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2013 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls & problems

The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 safety recalls and 140 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (64 complaints).

Recalls3safety recalls
Complaints140filed by owners
Crashes · fires2 · 1reported in complaints
NHTSA overall4 ★crash-test stars
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan in an NHTSA crash test
NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

Unknown or otherMay 16, 2018

Unknown or other

Recall 18V329000252 vehicles

Problem
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 may cause the affected vehicles to not comply with all of the applicable regulatory requirements.
Risk
If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
Fix
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.
Air bagsAug 4, 2015

Frontal

Recall 15V483000415,825 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (ODI)

Problem
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 wound, flat cable that keeps the air bag powered while the steering wheel is being turned. This contamination may tear the cable and result in a loss of electrical connection to the driver's frontal air bag.
Risk
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.
Fix
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 will be performed free of charge. The recall began on January 15, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-822-8987.
Fuel system, gasolineJul 21, 2014

Fuel system, gasoline

Recall 14V441000151,389 vehicles

Problem
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.
Risk
A vehicle stall increases the risk of a crash.
Fix
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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD Later Release

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.4%

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD Later Release

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk18.5%

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD Early Release

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk17.4%

2013 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD Early Release

Overall★★★★★
Frontal crash★★★★★
Side crash★★★★★
Rollover★★★★★
Rollover risk18.5%
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan NHTSA side crash test
NHTSA side barrier crash test
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan NHTSA side pole crash test
NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Tiguan

23mpg combined
City / highway21 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Tiguan 4motion

22mpg combined
City / highway20 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Automatic (S6) · All-Wheel Drive · about $3,750/year to fuel

Tiguan

21mpg combined
City / highway18 / 26 mpg
FuelPremium Gasoline

2 L · 4 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Front-Wheel Drive · about $3,900/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem areaComplaintsCrashesFiresInjuriesTypical mileage*
Air bagsFrontal › Driver clockspring/spiral cassette6400158,500 mi
Electrical systemHorn3600057,820 mi
Engine3000032,550 mi
Steering2710062,000 mi
Unknown or other1600048,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system1411024,050 mi
Power trainAutomatic transmission › Control module (tcm/pcm/tecm)710024,000 mi
Service brakes600016,900 mi
StructureBody5000—
Vehicle speed control500028,300 mi
Fuel system, gasoline40009,456 mi
Electronic stability control (esc)30001,500 mi

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.

NHTSA defect investigations