NHTSA (USA)Critical
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty capacitor in the air bag control unit may cause air bags to stop working or deploy unexpectedly.
This page covers 5 recalls, 62 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan.
23 mpg combined
10.2 L/100km
Small Sport Utility Vehicle 2WD
Fuel economy data from fueleconomy.gov (EPA / U.S. Dept. of Energy). Annual cost based on 15,000 mi/yr at 55% city driving and current fuel prices. MPG is U.S. gallons; L/100km converted.
4/5 Overall
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Rating
The dominant pattern in 2015 Tiguan complaints centers on the airbag system and electrical issues. The most commonly reported airbag problem ties back to the clock spring, owners describe repeated failures of this component, with the airbag warning light staying on and steering wheel controls, including the horn, going non-functional until the part is replaced. Several owners report needing multiple replacements in a short span. The electrical system draws complaints about the power steering warning light illuminating at startup and power steering becoming unresponsive for several minutes, making low-speed maneuvering difficult. Engine complaints are fewer but include timing chain failures reported at relatively modest mileage and intermittent stalling on the highway, sometimes without any warning codes present to help diagnose the cause.
62
Total Complaints
1
Crash-Related
1
Fire-Related
2
With Injuries
By System
The 2015 Volkswagen Tiguan has 5 recalls, the most serious involving seat-mounted airbag inflators that can rupture in a crash and send metal fragments into the cabin, risking serious injury or death.
A separate airbag concern affects the airbag control module, which contains a defective power supply capacitor. Depending on how the capacitor fails, the airbags may either shut down entirely — leaving occupants without that protection in a crash — or deploy without warning while driving, which can startle the driver and cause a collision. Two recalls address certification label problems: the labels on certain vehicles are missing required tire pressure information and may state incorrect weight and loading ratings. If a driver relies on the incorrect weight figures, they may unknowingly overload the vehicle, which can make it unstable and harder to control. There is also a compliance recall tied to an internal evaluation period during which certain modifications were made to a broad range of Volkswagen models, including the Tiguan, that may leave the vehicle out of conformance with regulatory requirements in ways that could raise the risk of a crash, fire, or injury.
At a glance
What can fail
A faulty capacitor in the air bag control unit may cause air bags to stop working or deploy unexpectedly.
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Ratings from NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program (NCAP). Based on 2 tested variants; worst-case ratings shown.
Complaints are owner-reported and reflect individual experiences, not confirmed defects. They are distinct from recalls. Data sourced from the national vehicle safety complaint database. See trending complaints →
What the fix does
Dealers will install updated software and replace the air bag control unit at no cost.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
Modifications made during an internal evaluation period may have left these vehicles not fully compliant with applicable regulatory requirements.
What the fix does
Dealers will repair vehicles to restore full compliance or Volkswagen will repurchase them at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The driver and front passenger seat-mounted air bag inflators may rupture during a crash instead of deploying safely.
What the fix does
Dealers will replace the side air bag modules at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The certification label on the door jamb is missing tire pressure information and may show incorrect vehicle weight and loading limits.
What the fix does
Dealers will correct the certification label information at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
At a glance
What can fail
The certification label is missing the tire pressure recommendation and may show incorrect weight limits. This can lead to tires being underinflated or the vehicle being overloaded.
What the fix does
Dealers will install a corrected label with proper tire pressure information and accurate weight ratings.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
