Volkswagen · Tiguan · 2018
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
13
Recalls
273
Complaints
5/5
Safety Rating
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has 13 recalls and 273 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Overall safety rating: 5 out of 5 stars. Most reported issue: engine (23 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 28, 2026
Research Context
The 2018 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 engine with 23 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to see whether the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan reports cluster around one repeated symptom or spread across multiple systems.
- Compare the recall list with the complaint mix to see whether the most reported issues overlap with formal NHTSA safety campaigns.
- 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan currently shows 13 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 273 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 5/5 overall NHTSA safety rating.
- The most frequently reported complaint categories on this page are engine (23), structure (21), unknown or other (21).
- Vehicle
- 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan
- Recalls
- 13
- Complaints
- 273
- Safety Rating
- 5/5
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
16.8% rollover risk in single-vehicle crash
Safety Features
ESC: StandardForward Collision Warning: OptionalLane Departure Warning: Optional
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 22V226000April 06, 2022
STRUCTURE:BODY
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2022 Tiguan and 2018-2021 Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. Due to incorrect installation instructions, the accessory rear hatch spoiler may be insufficiently attached to the vehicle.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 21V732000September 23, 2021
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
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 Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 20V724000November 20, 2020
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
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 Status
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BH.
NHTSA ID: 19V679000September 25, 2019
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2017 Volkswagen Passat, 2018 Tiguan LWB, 2007-2009 Jetta Sedan, 2011-2013, 2015 and 2019 Jetta, 2013 Jetta Hybrid, 2008-2009 Jetta Sportwagen, 2015 Golf Sportwagen, 2013 Golf, 2008-2010 and 2012-2013 Beetle and Beetle Convertible, 2008-2010 Beetle, and Beetle Convertible 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 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. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
NHTSA ID: 19V188000March 06, 2019
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
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 Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V824000November 26, 2018
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
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. The instrument cluster may not provide an audible warning to let the driver know that the key is still in the ignition when the door is open. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 114, "Theft Protection."
Remedy Status
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. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
NHTSA ID: 18V467000July 13, 2018
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
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 Status
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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall 60D1.
NHTSA ID: 18V375000June 06, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
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 Status
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. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.
NHTSA ID: 18V324000May 16, 2018
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan and Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles. The nut that holds the lower ball joint of the front wheel on each side of the vehicle may be loose or improperly tightened.
Remedy Status
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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 40N4. Note: owners are advised not to drive their vehicle until the recall repair has been performed.
NHTSA ID: 18V262000April 25, 2018
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
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 Status
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42i7.
NHTSA ID: 18V159000March 08, 2018
ENGINE
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 Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 18V102000February 09, 2018
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 208, "Occupant Crash Protection."
Remedy Status
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.
NHTSA ID: 17V662000October 18, 2017
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Remedy Status
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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.
Owner Complaints
273 totalELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Apr 18, 2026
2018 VW Tiguan. The fuel injector harness failed. There is a NHTSA letter stating 2018-2019 Tiguans had this issue and there’s an extended warranty up to 120,000 miles. My Tiguan is at 91,000 miles, but VW is saying the warranty isn’t assigned to my VIN. So there’s a warranty for...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,STRUCTURE
Mar 20, 2026
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, ...
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SUSPENSION
Mar 11, 2026
Front coil spring fractured at 84,554 miles. I am the original owner with full dealer-maintained service history. VW issued Safety Recall 42J5 for premature rear coil spring fracture on 2018–2019 Tiguans due to material specification and manufacturing process defects at the sprin...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Feb 26, 2026
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 REDA...
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POWER TRAIN
Feb 1, 2026
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 th...
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SUSPENSION
Jan 26, 2026
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...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS
Dec 10, 2025
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 int...
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ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE
Dec 2, 2025
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 pu...
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STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Nov 25, 2025
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 FUE...
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UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Nov 25, 2025
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 re...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 273 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 2018 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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has 13 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
NHTSA has received 273 owner-reported complaints for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan received an overall safety rating of 5 out of 5 stars from NHTSA.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan are engine (23 reports), structure (21 reports), unknown or other (21 reports).
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 13 recalls on record for the 2018 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.