CarRecallWatchThe 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has 14 safety recalls on file with NHTSA.
Owners have filed 288 complaints with NHTSA, including 5 crashes, 3 fires, 11 injuries.
The most-reported problem area is Engine (82 reports).
NHTSA rates it up to 5 stars overall for crash safety, depending on the version.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan recalls
Steering Rack Bolt May Corrode and Break, Causing Loss of Steering Control
A bolt that attaches the steering rack to the subframe may corrode and break.
Rear Spoiler May Detach and Become a Road Hazard
Some Volkswagen Tiguan vehicles may have an accessory rear hatch spoiler that is not attached securely.
Incorrect roof reinforcement may weaken crash protection
An incorrect roof reinforcement assembly may have been installed during repair of roof damage.
Front Seat Belt Webbing May Tear in a Crash
The front seat belt webbing in certain vehicles may tear during a crash.
Vehicles May Not Meet Federal Safety Rules
Volkswagen is recalling certain Jetta, Beetle and related models because modifications made while the vehicles were held for internal evaluation may cause them to not fully comply with applicable federal safety requirements.
Rear Coil Springs May Break, Risking Loss of Control
Rear coil springs on certain Volkswagen Golf, Golf Sportwagen and Tiguan vehicles may fracture prematurely.
Key-in-ignition chime may not sound, raising theft risk
Certain vehicles without keyless entry may not sound an audible warning from the instrument cluster when the driver's door is opened with the key still in the ignition.
Sunroof Light Module Can Short Circuit and Cause Fire
The LED module for the panoramic sunroof ambient light bar may short circuit.
Passenger Front Airbag May Tear or Fail to Unfold
The passenger-side frontal airbag inflator module may cause the airbag to tear or not unfold properly when it deploys in a crash.
Loose Front Ball Joint Nut Can Cause Loss of Steering Control
The nut holding the lower ball joint on each front wheel may be loose or improperly tightened.
Rear Shock Could Detach, Causing Loss of Control
A lower loop on a rear shock absorber may separate from its base because of an incorrect welding process.
Loose engine bolts can cause sudden power loss
Certain 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan long wheel base (LWB) vehicles may have engine support bolts that were not properly tightened.
Driver Air Bag May Not Protect You in a Crash
Certain 2017-2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Limited vehicles have a front driver air bag that may not be intended for use in vehicles sold in the United States.
Backup lights may be too dim, raising crash risk
Some 2018 Tiguan long wheel base vehicles have backup lights in the taillight assemblies that may not be bright enough.
Most common 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan problems
Problem areas named in the 288 complaints owners filed with NHTSA.
| Problem area | Reports |
|---|---|
| Engine | 82 |
| Unknown Or Other | 52 |
| Power Train | 49 |
| Electrical System | 46 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 41 |
| Structure | 39 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 21 |
| Service Brakes | 19 |
| Exterior Lighting | 17 |
| Seat Belts | 16 |
What owners report
The contact owns a 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, there was a clunking sound coming from the vehicle while depressing the brake pedal and making left turns. The contact stated that the failure became worse over time. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer to be diagnosed, and it was determined that the steering rack mounting bolt was fractured due to corrosion and half of the bolt had seized. The contact was advised that the steering rack needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The contact was notified about NHTSA Campaign Number: 26V590000 (STEERING). The contact stated that the vehicle had experienced the failure listed
My vehicle is under safety recall NHTSA 26V590 (Volkswagen 48LG / 48VT). The steering rack mounting bolt can corrode and break, which can cause a loss of steering control. I was notified of this recall about a month ago. As of October 21, 2026, there is still no remedy available, and I am told owner letters may not go out until around November 10 â nearly two months after the recall was announced â with no date for when a repair will actually exist. This is my only vehicle, and I have to commute to work in it every day. On October 21, 2026, I contacted Volkswagen customer care and asked for a loaner or alternative transportation until the remedy is available. I was offered nothing â on
Within 6 months of purchasing car CPO from dealer, car went into limp mode. Was less than 35k miles, still having same issues at 85k miles. Took to dealer, they said nothing was wrong with car. Car began to have ECU light come on frequently in the middle of driving, took back to dealer. They replaced the fuel injector harness under warranty. Began to have issues with fuel injector misfires, car stalling and lagging at stop signs, sputtering when given gas. When driven for long periods at a time, would intermittently not start. Took back to dealer within a year, spent 1800 on maybe fixes, modules and carbon filter replacement. Same issues. Took back again, spent another 1800 replacing modules
Suspected Electrical Defect and Potential Fire Hazard â 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL I am reporting a suspected electrical safety defect involving the sunroof wiring harness in my 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SEL. While my vehicle was parked, an attempt was made to replace a blown F23 fuse. Smoke began coming from the sunroof area and filled the cabin. Afterward, multiple warning lights illuminated, the vehicle displayed a âturn car offâ warning, the door locks repeatedly cycled, the climate control stopped working, and the infotainment/navigation screen shut off and restarted. A mechanic subsequently determined that the sunroof wiring harness had melted and required replacement. I was inf
While opening the sunroof, the front end of the sunroof began to billow smoke. The cabin filled with smoke. The car was immediately turned off and the fuse was removed. While attempting to drive the vehicle closer to the dealership, the car experienced a total electrical failure and stalled on the side of the road. The car will require a tow. There is a known recall on this matter, however, my VIN does not fall under this recall. The recall explains the exact issue we experienced with the smoking sunroof motor from the faulty lighting causing a serious fire risk.
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan safety rating
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Later Release SUV AWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (15.6% rollover risk) |
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan Later Release SUV FWD | ★★★★★ 5-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (16.8% rollover risk) |
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV FWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (16.8% rollover risk) |
| 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan SUV AWD | ★★★★ 4-star | 4 | 5 | 4 (15.6% rollover risk) |
2018 Volkswagen Tiguan questions
Does the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 14 safety recalls for the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan: Steering Rack Bolt May Corrode and Break, Causing Loss of Steering Control; Rear Spoiler May Detach and Become a Road Hazard; Incorrect roof reinforcement may weaken crash protection; Front Seat Belt Webbing May Tear in a Crash; Vehicles May Not Meet Federal Safety Rules. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
Based on 288 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are Engine (82), Unknown Or Other (52), Power Train (49).
How safe is the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan?
NHTSA's 5-Star Safety Ratings program gives the 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan up to 5 out of 5 stars overall; ratings vary by version, see the table above.
How do I check if a recall on my 2018 Volkswagen Tiguan has been fixed?
Enter your 17-character VIN in our VIN recall check. It shows open recalls that have not been repaired on your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are normally free at an authorized dealer.