2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls & complaints

1. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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…

What to do

1. Do not drive this vehicle until the recall repair is done. The manufacturer has told owners to park it.
2. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
3. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V324000 (manufacturer code 40N4).
4. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
5. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
6. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

2. Seat belts

What's wrong, in plain English: Seat belts may not hold you in a crash. In the event of a crash, one or both of the front seat belt's webbing may tear.

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 20V724000 (manufacturer code 69BH).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

3. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. During the repair of roof damage, an incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 21V732000 (manufacturer code 51H5).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

4. Unknown Or Other

What's wrong, in plain English: A vehicle part that may fail. 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.

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V679000 (manufacturer code 01D7).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

5. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. A lower loop of a rear shock absorber may separate from its base due to an incorrect welding process

What could happen: If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V262000 (manufacturer code 42i7).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

6. Visibility (wipers / glass)

What's wrong, in plain English: You may not be able to see the road clearly. The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.

What could happen: A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.

The fix: 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…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V467000.
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

7. Electrical system

What's wrong, in plain English: Wiring, modules, batteries. Short circuits can cause stalls or fires. 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 (F…

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V824000 (manufacturer code 90L3 and 90L4).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

8. Suspension

What's wrong, in plain English: Parts can break and cause loss of control. The rear coil springs may prematurely fracture.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 19V188000 (manufacturer code 42J5).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

9. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. 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."

What could happen: In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V102000 (manufacturer code 69V2).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

10. Engine

What's wrong, in plain English: Engine problems range from stalling to fire. The engine support bolts on these vehicles may not have been properly tightened.

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V159000 (manufacturer code 10F7).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

11. Lights

What's wrong, in plain English: Headlights, tail lights or turn signals may not work, making the car hard to see. 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."

What could happen: 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.

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 17V662000 (manufacturer code 94J9).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

12. Body / structure

What's wrong, in plain English: Body panels, frame, doors, hood, trunk or latches. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 22V226000 (manufacturer code 66N5).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

13. Steering

What's wrong, in plain English: If steering fails you can lose control of the car. 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.

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

The fix: 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) involv…

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 26V590000 (manufacturer code 48LG and 48VT).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

14. Airbags

What's wrong, in plain English: The airbag system — the part that is supposed to protect you in a crash. In the event of a crash, the passenger frontal air bag may tear or not properly unfold during deployment.

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

The fix: 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.

What to do

1. Check whether your car is affected: enter your 17-digit VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. A recall covers specific VINs, not every 2018 TIGUAN.
2. Book a repair at any authorized Volkswagen dealer. Quote NHTSA campaign 18V375000 (manufacturer code 69W8, and 69W9).
3. The repair is free. By US law, safety recall repairs cost the owner nothing, no matter the car's age or mileage.
4. Manufacturer hotline: 1-800-893-5298.
5. Buying this car used? Ask the seller for proof the recall was completed, or run the VIN yourself before paying.

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA

Most complained-about parts: Engine (82), Unknown Or Other (52), Transmission / drivetrain (49), Electrical system (46), Fuel system (41).

Complaints are unverified reports from owners. A pattern (many complaints about the same part) matters more than any single one.