSUES. I HAVE FILED MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS WITH VOLKSWAGEN AND THEY HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RECTIFY THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION.
NHTSA ODI #11320877
26,873 miles · Mar 24, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train
WHEN ACCELERATING, ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. ENGINE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AND WILL STAY IN THE LOW RPMS DESPITE THE PEDAL BEING FULL PUSHED IN. AFTER A FEW SECONDS(MAYBE 15-30SEC), IT WILL RAPIDLY ACCELERATE CORRESPONDING TO WHERE THE PEDAL IS. THIS CONSTANTLY HAPPENS, IT HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHI…
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WHEN ACCELERATING, ENGINE DOES NOT RESPOND ACCORDINGLY. ENGINE HESITATES TO ACCELERATE AND WILL STAY IN THE LOW RPMS DESPITE THE PEDAL BEING FULL PUSHED IN. AFTER A FEW SECONDS(MAYBE 15-30SEC), IT WILL RAPIDLY ACCELERATE CORRESPONDING TO WHERE THE PEDAL IS. THIS CONSTANTLY HAPPENS, IT HAS OCCURRED EVER SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 1 YEAR AGO. I CANNOT TELL IF IT IS AN ISSUE WITH THE ENGINE, THE TRANSMISSION, OR THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS BETWEEN THE 2. IT MAKES TRYING TO MERGE ONTO A HIGHWAY, ACCELERATE INTO ANOTHER LANE, OR TURN ONTO A STREET VERY DANGEROUS AS I CANNOT BE CERTAIN WHEN IT WILL ACCELERATE. THIS ISSUE OCCURS IN ALL MODES (ECO, NORMAL, SPORT). I HAVE TAKEN THIS TO A DEALERSHIP ONCE BUT THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG WITH IT. ADDITIONALLY, THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE SIDE PASSENGER SEATBELT SENSOR. IT KEEPS GOING OFF IF I HAVE MY PHONE CHARGING SITTING ON TOP OF IT OR IF I REST MY HAND ON THE SEAT.
NHTSA ODI #11319180
Official recalls
14Sep 11, 2026
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
Apr 6, 2022
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spoiler, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed June 3, 2022. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 66N5.
Sep 23, 2021
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Dealers will be replace the roof reinforcement, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 19, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 51H5.
Nov 20, 2020
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the front seat belts and replace them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began April 13, 2021. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BH.
Sep 25, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners and repurchase the affected vehicles. The recall began November 6, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 01D7. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
Mar 6, 2019
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the rear axle coil springs, free of charge. The recall began April 12, 2019. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42J5.
Nov 26, 2018
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."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will reprogram the instrument cluster, free of charge. The recall began December 13, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
Jul 13, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will disconnect the power supply for the panoramic sunroof LED module, free of charge, until a future service action can safely reactivate the feature. The recall began July 24, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall 60D1.
Jun 6, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the passenger frontal air bag, free of charge. The recall began July 19, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.
May 16, 2018
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Remedy: Volkswagen has notified owners, and dealers will replace the nut on the lower ball joint and, as necessary, clean the thread in the ball joint, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40N4. Note: owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair has been performed.
Apr 25, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheelbase (LWB) vehicles. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the rear shock absorbers, replacing them as necessary, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42i7.
Mar 8, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace engine support bolts, free of charge. The recall began March 26, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 10F7.
Feb 9, 2018
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017-2018 Tiguan Limited vehicles. The front driver air bag installed on these vehicles may not be intended for use in vehicles sold in the United States. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the steering wheel and front driver air bag module, free of charge. The recall began May 30, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.
Oct 18, 2017
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The back-up lights in the taillight assemblies may not be bright enough. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will replace the affected inner taillight assemblies, free of charge. The recall began December 15, 2017. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA18005 · Seat Belt Webbing Failure
Opened Jul 3, 2018 · Closed Feb 27, 2023
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts; Seat Belts:front; Seat Belts:front:webbing
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:front
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
Seat Belts:front:webbing
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
Seat Belts
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two (2) New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the Model Year (MY) 2018 Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35mph full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017, at MGA Research Corp. (MGA) in Wisconsin and December 13, 2017, at the Transportation Research Center (TRC) of Ohio.During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated at the point where the webbing loops through the Crash Locking Tongue (CLT). In both NCAP tests, the dummy injury criteria requirements, as set forth in Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) 208, were met with one exception. The chest deceleration G force requirement was exceeded in the test conducted at TRC. The FMVSS 208 injury criteria requirement for the chest deceleration is 60 Gs and it was measured at 67 Gs in the test conducted at TRC. It should be noted, FMVSS 208 does not include a requirement that the seat belt webbing remain intact during a frontal collision to comply with the standard. Compliance with the standard is based on the dummy injury criteria.Further, the Agency has conducted NCAP testing with no substantial protocol changes for over forty (40) years. This includes tests conducted prior and subsequent to the subject NCAP tests. During that time there has not been a similar failure of the seat belt webbing in any other NCAP tested vehicle manufactured by VW or another manufacturer.In November 2020, VW filed a defect notice (20V-724/69BH) that recalled seat belt systems, both driver, and front passenger, that were manufactured with webbing from the same lot as the two NCAP tested MY2018 Tiguan vehicles. VW has tested and inspected several of the returned seat belt systems and found no anomalies in either the webbing or the CLT that would substantially affect system performance in a frontal collision.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) estimates that between 2000 and 3500 frontal collisions involving MY2018 VW Tiguan vehicles have occurred in the field during the time these vehicles have been in service. This estimate is based on vehicle population and an estimated yearly rate of severe frontal collisions.A severe frontal collision is defined, in this instance, as being of sufficient severity to warrant a commanded deployment of the frontal air bags. These collisions would place a significant load on the seat belt system similar to loads experienced during the NCAP tests. To date, neither ODI nor VW is aware of any frontal collision in the field that resulted in separation of the seat belt webbing. ODI believes that had any field collisions involved separation of the seat belt webbing, the Agency would have been notified.In view of the recall being conducted by VW, and lack of field data demonstrating a system defect, ODI is closing this Engineering Analysis (EA). The closing of this investigation does not constitute a finding by NHTSA that a safety-related defect does not exist. The Agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
PE18001 · Seat Belt Webbing Failure
Opened Jan 10, 2018 · Closed Jul 3, 2018
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Seat Belts:front:webbing
In December 2017, NHTSA conducted two New Car Assessment Program (NCAP) tests on the 2018 MY Volkswagen (VW) Tiguan. Both tests were 35 mph, full frontal impacts into a rigid barrier with a 50th percentile male dummy seat-belted in the driver position and a 5th percentile female seat-belted in the right front-passenger position. The tests were conducted on December 8, 2017 at MGA Research Corp. in Wisconsin (MGA) and December 13, 2017 at the Transportation Research Center of Ohio (TRC).During both crash tests, the driver seat belt webbing completely separated in tension where it looped through the seat belt latch tongue (see attached photos). Based on its analysis of the NCAP test results, VW asserted that the test dummy umbilical cord exerted additional forces on the seat belt system causing the separation. To support this theory, VW conducted several sled tests.The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) opened a Preliminary Evaluation (PE18-001) on 01/10/2018 to evaluate the two (2) incidents of seat belt separation. ODI and NCAP reviewed the sled test data submitted by VW in support of their theory. Micro analysis, conducted by the Materials Laboratory at the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), verified the seat belts failed in tension and not due to cuts or abrasion.PE18-001 has been upgraded to an Engineering Analysis (EA18-005) to further examine seat belt behavior in the subject vehicles and to determine, among other things, a root cause for the seat belt separation. ODI will perform a thorough review of any vehicle and seat belt design changes for the new 2018 MY Tiguan platform and their effects on the performance of the seat belt system.
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