Volkswagen · Tiguan · 2013
2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
3
Recalls
138
Complaints
4/5
Safety Rating
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 recalls and 138 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 4 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: air bags (27 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most prominent complaint area is air bags with 27 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 138 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows 4/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are air bags (27), engine (14), electrical system,air bags (9).
- Vehicle
- 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 138
- Safety Rating
- 4/5
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Crash Test Performance
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
18.5% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 18V329000May 16, 2018
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 15V483000August 04, 2015
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 14V441000July 21, 2014
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
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.
Remedy Status
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.
Owner Complaints
138 totalAIR BAGS,SEAT BELTS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Feb 2, 2026
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is bro...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Feb 2, 2026
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information.
ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Aug 5, 2025
As of Aug 2025, my car keeps having issues of stalling/ bucking, even though my mechanic has changed the points/plugs twice now. Now the overheat light comes on ,off and on.. sometimes clears up once the car is shut off and then turned back on.. some times has to sit for a while,...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 15, 2025
My engine shut off my battery as I was driving. This forced my car to stop in the middle of the road. There wasn’t a battery sign or engine light on until after the event. This could’ve caused a wreck, especially if it would’ve happened on the highway. I also have a problem with ...
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AIR BAGS
Feb 17, 2025
While I was driving, when I turned the wheel I heard a cracking noise. Then airbag light turned on, and an airbag notification popped up on the dash.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Feb 1, 2025
Feb 2026 My airbag light came on few days ago, now my horn doesn't work, and the functions on the steering wheel don't work, like being able to reset tire pressure and check functions for the car, the phone, the radio/cd information. Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is bro...
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AIR BAGS
Jan 23, 2025
my steering wheel was making a crackling sound then it stopped and my airbag light came on along with the message " Airbag error". no controls on my steering wheel work including my horn.
SEAT BELTS
Jan 9, 2025
Jan 2025 My seat belt (driver ) lock is broken ,to attach the seat belt in place..I have to just keep it clicked in, and put it over my shoulder (over a yr now)
STEERING
Sep 13, 2024
Steering of the vehicle, gets stiff and looses the ability to drive smoothly, this happened after driving the car a couple of minutes, this put other people at risk because it happens when you start the vehicle and makes the steering hard to steer, also when the steering light go...
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ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Jun 27, 2024
After filling up one day I was heading home and started to smell gas from my ac vents when I turned it on I didn’t pay much attention until I got nauseous and a huge headache. Later that day my boyfriend tried to get to work and the car said “engine off” and turned off on the sid...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 138 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2013 Volkswagen models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Volkswagen Tiguan Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
NHTSA has received 138 owner-reported complaints for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan received an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan are air bags (27 reports), engine (14 reports), electrical system,air bags (9 reports).
Does the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.