The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 82 of 289 complaints (28%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Electrical include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed rose from 76 in 2017 to 289 in 2018.
At a glance
- NHTSA complaints
- 289
- Recall campaigns
- 14
- EPA fuel cost per year
- $2,600–$3,500
- Combined MPG
- 22–24
Complaints by model year
Where owners report problems
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Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | vs. 2018 Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,350–3,500 | 3,500–3,700 | 2,600–3,500 | 2,500–2,600 | 2,500–2,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 22–23 | 21–22 | 22–24 | 24–25 | 23–25 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 20–21 / 26 | 20 / 23–24 | 19–22 / 25–27 | 21–22 / 29 | 20–22 / 27–29 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 393–395 | 412–424 | 368–407 | 355–367 | 356–388 | |
| Complaints filed | 97 | 76 | 289 | 196 | 141 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 4 | 14 | 5 | 3 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 4 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 2 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 4 | 11 | 5 | 7 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
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 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have?
14 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Nov 7, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Engine: 82 of 289 NHTSA complaints (28%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan get?
EPA rates it 22–24 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
EPA estimates $2,600–$3,500 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (4)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 22 mpg (high) | 27 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 368 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S8) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 21 mpg | 27 mpg (high) | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 382 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | Front-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD | 20 mpg | 26 mpg | 23 mpg | $3,350 | 391 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Automatic (S6) | 4 | 2.0L | All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Small Sport Utility Vehicle 4WD | 19 mpg (low) | 25 mpg (low) | 22 mpg (low) | $3,500 (high) | 407 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 82 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 49 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 41 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 46 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 0 |
| Brakes | 24 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 28 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 39 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 40 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 53 | 0 | 0 | 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 (14)
STEERING
- Defect
- Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. (Volkswagen) is recalling certain 2018 Tiguan, 2018-2019 Atlas, and 2019-2021 Audi Q3 vehicles. One of the bolts that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break. If this happens, the steering rack housing can break.
- Consequence
- A broken steering rack housing can result in a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the right-side steering rack mounting bolt, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed November 10, 2026. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 48LG and 48VT. Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) involved in this recall became searchable on NHTSA.gov on September 16, 2026.
STRUCTURE:BODY
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- An insufficiently attached spoiler may separate from the vehicle, becoming a road hazard and increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- The incorrect roof reinforcement may decrease the roof's structural integrity or impact deployment of the side curtain air bags, increasing the risk of injury in the event of a crash.
- 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.
SEAT BELTS:FRONT:WEBBING
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A torn seat belt may not adequately restrain the seat occupant during a crash, increasing their risk of injury.
- 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69BH.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the vehicles do not meet all regulatory requirements, there could be an increased risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
- 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. Note: This recall is an expansion of NHTSA recall number 18V-329.
SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:COIL SPRINGS
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- If a coil spring fractures while driving, it may damage a rear tire causing a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: INSTRUMENT CLUSTER/PANEL
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- If the driver is not notified by an audible noise that the key is left in the ignition, it can increase the risk of vehicle theft or crash.
- 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. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 90L3 and 90L4.
VISIBILITY:SUN/MOON ROOF ASSEMBLY
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A short-circuit can increase the risk of a fire.
- 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. Owners may contact Volkswagen customer service at 1-800-893-5298. Volkswagen's number for this recall 60D1.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the air bag were to tear or unfold incorrectly during deployment, it can increase the risk of injury.
- 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. Volkswagen's numbers for this recall are 69W8, and 69W9.
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER BALL JOINT
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- A loose or improperly tightened ball joint nut can result in the separation of the lower ball joint causing steering, traction or other stability issues, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. 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.
Show 4 earlier campaigns
SUSPENSION:REAR:SHOCK ABSORBER
- Defect
- 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
- Consequence
- If the lower loop of the rear shock absorber detaches, there may be a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 42i7.
ENGINE
- Defect
- 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.
- Consequence
- If the engine support bolts were not properly tightened, an unexpected engine breakdown or loss of engine power may occur, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- In the event of a crash, the incorrect air bags may not protect the driver as intended, increasing the risk of injury.
- 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 69V2.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:TAIL LIGHTS
- Defect
- 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."
- Consequence
- If the back-up lights are not bright enough, other drivers may not see the vehicle reversing, or the driver may back into an obstacle, increasing the risk of a crash.
- 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. Volkswagen's number for this recall is 94J9.