Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1300–25K
1825–50K
250–75K
375–100K
1100–150K
0150K+
154 reports with mileage · 128 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
Engine. Review the 80 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Power Train. Review the 49 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
5 crash reports3 fire reports6 injury reports
What owners actually said
282 reports
500 miles · Apr 12, 2018
Engine
THIS CAR HAS A NEW "FEATURE" CALLED AUTO START/STOP WHICH, WHEN IS ENABLED BY DEFAULT. IF NOT DISABLED, THIS FEATURE WILL TURN OFF THE CAR WHEN IT'S AT A STANDSTILL AND CONSUMING LITTLE POWER, THEN TURN BACK ON WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. MEANT AS A FUEL CONSUMPTION MECHANISM, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. A FEW TIMES NOW, I FORGOT TO DISAB…
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THIS CAR HAS A NEW "FEATURE" CALLED AUTO START/STOP WHICH, WHEN IS ENABLED BY DEFAULT. IF NOT DISABLED, THIS FEATURE WILL TURN OFF THE CAR WHEN IT'S AT A STANDSTILL AND CONSUMING LITTLE POWER, THEN TURN BACK ON WHEN YOU HIT THE GAS. MEANT AS A FUEL CONSUMPTION MECHANISM, THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS. A FEW TIMES NOW, I FORGOT TO DISABLE IT, AND WHEN PERCHED IN THE MEDIAN BETWEEN OPPOSITE LANES, I HAD TO ACCELERATE RAPIDLY AND ALMOST GOT SLAMMED INTO BECAUSE THE CAR HAD TO FIRST START, THEN ACCELERATE. I LOST 2-3 SECONDS OF REACTION/ACCELERATION TIME. WHEN TEST DRIVING THE CAR, THE SALESMAN TOLD ME IT WAS A FUEL CONSUMPTION FEATURE, THEN TURNED IT OFF FOR THE TEST DRIVE. IF I HAD SEEN THIS IN ACTION, I NEVER WOULD HAVE PURCHASED THE CAR. VW WILL NOT DISABLE IT PERMANENTLY.
NHTSA ODI #11084833
800 miles · Apr 12, 2018
EngineFuel/propulsion System
WHEN THE AUTO START/STOP FEATURE IS DISABLED BY TOGGLING THE BUTTON ON THE CENTER CONSOLE, THE CAR DRIVES VERY ROUGH, ESPECIALLY AT SLOW SPEEDS. IT FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS HAVING TROUBLE SHIFTING GEARS.
NHTSA ODI #11084832
3,500 miles · Apr 5, 2018
Structure
I AM EXPERIENCING A RATTLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE B-PILLAR. MY DEALER IS AWARE OF MY PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. THEY ARE GOING TO RESEARCH ANY TSB THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE REGARDING THE RATTLE, BEFORE THEY START DISASSEMBLING THE INTERIOR LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE. IN THE MEAN TIME, I HAVE FOUND M…
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I AM EXPERIENCING A RATTLE IN THE PASSENGER SIDE B-PILLAR. MY DEALER IS AWARE OF MY PROBLEM AND SAID THEY HAVEN'T EXPERIENCED IT BEFORE. THEY ARE GOING TO RESEARCH ANY TSB THAT MAY BE AVAILABLE REGARDING THE RATTLE, BEFORE THEY START DISASSEMBLING THE INTERIOR LOOKING FOR THE CAUSE OF THE RATTLE. IN THE MEAN TIME, I HAVE FOUND MANY ON-LINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE AND ONE OF THE RESPONSES INDICATE COMMUNICATION WITH AN OWNER AND WITH VOLKSWAGEN, BY THE NHTSA ABOUT THIS ISSUE. I'LL TRY TO ATTACH THE LINK TO THAT CONVERSATION. IF, AS STATED IN THE COMMUNICATION, A FIX HAS BEEN IDENTIFIED, PLEASE LET ME KNOW SO I CAN FORWARD IT TO MY DEALER BEFORE THEY START REMOVING MY VEHICLES INTERIOR LOOKING FOR THE PROBLEM. THANK YOU. HERE IS THE LINK I REFERENCED ABOVE. IF THE LINK DOESN'T TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO THREAD # 137, PLEASE GO TO PAGE 6 AND SCROLL DOWN TO THREAD # 137. HTTP://FORUMS.VWVORTEX.COM/SHOWTHREAD.PHP?8903433-2018-TIGUAN-ISSUES-PURCHASED-ON-9-16-B-PILLAR/PAGE6
NHTSA ODI #11083371
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2018
Fuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
THE CAR DOES NOT GET MORE THAN 316 MILES TO A FULL TANK. IT ALSO FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING YOU FORWARD WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO BE REALLY SLUGGISH. THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT ON A BUSY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DROVE IT CAME BACK AND TOLD ME I SHOULD ONLY FILL UP AT CERTAIN GAS …
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THE CAR DOES NOT GET MORE THAN 316 MILES TO A FULL TANK. IT ALSO FEELS LIKE THE TRANSMISSION IS JERKING YOU FORWARD WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO BE REALLY SLUGGISH. THIS IS ALSO DANGEROUS WHEN TRYING TO PULL OUT ON A BUSY STREET. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY DROVE IT CAME BACK AND TOLD ME I SHOULD ONLY FILL UP AT CERTAIN GAS STATIONS. THEY GAVE ME A LIST AND SAID I HAVE TO USE ONLY PREMIUM GAS I. THE CAR AND ONLY FILL UP AT THESE STATIONS IF I WANT THE EXPECTED GAS MILEAGE.
NHTSA ODI #11081936
Mileage unknown · Mar 28, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
THE SAFETY ALERT THAT STOPS YOUR CAR IN CASE OF A COLLISION STOPS MY CAR WITH NONE OR THING IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF IT. MY BACKUP CAMERA STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY WHEN DRIVING FORWARD. THE ELECTRONIC MIDDLE CONSOLE CONSTANTLY FREEZES UP AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO DO ANYTHING OR GOES COMPLETELY BLACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES I…
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THE SAFETY ALERT THAT STOPS YOUR CAR IN CASE OF A COLLISION STOPS MY CAR WITH NONE OR THING IN FRONT OR ON THE SIDE OF IT. MY BACKUP CAMERA STAYS ON CONSISTENTLY WHEN DRIVING FORWARD. THE ELECTRONIC MIDDLE CONSOLE CONSTANTLY FREEZES UP AND WON'T ALLOW ME TO DO ANYTHING OR GOES COMPLETELY BLACK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES INCLUDING THE MOST RECENT IN THIS COMPLAINT. THE ENGINE ALSO JERKS FORWARD AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TRYING TO PULL OUT ONTO A BUSY STREET. WHEN I MENTIONED THIS TO THE DEALERSHIP THEY SAID THE CAR NEED TO LEARN HOW I DRIVE. IT HAS 6600 MILES ON IT?
NHTSA ODI #11081934
100 miles · Mar 28, 2018
Structure
I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY. A WEEK LATER AN AWFUL RATTLE/TICKING NOISE BEGAN IN THE B-PILLAR WHERE IT MEETS THE ROOF LINE. THE SOUND IS VERY CONSISTENT AND LOUD. UPON DOING A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED…
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I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THE FIRST WEEK OF FEBRUARY. A WEEK LATER AN AWFUL RATTLE/TICKING NOISE BEGAN IN THE B-PILLAR WHERE IT MEETS THE ROOF LINE. THE SOUND IS VERY CONSISTENT AND LOUD. UPON DOING A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH IT APPEARS THAT THERE ARE MANY COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN THIS PARTICULAR MODEL. PEOPLE HAVE REPORTED THAT VW HAS HAD THEIR VEHICLE FOR WEEKS AND ARE COMPLETELY STRIPPED INSIDE. I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM, SENT THEM THE INFO FROM NHTSA AND VIDEOS OF THE PROBLEM. THE SHOP FOREMAN TOLD ME HE KNEW WHAT IT WAS AND IT WAS AN EASY FIX. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT. DROVE IT 70 MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP. ANOTHER TECH WORKED ON IT WITHOUT SPEAKING TO THE FOREMAN AND FOUND THAT BOTH SEAT BELT MECHANISMS WHERE OUT OF THEIR TRACK ( CONCERNING IN AND OF ITSELF). THE FIXED THAT ISSUE AND TOLD ME TO COME GET THE CAR. I ASKED THEM IF THEY SPOKE TO THE FOREMAN ABOUT WHAT HE THOUGHT IT WAS AND THEY HADN'T. I GET A CALL SAYING THEY NEED TO KEEP THE CAR. THE NEXT DAY I'M TOLD THEY ARE GOING TO START REMOVING THE SIDE PANEL AND HEADLINER. DURING THAT TIME I CALLED VW CUSTOMER CARE AND I WAS TOLD THERE ARE NO KNOWN ISSUES--BUT THEY HAVE ACTUALLY BOUGHT BACK PEOPLE'S CARS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE. I PICKED UP MY CAR 5 DAYS LATER BECAUSE I DID NOT WANT IT TORN APART AND USED AS A GUINEA PIG AND I NEEDED A CAR AND CAN'T LET IT SIT TORN APART FOR MONTHS. THEY ARE TELLING ME THE ONLY WAY TO FIGURE IT OUT IS TO BRING IT BACK AND RESTART THE PROCESS, BUT IT'S CLEAR FROM REPORTS ON HERE AND OTHER SOURCES THAT THEY KNOW ABOUT THE ISSUE AND HAVE DEEMED CARS INOPERABLE FOR THIS ISSUE.
NHTSA ODI #11081919
6,000 miles · Mar 20, 2018
SteeringUnknown Or Other
SEL PREMIUM TRIM LANE ASSIST MALFUNCTION - SYSTEM WILL INACCURATELY DETECT LANE LINES AND ATTEMPT TO ADJUST THE VEHICLE TO THE CENTER OF THE LANE, EVEN WHEN IT ALREADY IS CENTERED IN THE LANE, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE PULLING INTO THE ADJACENT LANE. HAS NEARLY PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO ADJACENT LANE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE PRESENT…
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SEL PREMIUM TRIM LANE ASSIST MALFUNCTION - SYSTEM WILL INACCURATELY DETECT LANE LINES AND ATTEMPT TO ADJUST THE VEHICLE TO THE CENTER OF THE LANE, EVEN WHEN IT ALREADY IS CENTERED IN THE LANE, RESULTING IN THE VEHICLE PULLING INTO THE ADJACENT LANE. HAS NEARLY PULLED THE VEHICLE INTO ADJACENT LANE WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE PRESENT IN THE LANE RESULTING IN NEAR COLLISIONS ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. SYSTEM WILL ALSO REGISTER AS THE VEHICLE SOMEHOW DEPARTING INTO THE LANES ON BOTH SIDES OF VEHICLE AT THE SAME TIME, AND WILL ESSENTIALLY LOCK THE STEERING WHEEL IN PLACE. SEE INCLUDED PHOTO EVIDENCE - BOTH LINES ON THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE ARE SOLID WHITE INDICATING THAT THE DEPARTURE MITIGATION IS ACTIVATED, AND THE GREEN "LANE" ICON INDICATES THAT THE LANE DEPARTURE SYSTEM IS CURRENTLY ACTIVATED. DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT RESPONSE: ""NPF UNABLE TO REPRODUCE CUSTOMERS CONCERN".
NHTSA ODI #11080327
30 miles · Mar 17, 2018
Seat BeltsStructureUnknown Or Other
WE BOUGHT A VW TIGUAN 4 MOTION SEL 2018 WITH PANORAMIC SUNROOF, ON JAN 20,2018. FROM THE SAME NIGHT WE TOOK THE CAR OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP WE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE B PILLAR CONSTANTLY. STARTING FROM JAN 26, 2018 THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE VW SERVICE STATION TWICE ALREADY (STILL THERE), IN TOTAL OF OVER 3 WEEKS. I HEARD FROM …
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WE BOUGHT A VW TIGUAN 4 MOTION SEL 2018 WITH PANORAMIC SUNROOF, ON JAN 20,2018. FROM THE SAME NIGHT WE TOOK THE CAR OUT OF THE DEALERSHIP WE HEARD A RATTLING NOISE IN THE B PILLAR CONSTANTLY. STARTING FROM JAN 26, 2018 THE CAR HAS BEEN TO THE VW SERVICE STATION TWICE ALREADY (STILL THERE), IN TOTAL OF OVER 3 WEEKS. I HEARD FROM THE SERVICE TEAM THERE WERE THREE OTHER VW CARS WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SO THE QA TEAM CAME DOWN TO SERVICE STATION TO LOOK AT ALL CASES. QA TEAM CHECKED IT MULTIPLE TIMES. REMEDIES I HEARD FROM THEM INVOLVED "TRIMMING" AND ORDERING NEW PARTS. NOTHING IS FIXED AND THE WORDS I AM HEARING FROM SERVICE IS THAT THERE IS NO HOPE TO EVER GET FIXED. CONTACTED VW CUSTOMER SERVICE DIRECTLY TODAY, THEY HAD NO RECORD OF THESE ISSUES FOR MY CAR. SO DISAPPOINTING THAT OVER 6 WEEKS OF OUR TIME IS WASTED WITH AN ISSUE THAT SEEMS TO EXIST IN 2018 MODELS SINCE LAST YEAR, AND NO TRANSPARENCY. I BELIEVE THE ISSUE IS STRUCTURAL PROBLEM WHEN CAR IS IN NORMAL CONDITION MOVING AND ADDITIONAL CONCERN IS THE NOISE COMING FROM LOCATION OF SIDE AIRBAGS, I HAVE A BIG CONCERN OVER THE VW SAFETY AND OPERATION OF THE AIRBAGS IN THIS SITUATION, WHEN VW CAN NOT EVEN ADDRESS THE PROBLEM WITH THE NOISE.
NHTSA ODI #11079994
Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2018
Seat BeltsStructure
I PURCHASED A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN SEL ON SATURDAY, 02/10/2018. TWO DAYS LATER ON 02/12/18 ON MY COMMUTE TO WORK I BEGAN HEARING A "POPPING" NOISE FROM THE B-PILARS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE PILARS. AS IF THOUGH SOMETHING WAS LOOSE INSIDE THERE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER TH…
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I PURCHASED A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN SEL ON SATURDAY, 02/10/2018. TWO DAYS LATER ON 02/12/18 ON MY COMMUTE TO WORK I BEGAN HEARING A "POPPING" NOISE FROM THE B-PILARS ON BOTH THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S SIDE PILARS. AS IF THOUGH SOMETHING WAS LOOSE INSIDE THERE. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER THE FOLLOWING SATURDAY, 02/17/2018 AND WHEN I WENT IN FOR THE APPOINTMENT THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE INFORMED ME THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE UNTIL THE FOLLOWING MONDAY. I ASKED HIM IF THEY COULD PROVIDE ME WITH A LOANER SO THAT I COULD LEAVE MY CAR THERE AND HE INFORMED ME THAT HE COULD NOT MAKE THAT DECISION. I LOOKED FOR MY SALES AGENT AND HE WAS ABLE TO PROVIDE ME A LOANER (2018 TIGUAN SE). I RECEIVED A CALL FROM THE SERVICE REP ON WEDNESDAY, 02/21/18 TELLING ME THAT MY VEHICLE WAS READY FOR PICK UP. I WENT TO PICK IT UP AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY HAD CHANGED OUT A DEFECTIVE SEAT BELT HEIGHT ADJUSTER ON DRIVER SIDE. I TOOK THE CAR FOR A RIDE AND IT STILL MADE THE NOISE. SO I DID NOT ACCEPT IT. THEY LOANED ME A DIFFERENT CAR (2018 PASSAT R) AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD WORK ON MY VEHICLE. THEY CALLED ME AGAIN ON SATURDAY, 02/24/18 TO TELL ME MY CAR WAS READY. WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER ON MONDAY, 02/26/18 (I WAS OUT OF TOWN ON SATURDAY), THEY TOLD ME THEY HAD CHANGED THE SEAT BELT SEAT ADJUSTER FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE TOO. I TOOK IT FOR A RIDE AND THE NOISE WAS STILL THERE ON BOTH SIDES. AGAIN, I DID NOT TAKE POSSESSION OF MY CAR. THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD HAVE TO DISMANTLE THE HEADLINER TO GET A BETTER GRASP OF THE PROBLEM. I WAS CALLED AGAIN ON FRIDAY, 03/02/18 TO INFORM ME THAT THEY WERE GOING TO HAVE TO BRING A SPECIALIST FROM VW (IN APPROXIMATELY 2 WEEKS FROM 03/02/18) TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM BEFORE TAKING MORE INVASIVE ACTIONS. THEY LOANED ME A THIRD CAR (2018 VW TIGUAN SEL) AND NO CONCRETE ANSWER ON MY VEHICLE.
NHTSA ODI #11076186
750 miles · Feb 21, 2018
Structure
ANNOYING RATTLE PILLAR-B DRIVER SIDE ONLY WHILE IN MOTION. RATTLE SEEMS RELATED TO FRAME ISSUE AND TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT (IT IS LOUDER WHEN TEMPS LOW 30S). ISSUE WIDESPREAD REPORTED ON THE WEB. REPORTS ALREADY OF 3-4 TIGUANS THAT VW HAS OFFERED FULL REPLACEMENT WITH NEW VEHICLES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF MY FA…
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ANNOYING RATTLE PILLAR-B DRIVER SIDE ONLY WHILE IN MOTION. RATTLE SEEMS RELATED TO FRAME ISSUE AND TEMPERATURE-DEPENDENT (IT IS LOUDER WHEN TEMPS LOW 30S). ISSUE WIDESPREAD REPORTED ON THE WEB. REPORTS ALREADY OF 3-4 TIGUANS THAT VW HAS OFFERED FULL REPLACEMENT WITH NEW VEHICLES DUE TO THIS ISSUE. CONCERNED ABOUT SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IF STRUCTURAL DEFECT. CAR IS BRAND NEW RATTLE STARTED AT 750 MILES.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ↗
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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