2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

3 recalls, 214 complaints - 1,352 TSBs

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Defect Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2012-2016 Eos, 2012 Passat, 2012-2016 CC, 2015-2016 e-Golf, 2011-2015 Touareg, 2012-2015 and 2017 Tiguan, and 2011-2016 Golf and 2011-2013 GTI vehicles. Modifications made while the vehicles were in an internal evaluation period ma... Read more

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 dealers will repair the vehicles to make them fully compliant or Volkswagen will repurchase them if necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 29, 2018. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298.

252 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

Defect Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2010-2014 Volkswagen CC, and Passat, 2010-2013 Eos, 2011-2014 Golf, GTI, Jetta, and Tiguan, and 2012-2014 Jetta Sportwagen vehicles. In the affected vehicles, debris may contaminate the air bag clock spring, a spiral wou... Read more

Consequence

A loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag will prevent the air bag from deploying in the event of a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of injury.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install a protective cover over the steering wheel clock spring if the air bag light is off. If the airbag light is on and the steering wheel clock spring requires replacement, dealers will install a new steering wheel clock spring. These repairs wil... Read more

415,825 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Defect Description

Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain model year 2009-2014 Tiguan vehicles manufactured July 2007 to June 2014. When using winterized fuel, in certain conditions bubbles may form in the fuel system which could result in the vehicle stalling.

Consequence

A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.

Remedy

Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle's software to increase the fuel pump pressure, free of charge. The recall is expected to begin August 19, 2014. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 24AV/2W.

151,389 vehicles affected

Manufacturer: Volkswagen of America, Inc.

Complaint Statistics

214 total complaints 13 crashes 8 injuries

Top Reported Components

Component	Complaints
ENGINE	50
AIR BAGS	25
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	22
UNKNOWN OR OTHER	20
STEERING	17
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM	13
POWER TRAIN	11
SERVICE BRAKES	10
SEAT BELTS	7
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)	4

Incident date: Oct 6, 2025

Vehicle acts like it’s going to die. No maintenance lights well maintained. Rattle noise and acts like it’s misfiring. Went to turn at traffic light and almost got into a wreck due to no horse power. This has been happening since less than 40,000 miles but car dealership keeps saying “nothing ... Read more

Incident date: Aug 27, 2025

Reverse camera turns off while reversing if a phone is plugged in for android auto

Incident date: Jan 25, 2024

2023 Jeep Wagoneer Series III 4x4 ~34,582 miles. Service dates: Aug 18–20, 2025. Work included a 4-wheel rotation on Aug 19. Vehicle is equipped with aftermarket Fuel Off Road D679 REBEL wheels that use spacers, sold with the pre-owned vehicle by a licensed dealer. What failed: After the rotatio... Read more

Incident date: Aug 1, 2024

My vehicle has a persistent shift to park issue. My vehicle cannot be safely turned off. My vehicle needs to be restarted multiple times and the gearshift moved to the park position for the chance that it will register being in the parked position so the vehicle can be safely turned off.

Incident date: Mar 13, 2025

Our stop/start feature consistently causes the car to stall instead of restarting the engine. This leaves us stranded in or at intersections while waiting for the car to respond to pressing the park and restart buttons. This regularly takes enough time we have narrowly avoided being hit multiple tim... Read more

Incident date: Dec 23, 2024

Door warning

Incident date: Jul 30, 2024

My car was purchased used with 79k miles and the longer the car is running, the stiffer the steering wheel becomes. Any small moments are stiff and make the car jerk to much and it causes me to have to fight to keep the car in a straight line while driving. Lane keeping assistance is also driving wa... Read more

Incident date: Jul 22, 2024

NHTSA Recall Number 23V-858: I have contacted my local Honda dealer multiple times to fix vehicle per the recall and have been told that Honda has provided no parts to fix the vehicle, even after my vehicle began experiencing problems. Recently, while operating my vehicle, it hesitated (i.e. almos... Read more

Crash 1 injured

Incident date: Oct 10, 2022

The contact owns a 2013 Ford F-150. The contact stated that while her husband was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle failed to shift out of 1st gear. The contact stated that the vehicle was stuck in 3rd gear. The wrench warning light and air bag warning light was illuminated. The contact ... Read more

Incident date: Oct 10, 2022

The component or system that is failing or malfunction is the ABS Hydraulic Control Unit (HCU) and ABS module. The malfunction is turning off my ABS and TCS system, making the vehicle unsafe to drive. Also the ABS and TCS dash lights are constantly dinging and going off and on distracting me while ... Read more

Incident date: Oct 10, 2022

Incident date: Sep 18, 2023

The contact owns a 2014 Ram 1500. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V406000 (Fuel System, Diesel) and 23V411000 (Engine and Engine Cooling) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and determined that the parts were n... Read more

Incident date: Sep 18, 2023

The headlight pattern of the low beam lights has a large dark area at the 10 to 11 O'clock position that appears in the oncoming traffic lane when driving at night. This dark area is very distracting while driving at night. The area is approximately 1 to 2 meters in diameter when seen on the driving... Read more

Incident date: Sep 18, 2023

We were driving our 2016 Ram in July 20, 2023 to Yakima, WA which is 200 miles away from our home. About 50 miles north of town, our check engine light came on and our power was reduced to a minimal speed. We cautiously drove to the next rest area and turned the engine off. We waited about 30 minute... Read more

Incident date: Sep 15, 2022

My BMW is signaling “Secure vehicle against rolling” notification when put in reverse. The Mechanics are saying that BMWS e springs are defected. Very dangerous for me and my children.

Incident date: Jun 28, 2022

RAB disabled, eye sight disabled, I drive disabled, check engine light came on. Car drives like it's is in sport mode with very touchy throttle. Pulled a code and it's the TCV. It's a known issue by Subaru with a part that has since been revamped but with thousands of vehicles on the road affected.... Read more

Incident date: Apr 1, 2023

There is a strong fuel odor after a gas tank fill up, and is noticable after the vehicle is parked in the garage. I have experienced this fuel odor over the past 18 months.

Incident date: Apr 1, 2023

The check engine light came on so I checked the code and it indicated a misfire in cylinder 2. I was headed to the shop for a tuneup when the temperature gage shot up to hot and the engine lost power. It's pouring white smoke from the exhaust and is not drivable. The coolant was completely gone but ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 1, 2023

Water seeps into brake lightbar in tailgate and shorts the light. The light bar now does light at all during braking or normal operation. This seems to be a known issue amongst forum contributors, some which have had 3+ light bars replaced. Seems to be an awful design choice but it’s affecting the... Read more

Incident date: Apr 10, 2023

Twice upon driving tonight, I pressed the pedal to accelerate when the light turned green, and the driver seat unlocked and pulled me backwards. If I wasn't holding on to the steering wheel I would have lost control of the car and been involved in an accident. I was able to press the break with the ... Read more

Incident date: Apr 10, 2023

I am sending this msg in regards to my 2013 Toyota Camry SE that I leased and decided to purchase after the lease ended from Toyota Heritage in Catonsville. I am experiencing problems with my torque converter. This is an issue that Toyota knew that would happen to my car and now that I am experienci... Read more

Incident date: Apr 10, 2023

I started to experience hesitation in the cars power and shifting “gears” in the cvt, it started to feel very rough and the rpm would jump up and down. The owner of the dealership tried to tell me it was normal. I knew something was wrong. I left the dealership and not even kidding… 20 minutes... Read more

Incident date: Mar 11, 2023

The contact owns a 2015 Jeep Cherokee. The contact stated while driving approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle jolted and shook abnormally. The contact stated that the vehicle did not lose forward momentum, and that there were no warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that jolt felt like the tran... Read more

Incident date: Nov 1, 2022

The front headlight does not work on one side but the high beam and running lights still work on both sides. Might be an issue with the ballast or electrical system. A few days later my car would not start in the morning. The engine would crank but never start. There were no warning lights or signs ... Read more

Incident date: May 5, 2022

Ignition Coil failed while on highway. Car hesitated , shook, and and slowed down. Created dangerous situation where we had to merge across to get off highway.

Incident date: Apr 26, 2022

Pulling out of parking space with steering wheel turned to the left. Heard and felt a "click/grind" in steering wheel and airbag error light illuminated on dash.Front driver airbag error, airbag will not deploy in the event of a collision. Horn does not work. Steering wheel controls do not work. ... Read more

Incident date: Mar 25, 2022

Bought vehicle used--had apparently been taken in at some point prior to our purchase for clock spring recall. Clock spring has failed and cannot find replacement part at any US-based source. Driver's airbag now deactivated.

Incident date: Dec 31, 2021

At 77k miles the engine's timing chain jumped a tooth or two at startup. This seems to have destroyed the engine. Prior to that: no problems. My DTC scanner said the cam timing was off. VW wanted $25k to fix it after having it towed in. It sounded like rocks in a coffee can. It had just come fr... Read more

Incident date: Dec 3, 2021

unexpectedly power steering stop working, second it happened

Incident date: Jun 1, 2021

Our daughter's veh. has mold in the rt front & rt rear seat flooring. The inside of the windshield has water to the point that it is very hard to see out of it at night and the pano. glass roof also has water inside of the suv as well. We have taken the veh. to (2) glass shops & a body shop & they... Read more

Incident date: May 6, 2021

Power steering malfunction, it’s a serious safety concern reason why being there is no indication or warning of steering problem. Before The steering stop working. Went online to see if there is a recall and there was none. Seen a lot of report on the same situation.

Incident date: Feb 13, 2021

AFTER I TURN THE CAR OFF, THE FUEL HOSE CONNECTED TO THE HIGH PRESSURE FUEL PUMPS DOESN'T POPS OFF AND GASOLINE LEAKS ALL OVER MY ENGINE. THIS STARTED HAPPENS REPEATEDLY NOW. WHEN I GET INTO MY CAR, IT IS FILLED WITH THE SMELL OF THE GASOLINE THAT IS LEAKING BECAUSE THE HOSE DOESN'T STAY ON THE ... Read more

Incident date: Nov 30, 2020

WATER IS LEAKING FROM THE SUNROOM ON THE PASSENGER FRONT SIDE WHEN IT RAINS. I AM CONCERNED BECAUSE IT IS SOAKING THE AREA AROUND THE ELECTRONICS, AND HAS FLOODED THE FOOTWELLS OF THE FRONT AND REAR PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, NOW THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE HVAC SYSTEM IS NOT FUNCTIONING ... Read more

Incident date: Oct 15, 2020

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE POWER STEERING FAILED TO OPERATE AS NEEDED. THE ELECTRONIC POWER STEERING SYMBOL APPEARED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON SEVERAL DIFFE... Read more

Incident date: Jul 1, 2020

FAULTY AND FAILING DRAINS IN ALL 4 CORNERS OF PANORAMIC SUN ROOF HAVE CAUSED EXTENSIVE WATER DAMAGE ON PILLARS, HEADLINER, CARPET, PAD AND SEATS IN FRONT AND BACK SEAT, PASSENGER AND DRIVER SIDE OF CAR. MOISTURE INSIDE OF CABIN CREATES FOGGED WINDSHIELD AND UNKNOWN POTENTIAL ELECTRICAL DAMAGE.

Incident date: Jul 22, 2020

WE ALREADY HAD A PRIOR COMPLAINT IN ABOUT THE MANUFACTURERS DEFECT OF THE DRAINAGE SYSTEM IN THIS VEHICLE ODI# 412775589 REF# 238025. WE SAID IT WAS AFFECTING THE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS IN THE CAR. TODAY WE HAD TO REPLACE THE IGNITION STARTER BUTTON DUE TO THE CONDENSATION. WE HAVE ALSO CONTACTED VOL... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2020

I'VE ONLY OWNED THE VW TIGUAN 2012 FOR 6 MONTHS, JANUARY 2020 AND THE VEHICLE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, ALL POWER LOST AND HAS TO BE RESTARTED. THIS HAS HAPPENED MORE THAN 8 TIMES IN THE PAST 6 MONTHS, 2 TIMES IN THE PAST WEEK, IT SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AND YESTERDAY JULY 20,2020 WHILE DRIVIN... Read more

Incident date: Jul 20, 2020

Incident date: Oct 1, 2019

GRADUAL COOLANT LEAK WITH DEALERSHIP KNOWLEDGE UPON SALE OF THE CAR (44,000 MILES). REFILL OVERFLOW EVERY 8 TO 10 MONTHS. LEAK UNKNOWN. HAD TO INCREASE REFILLING GRADUALLY OVER TIME, THOUGHT IT WAS DUE TO USE FROM WORK IN 2016. INCREASED TO ONCE EVERY FEW MONTHS 2017. FILL EVERY WEEK OR TWO FROM 201... Read more

Crash

Incident date: May 7, 2020

THE VEHICLE CHECKS ENGINE AND OIL LIGHT OFTEN APPEAR IN THE PANEL, EVEN AFTER CHANGE THE OIL AND THE CAR SHOW NO LEAKING. THE OIL WAS CHANGED ALWAYS BY VW, WHO NEVER DETECTED ANY PROBLEM, EVEN WHEN THE PAPER THEY GAVE TO US SAYS, 'OUR TECHNICIAN HAS INSPECTED YOUR VEHICLE'. WE LEFT THE CAR IN VW... Read more

Incident date: May 1, 2020

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS FAULT: ABS/STABILIZATION CONTROL. TIRE PRESSURE ERROR AND AIRBAG ERROR WHEN DRIVING AND CAR BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. *TR

Incident date: May 1, 2020

THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYS FAULT: ABS/STABILIZATION CONTROL. TIRE PRESSURE ERROR AND AIRBAG ERROR WHEN DRIVING AND CAR BEGIN TO SLOW DOWN WHILE I WAS DRIVING DOWN A CITY HIGHWAY AT 60 MPH. *TR

Incident date: Apr 15, 2020

MY AIRBAG LIGHTS ARE ON. BOTH ON THE DASHBOARD AND ON THE SCREEN. IT SAYS AIRBAGS: ERROR. *TR

Incident date: Apr 15, 2020

I WOKE UP AND THERE WAS WATER ON THE ON THE RIGHT PASSENGERS' SIDE FLOOR. YET IT HASN'T RAINED IN ALMOST A MONTH. I DON'T KNOW HOW IT WAS THERE BUT MADE THE DISCOVERY AFTER CARRYING A PASSENGER AT THE FRONT AND BACK SEAT.

Incident date: Apr 16, 2020

MY CAR ONLY HAS 50K MILES ON IT. THE COOLANT LIGHT COMES ON EVERY MONTH OR SO. WHEN I CHECK THE COOLANT THE LEVER IS SEVERELY LOW. THERE MUST BE A PROBLEM WITH A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE VW TIGUAN WHY THIS IS HAPPENING. CAN SOMEONE EXPLAIN THE ISSUE HERE? THANKS. *TR

Incident date: Apr 16, 2020

Incident date: Nov 1, 2019

I HAVE VW TIGUAN, 2012 MANUAL TRANSMISSION. IT APPEARS THAT WHEN THE CAR IS COLD, ESPECIALLY DURING COLD WEATHER, THE ACCELERATION OF THE CAR IS INCONSISTENT. TOOK TO DEALER TO TAKE A LOOK BUT THEY DIDN'T FIND ANYTHING. THE ISSUE APPEARS TO AFFECT MULTIPLE OWNERS AND MULTIPLE TIGUAN MODELS, AS SEEN ... Read more

Incident date: Nov 10, 2018

THE WATER PUMP HAS BEEN CRACKED, LEAKING THE COOLANT. THE CAR ENGINE WAS OVERHEATED BUT DIDN'T LEAD TO ACCIDENTS IN MY CASE. VW GROUP IS PRODUCING THE WATER PUMP OUT OF PLASTIC, WHICH EVENTUALLY CRACKS FOR MANY OF VW AND AUDI CAR OWNERS, AND COULD LEAD TO THE ROAD ACCIDENT INDIRECTLY.

Incident date: Oct 1, 2019

AFTER RAIN DRIVERS SIDE FRONT & REAR CARPET IS SOAKED

Showing 50 of 214 complaints.

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

2012 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD

Category	Rating
Rollover	4 / 5 ★★★★☆
Rollover Risk	17.4%

Safety Technology

Feature	Status
Electronic Stability Control	Standard
Forward Collision Warning	No
Lane Departure Warning	No

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings Program. Ratings are based on crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

EPA Fuel Economy, 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Trim / Engine	City MPG	Highway MPG	Combined MPG	Fuel Type	Annual Fuel Cost
2.0L 4-cyl, Automatic (S6) (Front-Wheel Drive)	22.0	26.0	24.0	Premium	$3,150
2.0L 4-cyl, Manual 6-spd (Front-Wheel Drive)	18.0	26.0	21.0	Premium	$3,600

CO2 Emissions: -1.0 g/mile (Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD)

Source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Actual fuel economy may vary based on driving conditions.

Technical Service Bulletins, 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

1,352 manufacturer communications from 724 unique bulletins. TSBs describe known problems and recommended fixes from the manufacturer.

Most Affected Components

Component	Bulletins
355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL	157
110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM	128
350000 EQUIPMENT	123
060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING	108
060000 ENGINE (PWS)	75
100000 POWER TRAIN	57
070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE	45
010000 STEERING	37

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VW Engine oil quality standards

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

VW Engine oil quality standards

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

VW Engine oil quality standards

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VW Engine oil quality standards

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Airbag / Pyrotechnic Safety Belt Deployment Inquiries, update to contact information due to retirement.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VW Engine oil quality standards

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

VW Engine oil quality standards

138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Reporting procedure for A/C compressor replacement regardless of the reason for failure. Update to model year applicability and new warranty GFF labor operation number

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

VW Engine oil quality standards

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VW Engine oil quality standards

353000 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL

Battery Testing and Charging Using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS Charger. Update Tool terminology

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Safety Related Inquiry and Reporting

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update to Volkswagen engine oil standards

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Helpline & Parts Dept. contact information.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Diagnostic assistance for excessive static current draw

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery Testing and Charging using Midtronics VAS6161 and or GRX3000 Vas Charger

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

Software Version Management (SVM) instruction.

103000 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

Automatic Transmission Fluid Requirements

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Engine Oil Consumption Measurement Instruction and Work sheet.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Volkswagen Engine Oil Standards, updated to include model year 2024.

102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Noise Diagnostic for Manual Transmission vehicles.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Diagnostic Aid for engine misfire.

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Gasoline fuel additive

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Gasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Gasoline quality information in regards to gasoline engine performance.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

This communication is a notice for software changes with the ODIS program for specific cars

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Volkswagen Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

062000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Introduce new engine coolant compatible with all models and all model years.

010000 STEERING

This Document was revised. The model year chat was removed for VWP-18-11 for the Steering Wheel Clock Spring Limited Warranty Extension

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine oil quality standards, update to attachments.

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Volkswagen Engine Oil Quality Standards

112000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR

Generator Replacement

160000 STRUCTURE

Strut or Shock leak assessment.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

This Document informs dealers on VWP-23-01

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).

140000 AIR BAGS

VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.

150000 SEAT BELTS

VW contact when reporting a Airbag or Pyrotechnic safety belt deployment. Update to model year applicability.

353400 EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC.

Radio knob replacement instead of radio replacement w/ knob part number.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update model year applicability to include 2023.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery testing and charging using special tools VAS6161 & GRX3000VAS Charger. Updated to include additional model year applicability.

263000 FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

ACC Calibration Process

138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

A/C requirements, update to model year applicability.

357100 EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER

A/C requirements, update to model year applicability.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments (excludes Routan & ID.4).

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil ) excluding Routan & ID.4attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update warranty table labor operation numbers due to recent Saga updates.

160000 STRUCTURE

update to required vehicle wash shampoo.

061500 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:OIL/LUBRICATION

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)

102000 POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION

Manual transmission noise diagnostic assistance

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

Update warranty table labor operation numbers due to recent Saga updates.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Minimum battery charger requirements during software updates

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)

350000 EQUIPMENT

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine oil consumption measurement.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine Oil Quality Standards updated to include model year 2023 and the latest Engine Oil attachments. (excludes Routan & ID.4)

061100 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE

Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Gasoline quality check. Update to model and model year applicability.

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Software Version Management (SVM) instruction. Update to require 70amp minimum battery charger during procedure.

119111 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY:MANAGEMENT SYSTEM/ENERGY CONTROL MODULE (BMS/BECM):SOFTWARE

Software Version Management (SVM) instruction. Update to require 70amp minimum battery charger during procedure.

350000 EQUIPMENT

This special notice is to inform dealers to return the parts listed if it meets the criteria provided.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine misfire diagnostic aid.

070000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

Gasoline quality.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VW engine oil specifications. Update to model year applicability.

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VW engine oil specifications. Update to model year applicability.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Recommended fuel additive to avoid engine misfires.

100000 POWER TRAIN

Auto Trans fluid requirements.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Refrigerant leak diagnosis using Nitrogen. Updated to include ID.4

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Battery Testing and Charging using VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS

119100 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:PROPULSION SYSTEM:TRACTION BATTERY

Battery Testing and Charging using VAS6161 and or GRX3000VAS

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Refrigerant leak diagnosis using Nitrogen. Updated to include additional model and model year applicability.

355200 EQUIPMENT:OTHER:OWNERS/SERVICE/OTHER MANUAL

VW engine oil specifications. Update to attachments.

980000 UNKNOWN OR OTHER

VW engine oil specifications. Update to attachments.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine oil pressure priming.

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

Engine oil pressure priming.

138000 VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER/HVAC SYSTEM

Cleaning of Heating and Ventilation system, Updated to include additional model year applicability and cost of cleaning solution in warranty table.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery Testing and Charging using recommended VW test equipment.

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery Tester VAS 6161 introduction.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine and/or transmission control module software designed and certified for similar models/model years was used in vehicles affected by this emissions service action. It is undetermined whether there could be an impact to OBD or CO2 emiss

120000 EXTERIOR LIGHTING

Exterior Lights, Moisture Accumulation. Update model year applicability to include 2022.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Engine oil consumption measurement. Update procedure and work sheet.

111000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:12V/24V/48V BATTERY

Discharged Battery, Diagnosis for excessive current draw.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update model and model year applicability, introduce new coolant G12Evo.

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

350000 EQUIPMENT

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

060000 ENGINE (PWS)

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

118000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:SOFTWARE

This bulletin contains general instructions for software updates.

060000 ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

Update engine oil quality standard lists (attachments)

110000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Battery testing using VW special tools, updated to include additional model year applicability and include I.D.4.

Showing 100 of 1,352 bulletins.

NHTSA Safety Investigations, VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Investigations opened by NHTSA into potential safety defects. These are separate from recalls and may or may not result in a recall.

EA, Closed , Model Year: 2018

Seat Belt Webbing Failure

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.Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2018

Seat Belt Webbing Failure

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 r... Read more

PE, Closed , Model Year: 2009

Partial Loss of Exterior Lights

Volkswagen Group of America (VW) is conducting a safety recall of approximately 62,155 model year (MY) 2009-2011 Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles to address a partial loss of the exterior lighting (see NHTSA recall 13V-569 for more information).These vehicles' exterior lighting system is protected by two ... separate fuses contained in a fuse box located in the engine compartment.According to VW, high thermal cycling and soft-coated fuse coating material used at the F16 (also referred to as SB16) location causes movement between the fuse blade and socket, resulting in abrasions on the fuse coating material.This increases resistance and results in overheating of the fuse and disruption of electrical current flow to roughly half of the vehicle's exterior lighting circuits. Examples include loss of one of each of the following: low beam headlight, high beam headlight, brake light, and turn signal light involving the front and rear of the vehicle.VW has stated that the subject F16 fuse in the Tiguan model was used in several other Volkswagen models.According to VW, the temperature of the vehicle's engine and the fuse box varies by vehicle model.ODI found that the complaint and warranty rates for the MY 2009-2010 Tiguan are more than four times greater than that of MY 2009-2010 Volkswagen Jetta sedans.ODI is aware of VW's plan to take a service action of some, but not all, of the other vehicle models.The action will cover MY 2009-2010 Jetta sedan and MY 2009 GTI vehicles.ODI will monitor complaints to NHTSA on all other Volkswagen models equipped with the same subject fuse and take further action if warranted.The ODI reports cited above can be reviewed online at http://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/owners/SearchNHTSAID under the following identification numbers: 10362206, 10471503, 10490408, 10501271, 10504495, 10508638, 10512642, 10520573, 10521147, 10522909, 10523748, 10526032, 10534679, 10538004, 10538410, 10543629, 10544805, 10545540, 10547334, 10547530, 10547775, 10549584, 10550140, 10550903, 10551486, 10551503, 10551538, 10551776, 10551816, 10551848, 10551853, 10552153, 10552322, 10552740, 10552811, 10552866, 10553122, 10553299, 10554352, 10554441, 10554443, 10554730, 10554890, 10555047, 10555080, 10555527, 10555540, 10555988, 10556475, 10558014, 10559441, 10559447, 10561642, 10562693.Read more

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN - All Years Overview

Complete safety history for the VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN across all model years (2009, 2025).

63 Total Recalls

3,454 Total Complaints

3 Investigations

135 Reported Crashes

39 Reported Fires

2 Reported Deaths

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN - Year by Year

Compare recalls and complaints across model years. Click any year to see full details.

Year	Recalls	Complaints
2026	0	48	View
2025	2	80	View
2024	2	91	View
2023	1	89	View
2022	5	450	View
2021	5	183	View
2020	3	209	View
2019	5	288	View
2018	13	448	View
2017	4	101	View
2016	2	147	View
2015	4	106	View
2014	3	130	View
2013	3	227	View
2012 (current)	3	214
2011	3	238	View
2010	2	158	View
2009	3	247	View

Other VOLKSWAGEN Models

Model	Recalls	Complaints
JETTA	249	14,075	View
GOLF	190	2,084	View
PASSAT	185	10,492	View
BEETLE	157	3,629	View
GTI	116	1,926	View
ID.4	115	1,606	View
ATLAS	101	2,700	View
ATLAS CROSS SPORT	73	701	View

Vehicle Safety

Consumer Safety

Infrastructure

Public Health

2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Complaint Statistics

Top Reported Components

NHTSA Safety Ratings, 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Safety Technology

EPA Fuel Economy, 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Technical Service Bulletins, 2012 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

Most Affected Components

NHTSA Safety Investigations, VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN - All Years Overview

VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN - Year by Year

Other VOLKSWAGEN Models