Home · 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Ltd · Complaints

What 139 owners told NHTSA about the 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Ltd

These are the actual owner complaints behind this car’s reliability verdict, filed with the federal government, unedited. They’re unverified reports, not confirmed defects: read them as leads for your pre-purchase inspection, not a diagnosis.

All (139)Crash / fire / injury (4)Airbags (63)Electrical system (35)Engine (29)Steering (27)Fuel system (18)Brakes (6)Transmission & drivetrain (6)Body & structure (5)Speed control (5)Electronic Stability Control (esc) (3)

Newest first · 139 complaints · page 5 of 6

Jun 27, 2017SteeringAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED PER AN UNKNOWN RECALL. AFTERWARDS, WHILE DRIVING, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CLICKING NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE HORN FAILED TO SOUND AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LEITH BMW (5609 CAPITAL BLVD, RALEIGH NC 27616 (844) 261-4301) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCK SPRING WAS FRACTURED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE RECALL WAS PREVIOUSLY REPAIRED AND THAT THE CONTACT WAS OVER THE WARRANTY MILEAGE. NO ASSISTANCE WAS OFFERED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 46,000.

NHTSA ODI 11001783

Jun 20, 2017SteeringAirbags

TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK AND VIBRATED. AS THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN, THE STEERING LOST POWER AND THE STEERING WHEEL AND AIR BAG WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (PALMETTO 57 VOLKSWAGEN IN OPA LOCKA, FLORIDA) WHERE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS PERFORMED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO NHTSA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000. PARTS DISTRIBUTION DISCONNECT.

NHTSA ODI 11000203

Jun 6, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. AFTER DRIVING 20 MPH, THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE LOCAL DEALER (PARAMOUNT AUTOMOTIVE GROUP LOCATED AT 1234 S CENTER ST, HICKORY, NC 28602) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000.

NHTSA ODI 10993360

Apr 26, 2017Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG CLOCK SPRING FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE DEALER DID NOT HAVE THE PARTS AVAILABLE. DUE TO THE SAFETY CONCERN, THE CONTACT LEFT THE VEHICLE AT THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE ON APRIL 4, 2017. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL AND THAT THEY WOULD SUBMIT A REQUEST FOR THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER, THEY COULD NOT GUARANTEE A RECALL AND THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD BE SERVICED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 37,200.

NHTSA ODI 10980831

Apr 9, 2017

ON APRIL 3, 2017 I NOTICED A SMELL IN MY CAR, AND SUBSEQUENTLY FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORING WAS VERY WET. I MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT RAY BRANDT VOLKSWAGEN NEW ORLEANS FOR THE FOLLOWING DAY, ALTHOUGH MY CAR WAS OUTSIDE OF ITS WARRANTY PERIOD. ON APRIL 5, 2017 I ARRIVED AT THE RAY BRANDT VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP TO HAVE MY CAR LOOKED AT. THE LEAK WAS DIAGNOSED AS A CLOGGED SUNROOF DRAIN, WITH THE COST OF $150 TO CLEAR THE DRAIN. I ASKED THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN WHETHER THERE WAS ANY MAINTENANCE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE TO PREVENT THE SIGNIFICANT WATER DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF MY VEHICLE. HE INFORMED ME THAT THE THERE WAS RECOMMENDED MAINTENANCE THAT SHOULD BE DONE AT THE 4 YEAR - 40,000 MILE CHECK (WHICH MY VEHICLE DOES NOT YET QUALIFY FOR). I BELIEVE THIS ISSUE IS A DEFECT WITHIN THE DESIGN OF THE VEHICLE AND CLEAR INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING THIS UNUSUAL MAINTENANCE ISSUE SHOULD HAVE BEEN PROVIDED. IT IS UNCLEAR WHAT CAUSED THIS ISSUE WITH THE DRAIN, BUT IT IS CLEAR THAT VW WAS FULLY AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM AND HAS FAILED TO COMMUNICATE TO NEW OWNERS THE PROBLEM WITH ITS SUNROOF DESIGN AND THE STEPS NEEDED TO PREVENT PROBLEMS, AND SUBSEQUENT DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR. TWO VW SERVICE TECHNICIANS INDICATED THE SUNROOF DRAIN PROBABLY HAD BEEN CLOGGED BY PARKING THE CAR UNDER TREES. IF THIS IS INDEED THE CASE, IT WOULD SEEM THAT VW SHOULD CLEARLY WARN ALL NEW CAR BUYERS THAT PARKING UNDER TREES MAY CAUSE SIGNIFICANT DAMAGE TO THEIR VEHICLE ($150 FOR DRAIN CLEANOUT, AND SUBSEQUENT $600 TO DRY THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR TO PREVENT MOLD), AND LOSS OF USE OF THEIR CAR. THE SUNROOF DRAIN DESIGN HAS BEEN AN ISSUE PREVIOUSLY BROUGHT TO VOLKSWAGEN'S ATTENTION: CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT DEWEY VS. VOLKSWAGEN AND CURRENT AUDI RECALL #17V0010000

NHTSA ODI 10971492

Mar 20, 2017SteeringAirbags

MY STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO MAKE A CLICKING NOISE WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL IN EITHER DIRECTION. SHORTLY AFTER THAT HAPPENED, I TURNED INTO A PARKING SPOT AND I FELT A SLIGHT TENSION AT THE WHEEL AND THEN A POP AND MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. WE TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALERSHIP AND WERE NOTIFIED THAT THE AIR BACK CLOCK SPRING HAD FAILED AND THAT IT WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. WHEN I SEARCHED THE NHTSA SITE, I FOUND THAT THERE IS A RECALL FOR 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN'S FOR THIS SPECIFIC ITEM BUT THAT MY VIN NUMBER IS NOT ONE OF THE VEHICLES LISTED IN THE RECALL. SO NOW I'M FACING AN $800.00 REPAIR BILL FOR AN ITEM THAT'S ALREADY BEEN IDENTIFIED FOR A RECALL, BUT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT MATCH.

NHTSA ODI 10967344

Dec 27, 2016Electrical systemAirbags

MY 2013 VW TIGUAN SUDDENLY HAD A SNAPPING AND CRINKLY SOUND WHEN I TURNED THE WHEEL. I NOTICED IT WHEN I WAS TURNING IN MY DRIVEWAY VERY SLOWLY. HOURS LATER AND "ERROR:AIRBAG" MESSAGE APPEARED ON THE DASH AND ALL OF THE FUNCTIONS OF THE STEERING WHEEL STOPPED WORKING, INCLUDING THE HORN.

NHTSA ODI 10937581

Dec 18, 2016Transmission & drivetrain

VEHICLE SPORADICALLY UNRESPONSIVE IN TRAFFIC WHILE IN ANY FORWARD DRIVE SELECTION OF AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. PARTICULARLY HAZARDOUS WHILE CHANGING LANES IN FREEWAY TRAFFIC. I PUSH ON THE ACCELERATOR TO CHANGE LANES AND NOTHING HAPPENS...THE CAR JUST COASTS...MEANWHILE TRAFFIC IS COMING AT ME AT 70MPH. I HAVE KEEP FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR A BUNCH OF TIMES FOR THE CAR TO REGAIN RESPONSE, BUT THE TURBO KICKS IN AT FULL SPEED AND I HAVE TO BRAKE TO RE-REGULATE MY SPEED. THIS IS A GREAT CAR, BUT IT WOULD BE A DEATHTRAP FOR MOST PEOPLE AND I AM NOT ALONE WITH THIS COMPLAINT. IN SEARCHING VW BLOGS, THE PROBLEM IS WELL KNOWN BUT THERE IS NO FIX. VW DRIVERS SPECULATE A ECM OR TCM SOFTWARE PROBLEM, WHILE OTHERS SUSPECT THE TORQUE CONVERTER OR TURBO PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT JUST A HIGH SPEED PROBLEM. IT HAPPENS IN NORMAL RESIDENTIAL TRAFFIC DRIVING, AS WELL. INTERESTING TOO IS THAT IT WILL DO THIS WHEN I AM STARTING UP FROM A STOP AND MAKING A LEFT TURN. I GET MID-WAY THRU THE TURN AND IT BECOMES UN-RESPONSIVE AND TRAFFIC BEHIND ME HAVE TO BRAKE TO KEEP FROM REAR-ENDING ME. IT DOESN'T SEEM TO DO THIS ON RIGHT TURNS FROM A STANDING STOP. IT MAKES ME WONDER ABOUT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEVEL, WHICH I CANNOT CHECK, THE TRANSMISSION FLUID PUMP, IF THERE IS ONE. YET, IN HIGHWAY TRAFFIC, I WILL WANT TO CHANGE LANES TO EITHER THE RIGHT OR LEFT AND THE CAR WILL BECOME UNRESPONSIVE. NEVERTHELESS, IT ALWAYS TAKES THE SAME DRIVER RESPONSE OF HAVING TO KEEP FLOORING THE ACCELERATOR TO GET THE CAR TO RESPOND. NOT GOOD 2013 VW TIGUAN 24,000 MILES SINCE NEW. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10936062

Oct 15, 2016Engine

MILEAGE: 38,000 MILES. DATE: 9/5/2016. UPON ENGINE STARTUP FIRST THING IN THE MORNING I NOTICED A MOMENTARY RATTLING NOISE WHICH I RECOGNIZED AS TIMING CHAIN NOISE. (I'M A CERTIFIED AUTO MECHANIC.) THE NOISE WENT AWAY IN ABOUT ONE SECOND WHICH IS TYPICAL FOR A HYDRAULIC TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER. I RESEARCHED THE NET AND FOUND QUITE A BIT OF INFORMATION ON FAILING HYDRAULIC TIMING CHAIN TENSIONERS ON VW TSI ENGINES. THE TIMING CHAIN NOISE OCCURRED A SECOND TIME ON 9/23/2016, ALSO FIRST THING IN THE MORNING SUBSTANTIATING A FAILING TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER LEAKING DOWN OVER NIGHT. ON 10/2/2016 I SPENT $256.63 TO BUY THE PARTS FOR REPLACING THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER MYSELF.

NHTSA ODI 10916217

Oct 1, 2016EngineFuel system

WHEN YOU ARE ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE CAR, THE CAR STOPS COMPLETELY. EVERYTHING SHUTS DOWN. NEED TO PLACE THE CAR IN PARK AND RESTART CAR. THE CAR RESTARTS. HOWEVER, THE SHUTDOWN CAN HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE DURING THE SAME TRIP EACH TIME THE CAR STOPS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN WILL GO OFF. THIS STARTED HAPPENING IN AUG 2015 @ 27000 MILES. I HAVE TAKEN THE CAR TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES. THEY RUN DIAGNOSTICS AND CLEAR FAULT IF THE LIGHT IS ON AT THE TIME. THE DEALER REPLACED THE BOOST PRESSURE SENSOR IN JUNE 2016 BUT THE PROBLEM HAS STARTED AGAIN. SINCE THE LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF, IT IS HARD TO KNOW IF THERE IS A SERIOUS PROBLEM. SO FAR IT HAS STALLED ON SIDE ROADS OR PARKING LOTS. IF THIS SHOULD HAPPEN ON THE HIGHWAY, IT WOULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. IN 2014, THE CAR WAS PART OF A FUEL PUMP RECALL.

NHTSA ODI 10910970

Sep 16, 2016Electrical systemEngine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE LOST POWER UNEXPECTEDLY AND THE BATTERY WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED, BUT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 71,500.

NHTSA ODI 10907112

Jul 25, 2016Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD, STALLED, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS SERVICED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 14V441000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CENTRAL WIRING HARNESS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED TWO ADDITIONAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT THE DIAGNOSIS WAS UNKNOWN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,997.

NHTSA ODI 10888222

May 17, 2016Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I WAS ONE THE HIGH WAY 1, AND I DROVE ABOUT 10 MINUTES. ALL OF A SUDDEN, MY CAR SHUT OFF WHILE DRIVING. THE BATTERY LIGHT CAME ON AND CAR DIED. THE WHEEL WAS EVEN LOCKED. BASICALLY, I WAS STOCKED ON THE HIGHWAY! THEN, I RESTARTED MY CAR ON THE HIGH WAY 1, AND IT WORKED AGAIN. THE DEALER CAN NOT FIND ANY ISSUE, AND THE SAME ISSUES HAPPENED TO ME TWICE WITH TWO MONTHS. NOW, I HAVE TO REPORT THIS IN ORDER TO PROTECT MYSELF.

NHTSA ODI 10865373

Mar 23, 2016Airbags

WHILE MAKING A NORMAL-RADIUS LEFT-HAND TURN INTO A PARKING SPOT, THE STEERING WHEEL MADE A SOFT POPPING SOUND. IMMEDIATELY, THE AIRBAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, ALONG WITH A MESSAGE INDICATING THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG WAS NOT FUNCTIONAL. FURTHER INSPECTION FOUND THAT THE DRIVER AIRBAG, DRIVER STEERING WHEEL CONTROLS, AND HORN WERE NON-FUNCTIONAL. THE VW DEALERSHIP INDICATED THAT STEERING WHEEL CLOCK SPRING HAD TORN, AND WAS THEREFORE REPLACED. A RECALL (15V483000) WAS ISSUED IN AUG 2015 FOR VW TIGUAN 2013S, BUT THIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. WHEN CONTACTING VW'S CUSTOMER SERVICE TEAM, THEY INDICATED THAT THIS VIN WAS INTENTIONALLY NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, HOWEVER EVIDENCE INDICATES OTHERWISE. THIS VIN, AND LIKELY OTHERS WITH THE SAME TRIM, SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN A NEW RECALL FOR THE SAME, AS THE PROBLEM EXTENDS BEYOND THE VINS IN THE ORIGINAL RECALL, 15V483000.

NHTSA ODI 10851242

Mar 17, 2016Body & structure

THE REAR DRIVER SIDE DOOR HANDLE FELL OFF COMPLETELY (BOTH PIECES) WHEN I WAS TRYING TO GET IN THE BACK SEAT (SIMPLY OPENING THE DOOR BY PULLING ON THE HANDLE). APPARENTLY THIS HAS BEEN AN ISSUE FOR YEARS (PEOPLE COMPLAINING ABOUT IT SINCE 2011 ACROSS MULTIPLE VW MODELS). ONE PERSON'S FORUM POST SAID THERE WAS A FREE RETROFIT KIT (TURNS OUT THEY ARE FROM THE UK) BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. HOWEVER, VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA SAYS THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS PROBLEM. I'VE UPLOADED A FEW OF THE DOZEN'S OF FORUM ENTRIES OF PEOPLE SAYING THIS HAPPENED TO THEM, AND A PHOTO OF MY DOOR HANDLE. IT APPEARS THAT DEALERSHIPS ONLY FIX IT IF IT'S UNDER WARRANTY HERE IN THE US.

NHTSA ODI 10850321

Feb 22, 2016Airbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED AS THE HORN AND THE FUNCTIONS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO OPERATE. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ALSO FAILED TO FUNCTION. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,560.

NHTSA ODI 10837571

Jan 8, 2016SteeringTransmission & drivetrainFuel systemCrash

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE IT WILL GET UP TO 40 SPEED AND NOT ABOVE AND STALL OUT TO 0 MPH. THE VEHICLE WILL NOT MOVE AND STALL FOR DURATION OF TIME, THEN IT WILL DRIVING AT A LOW SPEED UNDER 10-20MPH. AT THE TIME OF PURCHASE, I MADE IT KNOWN TO THE BRANDON VOLKSWAGEN DEALERSHIP, FIDELITY BANK AND VOLKSWAGEN AMERICA. I HAD TWO WARRANTIES AND THE PROBLEM WERE TOLD ME IN 2012 AND 2013, BY BRANDON VOLKSWAGEN THE PROBLEM WERE RESOLVED. IN JULY 2015 THROUGH AUGUST 2015 THE BRANDON VOLKSWAGEN INFORMED THAT A PART DOES NOT EXISTED TO CORRECT MY PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NON-OPERABLE ON A MAJOR HIGHWAY 301HWY.

NHTSA ODI 10818841

Dec 29, 2015

MY CAR WAS IN MY DRIVEWAY FOR A WEEK AND IT WAS NOT DRIVER FOR A WEEK WHEN THE AIR START COME OUT OF MY TIRE AND IT BUBBLE UP AND LEFT A CUT ON THE TIRE A DEFECTIVE IN THE TIRE. THE NAME OF TIRE IS CONTINENTAL / CONTIPROCONTACT ... SIZE IS 235/50 R 18.

NHTSA ODI 10816886

Nov 6, 2015SteeringAirbags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THERE WAS A CLICKING SOUND THAT CAME FROM THE STEERING WHEEL. ALL OF THE CONTROLS ON THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO WORK, INCLUDING THE HORN, AND THE AIR BAG WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT PULLED OVER AND POWERED THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 15V483000 (AIR BAGS), HOWEVER, THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI 10788786

Aug 12, 2015

WHEN THE CAR STOPS COMPLETELY WHILE BEING RUN FOR A WHILE, EVERYTHING SHUT DOWNS COMPLETELY. NEED TO PLACE THE CAR IN "PARKING" AND RESTART THE CAR. THE CAR RESTARTS IMMEDIATELY. HOWEVER, THE SHUTDOWN CAN HAPPEN MORE THAN ONCE DURING THE SAME TRIP EVERY TIME IS STOPS COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ODI 10748087

Apr 30, 2015Body & structure

EXTERIOR PAINT BAD DISCOLORATION. CALLED MANUFACTURER THEY TOLD ME NOTHING THEY CAN DO FOR ME. MY VEHICLE IS <2 YEARS OLD AND ONLY 21, 000 MILES COVERED UNDER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10713938

Feb 14, 2015Tires

MY WIFE WAS DRIVING. SHORTLY AFTER GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE, HER REAR DRIVER SIDE TIRE BLEW OUT (THE WHOLE RIM WAS DETACHED). SHE DID NOT HIT ANYTHING AND SHE WAS NOT SPEEDING. INVESTIGATING THE PARKING LOT THAT SHE PULLED OUT OF, THERE WERE BLACK MARKS. WE LIVE RIGHT OFF THE INTERSTATE. THE DEALER IDENTIFIED A SECOND TIRE WITH A FLAW IN THE WALL OF THE TIRE. 2 TIRES HAD TO BE REPLACED. THIS WAS A BRAND NEW VEHICLE WITH ~20,000 MILES ON IT (MOSTLY INTERSTATE DRIVING). WE FOUND SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THIS BRAND OF TIRE THOUGH GOOGLE SEARCHES AND BELIEVE THE TIRE SHOULD BE RECALLED BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. THE COMPANY WAS UNWILLING TO WORK WITH US ON THE ISSUE. I WOULD LIKE TO SHARE THE PHOTO OF THE BLOW OUT WITH YOU. WE BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THAT EVENING. WE ASKED THE NEXT MORNING IF THEY WOULD SAVE THE TIRE, BUT DISCARDED THEM ALREADY. THE MANUFACTURER OF THE TIRE REFUSES TO WORK WITH US BECAUSE THEY FELT SINCE WE DID NOT HAVE THE PHYSICAL TIRE OR "EVIDENCE" IT WAS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10683495

Dec 29, 2014Fuel systemLatches & locks

THE LOCKING MECHANISM FOR THE GAS DOOR STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY AND THE DOOR REMAINS UNLOCKED WITH THE DOOR POPPED OPEN THE MAJORITY OF THE TIME. IF THE DOOR ISN'T POPPED OPEN THEN IT'S LOCKED SHUT AND CAN'T BE OPENED NORMALLY AND MUST BE PRIED OPEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10668928

Sep 23, 2014Speed control

WHEN OPERATING AT 65MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL I NOTICED A TRUCK AHEAD OF ME SLOWING AT A HILL, SO I PRESSED THE "DOWN" BUTTON TO REDUCE THE SPEED TO 64, THEN AGAIN TO 63 MPH. WHEN I CLICKED AGAIN FOR 62 MPH THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SPED UP BECAUSE THE CRUISE CONTROL HAD JUMPED BACK TO 65 MPH. BY THAT POINT I WAS QUITE CLOSE TO THE TRUCK AND HAD TO SLAM ON THE BRAKES TO AVOID A COLLISION. THIS HAPPENED TO ME TWICE BEFORE I FIGURED OUT WHAT WAS GOING ON. MY DEALER HAS VERIFIED THIS ISSUE IN MY VEHICLE AND HAS DETERMINED THAT ALL NEW 2014 TIGUANS ON THEIR LOT HAVE THIS DEFECT, AS WELL AS AT LEAST ONE 2014 PASSAT. A MEMBER OF THE TIGUAN OWNERS GROUP ON FACEBOOK HAS REPORTED THAT HIS 2010 TIGUAN HAS THIS ISSUE. VOLKSWAGEN OF AMERICA CUSTOMER SERVICE HAS OFFICIALLY TRIED TO BLOW ME OFF AND MAKE ME GO AWAY. THIS ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR EVERY TIME, USUALLY RANDOMLY OCCURRING BETWEEN 30-40% OF THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI 10638400

Sep 23, 2014AirbagsBrakes

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 VOLKSWAGEN TIGUAN. THE CONTACT HEARD A CHIME SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE AND THE ABS WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,500. UPDATED 10/29/14*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED IN. THE CONSUMER FELT THE REPAIRS WERE TAKING TOO LONG TO BE COMPLETED. UPDATED 04/23/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI 10638446

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Working with the data? Download all 139 complaints as CSV · fetched from NHTSA July 23, 2026

How to use these: a complaint is one owner’s report, filed voluntarily and published unverified. Patterns matter more than any single story. If several owners describe the same failure at similar mileage, put that system at the top of your pre-purchase inspection list. Back to the full 2013 Volkswagen Tiguan Ltd verdict →