2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN Recalls, Complaints & Safety

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the parking brake independently activated, and the air bag warning light illuminated. In addition, while attempting to turn off the vehicle, the key failed to function as intended. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the road and turned off. The contact stated that while attempting to start the vehicle, several unknown warning lights were illuminated. The parking brake was not activated. Additionally, the front driver's side door latch failed to unlatch as needed. The contact stated that none of the electrical system features functioned as intended. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed with a failed wiring harness and a failed front driver's side door harness. The contact was informed that the wiring harness and front driver's side door harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer reset the codes. The contact was informed that until the repair was performed, the failure would recur. The contact referenced an unknown recall with a similar failure; however, the VIN was not associated. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was unknown.

My 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan experienced a failure of the airbag control module caused by water intrusion through the HVAC access area and failed seam seal tape at the cowl support. The dealership confirmed that water leaked through a factory seam, accumulated at the airbag module, and caused the module to fail. The airbag warning light is illuminated, and the system is inoperable. This failure matches the same defect pattern covered under Volkswagen’s recall campaigns for the Atlas and Atlas Cross Sport (water intrusion leading to airbag control module failure), but my VIN is not included. The root cause and safety implications are identical: water entering through a body seam/HVAC area and compromising the airbag system. This is a safety‑critical issue that disables the airbags and creates a risk of injury in a crash. I am requesting NHTSA review this defect for potential recall expansion. Dealership Findings: • Water present at airbag control module • Water leaking through HVAC access hole • Failed seam seal tape at cowl support • Water accumulation damaging the airbag module • Cowl trim cracked and repaired • Recommended replacement of airbag control module and seam sealing tape • Estimated repair cost: $1,377 + tax Safety Concern: Airbag system is disabled due to water intrusion from a factory seam. This creates a risk of injury or death in the event of a collision.

I just bought this 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Ford, cylinder All wheel Drive in the Angel light came on and it says recalls will never fixed. I would like to know if you can help me and fix this problems. My name is [XXX] , Lodi New Jersey. My phone number is [XXX] . INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

The contact's daughter owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while her daughter was driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle shook and decelerated abnormally. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, who determined that the vehicle should not be driven because the drive belt needed to be replaced; however, the part was on backorder with no ETA. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but provided no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000.

I own a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan with approximately 70,000 miles. The vehicle requires a full cylinder head replacement due to faulty valve seals. I have been having to add engine oil frequently between oil changes. The repair has been confirmed by an authorized Volkswagen dealership. The required cylinder head part is currently on manufacturer backorder with no estimated time of arrival. Dealership told me to check in every 2-3 months, as no additional cylinder heads can be ordered due to excessive backorder. Dealership charges $6,000+ for this repair. Volkswagen has not provided a solution or timeline for repair with this ongoing issue. There were no warning lights prior to the issue, and the vehicle has been routinely maintained. A major engine component failure at this mileage raises concerns about a potential defect rather than normal wear. This situation creates a safety and reliability concern, with no reasonable repair timeframe due to parts unavailability as well as no communication from Volkswagen regarding this ongoing issue.

This vehicle experienced a rear shock spring failure identical to the symptoms noted in VW recall 42i7. We paid out of pocket for the springs to be repaired, and VW corporate along with the dealer reported this VIN does not qualify for the recall. They are unable to tell me why our particular VIN does not, other than it simply wasn't on the list. It seems unlikely the exact year/model/failure occurred on our vehicle as what was stated in the recall but somehow it didn't qualify I would expect VW to cover the spring replacement and required alignment

On [XXX] I discovered water in my car. ~2.5 inch front passenger and back driver and passenger side. Condensation on the sunroof. My sunroof was not opened/completely shut. I called VW service was advised my car was not covered under the class action or warranty and advised to report to my insurance. I did not want to report and risk my insurance rate increasing. I have never filed a claim in the 20+ years of having the car. After researching and taking my call for repairs I discovered that my vehicle should be covered on the extended warranty IF the recall 60E5/60E2 was repaired. I am in Ohio where the damage was discovered my regular service dealer is in Illinois. 1)The service dealer in Illinois did complete the 60E5/60E2 recall. 2) the extend warranty % coverage should cover my car however I was told my VIN was not apart of the class action although the recall was performed an no record in the system with VW and if it were I would not be covered because I am 5 months out of the in service date. 3) the damage is ~ 3000.00 and increasing because now the sunroof switch doesn’t work and the screen is damaged from water. There is mold in my car which is a health hazard. I have exhausted trying to navigate through this issue! If my car was not apart of the class action it should have been. The insurance minus my deductible does not cover the cost of repairs. I have been without a call since this incident. This is a health hazard consumer driving hazard and should be investigated ASAP. I have attached the initial estimate which will be supplementally adjusted, the service 60E5 document . Please advise if this should be reported to the attorney general office and or what my next course of action should be. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

1)My sunroof/window is leaking. This has caused internal damage. My car had 2-2.5 inches of water that has damaged by carpeting and pads the 60E5 was performed. ~72,500 miles 2018 Tiguan. 2) dealer service has advised of service:REPLACE SET OF (4) FUEL INJECTOR O-RINGS DUE TO FUEL LEAK AT FUEL RAIL-INCLUDE INTAKE MANIFOLD GAKET AND THROTTLE BODY GASKET.

One time the car Just Lost power on the freeway and the e-card engine light came on and the cat Ran rugh and stalled and jerked hard almost causing me to cause a serious accident...I took it to vw and explained the severity and they bypassed that And installed a new water pump..2months later the same thing happened exactly to where I was very lucky and very upset...and took it to them once again and explained more issues where I'm urging . As to the front warning light and motion has came into play a few times witch was shocking...also the car would be on slow mo mode....and constant warning lights would come on the dashboard as well as the car would feel so unstable and Feel as if it were On gear 1/L while in the drive position...also the Eco turn of feature would playout ..and stall from time to time..then the car would get stuck on speed when foot would come off the accelerator to brake before a stop sign or red light intersection witch just started to concern me and I again took these concerns to Rick case vw and They thought I was inventing this story..then the car leaked coolant..and it rusted out the whole bottom of my car ..hoses...and they replaced the thermostat this time around and now the car has misfired..could not start ..idle was ver rough and just vibrated dramatically and damaged coils and spakplugs and blew out fuel inject #2 and can't hold pressure past 30 ..changed out the spak plugs and coils and the car is just crippled and its a safety hazard and in many occasions has almost caused me to cause a serious accident...

Please see attachment

While driving 70mph on the interstate in the middle lane with an 18-Wheeler next to me in the right lane, my can all of the sudden a warning for an over the 4000 max rpm and an EPC light, which caused my car to start loosing speeding no matter how much or hard I pressed the gas peddle, in a matter of a minute my car dropped from 70 mph to 40mph and had to hit my flashers.

On September 19th 2025, while driving on the highway at normal speed, the instrument cluster fuel gauge misread the fuel level and indicated that the tank still had fuel. Without any warning light or low-fuel alert, the vehicle suddenly lost power because it was actually out of gas. I was traveling with my boyfriend and our three dogs. We became stranded on the shoulder of a busy highway as vehicles passed at 70–80 mph. The outside temperature was about 85-90 at the time. This created a serious safety hazard: The cluster’s inaccurate fuel reading prevented me from knowing we were nearly empty. The engine shut down unexpectedly, leaving limited steering and braking control as we coasted to the shoulder. We were exposed to high-speed traffic and extreme heat while waiting for assistance. Additional cluster/safety issues observed: No audible turn-signal “click” or indicator sound when using the blinker. No warning chime if the car is left running when the driver exits (for example, if the ignition is on but the door is opened or the key is removed). The vehicle is out of warranty, but the dealership diagnosed a failed instrument cluster and quoted about $2,500 for replacement. Why This Is a Safety Concern: The instrument cluster provides critical driver alerts. Inaccurate fuel readings, lack of turn-signal audio, and the absence of an engine-on warning chime all reduce driver awareness and can directly lead to dangerous situations on the road. Requested Action: I urge NHTSA to investigate whether the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan’s instrument cluster/fuel-level system and related warning features contain a design or manufacturing defect and to consider a recall or other remedy to prevent accidents or injuries.

Activates while driving on a flat road at random

coolant burst and started leaking. Unable to drive car. radiator problem May be related to bad water pump. I see there was a recall.

Airbag fault light is illuminated. drivers side, Fault Code: B101715 - crash sensor for side airbag, drivers side open circuit to B+ Intermittent occurred on 5/19/2025 at 56000 mile. Data from vehicle Software Number; 5Q0959655AG Software Version: 0336 Hardware Number: 5Q0959655AG Hardware Version: 004

I originally started out at World Kia in Matteson, where I was approved for a newer vehicle. But then they suddenly changed their minds and tried to put me in an older car instead. That rubbed me the wrong way, so I went to their Joliet location hoping for better service. Boy, was I wrong. Even though they had already run my credit in Matteson, they reran it again in Joliet, which made no sense and damaged my credit even more. I really needed a car at the time, so I felt pressured and couldn’t walk away. After I bought the car, it broke down shortly after, and I was never given any paperwork about its condition or inspection. They sold it to me “as-is,” but I later found out that under Illinois law, used cars must be safe and reliable for at least 15 days or 500 miles, even when sold “as-is.” My car didn’t meet that standard at all. The car has suspension issues which is very dangerous. The mechanic stated to not drive the car at all it's a safety hazard and I could cause a major accident. There is no recall on my vin#, but several other owners have had the same issues based of the information on the website. I just want some kind of resolution. I'm still responsible for the car, which is so unfair. This has caused so much stress that I have no clue what to do. please help. Best, [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Seat belt light on. Car went into limp mode while on the highway. Seat belt acted like it was loose. Went for scan and it pulled up diagnostic code P0203 which is Replace Fuel injector wiring harness. Saying Cylinder 3 circuit malfunction. Also threw code P050B.

Our car frequently (several times per month) suddenly stops when it is coming to a STOP when the Stop/Start feature is trying to engage. We took it to the dealer, and VW replaced the starter. That DID NOT fix the problem. When the car stops, frequently at or when approaching intersections, the display says we need to stop the car immediately, and the car is stopped, making a high-pitched sound, like a dentist’s drill. This problem started well before our warranty was finished, but after going to the dealer many times (and even leaving the car with them for a considerable amount of time). We were told many times that they could not replicate the problem, and that their diagnostic tools could not find a problem. I requested help from the automaker, VW, and I was told that they only follow the dealer, even though we have had this problem many, many times, and that there was nothing they could do for us. This is a safety problem, and I have seen many similar complaints online. You need to look into this. This problem happens when driving. We cannot get it fixed, and it seems to pose a danger. When I put the date of the incident, I will put the most recent day this happened. Please note that this has happened more than 100 times, and seems to be getting worse. Please investigate with VW. This is a large problem, and it deserves an auto recall.

I bought my 2018 Tiguan in 2021 with 20k miles on it from York Volkswagen in York, PA. I'm at 83k miles. My vehicle sporadically stops accelerating, sputters and goes into "limp" mode. ECP light comes on, engine error warning MAX RPM. Car stalls in heavy commuter highway traffic, with no shoulder to safely pull off the highway, which is terrifying and deadly. Also stalls/ hesitates in slower city traffic. Dealer initially suggested an early oil change ($130.00) thinking this might resolve this issue. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND WELL DOCUMENTED, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS ISSUE. I wonder how many have been killed that we don't know about with the unexpected decelerating and unable to accelerate in speeding traffic. The dealer does not acknowledge this known issue. This has been happening for months. I glad I did some research.

I was on the freeway and my vehicle stopped accelerating and went into limp mode (almost died). I took it to the dealer and they said the codes for Fuel Injector Harness were on and so i need a new fuel injector harness. VW released an extended warranty for that but the dealer is saying the warranty is vin specific and my vehicle does not qualify. How can it not qualify if its the exact problem listed on the extended warranty? Number: VWP-23-03 (number for the warranty).

Panoramic Sunroof randomly exploded while my car was parked at my workplace. I parked the vehicle after 8am. My sunroof spontaneously exploded at roughly 2:30pm. A coworker had arrived seconds before the explosion, he parked his vehicle behind & across the lot. While standing by his car, the full outer glass panel forcefully ejected off of my Tiguan sunroof & flew across the parking lot before shattering into pieces. My coworker described the explosion like a gunshot. He called me out to assess the damage, glass was all over the parking lot, most of the sunroof’s lower glass panel broke off & shattered on the rear-right passenger & middle seats of my vehicle. Piles of shattered glass landed where my daughter “would have sat” if she were in the vehicle. This experience has been distressing.The thought that this could’ve happened while driving on the road or with my family is absolutely terrifying. What is tragic, is there are several documented cases & reports of a class action settlement yet no recalls or warnings of the possible dangers with Tiguan’s LED Panoramic Sunroof. I contacted the VW St. Aug. FL dealership which is where I purchased the vehicle, reported the incident, the vehicle was dropped off to be inspected the next day, (today) (their sales team confirmed no active recalls were on the vehicle). Instead of receiving assistance & escalating the hazardous report to their VW Corp.Level, I received a call from a repair tech who was rude, showed no empathy & stated that I need to come pick up my car. He stated that it would not be covered under warranty, I need to contact my insurance company to file a claim. He told me to return the loaner that I received yesterday, or he would start charging me $100/a day. I questioned his poor handling of the matter, asked if he tried to escalate the matter to a manager, or VW, he declined to & hung up on me, twice. I never received an estimate for repairs. Their GM never called back. Security cameras recorded incident.

Car is hesitating on acceleration.

Air Bag Warning Light

2018 VW Tiguan, 65,109 miles. Unable to add fuel to the vehicle. The filler neck would back up with fuel and even on the lowest setting, the pump would click off on back pressure. Fuel would often splash out. Gas smell or odor in and around the car. When parked in the garage, the fuel odor was strong. No warning lights or check engine lights were on. Dealer replaced B Evapcanist, A C LDPump, AF Valve. Dealer charged full cost for repairs. After multiple calls to VW consumers assistance, the repair charge was covered under warranty and refunded my payment. VW should cover or repair faulty emissions controls that cause serious safety issues with gas vapors inside or around the vehicle, and/or contribute to inability to properly and safely fill the vehicle with fuel.

The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SE (4Motion) has approximately 75,000 miles on it. The rear driver-side brake lines failed, snapping in half, which resulted in a complete loss of brake fluid. Consequently, the vehicle was unable to stop unless the emergency brake was engaged.

My car has been having issues since I hit 40k in 2022. Each time I took it in to Ontario Volkswagon for a diagnosis and repair they could find anything because the check engine light was not on. So they would tell me "based on milage this is the service we recommend" The dealer kept telling me its the gas your using bad gas but i only ever pump is mobil, or shell and always use 91. So by them saying that at every visit they knew what it was but failed to properly diagnose it. Fast forward to current date my car at 83k my car has stalled out several time going into limp mode on the fwy. It throws an error warning "MAX 4000 RPM" the cars check engine light turn on I am unable to accelerate and my speed starts to decelerate you can only imagine how scary this can be with your kids in the car and your car starts decelerating while the cars around you are going highway speed. Before it started with the error message the car would sputter while accelerating onto the highway then what felt like a hiccups when hitting 2000rpm And keeping it at a steady speed. After spending thousands of dollars fixing recommended services and pleading with Ontario Volkswagon the service advisor finally said volkswagon exteded the warranty on the fuel Injector wiring harness but the only way to get it repaired was if the check engine light was on and the error code for that was present at the time of service. My car obviously is experiencing the symptoms but the dealer fails to honor the warranty. This should be a standard recall on this car. My experience was a frightening one and could of gone differently if it happened at a different time of day.

Vehicle sending transmission alarms and also exit vehicle in P mode only alarm. First had issue around 25,000 miles and gear shift assembly was replaced under warranty for what I was told was a faulty sensor. Same issue returned at 100,000 miles and Volkswagon is replacing the gear shift assembly again at customers expense. I was told by Volkswagon that the car is safe to drive.

Door lock system Child trapped inside due to vehicle locking itself with keys in car after putting child in car seat and bag inside. Fire department used a slim jim through window to press unlock button; however, the vehicle would not unlock via interior door button. Fire department had to pull interior door handle to unlock, taking an additional 45 minutes to free child trapped inside. The problem has been reproduced. Without the ignition on, door locks will not attempt to unlock the vehicle unless the vehicle is already unlocked. Dealer confirmed issue and is stating there are numerous low voltage fault codes including the battery and passenger front and rear door latches. Vehicle has been inspected by the manufacturers dealer on 7/9/2024 at fire department's recommendation during incident. There were not any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to or after the failure.

2018 Tiguan intermittently fails to accelerate. Car has stopped on highway even after pressing on acceleration peddle. Car behind me had to slam on brakes to avoid hitting rear of my car. Carfax indicates several replacement parts. Beaumont, Texas dealership revealed that previous owner insisted on having parts changed in 2022. Not inspected by manufacturer, police, insurance representatives. Inspected by dealership. There are no warning signals prior to deacceleration. Car died, dash goes black, for close to half minute and then accelerates again. This has happened 3 times since purchase date of 10/23/23. Car was not driven from January 14,2024 to May 2,2024.

Same issue as reported with NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 24V110000 Fuel has flowed into evaporative emissions and has leaked out of the charcoal canister. The dealership is replacing the following parts- Fuel tank Evap canister Leak detection pump Purge Value

Persistent and Dangerous Malfunction of Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Traffic Assist The safety features of Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Traffic Assist, designed to enhance driving safety, have unfortunately been plagued by a persistent and alarming malfunction. Despite the dealership's diligent efforts to troubleshoot the issue, the sudden and unannounced shutdown of these critical systems continues to pose a significant hazard during driving. The erratic and unanticipated shutdowns of the Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Traffic Assist systems create an extremely hazardous situation. These systems, essential for ensuring road safety, can cease to function without any prior warning. This sudden malfunction significantly increases the potential for accidents and poses a considerable threat to the well-being of both drivers and other road users. In an attempt to rectify this unsettling problem, the dealership has made efforts to identify the root cause. However, no fault codes have been detected, leaving the issue unresolved. This persistent malfunction continues to occur on a weekly basis, further exacerbating the gravity of the situation. The ongoing malfunction of Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Traffic Assist systems not only undermines the trust drivers place in these safety features but also compromises the overall safety of the vehicle. The inability to identify the root cause of this issue hinders the dealership's ability to provide an effective solution, leaving drivers and passengers vulnerable to the potential dangers that may arise from their sudden and unpredictable failure. The recurring and unexpected shutdowns of Blind Spot Monitoring and Rear Traffic Assist systems represent a serious concern for drivers, as they compromise the safety of both the vehicle occupants and other road users.

- Power steering pump PN#5QN-423-055-A, not sure if dealer kept. - Risk to both as lost all power steering in winter weather. - Yes, confirmed defective by dealer - I do not know if they did additional inspection or send to Manufacturer. - On [XXX] a yellow power steering light illuminated while driving and steering became more difficult. I took vehicle home and reached out to Volkswagen and then to local service center where I purchased. I was given a date of 2 weeks out at the Countryside, IL location and then was told the Orland Park, IL location could accept my vehicle on [XXX] which when I started the vehicle and the yellow light was now red and had completely lost power steering. I had vehicle dropped off in early AM. I was told they cannot provide a loaner because they are all out because they have so many vehicles in for repair. I did not get any response about situation for over a week and after few calls a week and half later I was told the rack and pinion needs to be replaced & the part is backordered & not expected until March 7, 2014. Could not guarantee because were unaware of quantity & how many need to be fixed before as 1st come 1st served. The service advisor told me they have been experiencing many issues with power steering, engine, turbo, timing chain errors, and a # more of issues throughout their lineup. I asked a percentage and he stated 30-40%, this shocked me completely. He calmly said that they produce so many vehicles that this is a low #? I reached out to Countryside, IL told them that I need a vehicle it the interim after negotiation they finally agreed to transfer vehicle to their location and provide a loaner. I was required to to get vehicle there myself on [XXX] I was not able to start vehicle because battery was dead, after jump still red light no power steering. Was told that typically they don't do transfers and would have to diagnose again. I received car back on [XXX] have less than 10 miles seems ok4now INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFOR

While slow8ng to a stop the emergency brake is activating. Auto start stop malfunction warning appears on dash. Takes a minute to get the emergency brake to release. Happened several times in 2 days.

The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated while driving approximately 55 MPH, the vehicle started to lose motive power, with an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment. The contact stated there were several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to exit the highway however, the vehicle failed to accelerate above 20 MPH. The contact drove back to the residence, shifted into park(P) and turned off the vehicle. The contact not driven the vehicle since parking the vehicle. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer or independent mechanic. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 44,000.