2016 Volkswagen Tiguan
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 38 of 96 complaints (40%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 62 in 2015 to 96 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350–3,700 | 3,350–3,500 | 3,350–3,500 | 3,500–3,700 | 2,600–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 21–23 | 22–23 | 22–23 | 21–22 | 22–24 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18–21 / 26 | 20–21 / 26 | 20–21 / 26 | 20 / 23–24 | 19–22 / 25–27 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 393–417 | 393–395 | 393–395 | 412–424 | 368–407 | |
| Complaints filed | 84 | 62 | 96 | 75 | 282 | |
| Recalls issued | 3 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 13 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | |
| Injuries reported | 0 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 11 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Airbags & Restraints: 38 of 96 NHTSA complaints (40%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA rates it 22–23 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan?
EPA estimates $3,350–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 21 mpg (high) | 26 mpg | 23 mpg (high) | $3,350 (low) | 393 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 20 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 395 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Electrical | 27 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Brakes | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 38 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Other | 23 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
AIR BAGS: AIR BAG/RESTRAINT CONTROL MODULE · Campaign 19V535000 · Jul 17, 2019
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2015-2016 Tiguan and CC vehicles. The air bag Electronic Control Unit (ECU) may have a defective power supply capacitor that can result in air bag deactivation or inadvertent deployment of the air bags.
Consequence: Deactivated air bags increases the risk of injury. Inadvertent deployment of the air bags increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will install new software and replace the air bag ECU as necessary, free of charge. The recall began November 25, 2019. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69Z5.
LATCHES/LOCKS/LINKAGES · Campaign 16V464000 · Jun 24, 2016
Defect: Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2016 CC vehicles manufactured January 12, 2016, to February 3, 2016, Golf R and Tiguan vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 28, 2016, and e-Golf vehicles manufactured November 25, 2015, to January 11, 2016. Vibrations, such as those created by opening and closing a vehicle door, may cause the rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door while inside the vehicle.
Consequence: If an unrestrained child unexpectedly opens a door, they may fall from the vehicle increasing their risk of injury.
Remedy: Volkswagen will notify owners, and dealers will inspect, and if necessary, replace the child lock(s), free of charge. The recall began on August 22, 2016. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 58C9.