This page covers 3 recalls, 95 owner complaints, NHTSA crash-test ratings and EPA fuel economy for the 2016 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
For the 2016 Tiguan, the heaviest complaint volume clusters around the airbag system and electrical issues, with steering problems close behind. On the airbag side, owners frequently report the airbag warning light illuminating without a prior collision, sometimes accompanied by the horn and steering wheel controls stopping work at the same time, suggesting a common point of failure in that cluster of components. Electrical complaints cover a range of symptoms, from warning lights appearing without an obvious cause to various controls behaving erratically. Steering draws a consistent set of reports as well: owners describe the power steering assist cutting out while driving, often briefly at first but sometimes failing to engage at all, usually with a warning light staying on for the remainder of the trip. The steering loss complaints tend to mention it happening after a few minutes of driving rather than immediately at startup.
95
Total Complaints
4
Crash-Related
2
Fire-Related
3
With Injuries
By System
The 2016 Volkswagen Tiguan has 3 recalls, the most serious involving a faulty airbag control module that can either disable the airbags entirely or trigger them to deploy without a crash.
A defective capacitor in the airbag control unit can cause the entire airbag system to go dark when you need it most, or fire the airbags unexpectedly, which can startle a driver into losing control of the vehicle. There is also a concern with the rear door child safety locks, which can fail to prevent the door from being opened from the inside, leaving an unrestrained child able to push the door open while the vehicle is moving. The third recall addresses vehicles that were used during an internal evaluation period and may have received modifications that leave them out of compliance with federal safety regulations, which broadly covers potential risks of 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.
What the fix does
Dealers will install updated software and replace the air bag control unit at no cost.
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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 →
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
Vibrations from opening or closing a door may cause rear child door locks to disengage, allowing a child to open a rear door from inside the vehicle.
What the fix does
Dealers will inspect and replace the rear child lock(s) if needed, at no cost to you.
Summarized — see the official notice for exact wording, dates, and contacts.
