2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.
This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2009 | 167 |
| 2010 | 110 |
| 2011 | 160 |
| 2012 | 152 |
| 2013 | 139 |
| 2014 | 83 |
| 2015 | 62 |
| 2016 | 96 |
| 2017 | 74 |
| 2018 | 281 |
| 2019 | 188 |
| 2020 | 138 |
| 2021 | 136 |
| 2022 | 260 |
| 2023 | 60 |
| 2024 | 62 |
| 2025 | 46 |
| 2026 | 25 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.
28% of complaints: engine — 80 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE GARAGE, THE CONTACT NOTICED AN ABNORMAL, BURNING ODOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING OR REPAIRS.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180813
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving 70 MPH, there was an engine failure, and internal parts fell apart and started grinding into the oil pan.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260810
Our 2018 Volkswagen had a light that came on so we took to dealership. The part that needs replaced is the cylinder head assembly which will be over $6000 plus $3k for timing. It will take over 28 weeks to get the part.
NHTSA ODI report, 20260804
17% of complaints: power train — 49 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing chain/belt.
15% of complaints: electrical system — 43 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURYShow complaint excerpts
TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2018 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE SEEN COMING FROM THE DASHBOARD. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO PULL THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SHOULDER.
NHTSA ODI report, 20180810
14% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 39 distinct reports on file.
14% of complaints: structure — 39 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and frame and members.
Show complaint excerpts
THE DRIVERS SIDE B PILLAR CONSISTANTLY MAKES AGRESSIVE AND LOUD CRACKING NOISES WHEN DRIVING THE VEHICLE. I HAVE INITIATED A LEMON LAW SUIT WITH VOLKSWAGEN. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES AND THE CONCERN HAS NOT YET BEEN RECTIFIED.
NHTSA ODI report, 20171004
SAFETY TIMELINE
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.
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.
Campaign 17V662000 — check if this car was fixed
Seat Belt Webbing Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 18V159000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V102000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles.
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.
Campaign 18V324000 — check if this car was fixed
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
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.
Campaign 18V262000 — check if this car was fixed
Seat Belt Webbing Failure
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.
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.
Campaign 18V375000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V467000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 18V824000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 19V188000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc.
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.
Campaign 19V679000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 20V724000 — check if this car was fixed
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.
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.
Campaign 21V732000 — check if this car was fixed
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles.
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.
Campaign 22V226000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for engine issues (80 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for power train issues (49 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for electrical system issues (43 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 17V662000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V159000 (engine) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V102000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V324000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V262000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V375000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V467000 (visibility) has been completed.
- Verify recall 18V824000 (electrical system) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V188000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 19V679000 (unknown or other) has been completed.
- Verify recall 20V724000 (seat belts) has been completed.
- Verify recall 21V732000 (structure) has been completed.
- Verify recall 22V226000 (structure) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST YEARS
FAQ
Is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most-reported component is engine, accounting for 28% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
13 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-09-01 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.